Reflections from the UN Commission for the Status of Women

The UN Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946, and is the primary international body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, and the rights and the empowerment of women. This year, the CSW celebrated a major milestone: the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The Beijing Declaration is the world’s most comprehensive, visionary plan ever created to achieve the equal rights of all women and girls. Agreed by 189 governments in 1995, at the Fourth World Conference on Women, it centres on 12 areas of action – referred to as “critical areas of concern”. These cover jobs and the economy, political participation, peace, the environment, ending violence against women and more.

It was quite the experience being in New York to celebrate this landmark agreement in a backdrop of some of the most regressive and repressive actions, policies, laws and decisions occurring across the globe.  Whilst we have come a long way, there is still so much more to do in a context where hard fought for rights and gains are easily stripped away.

The CSW events include a large number of sessions and parallel events on a range of topics. We attended a number of sessions over two weeks with a focus on hearing from diverse voices and First Nations people across the globe.

One of these sessions included Maori and Pacific women and girls who shared reflections on the impact of national strategies to address gender-based violence and racism. The presenters discussed how these strategies did little to incorporate the voices of lived and living experience. Other sessions discussed the advocacy for constitutional transformation focused on reconciliation, remediation, restoration and reconstruction and for this to be developed in genuine partnership and co-design representing the ideals defined in the Treaty process.

The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, proudly spoke of and recognised the importance of feminist activists and civil society. He acknowledged the increasing backlash and misogyny and said we needed to continue to resist and push back against repressive forces.

Part of the trip was spent supporting the ongoing work of the Global Network of Women’s Shelters (GNWS). I participated in the annual GNWS board meeting, attended the GNWS parallel event, several meetings to support advocacy and securing funds for GNWS and was involved in the initial steps to establish the Oceania Network for the GNWS.

Finally, CNV co-presented a parallel session with WESNET and Safe + Equal on how peak organisations contribute to strengthening frontline services addressing gender-based violence. The session explored the role of peak bodies in advocating for political, legislative and social reforms, and increased funding for specialist services. Presenters highlighted how state and national collaboration enhances support for frontline services and the communities they serve, and the importance of partnerships, resources, and advocacy in building effective and sustainable responses to gender-based violence. CNV was able to talk directly to how the WESNET and Safe + Equal had strengthened and supported our work. It was a great session and well received by the audience.