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Summary
CSW69 has officially commenced in New York, bringing global leaders together to review progress on the Beijing Declaration and accelerate efforts towards gender equality. Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to empowering women and girls. The session, running until Mar. 21, 2025 has already gained significant attention online, highlighting the urgency of advancing women’s rights worldwide.
The sixty-ninth annual session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) officially kicked off Monday, Mar. 10, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Representatives from Member States, UN entities, and civil society groups met to review progress on gender equality.
According to the United Nations, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to promoting gender equality, women’s rights, and women’s empowerment. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls’ rights, documenting the reality of their lives worldwide, and shaping global standards on gender equality.
This year’s session is especially significant as it marks the 30th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995.
Running from Mar. 10 to Mar. 21, 2025, the 2025 CSW69 Conference will focus on assessing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and addressing challenges that hinder gender equality and women’s empowerment. The discussions will also examine how gender equality contributes to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, was also present at the opening event, where she reiterated the country’s commitment to advancing women’s rights. Speaking at the Commonwealth Meeting on the margins of CSW69, she emphasised the urgency of accelerating progress.
“Gender equality is not a privilege, it is a necessity,” Imaan stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “While the journey ahead is long, we are not standing still. Across the world, women are breaking barriers, reshaping economies, and leading change. With bold action, strategic policies, and unwavering commitment, we can close the gap faster than ever before. The future is not just something we wait for, it is something we create. Nigeria is stepping forward. The time is NOW.”
The session has sparked global conversations, with the hashtag “CSW69” trending on social media as advocates, policymakers, and organisations engage in discussions on the way forward for gender equality.
