69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
10–21 March 2025 | United Nations Headquarters, New York
The 69th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), taking place from 10 to 21 March at the UN Headquarters in New York, is a milestone moment for women’s rights. The UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment will review the progress made on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains the most revolutionary plan on gender equality to date.
Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, it set the stage for equal rights for all women and girls. The world today is more equal for women and girls than ever before. Women have fought for—and won—the right to vote, work, and lead. More girls are in school than at any time in history. More countries criminalize domestic violence—before 1995, only 12 countries had legal sanctions against it. A new wave of fearless, youth-led activism is rising across the world, demanding rights, equality, empowerment, but global pushback on women’s rights threatens to undermine hard won gains and progress remains too slow.
Click here to read the Political Declaration adopted by Member States at the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Progress is possible, but it has been far too slow, uneven, and fragile
Every 10 minutes, a woman is murdered by someone in their own family. If things continue as they are, a girl born today will be 39 years old before women hold as many seats in parliament as men. For 20 years, the gender gap in labour force participation has remained stagnant. In just one year, the proportion of women killed in war doubled in 2022. Emerging technologies promise equality but are weaponized against women and girls. And, women and girls bear the toughest brunt of escalating climate crisis.
CSW69: Progress demands action now
At CSW69, governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from across the world will come together to agree on actions, policies, and investment for gender equality—choices that will determine the course of history for ALL women and girls, everywhere.
Key CSW69 events
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CSW69 Global Youth Forum
2 - 6.30 P.M.
This dialogue will equip youth advocates with strategies to influence CSW69 discussions and drive accountability in the implementation of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda. The session will be in English only. Please register before 6 March 2025.
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Opening Ceremony
9.45 a.m. – 11.30 a.m.
CSW69 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This will be an opportunity for UN Member States to recommit, resource and accelerate the implementation of Beijing promises — For ALL WOMEN and Girls: Rights, Equality and Empowerment. The opening session will include statements by high-level speakers, such as the UN Secretary-General, the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women and UN Women Executive Director.
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Multistakeholder Partnerships – Leveraging Generation Equality to Advance Recommitment, Accountability, and Resourcing
4.45 P.M. – 6 P.M. ET, ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters
The side event, "Multistakeholder Partnerships – Leveraging Generation Equality to Advance Recommitment, Accountability, and Resourcing of the Beijing Platform for Action", will demonstrate how Generation Equality has enabled concrete, tangible results towards the Beijing Platform for Action by spotlighting collective efforts advanced through the Action Coalitions and the Compact.
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UN Secretary-General’s Townhall with Civil Society
10 -11 A.M. ET, UN Headquarters, General Assembly Hall
The townhall meeting is the UN Secretary-General’s annual consultation with women’s and feminist civil society on the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women. UN Women’s Executive Director, Sima Bahous, will moderate the event.
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Parliaments and Beijing +30: Resisting Backlash and Shifting Paradigms Towards Gender Equality
10 A.M. - 1 P.M. and 3 - 6 P.M. ET, Trusteeship Council, UN Headquarters
The event will serve as the launch of the latest Women in Politics Map, include the latest rankings of women in executive positions and national parliaments as of 1 January 2025. A press release will be issued at the time of the event. Register Here.
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Beijing+30 Stamps Reveal Event
6 - 7 P.M. ET, UN Lobby, Sputnik area
UN Women and the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations have worked with the UN Postal Administration (UNPA) to create a special edition set of six stamps, for issuance on 8 March, International Women’s Day. This event is open to UN accredited media.
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For ALL Women and Girls: The Beijing+30 Action Agenda
10 – 11.15 A.M. ET, Trusteeship Council, UN Headquarters
This session will explore how governments and the UN system are making tangible progress in addressing gender equality through the Beijing+30 Action Agenda.
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Ministerial Roundtable on Digital and Financial Inclusion for Women’s Empowerment and Financing for Women’s Empowerment
11.30 A.M. - 12.45 P.M. ET, Conference Room 2, UN HQ
Co-hosted by the Government of India and UN Women, this Ministerial Roundtable will spotlight the critical importance of digital and financial inclusion to women’s empowerment and leadership. Participants will share experiences, especially from the Global South. Register Here
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Reflections and Resolve: Civil Society Pathways to Push Forward for Gender Equality
3 P.M. – 4.15 P.M. ET, Conference Room 2, UN HQ
UN Women’s side event at CSW69 brings together Regional Civil Society Steering Committees, including youth leaders from regional Beijing+30 reviews, to reflect on the processes and outcomes of these reviews and contribute to the Beijing+30 Action Agenda and CSW revitalization. Register Here
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Women Rise for All: Turning Hope into Action
1.15 P.M. – 2.30 P.M. ET, ECOSOC Chamber, UN Headquarters
This event convened by the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, will feature H.E. Halla Tómasdóttir, President of Iceland, as a special guest, and other women leaders from across generations and sectors to reaffirm a shared commitment to gender equality and the SDGs. It will highlight the transformative impact of women’s leadership and networks, promote intergenerational collaboration, and inspire commitments. Register Here
Stock take on gender equality
Explore the latest UN Secretary-General’s report on the state of gender equality around the world and discover key insights on shaping a gender equal future.
Timeline: Women march forward for equal rights
For centuries, women have fought for equal rights, opportunities, and freedom. From the suffragists to digital activists, each generation has pushed boundaries, shattered barriers, and refused to step back.
Explore our timeline of women's rights from 1848 to 2025.
