CSW70: The Struggle for Justice

UN delegates, civil society members, academic experts, and other relevant stakeholder gathered last month at the UN Headquarters for the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 70), held under theme of ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls and  eliminating discriminatory laws, addressing structural barriers, and promoting inclusive legal systems.

CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to promoting gender equality and empowering women. The 70^th session unfolded against a notable polarized global context, marked by pushbacks on gender equality norms and shrinking civic space, which defined the discussions and outcomes for the forum.

In this context, the political agreement, which is traditionally adopted by consensus, was instead adopted through a vote. This was an unusual procedural outcome that highlighted the weakening of multilateralism and deepening of divisions among Member States.

Across the two-week session, more than 700 side events largely organized by civil society actors (including two organized by Religions for Peace), underscored the importance of legal reform, accountability mechanisms, and institutional access instrumental to gender equality. There were also discussions on the role of faith-based actors and indigenous leaders in advancing implementation at national and local levels.

Leading up to the CSW, the Religions for Peace International Women’s Coordinating Committee, the leadership body of the women of faith, convened to discuss on the current status and the theme of CSW as well as to deliberate on their actions to elevate the voices of women and address the challenges.