Arriving in New York City on March 10, I was filled with anticipation. My taxi awaited me at LaGuardia’s F2 parking, and as we navigated the city’s congested bridges and tunnels, I prepared myself for the experience ahead. I will have an encounter. I will get to meet new people. I prayed that my mobility aid, Louise, would help me to keep up with walking and finding my way around. Janet Palafox, our IBVM/CJ UN NGO Representative, greeted me outside the Chapel at 777 United Nations Plaza, marking the beginning of an immersive journey, a pilgrimage.
The scene inside was exciting—students, interns, and advocates swarmed the space, waiting for packed elevators in route to various sessions. Janet NGO Representative and delegation organizer, led a buzzing office as young women (18–30) from Kenya, Uganda, India, Nepal, Australia, and Peru prepared presentations, shared insights, and strategized their next moves. These women and girls—interns, organizers, and changemakers—embodied the ongoing legacy of the Beijing Platform for Action, committed to advancing gender equality.
After securing my ground pass to the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), I attended three impactful conferences addressing crises in Syria, Ukraine, Gaza, and Israel. Discussions centered on urgent needs, human rights violations, and the indispensable role of education and empowerment in achieving gender equity.
One session that left a lasting impression focused on conflict-related sexual violence, where women are disproportionately victimized war zones and beyond. Advocacy groups outlined ongoing efforts for women’s rights, protection, and empowerment. Yet, the challenges remain immense, particularly in war-torn regions. Women have the babies and bury their babies and are battered and marginalized in the process. A striking statistic from an Australian social worker underscored systemic injustices—such as Indigenous Australians constitute only 4% of the population and yet they account for 34% of the incarcerated. This echoed the racial disparities in the U.S. prison system, where Black and Brown populations face disproportionate incarceration rates both women and men.
Throughout the conference, I found connection and inspiration among dedicated individuals in our delegation, including: Jenalle Anthonypillai, Ana Paula Mantegazza Mori, Leonida Kwamboka Oriki (IBVM), Mary Campbell, Ruby Thapaliya. Over a few shared meals and discussions, we analyzed presentations, exchanged perspectives, and spoke of our collective commitment to advocacy, awareness, empowerment and change.
Justice Coalition of Religious’ (JCoR) assessment of national positions on gender equality provided a sobering perspective. The U.S. delegation’s stance was particularly disheartening rejecting a broader definition of gender identity and insisting on a strictly biological framework. This regressive position contradicted scientific understanding, which recognizes gender identity as neurologically influenced rather than solely determined by physical appearance at birth.
CSW 69 was a global convergence of government ambassadors, NGO animators, Religious advocates of civil society, it truly consisted of the hearts and minds of humanity, deliberating the current realities of gender equity. Despite progress in awareness, systemic behaviors remain unchanged. Women continue to labor the hardest while reaping the fewest benefits. We cast votes that undermine our rights, and we endure oppression in every society and culture. While advocacy has propelled awareness, the path to true equality remains long and distant. Somehow, we make three steps forward and two steps backward on this pilgrimage of human rights for women.
(Sr. Brenda Eagan ibvm is the Director of Mission & Ministry United States Region of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She hosts a podcast Love & Speak the Truth. You can listen to her on LoveSpeakTruth.org
Autor: Brenda Eagan IBVM, CSW69 delegate.
