SW: Beyond March. Every Day, Every Voice

Converting Awareness into Action

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Committee – September 2025

In August, we opened the door to a broader understanding of CSW: it isn’t a two-week gathering in March, but a continuous cycle of dialogue, commitment, and implementation. March is simply when the spotlight shines; the real work stretches through every month that follows.

NFBPWC has a proud legacy of showing up, but showing up is no longer enough. Our challenge now is to speak up, step up, and act. The global conversation on women’s equality is happening all year, and our voices, projects and solutions must be part of it.

CSW – What Happens Beyond March? CSW’s annual outcomes, whether Agreed Conclusions, or in milestone years, a Political Declaration, don’t stop at the closing gavel in March. They set the agenda for the year ahead, shaping government policies, UN priorities, and NGO Advocacy.

Implementations:

• CSW66 (2022) Countries began integrating gender considerations into their national climate strategies, adopting gender-responsive climate action plans and expanding women’s leadership roles in disaster risk reduction.

• CSW67 (2023) Efforts to close the digital gender divide accelerated, with initiatives to increase women’s access to STEM education, digital finance and technology leadership opportunities.

• CSW68 (2024) Regional assessments were launched in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to monitor how commitments were being implemented, ensuring accountability across different contexts.

• CSW69 (2025) Marking 30 years since the Beijing Platform for Action, CSW issued a Political Declaration reaffirming governments’ responsibility to fund civil society and gender equality programs in sustainable and flexible ways.

These examples remind us: March is when the goals are agreed/created – but every one of the other 11 months is when progress is made.

What are Parallel Events? Parallel Events are civil society led sessions that run alongside the official / formal CSW proceedings. Hosted by NGOs, they create space for organizations like NFBPWC to highlight projects, share solutions, and spark global partnerships.

They are significant in that they are accessible, flexible, and diverse.

• Accessible: Any NGO with ECOSOC consultative status can apply to host.

• Flexible: They can be in-person in New York or fully virtual, allowing widest participation globally.
  

• Diverse: Topics span everything from entrepreneurship and education to sustainability, health, human rights, and beyond.

What does it take to host a virtual parallel event:

• A message that matters (a project, story or solution)

• A small team (at least two or three people who can plan content, recruit speakers, and moderate)

• A format (workshop, panel, storytelling session or interactive dialogue)

• Technical readiness (a stable platform like Zoom or the equivalent, clear instructions for participants, and time management to keep the session on track)

Hosting a parallel event is less about expertise in UN procedures and more about having the courage to bring your local story into the global conversation.

Why It Matters: These events are how we ensure our ideas and projects don’t stay local—they become part of the global dialogue on women’s equality.

Looking Ahead to CSW70: How Can You Get Involved? That work begins now. Hosting a parallel event is our opportunity to move from awareness to action, by bringing our projects, priorities, and voices into the global spotlight. In doing so, we not only showcase the creativity and determination of NFBPWC but also contribute to shaping the future of women’s equality worldwide.

A planning and vision session will be held very soon – the date to be announced. This is where ideas become action plans, collaborators connect, and the first steps toward CSW70 take shape.

This is our moment to lead. This is our moment to act.

This is our moment to make CSW70 a true celebration of NFBPWC voices, ideas and leadership. If you are ready to get involved or want to learn more, email csw@nfbpwc.org.

Submitted by

Barbara Bozeman President, NFBPWC 2024-2026

https://www.unwomen.org/en/how-we-work/commission-on-the-status-of-women

CSW:

During the UN General Assembly High-level week 2025, there will be a “High-level Meeting on the 30^th Anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women” on September 22^nd from 10am to 8pm. This is available for viewing via UN WebTV