6 JUNE 2025, VIENNA – The Philippines highlighted the significant progress in women’s access to justice in the 30 years since the adoption of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, the landmark international document for advancing women’s rights.

“We saw considerable progress over the past decades since adopting the Beijing Declaration. The number of women in leadership roles across justice institutions increased, legal frameworks to protect the rights of women were strengthened, and awareness of gender-based violence as a systemic issue that must be addressed grew,” said Ambassador Evangelina A. Bernas, Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN organizations in Vienna at the conference "UNODC and Beijing+30: Women, Justice, and Security in a Changing World" held at the Vienna International Center from 04 to 05 June 2025.

The Philippine envoy made the remarks as she moderated an expert’s panel on integrating gender perspectives in criminal justice reform. Ambassador Bernas added, however, “despite this progress, systemic gaps within criminal justice systems all over the world–including in the Philippines–continue to hinder women’s ability to access justice and to participate meaningfully within these institutions.”

Key themes discussed during the panel included strengthening survivor-centered approaches, empowering women within law enforcement, and expanding access to legal aid for marginalized communities. 

Ambassador Bernas noted practical good practices such as opening legal advice bureaus in communities where women can access information on their rights, as well as conducting reintegration programs inside prisons to prepare people once they serve their sentences.

The panel featured Jane Kuria, CEO of Ustawi Network; Rania Mustafa Ali, Syrian Kurdish filmmaker; Fatmata Claire Carlton Hanciles, Executive Director of Sierra Leone’s Legal Aid Board; Douglas Durán Chavarría, Director of ILANUD; and Anna Giudice of UNODC. These experts shared innovative good practices to integrate gender perspectives into justice systems. END.