The 69th Commission on the Status of Women: A Report from UN Headquarters
- BOLT Safety
- Apr 7
- 13 min read
Written by: Vedanshi
CW: Discussion of domestic abuse and sexual violence
The Commission on the Status of the Women is globally the largest and most high-profile gathering on the topic of women’s rights, occurring annually at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. The 69th session of the CSW, held from March 10-21, 2025, was a milestone opportunity to mark the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited NGOs were invited to attend the session, and we had the privilege of attending with our partners at BMI Trust, an Indian NGO.
CSW information from UN Women: https://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/commission-on-the-status-of-women
BMI Trust: https://bmitrust.in/
At BOLT Safety Society, we’re big believers in the importance of continuing the conversations from platforms like the UN into our local communities, in order to minimize the gap between talking about impact, and acting on it. Our hope is for this to be a valuable resource for other non-profits and advocates, as well as being informative and educational for anyone interested in learning more about different women’s rights issues globally. These are summarized notes from on-ground directly from high-level meetings and other events during the CSW, which would normally not be easily accessible by the general public. Keep in mind that due to the fast-paced, multi-faceted, and complex nature of these events and meetings, there is a considerable degree of personal interpretation involved.
Day 1 of 10: March 10, 2025
1 of 20
Organizers: Inter-Parliamentary Union, UN Women, International IDEA, United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)
Title / description: WYDE Women’s Leadership - Transforming norms: Advancing women's leadership
Location: ECOSOC Chamber, UNHQ
Key points: This session explored how mass media and campaigns can shift social norms around women in leadership. Representation isn't just about visibility, but power—media must portray women leaders in ways that are relatable and not gendered. Media can reinforce harmful stereotypes, but it can also reshape narratives if used thoughtfully. Diverse voices and allyship are essential in driving change. In regions like South Asia, cultural resistance and tech-facilitated gender-based violence remain barriers. Ultimately, we need creative, context-specific strategies, invest in networks, and focus on which women we uplift and how.
2 of 20
Organizers: Saudi Arabia
Title / description: From Vision to Reality: Saudi Arabia’s Journey Towards Women Empowerment
Location: Delegates Dining Room, UNHQ
Key points: This session highlighted the Kingdom’s strides in women’s economic participation, surpassing its 30% labor market goal and expanding into non-traditional sectors like tech and cybersecurity. Vision 2030 has driven cultural and legislative shifts—introducing flexible work, legal reforms, and increased representation in leadership and sports. Panelists emphasized that women’s leadership must be impactful, not symbolic, and backed by political will, partnerships, and inclusive frameworks. Initiatives such as pro bono legal access, driver training programs, and education in cutting-edge fields are helping ensure women contribute meaningfully to economic growth and innovation across sectors.
3 of 20
Organizers: Parliament of Canada
Title / description: A Beijing+30 Report Card
Location: Church Center for the UN
Key points: This session emphasized the importance of being physically present at CSW to claim space, influence decision-making, and center marginalized voices—especially those of Indigenous women. Speakers highlighted that true equity means recognizing rights, sovereignty, and leadership—not assimilation. From calls for Indigenous-led crisis response to critiques of tokenism in policymaking, the discussion underscored the need for shared leadership and structural change. Civil society's role in holding governments accountable—through parallel reports and persistent advocacy—was also emphasized, along with the importance of removing barriers, not just amplifying voices, in allyship and international solidarity.
Day 2 of 10: March 11, 2025
4 of 20
Organizers: Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and UN Women
Title / description: Townhall Meeting with the Secretary General and Civil Society in the margins of the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women
Location: General Assembly Hall, UNHQ
Key points: UN Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the urgency of combating rising misogyny, which threatens to reverse hard-won progress on gender equality. Reflecting on the legacy of the Beijing Platform, he honored those on the frontlines and acknowledged the violence faced by women's and human rights defenders. Guterres emphasized that inequality stems from imbalanced power—and that power must be challenged, not passively received. He encouraged using tools like social media to hold leaders accountable and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing women’s decision-making power within the UN and beyond.
5 of 20
Organizers: undocumented.
Title / Description: Shifting Gears: From Women’s Empowerment to Educating for Change
Location: Virtual
Key Points: This session, grounded in the context of Indian cultural shifts pertaining to gender equity, explored shifting gender dynamics within families, where increasing individualism is impacting traditional support systems. Financial decision-making still largely rests with men, reinforcing gendered power imbalances. However, panelists emphasized that gender equity isn’t just a women’s issue—it benefits sons as much as daughters by modeling healthier, more respectful relationships. Breaking cycles of dominance begins at home, with families that embrace shared responsibility and emotional openness, including allowing men to express vulnerability without judgment. These cultural shifts are essential to building more equitable communities from the ground up.
