The PC(USA) has been engaged with gender justice at the United Nations since the early 1990s. In 2006, PW began mobilizing contingents of women from across the church to participate in CSW as part of a PC(USA) delegation, furthering our shared work for gender justice in the international community. Presbyterian Women received accreditation to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2018, thus strengthening the partnership between PW and the PC(USA) and enhancing Presbyterian visibility at the UN.
This page provides general information about the Commission on the Status of Women (and the Forum, organized by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/NY).
About the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
As UN Women explains, “The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.” Each annual session of the Commission focuses on a specific priority theme and a review theme. The focus of the 69th session of the Commission is “the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action,” which is a sweeping plan for advancing women’s rights that was outlined 30 years ago.
During CSW69, more than 25,000 participants from around the world, including UN Member States, UN programs, agencies, and civil society will come together to further gender equity for women. The UN invites nongovernmental organizations holding consultative status with ECOSOC to advocate for the inclusion of their organizations’ positions. The Commission publishes agreed conclusions with concrete recommendations for action by governments, intergovernmental bodies and other institutions, civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders, to be implemented at the international, national, regional, and local levels.
About the NGO Forum
In addition to the official meetings of CSW, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/NY organizes a forum of parallel events that takes place during the Commission. The forum begins with a consultation day and features events sponsored by nongovernmental organizations. The events provide additional opportunities for advocacy, learning, and networking. Normally, the events are held in venues off UN grounds.
About Ecumenical Women
Ecumenical Women is a coalition of approximately 20 Christian organizations representing more than 100 million Christians worldwide. Ecumenical Women believes that the church is a powerful transformative vehicle for the teaching, protection, and enforcement of women’s rights and gender equality when its constituents and leadership are informed and empowered. Presbyterian Women joins Ecumenical Women in transformative advocacy at the United Nations.
Presbyterian Women’s Participation in CSW and the NGO CSW/NY Forum
Through participation, delegates are inspired and equipped to advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment at the international level, and to transfer what they learn at CSW to local, state, and national levels.
A limited number of grounds passes are provided to each NGO with ECOSOC status. Registered delegates will be able to attend side events (high-level panel discussions held on UN grounds). Anyone wishing to attend parallel events (part of the NGO CSW/NY Forum) will be able to participate online or in person. All events provide opportunities for advocacy, information exchange, and networking.