The sixty-ninth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) opened in New York (USA) on Monday 10 March. Running until 21 March, this session, which celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, aims to assess the progress that has been made and identify the ongoing obstacles to gender equality since 1995.
To kick-start the work, Member States adopted by consensus a political declaration setting out their commitment to the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration. UN Secretary-General António Guterres denounced the “poison of patriarchy” and warned that women’s rights are under siege in many parts of the world. He called for funding to be stepped up to guarantee gender equality, which he sees as a major lever for sustainable development.
In a press release, the European External Action Service (EEAS) reiterated the EU’s determination to speed up the implementation of the commitments made in the Beijing Declaration and to oppose any challenge to the progress achieved.
The European Commissioner for Equality, Hadja Lahbib, will head up the EU delegation in New York until 13 March. Writing on X, she said: “Where do we stand 30 years after the Beijing Declaration? (...) Progress happens when we move forward together. Through dialogue, learning and action”.
At a side event on the reconstruction of Ukraine, which was also held on the first day, Commissioner Lahbib expressed the EU’s renewed support: “It’s our duty to support the women of Ukraine”.
To further underline the value of sexual and reproductive health services and the fight against gender-based violence, she also added: “By supporting women’s rights and empowering women-led initiatives, we unlock Ukraine’s potential to rebuild and thrive”.
On the sidelines of the session, Hadja Lahbib met the European ministers for equality as well as the current trio from the presidency of the EU Council – Katarzyna Kotula (Polish), Magnus Heunicke (Danish), Josie Christodoulou (Cypriot) – in addition to Aurore Bergé French so that they could discuss the EU’s roadmap on women’s rights, which had been presented on 7 March (see EUROPE 13595/1).
The European Parliament will be present from 17 to 20 March. A delegation from the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM) will be holding a side event on 18 March devoted to Sustainable Development Goal 5 on gender equality. In February, MEPs reiterated that the EU must continue to set an example when it comes to women’s rights. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)