Every year on July 17, the world observes World Day for International Justice, a moment to reflect on global efforts to ensure accountability, uphold human rights, and promote the rule of law. It is held each year to mark the adoption of the Rome Statue in 1998, the treaty that established the International Criminal Court.
But while laws and rhetoric may evolve, one critical question remains. Do women truly receive justice when they face crime, violence, and inequality? According to the National Crime Records Bureau, one woman is raped every 20 minutes in India. In a world that has made strides in legal reforms and gender equity, the gap between law on paper and justice in reality remains. Women and girls around the globe still face challenges not only in reporting crimes, but in being heard, believed, and protected. For millions, justice is delayed or even denied entirely.
The Justice Gap For Women
Legal frameworks have expanded in recent decades to better protect women's rights. Many countries now criminalise domestic violence, sexual assault, and workplace harassment. International agreements like CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) provide broad protections.
And yet, one in three women worldwide has experienced physical or sexual violence in her lifetime, and less than 10 per cent of these women will ever see their perpetrators held accountable.
According to UN Women, access to justice for women is often compromised by gender-insensitive legal procedures, fear of retaliation or social ostracism, financial or geographic inaccessibility, cultural stigma and family pressure.
Even where laws exist, enforcement is often weak, inconsistent, or deeply patriarchal. Violence against women remains a global epidemic. From domestic abuse and rape to child marriage, female genital mutilation, and trafficking, crimes against women often go unreported or unpunished.
Why Do Women Stay Silent?
Crimes are underreported due to shame or trauma, the fear of not being believed or retribution from family or community, and economic dependence on the abuser. Even in cases that are reported, conviction rates remain low. In India, over 400,000 cases of crimes against women were reported in 2023, but conviction rates for rape hover just around 25 per cent. In many cases, trials are delayed for years, evidence is mishandled, and survivors are retraumatised by aggressive cross-examinations and societal backlash. Many countries still have overwhelmingly male police forces, judges, and prosecutors, which influences how female survivors are treated.
Women are more likely to be blamed for their clothing or behaviour, disbelieved due to emotional responses and shamed for speaking publicly. In addition, courtrooms lack privacy and the cost of legal representation is too high for many women. In many rural or marginalised communities, the nearest court may be hours away.
Justice Beyond The Courtroom
When formal justice systems fail, women have turned to public protest and solidarity. The MeToo Movement gave survivors a global voice, leading to real consequences for powerful abusers. Survivors can use social media to expose abusers, online support networks, petition platforms and legal crowdfunding tools. While not a replacement for formal justice, these tools offer validation, visibility, and sometimes accountability.
Intersectionality
Justice is not experienced equally. Dalit women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and disabled women often face layered discrimination. Dalit women in India face caste violence along with gender violence, and are rarely protected by police. Trans women face both gender-based violence and legal invisibility not just in India, but across the world.
International Support
Organisations like UN Women, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the World Bank’s Gender Equality Programs can play critical roles. However, they have their limitations with funding, red tape, slow processes, political interference, lack of enforcement power, and weak presence in rural areas
What Is Needed For Progress?
Here’s what the world needs to ensure gender-based equality and justice:
1. More women in law enforcement, judiciary, and policy-making
2. Greater visibility of gender-based violence in public discourse
3. Survivor-led campaigns that push new laws
4. Aware and empowered young people
5. Fast-tracking of gender-based violence cases and a higher rate of convictions
6. Gender-sensitisation training for the police force and judges
7. Stronger victim protection laws
8. Legal aid and language access for tribal, rural, and marginalised women across India
While the past decade has seen shifts in awareness and legal rights, millions of women still live in fear, silence, and inequality. Until justice is accessible and empowering for all women, we cannot truly say the world has progressed. On this World Day for International Justice, let us reflect not only on the laws that are written, but also on the experiences of those they are meant to protect.