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The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the primary global intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. It was established in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and functions as one of its commissions. The CSW is composed of 45 Member States, elected by ECOSOC for four-year terms and representing all world regions. Its work is supported by UN Women, which serves as its secretariat, as well as by ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations that actively participate in its sessions.

The CSW’s main mandate is to assess progress in advancing women’s rights, identify persistent challenges, and develop policy recommendations for governments and international organizations. The Commission meets annually in March for a two-week session centered on a priority theme agreed in advance. The 2026 session focuses on strengthening access to justice for women and girls. The outcomes of these sessions, known as agreed conclusions, are submitted to ECOSOC for follow-up and implementation.

In 1996, ECOSOC expanded the CSW’s mandate to include a leading role in monitoring the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Current Beijing+30 efforts, coordinated by UN Women, emphasize violence prevention, evidence-based policymaking, national action plans, survivor support services, and the role of women’s rights organizations, in line with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

Agenda Topics

Topic A: Preventing Child Marriage for Girls in Developing Regions

Child marriage is defined as a formal or informal couple involving a girl under the age of 18, and is considered an issue against gender equality and human rights. While global communities promote women’s empowerment, the situation in many developing regions remains challenging because of the structural inequalities and social norms that continue to affect girls.

The issue is shaped by interconnected factors such as poverty, limited access to education, and persistent gender norms. Legal frameworks addressing child marriage exist in many countries, yet gaps in enforcement and social acceptance continue to pose challenges. Child marriage matters internationally because it undermines global commitments to human rights, gender equality, and development.

The Committee on the Status of Women addresses this issue from the perspectives of social development, human rights, and global inequality, highlighting the need for sustained international attention and cooperation. This issue directly undermines progress toward SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 4 (Quality Education), while also impacting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) highlighting its relevance to international efforts to advance women’s rights and protect girls.

Topic B: Sexual Violence towards Women in Armed Conflicts

Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) refers to acts of a sexual nature committed during armed conflict through force, coercion, or abuse of power. It includes rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, forced sterilization, and other forms of severe sexual abuse. Although CRSV affects people of all genders and ages, women and girls account for over 90% of reported victims globally in the 21st century. In 2024, reported cases increased by 25% compared to the previous year.

In armed conflicts, sexual violence is frequently used as a tactic of intimidation, humiliation, and domination, primarily targeting civilian populations. These acts rarely occur in isolation and are often part of broader patterns of violence and are used systematically to destabilize communities by instilling fear and eroding social cohesion. CRSV constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and is recognized as a war crime under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

CRSV has severe and long-term consequences, including physical injuries, sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies, and psychological trauma. Social stigma and discrimination further worsen survivors’ suffering, while justice and accountability remain limited. Addressing CRSV is closely linked to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which focus on ending gender-based violence and strengthening accountability in conflict settings, especially with the issue of non-state actors.