Each year, the CSW provides a platform for delegates around the world to speak out on behalf of hundreds of millions of women and girls
As every year, our representatives in New York attended the sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) from 14 to 24 March. The CSW is a major event; it provides a platform for delegates around the world to speak out on behalf of hundreds of millions of women and girls on the issues that matter to them.
About the CSW
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women. Every year, representatives of UN Member States gather in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards, and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and the advancement of women worldwide.
About CSW 60
This year, the priority theme was focused on the 2030 agenda linking sustainable development to the empowerment of women. It was the first CSW session since the adoption of said agenda last year. In addition to the priority theme, the CSW intended to evaluate progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions from CSW57 on “The elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls”.
The nine-day session included a ministerial segment with round tables, high level interactive dialogues, a general discussion and panel discussions. In addition, a wide array of parallel events were organized by UN and NGO stakeholders to draw attention on some of the critical aspects of their work.
For example, during Dianova’s side event, on March 22, our representatives advocated the adoption of a gender perspective in policies that deal with addiction treatment and prevention.
Agreed Conclusions
The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women concluded with UN Member States committing to the gender-responsive implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. A set of agreed conclusions called for enhancing the basis for rapid progress, including stronger laws, policies and institutions, better data and scaled-up financing.
The Commission recognized the essential role of women as agents of development. It acknowledged that progress on the Sustainable Development Goals at the heart of Agenda 2030 will not be possible without gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka welcomed the agreement and the commitment of UN Member States to make the 2030 Agenda, adopted last September, a reality in countries around the world.
She said: “Countries gave gender inequality an expiry date: 2030. Now it is time to get to work. These agreed conclusions entrench and start the implementation of a gender-responsive agenda 2030 with which we have the best possibility to leave no one behind”
Growing global commitment was already in evidence with a record number of more than 80 government ministers from around the world attending the Commission. Around 4,100 non-governmental representatives from more than 540 organizations participated as well, the highest number ever for one of the Commission’s regular annual meetings.
Excerpt from a press release issued by UN Women, on March 24
The agreed conclusions of the annual sessions of the Commission are available on the UN Women web site, and a draft version of this year’s sessionhas been published.
About the NGO Committee on the Status of Women – New York (NGO CSW/NY)
The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGO CSW/NY) is one of three women’s committees of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the UN (CoNGO). Established in 1972, it provides an open forum for women’s voices to be heard at the United Nations. The NGO/CSW/NY assists girls and women of all ages to advocate and organize for the implementation of global agreements including the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the UN Millennium Development Goals and the Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Committee represents more than 100 member organizations and individuals concerned about the status of women and girls. Dianova International has been a member of the NGO CSW/NY since 2013. Every year, in preparation for the CSW session, the Committee organizes the NGO CSW Forum that includes a Consultation day which purpose is to set the stage for the CSW meetings and facilitate interaction between participants, a reception held this year on 15 March, and a number of parallel events organized during the CSW official session. In 2016, 450 parallel events were organized with support from the Committee.