6 of 20
Organizers: UN Women and the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations
Title / description: Beijing+30 Stamps Reveal Event
Location: UN Lobby, Sputnik area, UNHQ
Key points: This commemorative event marked the launch of a special UN stamp series celebrating milestones in the global fight for gender equality. More than symbolic, the stamps represent decades of advocacy and progress—honoring the Beijing Declaration’s 30th anniversary, 50 years of International Women’s Day at the UN, and 15 years of UN Women. Leaders including Sima Bahous, Michelle Bachelet, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka emphasized that these stamps are not just collectibles, but powerful emblems of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights, equality, and empowerment worldwide.
7 of 20
Organizers: Humanistisch Instituut voor Ontwikkelingssamenwerking (Hivos)
Title / description: Hivos' Gallery of Hope: Dreams and Inspiration for a Feminist Future
Location: The Blue Gallery
Key points: This session highlighted the launch of Hivos’ Feminist 30 Under 30, recognizing young leaders driving change in crisis-affected regions. Panelists emphasized the essential role feminists play in emergency response, particularly in conflicts like Lebanon and Nigeria, where vulnerable groups—women and girls with disabilities, those living with HIV, and LGBTQ communities—face compounded risks. The discussion stressed the importance of "walking the talk" by supporting grassroots efforts and inclusive feminist movements, especially ahead of an upcoming global feminist convening in Madrid this May.
Day 3 of 10: March 12, 2025
8 of 20
Organizers: CSW Youth Forum, UN Women and UN Youth Office
Title / description: Aligning the Beijing Platform for Action and the Pact for the Future – Closing the Gap Between Aspiration and Action
Location: Conference Room 2, UNHQ
Key points: This powerful session centered youth voices and demands for gender equality, inclusion, and accountability. Through spoken word and personal testimonies, speakers challenged empty promises and called for intergenerational collaboration to create lasting change. Examples from Lebanon showed youth stepping up where governments failed, supporting education access and building diaspora solidarity. Participants emphasized the need to rethink outdated systems, invest in young people meaningfully, and ensure technology bridges participation gaps. With a discussion on topics including disability rights, underfunding, and political exclusion—especially in conflict zones like Afghanistan—the session underscored that progress must be rooted in lived realities, not just declarations.
9 of 20
Organizers: Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
Title / description: A reception in honor of the visit of Mrs. Annapurna Devi, Hon. Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India
Location: Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
Key points: This reception provided a valuable opportunity to connect with key leadership within the Indian government and diaspora. This event highlighted India’s ongoing progress in fulfilling its commitments to women-led development since the Beijing+30 agenda, fostering meaningful dialogue on advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment on both national and global platforms.
Day 4 of 10: March 13, 2025
10 of 20
Organizers: United Nations India, Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations, Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality, CII Centre for Women Leadership
Title / description: Women’s Participation and Leadership: Key Drivers for Economic Growth and Equality
Location: Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations
Key points: This session spotlighted India's leadership in women-led development, notably emphasized during its G20 presidency, as true development cannot be achieved without the full participation of women, who are essential architects of economic growth. The discussion also highlighted global statistics showing that nations prioritizing gender equity see significant GDP growth, yet women-led teams receive disproportionately low funding—just 2% of VC investments, despite generating a 35% ROI. Examples like Kenya's EMPESA, which helps women scale their businesses, were shared as successful models for closing the digital gap. The conversation also addressed the need for better negotiation skills in women's rights and highlighted how shifting mindsets, particularly among younger men, is crucial for overcoming barriers to women’s economic and political participation. With 50% of men and boys still believing that men are better political leaders than women, quotas in government positions are seen as a necessary tool for immediate change in democratic systems.
Day 5 of 10: March 14, 2025
11 of 20
Organizers: Asia Pacific Women’s Watch (APWW), Cities for CEDAW, Southeast Asia Women’s Watch (SEAWWatch) in partnership with UN Women
Title / description: 30 Years of the Beijing Platform for Action: Looking Back, Pushing Forward
Location: Harvard Club
Key points: This session, featuring veterans who shaped the Beijing Declaration, reflected on the monumental achievement of the 1995 conference and its lasting impact. One panelist recalled the final approval of the platform at 4:15 AM, noting the exhaustion of those involved—many working in shifts and even sleeping on the floor. Despite initial hesitations around gender as a social construct and human rights issues, the declaration emerged as a beacon for global women's rights, marking a pivotal moment in multilateral diplomacy. The session also highlighted the ongoing struggle to uphold these rights, as subsequent follow-up meetings have often watered down the agenda. Notably, the panelists reminded the audience of the challenges faced today, including the growing backlash against women's rights, with well-funded efforts threatening progress. Despite setbacks, they celebrated milestones such as the inauguration of Namibia's first female president, and encouraged a glass-half-full perspective to stay motivated in the fight for equality. The session ended with a powerful reminder: the struggle for women's rights must be global, but it starts at home, and there is no such thing as individual destiny.
