This year, commemorated the 69th session for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and 30 years since the Adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action. With International Women’s Day happening only a couple of days before CSW, the reflection of our journey to gender equality was a constant reminder that change is possible.
In 2025, the current climate of the world and certain Member States displaying complacent stances, evoked stress and fear in much of the UN and its entities. Despite this, there still was great motivation and determination to continue striving for gender equality. Over the two weeks, Member States and Civil Society engaged together in order to establish fair and motivating outcome documents.
Many Member states and Civil Society Organisations during general discussion are able to voice their needs and urgencies in hope for these impacts to be included in the outcome documents. A common and recurring theme that was present in most presentations during general discussion include, informal care work, impact of artificial intelligence and social protection.
The Political Declaration created from CSW69, outlines the importance of continuing to uphold the Beijing Platform for Action, and there have been amendments from previous years which exemplifies progress. This includes the importance of mental health, recognising that no country has successfully achieved gender equality and girls participation in leadership. Despite these recommendations explicitly stated in the political declaration, it was also unfortunate that some themes that are vital for women and girls to thrive were absent. Menstrual Hygiene was very briefly addressed, however there was no mention of sexual and reproductive health. Additionally, transportation and infrastructure to schools was not outlined but during CSW69 was expressed as a level of importance as it is a large barrier in accessing education.
Although the Political Declaration and Multi-year Agreement, does show promise in progress, there is still much to do. These outcome documents are a guideline for countries to follow in order to achieve the 2030 SDGs but also gender equality, however there is no enforcement of these guidelines. Thus, something that I have taken away from CSW, is that the voice of civil society matters. If there is a breach in human rights, you are able to connect with NGO representatives at the UN or even member states. It can also be a simple letter, or conversation online that can spark change and force governments and authorities to reflect on their policies and implementations. Although, in some environments free speech poses a risk, there are ways to also silently protest. This includes having conversations with friends and families about issues that are not only occurring in your own nation but also how it is seen in other countries. Without conversation and multilateralism, we will not be able to achieve gender equality.
Side Events Reflection
Over the two weeks during CSW69, many civil society members and member states formed coalitions to create side events. These side events usually focus on specific topics that may affect their own nations or can be an opportunity to spark dialogue and recognition. These side events gave member states and civil society the opportunity to elaborate on issues that are usually presented during general discussion. Countries, civil society and other organisations shared varied experiences however, there was clear commonality in which no country has yet achieved gender equality.
The side events I attended allowed me to develop a greater understanding of the intersectional issues that disproportionately affect women. The World Health Organisation and the United Kingdom Mission held an event focusing on Gender Equity in Health. This side event outlined, 70% of healthcare workers are women, however most leadership positions in the healthcare field are held by men. This does not represent the healthcare field accurately and thus calls for more women and girls to be given opportunities to participate in leadership. Even as patients women are disproportionately affected from the biases in the healthcare industry.
There is a lack of current research based on women’s health as there is a hyper-focus on women’s reproductive years, but this discounts menopause, heart disease, osteoporosis and other illnesses. In fact, many women are often misdiagnosed due to the studies and research that currently exists, thus to achieve gender equity in health more research needs to be conducted on women; but also women of colour, from different socio-economic backgrounds, sexualities and education. What really surprised me is that the rate of diabetes is the same as the rate of endometriosis in women, yet there is not enough support or funding for research about this issue. It was also especially evident that a large research gap is based in the global south compared to more developed nations.
Similarly, the divide between the global south and north was particularly obvious especially from the Nordic Missions’ Side Events. Their policies, in providing both paid maternal and paternal leave, promotes both parents to be responsible for care-taking. Additionally, childcare and early learning centres are free, to enable women to go back to work. However, there is still some pushback the Nordic Countries still endure, including gender based violence continuing to take lives of women and girls and taking gender equality for granted which can pose a risk for going back on the progress they have been able to achieve.
Other side events also included topics such a female genital mutilation, child marriage, sexual violence, care economy and climate impacts on women and girls. There were also specific spaces for youth and young girls to engage in advocacy and activism through some side events co-hosted by UN Women.
From this, I learnt that everyone has a story. Sharing your story and experience to others can be a foundation for change but also can be the largest call for action. One youth delegate, from Afghanistan, spoke about the turmoil girls and women are facing. They cannot seek medical attention from male doctors, however they also can’t be educated to become doctors themselves. She highlighted that even though the main motto this year was for “no one to be left behind”, there has been complete ignorance towards women and girls in Afghanistan.
Her story was raw and true, which made it especially engaging. She called out the ignorance surrounding this issue and her pain was evident in her speech. This has motivated me to not only share my story, but to also encourage others to share. It is imperative that we listen to all voices and not those who are just the loudest. I have especially learnt that it is important to not only represent yourself, but also others similar to you but are unfortunate in not being able to access such platforms.
For more information on CSW69, click HERE.
Author: Jenalle Anthonypillai, Youth Representative
