Introduction
Asia Pacific civil society representatives engaged in the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 8 to 22. The CSW69 marked a critical moment for the region to reflect on three decades of progress since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), while also addressing the growing challenges we face to realize gender equality, as well as give input into the CSW revitalization process.
Asia Pacific Action at the CSW69
Civil society members from across the Asia Pacific played an crucial role in advocating or the regional perspectives throughout the CSW69, and taking forward the outcomes from the Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference and regional civil society priorities identified ‘The Forging Gender-Just Futures through the Beijing Platform for Action’ Civil Society Consultations Report.
Throughout the two-week session, Beijing +30 Asia Pacific CSO Steering Committee Members and CSO representatives from the region maintained at CSW, They were involved in multiple capacities, including attending formal government negotiations, participating formal sessions, side events and parallel events including those related to the CSW revitalization process., leading the Asia Pacific regional caucus, and holding bilateral meetings with UN agencies and other key stakeholders.
The Asia Pacific Regional Caucus was held on March 14. Attended by 50 -75 CSO representatives, it proved to be a valuable space for both information sharing and collective strategizing. Members of the Beijing +30 Asia Pacific Steering Committee led the regional caucus, sharing updates on the Beijing +30 regional review outcomes, facilitating discussions and ensuring feedback from regional civil society participants were fed into strategic planning. Some organizations expressed concern that the process of the CSW was obscure and highlighted the need for enhanced communication channels ahead of future global convenings that presented key opportunities for CSO intervention.
The CSW69 Global Youth Dialogue took place on March 9th and provided a dynamic platform for young feminist activists to come together and influence global policy discussions on gender equality. Participants raised key challenges, including the limited investment in gender-disaggregated data, which results in lack of evidence-based policymaking. There were calls to include more youth advocates within government delegation, with examples from the Philippines and Mongolia. The inclusion of youth delegates serve as a strategic entry point for including youths in decision making spaces. The Youth Dialogue advocated for governments to provide a space for youth delegates to build alliances and strengthen strategic contributions in advance of CSW sessions. CSO Steering Committee members also actively engaged in the CSW Revitalization discussions and recognized this as an important opportunity to address persistent implementation and accountability gaps, as well as to integrate new thematic areas such as digital security. This included calls to increase the role of CSOs in CSW, underscoring the importance of regional monitoring of the BPfA, and recognizing the importance of national human rights institutions.
Key Insights and Reflections to enhance engagement
Participation at CSW69 reaffirmed several core priorities while also highlighting emerging challenges that require collective action. The adoption of the CSW69 Political Declaration, albeit with significant gaps in particular in regards to SRHR, represented confirmation of the global importance of gender equality and empowerment. Negotiations this year were among the most difficult since 1995, reflecting the rise of anti-rights groups and their adverse impact globally.
One of the most notable observations was the growing recognition of intersectionality in gender equality discussions, with specific attention to climate justice, digital transformation, and economic justice. However, participants noted the ongoing gap between global policy and practical, locally grounded implementation. There is a need to strengthen frameworks that link global commitments to tangible outcomes for diverse communities across the Asia Pacific that includes the participation of historically marginalized women in decision-making processes.
Concerns for the continuous shrinking of civic space and the rise of anti-gender movements were recurring themes during the CSW69. CSO representatives expressed concern over the weakening of UN mechanisms to effectively address these issues, especially in contexts where women rights defenders face significant threats. This includes the USA funding freeze and its adverse impact on women and LGBTIQ rights globally.
Another important area of discussion was the coordination of civil society mobilization within the Asia Pacific region. The regional caucus was recognized as a critical platform for CSOs, yet gaps in information dissemination and coordination were noted. Some organizations, particularly from the Pacific, reported being unaware of regional processes and opportunities for involvement. They called for a more structured and consistent communication strategy, and mechanisms for enhanced dissemination of information and updates in the lead up to global convenings. This could include utilizing a centralized information-sharing calendar, sub-regional focal points, and leveraging more accessible communication platforms beyond email.
Observing the discussions at CSW is essential to better understand member state positions and identify potential entry points for civil society intervention moving forward. . With so many rollbacks, attacks and resistance to women and girls' rights, it was imperative attend CSW in person, to make our interventions and put forward our demands for stronger implementation, commitment and political will.
Strategies Moving Forward
Building on the experience of CSW69, there were increased calls for civil societies to accelerate strategic action that push Asia Pacific priorities to the forefront, especially the needs and concerns of historically marginalized and oppressed groups. The formalization of the Asia Pacific Regional Caucus as a political space within the CSW was suggested, and discussions during CSW69 explored the possibility of establishing thematic and sub-regional working groups dedicated to CSW engagement. There were also suggestions to develop a more effective strategy for communicating regional updates and opportunities for advocacy and civil society action. Outreach efforts should aim to proactively include underrepresented groups and countries, particularly in the Pacific in regional and global dialogues. This can be supported by clarifying open calls for participation in regional processes and providing practical guidance on engaging in global policy spaces like CSW.
Conclusion
Civil Society representatives and feminists representing women and girls from diverse communities engaged at the CSW69 to reaffirm the region’s collective commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s rights within an increasingly challenging global context. While key successes were achieved in regional coordination and advocacy, critical gaps remain in information sharing, inclusion, and protection of civic space.
Future advocacy must relentlessly center intersectionality, recognizing how overlapping systems of inequality impact women, girls, and gender-diverse communities across our region. This approach will address specific challenges, including limited access to digital innovation, the disproportionate effects of climate injustice, and persistent economic marginalization, particularly for those from traditionally marginalized communities.
