CSW69 and Beijing+30: Advancing Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

United Nations Headquarters, New York

The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) marks a significant moment for gender equality as the global community commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). This landmark document remains the most comprehensive framework for advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.

Themes and Objectives

CSW69 will focus on the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The session will also assess the challenges affecting the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women, while linking these efforts to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Key objectives include:

1. Evaluating progress made in implementing the commitments of Beijing+30.
2. Identifying persistent barriers and challenges.
3. Promoting strategies to ensure the Beijing Platform contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Strengthening Focus on Women, Children, and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH)

The Beijing Declaration emphasized the intrinsic link between gender equality and health. At PMNCH, we advocate for the prioritization of Women, Children, and Adolescents’ Health (WCAH) in the discussions and outcomes of CSW69, recognizing that:

- Health inequities remain a significant barrier to gender equality.
- Access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is critical for empowering women and adolescent girls
- Systemic challenges such as maternal mortality, malnutrition, and lack of healthcare infrastructure disproportionately affect women and children in marginalized communities.

Aligned with the WHA77 resolution on reducing maternal, newborn, and child mortality and morbidity, we urge Member States and stakeholders to integrate WCAH into national and regional reviews, ensuring it becomes central to Beijing+30 discussions.

A Call to Action for Gender Equality and Health Equity

CSW69 provides an unparalleled opportunity for governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to reaffirm commitments to gender equality and build momentum for addressing health disparities affecting women, children, and adolescents.

PMNCH calls on all participants to:

1. Prioritize WCAH: Ensure national and regional reviews highlight progress and gaps in maternal, child, and adolescent health.
2. Promote SRHR: Champion sexual and reproductive health rights as foundational to gender equality.
3. Invest in health systems: Strengthen health infrastructure to address systemic barriers and reduce preventable deaths.
4. Engage youth and marginalized groups: Amplify the voices of women and girls as leaders and agents of change.

WCAH Events at CSW69