The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls’ rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.  

During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. They discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Member States agree on further actions to accelerate progress and promote women’s and girls’ enjoyment of their rights in political, economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to ECOSOC for follow-up. 

The Ursuline Education Network partners with a regional non-governmental organization (NGO) to secure attendance at Commission/UN assembly sessions and parallel events for member schools.  Additionally, students are encouraged to participate as representatives on student discussion panels when such opportunities arise. 

March 8-12, 2025, several Network member schools will partner with NGO The Grail and Working Group on Girls to participate in sessions, panels and attend parallel events at the United Nations for CSW 69 in New York. 

For more information about participating, or if you want to register to participate with other Ursuline Education Network member schools, contact Peggy McCormick-Platz at peggy@ursuline-education.com