World’s largest conference on women calls for equality amid gender backlash

ONU - 10/03
Gender equality is a critical goal at a time when the demand for rights faces a global backlash, top UN officials told thousands of diplomats, business and civil society delegates gathered at UN Headquarters in New York on Monday for the world’s largest annual conference focused on women’s issues.

The 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), which runs from 10 to 21 March, is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world and shaping global standards on gender equality and empowerment. Last year, CSW68 was attended by 100 world leaders and 4,800 civil society participants.

This year’s session will review the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly as well as the landmark Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted in 1995.

Read our explainer on CSW and why it matters now here.

‘Creating a better future for all’

For Loretta Jeff Combs from the Tlesqox First Nations in Canada, the Beijing Declaration is a key moment in history, paving the way for recognising the rights of Indigenous women and girls.

“Too often, Indigenous women are left out decision making spaces that impact our futur...
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