More than 4,600 representatives of civil society organisations attended the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). Part of those participants were sisters of the Congregatio Jesu.
We sent delegates to be present in New York. The Spanish Province also organised a virtual delegation, allowing women who could not attend the sessions in New York to participate to virtual and hybrid events.
"Our CJ participation in CSW70 showcased our work for women and girls in the areas of education, human rights, economic empowerment, and the prevention of human trafficking. In conversations with Member States, and in official side events, CJ ministries were highlighted as bringing hope and effective action to improve the lived experience of women and girls.
Sr Sarah Rudolph CJ
Leader of our UN NGO Office
The 10 days were a great opportunity to present our commitment to women’s and grils’ rights and give those a voice who often are not heard. The delegates also took the opportunity to network and exchange with others commited to improve the access of women and girls to justice. This opportunity to strengthen bonds between organisations working for a better and just world is of growing importance.
Sr. Sarah Rudolph CJ, leader of our UN NGO Office in New York, pointed out: “At the conclusion of CSW70, it was clear that global conversations concerning gender equality are marked by discord. Final statements by Member States revealed the continuing tensions related to definitions of gender and gender equality, including reversal of policies by previously supportive States.”
Sr. Sarah does not lose hope: “Fragmentation at the level of global dialogue, however, stands in stark contrast to the cohesion and progress happening at the grassroots level to promote and protect gender equality. Civil society organizations, including the CJ, are tackling the critical issues of poverty, healthcare, education, legal representation, and violations of girls’ and women’s rights, among others.”
We know, as did Mary Ward that “there is no such difference between men and women that women may not do great things.” We remain committed to promote and protect the rights of all women and girls.
Sr Sarah Rudolph CJ
Leader of our UN NGO Office
Highlights of our presence at CSW70
Day 9: Closing Session
This first part of the closing session offered Member States an opportunity to deliver statements concerning the Concluding Agreement. The dialogue revealed tensions underlying the negotiation of this year’s agreement. CSW70 was the first time the Commission had to adopt its outcome document by vote rather than consensus. Although this method was adopted to maintain an outcome document with strong actions and commitments for gender equality, there was considerable pushback against this unprecedented measure by a number of Member States.
The dialogue also revealed the continuing differences among Member States concerning some of the terminology around gender equality including definitions of gender, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, among others.
Many Member States and civil society representiatives remain concerned that these differences will result in weak enforcement of rights for women and girls globally, and gains made in previous years will be lost.
We will continue to advocate for full gender equality and for global commitment to the flourishing of all women and girls.
Day 8:
Today’s big highlight was our hybrid side event “Ending Trafficking Together: Good Practices for Girls and Women”. Hosted by the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd and the CJ, with the valued support of the Permanet Mission of Ireland to the UN, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the UN, Misean Cara, Soroptimist International, and the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons.
Our side event drew attention to the reality of human trafficking from the perspectives of survivors, frontline community organizations, faith-based organizations, and governments.
The discussion affirmed several essential points:
- Survivors are knowledge-holders whose leadership must shape prevention and justice.
- Prevention is strongest when it is community-driven, evidence-based, and rights-centered.
- Trafficking persists because it is profitable, ending it requires confronting demand, illicit financial flows, and systems of exploitation.
- Good practices must be documented, shared, and translated into policy if institutions are to be strengthened, commitments are to become lasting change and structural barriers are to be eliminated.
- Finally, through data collection, peer learning, and policy-focused advocacy, we are linking local realities with global responsibility.
The event provided a valuable opportunity not only for learning and information-sharing but network-building as participants took time after the event to share contact information and discuss partnerships in advocacy and service delivery.
Another highlight of the day was attending the side event “Strengthening Access to Justice for Women and Girls: The Role of States, Courts, Communities, and Intergenerational Leadership” hosted by the Permanent Mission of Greece to the UN and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. We heard from dynamic speakers from the federal judicial system and UN system, faith leaders, and youth perspectives, including a girl advocate who is part of the The Working Group on Girls.
A wonderful day of collaboration, learning, and advocacy!
Day 7:
This day started with a beautiful Mass to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The in-presence delegates then attended the side event “Women of Faith Leading Change: Addressing Violence Against Women and Children” sponsored by Religions for Peace and UNICEF, learning about the remarkable women faith leaders who are serving the best interests of women and children in their communities.
They then were hearing updates on the UN80 reform initiative from UN Women and – at the end of the day – had the opportunity to cath the tail end of the St. Patrick’s Day parade!
Day 6:
Today the delegates joined the CSW participants in taking stock of the review theme: women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
The also welcomed Sr. Jackline Mwongela CJ as an additional delegate and together listend to Member States and civil society organizations speak during the interactive expert panel on access to justice for women and girls.
They then visited the Mission of the Republic of Kenya to the United Nations and concluded: “We are grateful for the hospitality of the Mission and for the important conversation about girls’ rights, efforts to end human-trafficking, education of children, and women’s education and economic empowerment with H.E. Ambassador Yabesh O. Monari, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kenya to the UN, and Ms. Verity Mghanga, Director Policy Research and Documentation, State Department for Gender and Affirmative Action. We look forward to future collaboration with Kenya on these key issues.”
Day 5:
Today we took stock of the review theme: women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
In the evening, the group in New York joined a concert celebrating women in music with the UN Symphony Orchestra.
Day 4:
The programme for our delegates featured a high-level meeting on ending violence against women and girls as well as side events on justice for women and girls.
The delegates also paied a visit to the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the UN with The Working Group on Girls girl delegates, and met with the global coordinator of the Justice Coalition of Religious
At the end of the busy day, the CJ women enjoyed a night out in New York.
Day 3:
The day began with a girls’ preparatory session for a mission visit with Ireland, followed by a UNICEF and purposeful hosted side event on investing in adolescent girls. The side event featured engaging speakers from the governments of Nepal, Sierra Leone, and Iceland, and a panel of experts working for the well-being of girls around the world, including a girl advocate from Ukraine who participated in our side event yesterday.
The CJ-delegates then had some time to explore the UN and, of course, pose for photos, before heading off to other side events.
In the afternoon, we attended the general discussion taking place in the General Assembly room and heard a number of Member States outline their priorities for women and girls.
The delegates in New York ended the day with a visit to the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN to discuss opportunities to build relationships and collaboration among Catholic NGOs at the UN.
Day 2:
We did a deep dive into the priority theme: ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers.
Sr Sarah was one of the organisers of a panel led by the “Working Group on Girls”: Girls lead justice around the world. 5 young panelists from Sudan, USA, Taiwand and Ukraine shared their experiences. They pointed out how education and human rights can be made a reality for girls all aoround the world. The showed how coopartion and collaboration enables girls to thrive. “Making teenage girls visible in the law, in policies and programmes has been essential”, Sr. Cecilia O’Dwyer CJ – part of the virtual delegation – pointed out. “This commitment is vital for teenage girls and their specific needs.”
Day 1:
We followed the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women and listened to the powerful words from Annalena Baerbock, President of the UN General Assembly:
“After 70 sessions of this Commission on the Status of Women, and 30 years since the Beijing Declaration, we no longer need to debate why women’s rights matter. The facts are clear. The real question is: why are we still not delivering? It’s not that we don’t know better. The answer is that inequality is an active choice. Rollbacks on equal rights are an active choice.”
More photos from #CSW70
