CSW69: States renew their commitments to gender equality 30 years after the Beijing Declaration

The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), held from March 10 to 21, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, reaffirmed global efforts toward gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the session brought together representatives from 193 member states, including Chad, as well as civil society organizations and global stakeholders, to assess progress and outline the next phase of action.

Reaffirming Global Commitments to Gender Equality.

At the core of CSW69 was a collective commitment to dismantling barriers to women’s empowerment. Delegates reiterated the urgency of addressing structural inequalities and adopted comprehensive measures to:

• Eradicate Poverty and Promote Economic Empowerment: Recognizing the disproportionate impact of poverty on women, leaders pledged to expand economic opportunities, ensure equal pay, and increase access to decent work.
• Address Gender-Based Violence: A global pledge was made to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls through legal reforms, awareness campaigns, and survivor-centered support systems.
• Amplify Women’s Leadership: Increased representation of women in decision-making at all levels was prioritized as a necessary step toward equitable societies.

Emphasizing Equal Opportunities

Recognizing the indispensable role of women and girls in societal advancement, CSW69 called for:

• Access to Education, Healthcare, and Social Protection: Ensuring equal access to these fundamental services was identified as critical for women’s well-being and advancement.
• Investment in STEM Education: Leaders emphasized the need to bridge the digital divide by increasing investments in STEM education and leveraging technology to empower women and girls.

Adoption of Key Resolutions

A landmark achievement of CSW69 was the adoption of a political declaration reaffirming commitments to gender equality. Despite resistance from anti-rights actors, the declaration upheld essential language on gender equality, gender mainstreaming, and intersectionality—reflecting the resilience of feminist movements and progressive member states.

Strengthening Institutions and Policies

World leaders underscored the necessity of gender-responsive policies and institutional reforms, doubling down on certain commitments:

• International Cooperation and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships: Acknowledging that global collaboration is key to sustaining progress.
• Resource Mobilization: Pledges were made to allocate adequate funding for implementing the Beijing Declaration and strengthening national gender equality institutions.
• Enhanced Data Collection: A call was made to improve national statistics offices to enhance the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data, ensuring that policies are data-driven.

The Role of UN Women and Global Partnerships

The forum’s meetings highlighted UN Women’s pivotal role in advancing gender equality, calling for sustained support and deeper collaboration. The UN system was urged to integrate gender considerations into all policies and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships to accelerate progress.

Milestones in Women’s Leadership

CSW69 celebrated major advancements in women’s leadership globally, including:

1. Namibia’s First Female President: A historic milestone for the country and Africa.
2. Tunisia’s First Female Prime Minister: A significant step in the Arab world’s political landscape.
3. First Female President of the International Olympic Committee: The appointment of an African woman to this role underscored progress in global sports leadership.
4. UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous spoke on the need for continued investments in education—particularly STEM—social protection, and data-driven policy implementation. She called for nations to align their policies with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The Crucial Role of Civil Society

Civil society organizations were recognized for their relentless advocacy in pushing for gender-equitable policies and programs. Their role as watchdogs and catalysts for change was acknowledged as integral to sustaining progress.

Nigeria’s Stand at CSW69

Nigeria played a vocal role in CSW69, addressing critical issues and outlining key national priorities:

1. Ambassador Bola Asaju’s Address: He voiced concerns about the lack of explicit references to girls and families in the political declaration, the absence of gender-specific discourse, and the mention of abortion.
2. Minister Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim’s Commitment: Nigeria reaffirmed its dedication to six priority areas, including:

• A digital revolution to empower women (#TheHappyWomansApp).
• Eradication of poverty.
• Zero tolerance for gender-based violence.
• Equal power and representation for women.
• Peace and security.
• Climate justice.

3. Advocacy for Legislative Reforms: Nigeria acknowledged gaps in women’s political representation and called for constitutional and legal reforms to bridge them.

Chad’s Engagement and Regional Collaboration

Chad was an active participant in CSW69, with a focus on:

• Advancing STEM Education: Alongside other African nations, Chad advocated for increased investment in STEM education to empower women through innovation and technology.
• Regional Coordination: Chad engaged in preparatory meetings with African states to align strategies and ensure a unified voice at CSW69.

CSW69 in Numbers: A Landmark Gathering

According to UN Women, CSW69 recorded:

1. 13,000 Participants from diverse sectors.
2. 186 Member States, including Nigeria and Chad.
3. 3 Deputy Prime Ministers in attendance.
4. 5,840 Side Events featuring discussions, workshops, and strategic meetings.

Looking Ahead: CSW70 and the Road to 2026

As CSW69 concluded, attention turned toward CSW70, where Costa Rica was elected Chair, Ukraine secured a position in the Commission’s communication working group, and Rwanda was chosen to represent African states for the CSW70/71 sessions.

The strong consensus for a female UN Secretary-General in 2026 marked a bold step forward in women’s global leadership.

A Call to Action

With commitments made to expanding girls’ education, strengthening gender equality frameworks, and advancing the empowerment of women and girls, the world watches closely to see these promises transform into tangible actions.

As Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, put it:

“With hearts resolved, we journey home to ensure that these promises are set in stone. We pledge to lift, to shield, to rise, to guard the girl-child’s hopeful eyes. To stand for elders, for those in need, for justice, for peace, in word and deed.”

The work ahead remains substantial, but CSW69 has set the stage for a renewed global push toward gender equality. The time for action is now.

Written by Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar, USA/UN Correspondent.