Council on the Status of Women (CSW) 70, United Nations, March 2026

A report by Aisha Alshawaf

Second Year at CSW Representing BFWG

During my second year attending the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as a representative for the British Federation of Women Graduates (BFWG), I have found the experience to be increasingly rewarding.

On 9 March, I attended the Graduate Women International (GWI) breakfast meeting. President Pat Patton, board members, and Country Individual Representatives introduced themselves, promoting community and collaboration among attendees.

Then we all strolled to UN to attend the opening ceremony the   theme is access to justice for all women and girls . 

Highlights from the Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony featured a distinguished panel of speakers, each contributing their unique perspective and support for the advancement of women’s rights. Annalena Baerbock, president of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, set the tone for the event with her address. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, reinforced the core message that women’s rights are fundamentally human rights, emphasising the importance of global commitment to gender equality.

The ceremony also included heartfelt contributions from prominent figures in the entertainment industry. Actress and activist Anne Hathaway addressed the gathering, sharing her support for the cause and highlighting the importance of advocacy. In addition, Michelle Williams, renowned singer from Destiny’s Child, lent her voice to the movement, further amplifying the significance of unity in championing women’s rights.

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, reiterated his ongoing commitment to women’s rights. He emphasised that meaningful action must be driven by civil societies across the globe, encouraging collaborative efforts to effect lasting change for women and girls everywhere.

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, delivered a moving speech at the ceremony, highlighting that segregation persists after five years of Taliban rule. She called for justice and equality for all women, emphasizing the need for global solidarity and action, especially for those affected by conflict. 

At the Bahai International centre (BIC)

Exploring the Intersection of Education, Entrepreneurship, and Justice

Experts from around the world gathered to discuss the links between education, entrepreneurship, and justice, sharing ideas on promoting gender equality.

The session was led by Labour Member of Parliament Uma Kumaran, who facilitated the discussion and ensured that a broad range of experiences and insights were represented.

• Nathifa Forde, Executive Director of Her Future, addressed the critical support provided to survivors of gender-based violence. As the Gender Equality Commissioner at the Mayor’s Office in New York City, she shared how her organisation advocates for women and aims to empower those affected by such injustices.
• Shemona Otu-Ansah, convenor of the Bahai International Centre’s Addis Ababa office, described her efforts in developing grassroots policies to uplift communities across Africa. Her work focuses on shaping policies that respond directly to local needs and challenges.
• Dorothy Mercia of EBBFNY highlighted significant disparities in funding for start-ups, drawing attention to the substantial pay gap that persists within the entrepreneurial sector and its impact on women’s advancement.
• Charlotte Moore from the NAWO Young Women’s Alliance presented data that continues to show low engagement of girls in STEM subjects. She emphasised the ongoing need to encourage and support girls in pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Following the presentations, attendees divided into smaller groups to develop concepts and solutions based on the themes discussed. I represented our group, several shared steps identified as crucial for progress worldwide:

• Empowering women at the community level
• Providing legal education for all
• Increasing access to justice
• Engaging male allies in the movement
• Promoting women to senior leadership positions

These proposed actions reflect a collective vision for advancing gender equality, with an emphasis on grassroots involvement, education, advocacy, and partnership across genders.

UK Delegation Engagement at CSW70

As part of my involvement with the UK delegation to CSW70, I participated in meetings held at the UK mission in New York. The delegation included official representatives, notably Jackie Smith, Minister of Equality. These sessions provided valuable insight into the negotiation processes that shaped the final statement for CSW70, allowing us to better understand the factors influencing its outcome.

Among those present were four Members of Parliament, including Baroness Fiona Hogkiss and Baroness Harriet Harman, who were both official delegates. Their direct communication with UK civil society was greatly appreciated, as they dedicated time to sharing ideas and celebrating our collective achievements. Looking ahead, there was a shared sense of anticipation for further progress. It remains crucial to ensure that BFWG continues to be an active part of this alliance, strengthening our commitment to future collaboration. 

The UN town hall marked the general secretary’s final appearance, where he emphasized gender parity and supporting women’s ambitions. Civil society members also shared their perspectives with a global audience.

The Canadian mission global network of peace builders held an event hosted by the Canadian ambassador, where Senator Rechie Valdez discussed her experiences in peacebuilding through shared values and stories, inspiring grassroots members. Baroness Harriet Harman, the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Women and Girls, highlighted that political parties compete to involve women on the feminist agenda as they say it as a vote winner. She noted that growing female representation in Parliaments across the world fosters international collaboration despite cultural differences. She also mentioned Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper's commitment to women's roles in conflict zones. Viola Samuel from Nigeria spoke on women's peacekeeping efforts in South Sudan and Congo. Friba Rezayee, originally from Afghanistan and now in Vancouver, who competed for Afghanistan in the 2024 Olympics in Judo, emphasized the importance of education and sports for women's equality. Her work supported funding scholarships which have enabled over forty Afghan women to study in Canada, helping reduce gender apartheid. Palestinian activist Rima Salah delivered closing remarks on how women in politics can strengthen communication between civil society and government, supporting female parliamentarians. 

Lunch was hosted by the American GWI NFA, giving us the opportunity to meet mostly virtual North American members and other delegates who attended.

The UK delegation attended a pleasant reception at the ambassador's residence, offering an opportunity for more personal interaction with members.

