Since Eleanor Roosevelt paved the way for women’s rights at the UN in the 1940s, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has become a powerful entity, meeting annually in March at UN Headquarters, New York. This gathering aims to discuss the persisting inequalities faced by women globally. This year, from 10 to 21 March, leaders will convene to tackle these pressing issues.
1. Eighty Years of Advocacy
The roots of the CSW trace back to Roosevelt’s impassioned plea in 1946, urging globally established frameworks to advance women’s roles in peace and governance. The initial sub-commission, formed by nations like Denmark, China, and France, was dedicated to assessing women’s status issues, ultimately leading to the CSW’s establishment. Its early work stressed the urgency of political rights for women, laying the groundwork for future advancements.
2. Pivotal Agreements Born
The CSW has been instrumental in shaping key international treaties, championed by its diverse membership. Landmark texts include the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (1967), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), all essential landmarks enhancing global gender equality.
3. Expanding Needs, Expanding Reach
As the UN membership grew, so did the focus on women’s needs, particularly regarding poverty and rural development in the 1960s. With the recognition of 1975 as the International Year of Women, the First World Conference catalysed significant momentum towards women’s rights, culminating in the establishment of UN Women in 2010, closely collaborating with the CSW.
4. Responding to Modern Issues
The CSW continues to assess contemporary challenges, including climate change and gender-based violence, ensuring women’s voices are central to decision-making processes. Their annual sessions lead to action-oriented conclusions aimed at bridging gaps in achieving established goals, contributing to the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and gender empowerment.
5. Implementing Change
The CSW actively promotes strategies to alleviate women’s poverty, urging investments that enhance gender equality and empower female leadership. Such initiatives could uplift over 100 million women from poverty, creating millions of jobs and significantly boosting global GDP. The upcoming 2025 session will focus on evaluating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration, addressing ongoing challenges to achieve gender equality.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets annually to address global inequalities faced by women. Founded by Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1940s, it has influenced major global agreements and continues to tackle emerging issues including poverty and gender-based violence. The CSW’s work is integral for the advancement of women’s rights and the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its next session focused on evaluating the implementation of key international declarations.
The Commission on the Status of Women continues to be a vital platform for advocating women’s rights and addressing global inequalities. Through its rich history and focus on modern challenges, it pushes nations to implement effective solutions that uplift women everywhere. As it approaches its 2025 session, the CSW remains committed to advancing gender equality and empowering women as part of a broader sustainable development agenda.
Original Source: news.un.org
