Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Commission on the Status of Women Latest News

Union Minister for Women and Child Development will lead India’s delegation at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

About Commission on the Status of Women

• It is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights, and the empowerment of women.
• It is part of the United Nations, and works to promote women's political, economic, civil, social, and educational rights. 
• A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution of 21 June 1946.
• The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
• CSW can also highlight urgent problems, such as the situation of women and girls affected by conflict.
• In 1996, ECOSOC expanded the Commission’s mandate and decided that it should take a leading role inmonitoring and reviewing progress and problems in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and in mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.
  • The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, adopted by 189 countries, is the most comprehensive and transformative global agenda for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Commission on the Status of Women Annual Sessions

• During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN member states, civil society organizations, and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. 
• They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. 
• Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s and girls' enjoyment of their rights in political, economic, and social fields. 
• The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up.

Commission on the Status of Women FAQs

Q1. What was the purpose of the Commission on the Status of Women?

Ans. It is dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights, and the empowerment of women.

Q2. What is the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action?

Ans. It is the most comprehensive and transformative global agenda for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Q3. What is the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)?

Ans. It is one of the six main organs of the United Nations (UN), established in 1945 under the UN Charter. 

Source: TH