Day 6 of 10: March 17, 2025
12 of 20
Organizers: Permanent Mission of Thailand, Permanent Mission of Colombia, Thailand Institute of Justice, Penal Reform International, Women Beyond Walls
Title / description: Promising Practices to Reduce the Harmful Impact of Imprisonment on Women – A Key Step Forward in Implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Location: Conference Room 9, UNHQ
Key points: This session highlighted the intersection of gender inequality, poverty, and the criminal justice system, marking the 15th anniversary of the Nelson Mandela Rules and the Bangkok Rules for women in prison. Despite their established standards, the treatment of incarcerated women remains an overlooked issue. Many women, particularly those imprisoned for minor or non-violent drug-related offenses, face extreme challenges, including health issues, separation from children, and difficulty reintegrating into society post-incarceration. Testimonies emphasized how women's crimes are often survival mechanisms in the face of violence. The session called attention to the need for gender-disaggregated data and community-based solutions, highlighting the criminalization of behaviors related to poverty, survival, or identity, such as sex work or attempting to escape abusive relationships. The session also celebrated positive reforms, like the decriminalization of begging in India and sex work in Belgium, urging a shift from punitive approaches to a health-centered model for addressing issues like drug consumption. Ultimately, it stressed the importance of grassroots-led change and a more holistic approach to justice that includes women, children, and marginalized communities.
13 of 20
Organizers: Conveners: UN Women, Permanent Missions of Chile and NGO/CSW Committee; Co-sponsors: UNOSSC, Common Threads Project, Malala Fund
Title / description: Film Screening Festival - La Vida de Nosotras (Our lives)
Location: Church Center for the UN
Key points: "Directed by Chilean filmmaker Hernán Caffiero, is a powerful series that brings to life the real stories of women from diverse ages and social backgrounds. The series illuminates the pervasive patriarchal violence that shapes their experiences, shedding light on the systemic inequities and injustices that persist in society. Following the screening, the discussion will focus on the multi-dimensional impact of patriarchal violence, exploring its intersection with age, class, and social context. Participants will consider strategies to challenge these structures, empower survivors, and foster a culture of gender equality and respect." (Description obtained from event materials. More about the film series: https://cntvplay.cl/series/la-vida-de-nosotras/)
Day 7 of 10: March 18, 2025
14 of 20
Organizers: Sahiyo, Asian Women’s Shelter, Silence Speaks
Title / description: Storytelling as a tool for FGM/C survivor-centered change
Location: Church Center for the UN
Key points: This session focused on the power of storytelling from survivors of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), emphasizing the importance of sharing personal narratives to foster healing, raise awareness, and drive change. Storytelling can increase self-esteem, inspire action, and influence policy, especially when survivors control the narrative. Best practices include creating safe spaces for storytelling through scriptwriting, audio recordings, and imagery, while maintaining anonymity if necessary. A key insight was the struggle survivors face between challenging harmful practices and remaining part of their community. For some, questioning these traditions leads to fears of exclusion or shame, particularly when family members who continue the cycle are also survivors, and they recognize that they can both love the individuals who are part of their families and communities while also disagreeing with their decisions and views in relation to this form of violence. The session highlighted the complexity of FGM, including the emotional and physical trauma, as well as the need for culturally sensitive advocacy that avoids sensationalism. Survivors shared their experiences of psychological pain, as well as the importance of offering agency to survivors instead of positioning them as victims. A panelist shared how their experiences at the intersectionality of being both a survivor of FGM and a nonbinary individual further complicates these issues, underscoring the need for nuanced support and care. Ultimately, the session reinforced the importance of giving survivors the platform to share their stories on their own terms.
15 of 20
Organizers: IWPG, BMI Trust, AIWC
Title / description: Women’s Empowerment & Peace Education
Location: Church Center for the UN
Key points: IWPG advocates for a peaceful world through education, empowering women to become peace educators. The organization emphasizes that achieving peace is not solely dependent on policies but requires a cultural shift toward non-violence and conflict resolution. It stresses that in war, protecting human rights and sustainable development becomes nearly impossible. Key strategies include tackling issues like child marriage, which can be reduced by 30% through primary education and 60% with secondary or higher education. Global challenges such as cyberbullying in Fiji, stalking and femicide in Mexico, and violence at home call for peacebuilding and the recognition of violence as a human rights issue. Panelists also spoke about India’s progress, highlighting the country’s female leadership and the vital role of women in civilization-building. While India promotes the empowerment of women through initiatives like "Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao" (Save the Girl Child, Educate the Girl Child), the country still faces challenges related to safety and financial constraints for women. The message resonates with the idea that peace is a right for all, not a privilege, and underscores the importance of sharing knowledge, breaking down borders, and empowering women globally.