European Women's Lobby Event: Advancing Gender Parity Through Rule of Law

The European Women’s Lobby (EWL) hosted a significant event at the EU mission house, focusing on the “Gender Parity Road Map” and emphasising the necessity for this initiative to be firmly rooted in the rule of law as a prerequisite. Key figures in attendance included Dina Login, the current president; Mary Collins, secretary general; Anne Negre, vice president of EWL and immediate past president of UWE who attended online; as well as Petra Bayer, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

Petra Bayer outlined several recommendations to advance political parity. These included the adoption of quotas for women, accompanied by sanctions for non-compliance; measures to reduce sexual harassment; the need to lead by example; and the establishment of clearly defined spaces in parliament for women across all parties. These proposals resonated strongly with me, particularly as I have had previous engagement with similar discussions at the Houses of Parliament 50:50 Parliament event.

Alena Mastantutuono, vice president of the Social and Economic Committee, highlighted the importance of applying a gender lens to policies concerning trade and migration. She emphasised issues such as access to justice, the gender pay gap, and pension equality. According to Mastantutuono, the path to gender parity must extend beyond parliament, encompassing trade unions and boardrooms as well.

Anne Negre voiced her concerns about the persistent lack of awareness regarding legal rights and access to justice. She noted that parity in political parties has been on the Council of Europe’s agenda since 1989. In January 2026, EWL launched its road map to parity, which included advocacy work and a letter template designed for use by member states and policymakers. This initiative is already underway, with responses from various stakeholders beginning to emerge.

Sasa Gavric and Chista Schweng stressed the importance of equality in thought processes and reaffirmed the essential role of quotas. They asserted that the road to parity should begin by engaging political parties, as these entities act as gatekeepers. They encouraged the use of gender-sensitive parliamentary terminology and urged attendees to adopt such language when interacting with their local MPs.

Ligia Nobrega, from the European Institute for Gender Equality, discussed the critical role of data collection and reporting. These efforts support civil society actions and facilitate ongoing collaboration with policymakers, helping to track progress and promote SDG5. The event featured a lively debate, during which attendees received the Gender Parity Toolkit. This toolkit addresses violence against women in politics and is regarded as a cornerstone for achieving gender parity. Key strategies include increasing the number of women in the political sphere — particularly those reaching higher levels — and recognising intersectional cultural differences among participants.

Education as a Pathway to Justice: Irish Mission Event in New York

The event held at the Irish Mission in New York placed a strong emphasis on the pivotal role of education in advancing justice for women and girls. Ambassador Fergal Mythen of Ireland warmly welcomed participants, setting the tone for a dynamic panel discussion. Soroptimist International president Ronata Trottmann highlighted that education is fundamental to ensuring access to justice for women and girls worldwide. Nabila Aguele, representing the Malala Foundation in Nigeria, shared insights into her work supporting girls who leave school and advocating for sustained government investment in education.

Professor Patrick Paul Welsh from the SDG Academy at the United Nations outlined UNESCO’s commitment to SDG5, focusing on initiatives to improve educational opportunities for refugee and rural communities by leveraging new technologies. He explained that these measures are central to advancing gender equality in education. Additionally, UNICEF is collaborating with technology partners to develop alternative educational strategies, promote female leadership, and demand stronger accountability from both corporations and governments.

Dr Isata Mohoi, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender, underscored the necessity of prioritising free education and access to STEM subjects for girls, identifying these as critical steps towards gender justice.

The event concluded with GWI president Pat Patton reiterating the call for universal free education and enhanced access to technology, reinforcing the message that such measures are vital for empowering women and girls to achieve justice and equality.

That evening, we had dinner with GWI members and discussed various local and global issues.

At the GWI Breakfast meeting, Maureen and Meriala ( GWI representee UN & UNICEF) raised concerns about reduced funding at UNICEF and the UN Committee on Social Development. They stressed that financial constraints hinder policy implementation and progress on social development. Their comments reinforced the need for consistent funding to ensure effective policies and programmes within international organisations. 

UN Women UK Film Preview: "Bystander"

At the United Nations Headquarters, I attended a screening of "Bystander" by @unwomenuk. The film effectively delivered its message with clear, strong storytelling. By focusing on a male perspective, it encouraged male allies to challenge harassment and highlighted public reactions to such incidents. Paramount Global and Tabitha Morton, Executive Director of UN Women UK, collaborated to produce this impactful project.

Advancing Justice through Community Accountability

A parallel event, "From Law to Life," took place outside the United Nations Headquarters, focusing on how women's organisations promote justice with community accountability. Leaders from various NGOs discussed practical ways civil society transforms legal principles into real change, particularly in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG5).

Experts and activists shared experiences. Bandana Rana from Nepal highlighted the "Cities of CEDAW" initiative, which pushes for local adoption of UN conventions to strengthen women's rights. Dr. Luana Parisi described a UK-Nigeria project advocating for legal equality for women. Panelists agreed that NGOs play a vital role in ensuring accountability, as legislation alone is not enough. Pat Patton of GWI stressed that education at all levels drives gender equality.

Salla Tuominen explained Zonta's international efforts to advance women’s economic, health, and professional status. Diana Barragan of BPW International emphasized the need for effective implementation and accountability in gender equality laws. Susan Jones of Project 5-0 described vocational training and advocacy efforts supporting women’s economic independence. NGO collaboration continues to be key in advancing women's rights globally.