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Join the City Bar Association’s United Nations Committee for the Second Annual International Law Conference on the Status of Women. The Conference will commemorate International Women’s Day and will be held in the lead up to the 65th Regular Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The Conference will consist of two panels, which will focus on separate legal and policy issues confronting women around the world. The first panel will analyze the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had upon women. The impacts of the pandemic have manifested in a variety of ways, including but not limited to increased levels of domestic violence, women and girls being more susceptible to becoming victims of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation, and decreased participation in the work force by women due to the need to provide childcare for their families. The second panel will explore efforts to eliminate violence against women, which is essential to permit their full and effective participation and decision-making in public life. Eliminating violence against women is also crucial to achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls. The panelists will explore the harmful impacts of violence against women, and how these impacts hinder the realization of gender equality and women’s involvement in public life, which harms society as a whole. 

The objective of the Conference is to have an honest conversation about the current situation of women and girls around the world, with a focus on how laws and policies have contributed to the situation. The panelists will provide their insights and expertise as to how the legal profession can address the situation in order to promote a more equitable and less discriminatory environment for women and girls. Furthermore, the panelists will highlight their efforts, and the efforts of their respective organizations, to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. 

Second Panel: Eliminating violence against women in order to allow for women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life

• Pramila Patten, United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict
• Akila Radhakrishnan, President of the Global Justice Center
• Dubravka Šimonovic, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women
• Moderator: Chanya Sainvilus, Member of the UN Committee

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Excerpt of Al-Monitor article that quotes GJC President Akila Radhakrishnan.

Biden has so far rejoined the World Health Organization, reentered the Paris Agreement on climate change and announced it would “reengage” with the UN Human Rights Council before seeking full membership later this year. In a Wednesday address outlining the Biden administration’s foreign policy strategy, Blinken committed the United States to leading with diplomacy.

“Issuing sanctions against an independent prosecutor elected through the multilateral system isn't exactly a diplomatic maneuver,” said Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the New York-based Global Justice Center. “While the Biden administration may disagree with some of the decisions that are being made by the prosecutor on the court, it’s not in line with their own professed values around human rights, around accountability, to take measures against an independent prosecutor."

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Excerpt of CNN article that quotes GJC President Akila Radhakrishnan.

The world should applaud the bravery of Representative Kyaw Moe Tun for delivering such a powerful statement on behalf of the people of Myanmar, not the illegitimate military junta," Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, said in a statement Friday.

"The international community must reward such courage by taking up his call for immediate, decisive action to hold the military accountable."

Myanmar descended into unrest when the coup ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

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NEW YORK — During a briefing before the United Nations General Assembly today, Myanmar’s representative to the United Nations, Kyaw Moe Tun, denounced the coup carried out by his country’s military. He also urged the UN Security Council and international community to use “any means necessary” to hold the military accountable.

Akila Radhakrishnan, president of the Global Justice Center, issued the following statement:

“The world should applaud the bravery of Representative Kyaw Moe Tun for delivering such a powerful statement on behalf of the people of Myanmar, not the illegitimate military junta. The international community must reward such courage by taking up his call for immediate, decisive action to hold the military accountable.

“The representative made his statement on behalf of the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluuttaw (CRPH), composed of duly elected members of parliament, not the illegal military regime. The international community should support the will of the people of Myanmar by recognizing the CRPH and refusing to legitimize, normalize, or cooperate with the military government.

“In defending his people and democracy on the world stage, the representative made it clear that the military poses an existential threat to the country and that the coup must fail. The path to a peaceful, democratic, and multi-ethnic Myanmar will require steps to financial isolation of the military and their access to arms, accountability for military crimes, and — perhaps most importantly — a new federal Constitution.

“The people of Myanmar have spoken at great risk to their personal safety and security. Now is the time for the international community to stand with them and take forceful, concerted action.”