16 of 20
Organizers: Conveners: UN Women, Permanent Missions of Chile and NGO/CSW Committee; Co-sponsors: UNOSSC, Common Threads Project, Malala Fund
Title / description: Film Screening Festival - Unconditional
Location: Church Center for the UN
Key points: "Directed by American Journalist Richard Lui. Seven years in the making, a first of its kind film from award-winning filmmaker Richard Lui, on the topic that affects 100 million Americans – mental health. Watch three families bravely turn the corner, showing us the power of relearning how to love." (Description obtained from event materials. More about the film: https://unconditionalmovie.com/about.html)
Day 8 of 10: March 19, 2025
17 of 20
Organizers: Malwai & PKN Consortium
Title / description: What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls at Scale: Leveraging Local Leadership
Location: Conference Room A, UNHQ
Key points: Malawi has developed a comprehensive national plan of action to combat gender-based violence (GBV), focusing on prevention, response, and accountability mechanisms through strengthened partnerships with civil society, global partners, and traditional leaders. The country aims to adopt a preventative approach rather than responding only after violence occurs. Key interventions include a national GBV hotline providing counseling, legal, medical support, and shelter referrals, alongside 20 one-stop centers offering psychosocial, medical, and legal assistance. Despite these efforts, approximately 42% of married women in Malawi have experienced violence, and the system faces challenges such as the reluctance of some women to go through legal processes due to fear or stigma. The Malawi Human Rights Commission notes that some women prefer to remain in abusive or violent situations rather than seek help, and additional resources are needed to strengthen these services and make them accessible. Local leaders, including religious figures and traditional authorities, play a crucial role in community-based interventions, and efforts to update legal frameworks are ongoing. As one speaker stated, “We can meet at the UN, but without grassroots implementation, it’s useless.”
Day 9 of 10: March 20, 2025
18 of 20
Organizers: World Bank Group, WHO, UNICEF, Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Title / description: Evidence from the Violence Against Women Field: Achievements and Lessons from Three Decades Post-Beijing
Location: Conference Room 9, UNHQ
Key points: Sweden collaborates with organizations using an intersectional approach to address violence against women (VAW), recognizing that factors like identity and socioeconomic status increase vulnerability. VAW is preventable through multi sectoral strategies, including investments in feminist NGOs and the use of public health data to prioritize VAW on the global health agenda. Key lessons since Beijing 1995 emphasize the importance of engaging survivors in research, addressing the link between violence against women and children, and leveraging technology for data collection and digital innovations. While progress has been made, challenges remain in securing political will, addressing data gaps, and tackling new issues like online violence. Effective prevention requires a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach and a focus on both perpetrators and prevention, especially in resource-poor settings.
Day 10 of 10: March 21, 2025
19 of 20
Organizers: Eswatini
Title / description: Male Involvement in Ending Gender-Based Violence and HIV
Location: Conference Room A, UNHQ
Key points: The focus on family issues, particularly at home, is central to addressing gender-based violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS, and teen pregnancies, with a recognition that these challenges often intersect. Men must be engaged as allies in the fight against toxic masculinity, acting as agents of change within their communities. Programs emphasize the importance of positive role models, especially for young men, and encourage men to step up as responsible fathers, with initiatives like the Fatherhood Project promoting parenting skills. Men’s involvement is crucial for reducing GBV, HIV, and teen pregnancies, as these issues cannot be solved without both men and women at the table. Mental health, socialization, and cultural norms play key roles, with interventions addressing perpetrators and encouraging healthier views on consent, masculinity, and emotional well-being. Safe spaces for men are necessary to foster open discussions, as well as community-driven campaigns targeting social media and cultural spaces to reshape narratives around masculinity and violence.
20 of 20
Organizers: Solomon Islands & International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development (IFPSD)
Title / description: AI for Women’s Economic Empowerment: Opportunities and Challenges from a Global Perspective
Location: Conference Room A, UNHQ
Key points: In the Solomon Islands, where 80% of the population lives in rural areas with limited access to the internet, AI-powered healthcare solutions offer the potential to address high maternal mortality rates and improve access to essential health services. These technologies can also empower women economically, paired with digital and financial literacy programs. Speakers also emphasized the roles women tend to occupy within the trust, safety, and regulation discussions in technological innovation, but would like to see women actively integrated into all aspects of tech development, beyond just being consulted on safety issues. On the note of healthcare, medicine has a gender bias issue, with women often underrepresented in medical trials due to monthly hormonal fluctuations which make trials more challenging to execute, leading to misdiagnoses, such as women being 50% more likely to receive an incorrect heart attack diagnosis. As AI becomes more integrated into healthcare, it’s critical to ensure that these systems are properly trained to recognize gender differences, complementing human care rather than replacing it, and democratizing access to medical services for all.
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