Reflections from attendees to 69th Session to the Commission on the Status of Women

Attendance at CSW is important as it gives participants the opportunity to: have a voice in exploring solutions to myriad problems facing women of the world; receive a phenomenal educational experience regarding critical issues affecting women worldwide by attending side and parallel events and network with like-minded attendees from all over the globe. UN side events taking place inside the UN are only accessible to those with a Grounds Pass. Zonta International is given a limited amount of these passes. Below are the reflections of grounds pass holders who attended CSW69 in March 2025. 

Anne-Li Stjernholm | Reflection on a session by the European Parliament

“It was great to see how gender equity and focus on eradicating gender-based violence can unite representatives from different parties to drive a good cause. Some very high-level speakers, including Kirsi Madi, Deputy Executive Director for Resource Management, Sustainability, Partnerships United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women), who shared examples on progress (despite all challenges and backlash) from a number of European countries.” 

Christine Gerberding | Reflection on the Townhall Meeting with the UN Secretary General and Civil Society

“The United-Nations Secretary General urged again to push back the push back, especially since there are shrinking places for feminist actions, shrinking civil spaces - and shrinking funds. So, he asked the civil society to push the governments for actions in critical areas and for greater support for women‘s activities. And he reminded the auditorium in the General Assembly hall (“where the people’s hall - your hall“) that power is never given, it must be taken. Besides these inspiring words, the underlining message was that funding is at this time the most crucial issue for the UN agencies.” 

Christine Gerberding | Reflection on a session about Cyber Violence and It’s Impact on Women’s Societal Participation 

“There is a rise of cyber violence against women and this online violence feeds further normalization of Violence Against Women in general. One consequence is that more women withdraw from online spaces – and also from participation in general in order not to be attacked online. So, there is a need of safe spaces and tech firms should be held responsible for that. More women in the tech sector could assist the implementation of cyber laws. The panelist representing the global south opened the discussion on digital security also in terms of securing NGOs, activists and individuals in states at risk.” 

Carole Theobald| Reflection on a session about Transforming women’s leadership from the Republic of Kenya

“This fascinating panel discussion featured representatives from Kenya's national and regional governments, academia and a grass roots organisation. Key takeaways:  Statistics about women in leadership do not tell the whole story.  Obstacles to leadership include societal norms that regard politics as a male domain, lack of finances for female candidates who have less access to land ownership and violence against women in politics that goes unpunished.  This violence can include physical and verbal violence as well as threats to female candidates' families. At the regional level, revenue was mobilised by closing financial loopholes, digitising processes and moving towards a cashless economy. One panel member had attended Beijing in 1995 and she made two wise comments:  "Make sure you hold the hands of the young ones" and "Remember that there are powerful women behind the men - the wives and mothers - so talk to them!" 

Carole Theobald | Reflection on a session about men allyship with Men Engage Alliance

“After the genocide in Rwanda, gender equality was essential to rebuild the country.  Gender equality is about an ecosystem, not individuals. Masculinity consists of two elements:  how the world tells men to act; and what men describe the world to be.  A Swedish survey found that male youth supports gender equality in principle, but their actions do not support this view. Men see strength as dominance.  How to engage with men?  Meet men where they are: in workplaces, schools.  Allow men to express vulnerability and foster accountability.  Relate violence against women to gender norms and show positive role models. 

Gender equality has been weaponized with a profit motive. There is a gamification approach about seeing what will happen when we 'tear it all down'. We need to engage better with men.  In over 100 countries boys are not doing as well as girls in education - young men see programs for women and think they are missing out.  We need to improve our messaging and show that gender equality benefits everyone.  We also need to provide a platform for men to empower them around gender equality.” 

