The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, CSW 69, has intensified global discussions on gender equality, stressing that achieving women’s rights is not just a moral obligation but essential for the survival of the planet.
As world leaders, policymakers, and advocates gathered to assess the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, urgent calls were made to translate commitments into measurable change, especially amid financial cuts and increasing threats to gender progress.
Chair of the Commission, Abdul Aziz bin Mohammed Al-Wasil of Saudi Arabia, set the tone for the dialogue, emphasising that the CSW must be more than a symbolic promise.
Al-Wasil said; “The commitments we reaffirm must translate into real, tangible, and measurable progress, progress that all women and girls can feel in their homes, workplaces, schools, economies, and societies.”
Warning
He also warned that while the digital revolution is unfolding, millions of women and girls remain locked out of its opportunities.
A major concern raised during the session was the potential $60 billion cut in official development assistance (ODA) by 2027, which threatens gender equality programs worldwide.
The President of the Economic and Social Council, Bob Rae warned that the world cannot afford to lose the progress made.
He said; “Even in a time of significant restructuring of the UN system, women’s voices must remain a critical part of the conversation. We must ensure we do not go backward.”
Minister for Family, Inclusion, and Social Development of Cape Verde, Fernando Elísio Freire, emphasised that global gender equality frameworks must be meaningfully connected to national and local realities.
“Translating international commitments into action requires policies that respond to the diverse needs of all women and girls,” he stated.
Similarly, Ireland’s Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill noted that gender equality is no longer a fringe issue but central to development, peace, and progress.
She said; “The Commission has played a crucial role in shaping human rights policies, but full achievement of gender equality remains a distant goal.”
Botswana’s Minister for Youth and Gender Affairs, Lesego Chombo called for strengthening the Commission to effectively address challenges and drive real impact.
Chombo said; “Our dialogue today can make a real contribution to ensuring that global commitments are translated into meaningful action at every level.”
Representing the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Joanne Sandler called for a shift from lengthy negotiations to decisive action.
Sandler said; “Violence against women and girls is the world’s longest and deadliest pandemic. Rather than negotiating long documents, we need a two-page action-oriented agenda reviewed annually to track real progress.”
She also emphasised the need for youth leadership in shaping policies, stressing that too many young advocates are excluded due to bureaucratic hurdles.
She said; “This is not just a meeting; it is a pathway to progress, let’s make it a superhighway.”
As discussions continue, CSW 69 serves as a crucial moment for reflecting on the impact of the Commission on the Status of Women over the years and strategizing on bold, innovative solutions to accelerate gender equality.
With financial threats looming and global challenges intensifying, Voice of Nigerian reports that speakers at the session made it clear: “the world cannot afford to backtrack on gender progress, urgent action is needed now.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
Comments are closed.