CSW69 Calls for Action on Gender Equality and Inclusion
- Grace Achieng
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
New York, March 2025 – The first thing that comes to mind is what an honor it was to be part of the Icelandic delegation at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 2025 (CSW69), representing the Board of BusinessWomen in Iceland, where I am serving as a board member. It was a powerful platform to renew the world’s commitment to gender equality.
In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the focus was placed on progress made as well as the ongoing challenges in achieving equal rights for women and girls around the globe. Leaders, activists, advocates, and policymakers gathered to assess the current state of gender equality and set ambitious goals for the future.
Women’s Rights Are Human Rights
In his opening remarks, UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers to gender equality. He reminded the global community that the argument has never changed—it goes across language, culture, religion, race, and so on. “Women’s place is here, there, and everywhere,” António Guterres. He reiterated that action is needed to accelerate the agenda and stressed that without full gender equality, the world cannot achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
A Call for Collective Action
CSW69 was not just a space for policy discussions but also real, practical solutions. The gathering placed strong emphasis on accelerating the pace of progress, especially for marginalized groups.
UN Assistant Secretary-General Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (Zimbabwe), criticized the tendency to frame gender equality only within the scope of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She stated clearly, “I am not DEI. I am part of humanity.” Her words echoed throughout the conference, underlining that gender equality is not a corporate checkbox—it is a fundamental human right.
Women in Leadership and Youth Engagement
A key theme throughout CSW69 was the need for more women in leadership. Despite the progress, symbolic representation remains insufficient. Women must be granted real power and influence in politics, business, and society.
Intergenerational collaboration was also a major focus, with young activists urging governments to establish formal channels for youth participation in policy-making and decision-making processes.
Global Equality: Investing in the Future of Girls
One of the standout events at CSW69 was Power4Girls, highlighting the importance of investing in girls’ education and empowerment. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Millie Bobby Brown delivered a powerful speech, calling for young women to be given the space to make their voices heard. She had a personal chat with Grace, highlighting the importance of representation. The discussion revolved around the visibility of underrepresented women and how to break barriers, encouraging women to share platforms and insights to empower others. One key highlight was using one’s voice matters, even when it feels small.
As a representative from Sierra Leone put it, “The future does not belong to young girls—the present does.” She also said that girls are not waiting for permission to be invited to the table; they are planning, developing, and finding ways to come to the table.
Key global challenges discussed included:
Child marriage continues to be a serious global issue.
The need to recognize girls as individuals, not just statistics.
The importance of role models and mentorship for the future of women.
Access to healthcare and technology as essential elements in the fight for equality.
The need to move beyond tokenism—girls must have real representation.
In the Nordic Council of Ministers' discussions, the focus was placed on women’s right to safe and legal abortion, digital violence, and gender-based violence. Iceland's Minister of Justice highlighted the severity of online harassment, while the Finnish delegation emphasized that education is the most effective way to empower women. Discussions also included women’s economic empowerment, calling for equal pay, financial independence, and stronger social protection systems for immigrant and refugee women in the Nordic countries.
Vision for the Future: Action Over Words
CSW69 reinforced that gender equality isn’t just about policies—it demands daily action. “Fighting for equality is not a slogan; it’s a daily mission.”
To ensure that the outcomes of CSW69 lead to real-world change, governments, businesses, and society must prioritize funding for gender equality initiatives, protect human rights defenders working on women’s rights, and shape policies that promote inclusive and just societies for all women and girls.
As António Guterres reaffirmed, “The antidote is action.” We cannot wait any longer for gender equality. The responsibility lies with every sector of society to turn CSW69 commitments into tangible results.
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