In Focus: UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)

The 68^th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), the UN’s largest annual event dedicated to gender equality and women’s empowerment, will take place from 11 to 22 March 2024, under the theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”

The 2024's priority theme strongly emphasizes the intersection of economic well-being and gender-responsive governance. Simultaneously, the review theme, "Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls," reflects on the progress made since the sixty-third session, focusing on tangible infrastructures and systems that uphold women and girls' rights and opportunities.

The emphasis on addressing poverty recognizes its disproportionate impact on women and underscores the need to integrate poverty-alleviation strategies into gender empowerment initiatives. Additionally, the focus on strengthening institutions acknowledges the pivotal role of effective governance and policy frameworks in promoting gender equality. The theme further highlights the importance of financial systems and investments guided by a gender perspective, emphasizing the role of economic empowerment in fostering gender equality. By addressing these interconnected elements, CSW68 aims to drive accelerated progress toward achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls, recognizing that a multifaceted and integrated approach is essential for sustainable and inclusive development.

The Commission on the Status of Women is one of the largest annual gathering of global leaders, non-profit organizations, private sector actors, UN partners and activists from around the world, focusing on the status of rights and empowerment of all women and girls, everywhere.

Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to contribute to the session.

Key events 

Top stories

Regional dialogue aims to reduce women’s poverty and advance gender equality in Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine

Youth and adolescents from Europe and Central Asia contribute to a more gender-equal region ahead of the Commission on the Status of Women

In the words of Ema Meçaj: “Civil equality can truly be achieved only when gender stereotypes are reduced”

Civil society from Europe and Central Asia unites to shape a collective statement for the 68th Commission on the Status of Women

Bosnia and Herzegovina hosts the sub-regional multistakeholder consultation for a landmark dialogue on gender equality

Uzbekistan leads sub-regional multistakeholder consultation tackling women’s poverty in the region

Resources

1.    The issue paper “A Snapshot of Gender and Poverty in the Europe and Central Asia Region”
2.    Analysis report of the CSW68 Europe and Central Asia youth and adolescent consultations 
3.    Outcome document of the CSW68 Europe and Central Asia CSOs consultations 
4.    Summary report of the CSW68 multistakeholder consultation for the Western Balkans and Türkiye 
5.    Summary report of the CSW68 multistakeholder consultation for Azerbaijan and Central Asia 
6.    Summary report of the CSW68 multistakeholder consultation for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine 

Social media

Whether you’re tuning in from the United Nations Headquarters, or from your offices and homes around the world; use #CSW68 to engage online and share how you are participating.

Find more social media content around #CSW68 and the CSW themes on our UN Women Europe and Central Asia accounts: @unwomeneca and @unwomenctrlasia (Russian) on Twitter; UN Women Europe and Central Asia (English) and UN Women Central Asia (Russian) on Facebook; @unwomeneca and @unwomen.russian(Russian) on Instagram, UN Women Europe and Central Asia on LinkedIn, UN Women on OK and VKontakte.