Dorothy Knauer | Reflection on a session on women’s political participation

“Today there are (globally) 28 women have been leaders of countries, 23 Cabinet members, and 13 countries where no woman has held the highest office. No country has achieved full parity.  Michelle Buchest, 1st woman President of Chile was a speaker (I sat next to a group of Chilean women lawyers who work in the courts with VAW).  She described progress for women in political leadership in Chile over 30 years, describing "progress, but these gains remain fragile." Definite gains have been made over 10-20 years; 35.5 % of women representation in elected office in Chile in 2022 (up from 22% over 10 years). Structural backlash (VAW), and need for adequate financing for political campaigns. Spain has made an institutional effort to end VAW and has invested large $ to do so. Spain has also focused their national agenda on equity for women (Health, Education, Financial, salaries).  Currently the gap in health is their biggest problem and challenge.  Spain uses the "zipper list" strategy -- putting names on the ballot that have man/woman/man/woman.”

Helen Bowie | Reflection on a session about the Women’s Rights Movement in the UK

“Baroness Harman KC, newly appointed UK Special Envoy on Women and Girls said “The UK is clear: women and girls’ rights are not up for negotiation.”  It transpired that the UK has sent two Ministers, the Baroness, and the Duchess of Edinburgh to CSW as part of their delegation.  The British are taking a strong stand on the rights of women and girls.  This is the second event at which I have seen Baroness Harman speak today.  She delivered a strong message at the UNICEF Ending Child Marriage event.” 

Judith Ainsworth | Reflection on a session on the resilience of women and girls

“Ambassadors to the UN emphasized that the situation of women in Mali is the same in these surrounding francophone countries, at different levels but always the same problems: need to help women escape poverty, women entrepreneurs need financial and legal means to own land. The Mali Minister of Women, Children and Family exposed the many needs of women's economic and social empowerment, technical and financial partners to contribute to reinforcing women leaders' capacities to participate actively in peace processes and good governance. The Nicaraguan Ambassador spoke of the need to respect self-determination, that tradition gives land titles to men, but we have learned from experience that it doesn't work. Women organize to defend culture and tradition. The Senegalese Ambassador said that women must have a national presence to reinforce and improve health systems, negotiate peace and security. Women must be placed again at the centre (heart) or must be central participants. ” 

Leonilda Cussotto | Reflection on the Power4Girls Launch Event

“I really liked this new global initiative that aims to collaborate with girls and for girls, promoting structural change that involves them everywhere. The goal is to strengthen their rights, their well-being and their leadership capacity. The event reiterated how investing in girls is not just a question of justice, but a key strategy to transform the world. Their empowerment is in fact an essential driver for global social and economic progress.” 

Souella Cumming | Reflection on the Global Programme to End Child Marriage event

“This was very inclusive and informative and it helped that there were many familiar faces!  We start with our heads, feel it in our hearts and work with our hands.  I have that memorized now because it makes so much sense.  Having intellectual engagement and emotional intelligence will make a practical implementation that much easier.  I really enjoyed this session and was proud of all the Zontians that made it possible!” A reflection of the Zonta Says NOW session by Stephanie Adams
“This session was powerful.  I appreciated how the focus was centered on the first panelists who were survivors of Child Marriage.  Each set of panelists after them focused back on them and that was very meaningful. "We can all make a difference, but none of us can do it alone," Princess Mabel van Oranje.  The information will be helpful in my future encouragement of donations to the Global Programme to End Child Marriage as one of ZI's International Service Projects.” 

Renee Coppock| Reflection of a session on transforming social norms

“We also need to look at the role of media – how is the media championing women? Also, how are we, as a society, raising our children? Are we teaching young boys to respect women and their ideas and opinions or are we allowing toxic masculinity to shape boys’ thoughts and actions? Emil Broberg opened that the world would not have the same issues today if more women were in power. It takes time to change social norms, so we need to start now. Abosede George-Ogan stated that we must be intentional about public perception of women. Media is the best tool – representation in the media is about power. We must demand that media showcase women leaders, not as gendered, but as true leaders.” 

25 MARCH 2025