In Focus: UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67)

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The 67th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, will take place this year from 6 – 17 March under the theme, “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”. 

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.

Innovation and technology provide unprecedented opportunities to improve the lives of women and girls around the world, transform all spheres of life and establish new entrance points and platforms for historically marginalized group who are the most likely to be left behind. They promote women's inclusion by boosting employment and earnings for women in the ICT sector and occupations.

In the region, women's access to and progress in STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics have been growing significantly over the past years. Advancements in technology and innovation is estimated to have created more than 23 million jobs across Europe from 1999 to 2016, almost half of the total increase in employment (World Bank, 2019). Despite the progress, the gender gap is still large, with men 2.7 times more likely than women to work in the sector and 7.6 times more likely to be in ICT occupations (World Bank, 2016). Similarly, women in ECA region enroll in STEM-related fields in lower numbers compared to men.

Bringing women and other marginalized groups into technology results in more creative solutions and has greater potential for innovations that meet women’s needs and promote gender equality. A gender-responsive approach to innovation, technology and digital education can increase the awareness of women and girls regarding their rights and civic engagement. Advancements in digital technology offer immense opportunities to address development and humanitarian challenges, and to achieve the 2030 Agenda’s Sustainable Development Goals.

CSW67 provides a unique chance to shape our digital future for the better. Over the next two weeks, governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from around the world will unite to face the challenges—and further the enormous potential—held by technology for the empowerment of all women and girls.

Follow the discussions at CSW67, learn more about innovation and technological change for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.