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Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) – UN Body for Gender Equality

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Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

  • The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality, the rights and empowerment of women.
  • Established in 1946 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • It is a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
  • The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) plays a pivotal role in advancing the rights of women and girls, documenting their lived realities worldwide, and shaping global norms on gender equality and empowerment.
  • It is the biggest global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. 
  • UN Women, as the Secretariat, supports all aspects of the Commission’s work.

Membership

Membership of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

  • At any given time, the Commission is composed of 45 Member States of the United Nations.
  • Each Member State is represented by one delegate.
  • Members are elected by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • The basis of election is equitable geographical distribution.

Distribution of Seats

  • Africa: 13 members
  • Asia: 11 members
  • Latin America & Caribbean: 9 members
  • Western Europe & Other States: 8 members
  • Eastern Europe: 4 members

Tenure

  • Members serve for a four-year term.

Mandate

  • Prepare recommendations and reports on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, civil, social, and educational fields.
  • The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is tasked with monitoring, reviewing, and appraising progress in the implementation of major global frameworks on gender equality.
  • Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995): Landmark global agenda for advancing women’s rights.
  • Outcomes of Twenty-third Special Session of the UN General Assembly (2000): Also known as Beijing+5, this session reviewed progress since 1995 and adopted further measures to accelerate gender equality
  • Support gender mainstreaming at all levels of governance.
  • Contribute to the follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Annual Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

  • The annual session is the largest global gathering of gender equality advocates.
  • Attended by representatives of Member States, UN entities, civil society, private sector, trade unions, media, and human rights institutions.
  • The session provides a global platform to review progress, identify challenges, set priorities, and make policy recommendations on gender equality.
  • Venue: United Nations Headquarters, New York.
  • Duration: Two weeks in March every year.
  • Key Objectives of the Session
    • Discuss progress on gender equality and women’s rights.
    • Identify challenges faced globally by women and girls.
    • Set policies to advance gender equality.
    • Establish global standards for empowerment of women and girls.
  • Outcome: Agreed Conclusions
    • The main outcome document of each annual session is called “Agreed Conclusions.”
    • It contains policy guidance and recommendations for governments and other stakeholders to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
    • Addresses the priority theme of that year and provides action-oriented measures.

FAQs 

Q1. What is the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)?

The CSW is a principal UN intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It functions under ECOSOC and was established in 1946.

Q2. How many countries are members of the CSW?

CSW membership comprises 45 States elected by ECOSOC on the basis of equitable geographical distribution.

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