UN Warns 740,000 Women Detained Worldwide, Calls for Urgent Prison Protections

UN experts urge member states to strengthen protections for women in detention, addressing rising incarceration rates and risks of abuse worldwide.

UN experts warned on Wednesday Febraury 18 that over 740,000 women and girls are currently detained globally, with female prison populations rising 60 percent since 2000.

They highlighted that access to justice, security, and dignity for women in detention remains insufficient, and women now make up about seven percent of all prisoners worldwide.

Most women are imprisoned for non-violent offenses linked to poverty, inability to pay fines, or punitive drug policies, according to the UN statement.

UN specialists stressed that detained women face heightened risks, including sexual and gender-based violence, poor healthcare, overcrowding, and other abusive conditions.

The experts urged governments to review criminal laws affecting women and girls, ensuring funding for community-led, women-led organizations that provide protection and support.

The statement was issued ahead of the 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, emphasizing the global importance of prison reform and gender-sensitive policies.

UN experts called on nations to guarantee the safety of women in detention, reduce criminalization of non-violent offenses, and prioritize gender-sensitive justice systems.

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