📊 Did You Know?
- The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946 by a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), making it one of the earliest United Nations bodies focused on gender equality.
- CSW is the principal intergovernmental mechanism entirely dedicated to gender equality: its mandate includes assessing global progress, setting norms, and influencing legislation.
- At CSW67 (2023), the theme “Innovation and Technological Change and Education in the Digital Age” emphasized bridging the gender digital divide and ensuring women’s full participation in emerging technologies.
It was truly an honor to take part in the 67th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67), an experience that opened my eyes to the profound intersection between two equally pressing global challenges—climate change and gender equality. Walking into each session, I could feel the buzzing energy of collaboration and urgency in the air.
Throughout the commission, every conversation and idea shared highlighted one central message: to solve the complex crises our world faces, gender equality must be at the heart of every solution.
I listened to leaders, advocates, and innovators discuss the importance of educational awareness strategies that spark inclusive conversations and harness the creativity of all people, regardless of gender, age, or background.
During the sessions, leaders, advocates, and innovators delved into a variety of topics, from which I gathered these key takeaways:
Multilateral involvement of women in peace processes, with deliberate focus on uplifting vulnerable and marginalized groups within decision-making spaces to promote equitable progress.
Integrating multi-sectoral policy measures into existing and novel mechanisms is vital to ensure fair representation and inclusive decision-making across local, national, and global levels.
Investment in economic empowerment and infrastructure development can strengthen capacity-building efforts, and support female-led impact initiatives and social mobilizations, ultimately driving sustainable growth.
Inter-institutional cooperation can help facilitate greater access to health and social services, while prioritizing the safety of women and girls through proactive action against gender-based violence.
These dialogues deeply resonated with me, as I’ve seen firsthand how cross-sectoral collaboration and intersectional approaches can create transformative change as the CEO of NEST4US. Our work is grounded in the same belief that guided CSW67: that every action, no matter how big or small, can propel us toward a more compassionate and inclusive world for all.
Equally impactful was the chance to connect with extraordinary youth changemakers from around the world. Beyond the panels and plenaries, I witnessed the power of friendships forged through social impact—young leaders uniting across cultures and causes, driven by a shared belief in equity and justice.
Some of my most cherished memories from attending conferences like CSW67 have been the laughter, shared stories, and visions for the future with friends who inspire me daily. These serve as beautiful reminders of how sustainable change is not only policy-driven but also nurtured by human connection.
As echoed throughout CSW67, women and girls are indeed “dignified protagonists of integral development.”
As a young female entrepreneur of color, I carry that message with pride and responsibility, working tirelessly to mobilize women and girls to stand up against racial and gender-based injustices, supporting female-led enterprises worldwide, and amplifying the voices of those who are too often silenced.
The theme of CSW67 reinforced the imperative role of versatile leaders in transforming outdated narratives and propelling intergenerational action. To achieve true equality, we must restore agency to grassroots organizations and individuals, particularly those confronting climate injustice and gender bias.
Because in the end, equality is not a woman’s issue—it’s a human one. And with every collective step we take, we move the world closer to justice, balance, and shared humanity.
—Shreyaa Venkat, CEO NEST4US, March 2022
