70th session of Commission on the Status of Women slated for March 9 to 19

The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place from March 9 to 19 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The priority theme is ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers.

The session will also review women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as efforts to eliminate violence against women and girls, in line with the agreed conclusions of the 65th session.

According to a CSW70 document obtained by Communication for Development and Advocacy Consult CDA Consult, representatives of Member States, United Nations entities and Economic and Social Council accredited non governmental organisations from all regions are expected to participate in the two-week meeting.

The Bureau of the Commission plays a key role in preparing for and ensuring the successful outcome of the annual sessions. The Bureau for CSW70 is chaired by Ms Maritza Chan Valverde of Costa Rica, representing the Latin American and Caribbean States Group. The Vice Chairs are Ms Samah Dbouk of Lebanon for the Asia and Pacific States Group, Mr Noah Oehri of Liechtenstein for the Western European and Other States Group, Ms Andreea Mocanu of Romania for the Eastern European States Group, and Ms Flavia Umulisa of Rwanda for the African States Group.

The outcome of the Commission’s consideration of the priority theme will be presented as agreed conclusions negotiated by all Member States.

The active participation of non-governmental organisations remains central to the work of the Commission on the Status of Women.

UN Women serves as the lead United Nations entity on gender equality and the secretariat of the Commission. The agency focuses on strengthening laws, institutions, social norms and services to close gender gaps and build a more equal world for women and girls. It works with governments, women’s movements and the private sector, while coordinating efforts across the UN system to achieve lasting change.

Gender equality is recognised not only as a fundamental human right but also as essential to sustainable development. Empowering women strengthens economies and drives productivity and growth. However, significant inequalities persist. Many women lack access to decent work, face occupational segregation and wage gaps, and are denied basic education and health care. Violence and discrimination remain widespread, and women continue to be underrepresented in political and economic decision making.

Over the decades, the United Nations has advanced gender equality through landmark frameworks such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

In supporting global efforts, UN Women assists intergovernmental bodies such as the Commission on the Status of Women in developing policies, standards and norms. It also helps Member States implement these standards by providing technical and financial support upon request and by building strong partnerships with civil society. Additionally, it leads and coordinates the UN system’s work on gender equality and promotes accountability through regular monitoring of system-wide progress.

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