LPHF Executive Director Participates in UN Commission on the Status of Women
UN HEADQUARTERS, NEW YORK CITY — The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, from March 10 to 21, 2025 and Love Peace Harmony Foundation’s Executive Director Alexia Cito has the honor of being in attendance and participating in this vital and timely conversation.
The Importance of the Conversation at CSW69: The Current State the Commission is Addressing
We live in a world today where true gender equality and women’s empowerment is still a long way off from being manifested in society and people’s everyday lives. When gender equality and women's empowerment are not implemented in a society, the consequences extend far beyond women and girls, negatively impacting entire communities and economies. Women face systemic barriers to education, employment, and healthcare, leading to higher poverty rates, reduced access to leadership roles, and increased vulnerability to gender-based violence. This imbalance also affects men and families, as rigid gender norms place pressure on men to be sole providers, limiting their ability to participate in caregiving and emotional well-being. Societies that fail to empower women experience slower economic growth, weaker governance, and higher instability, as gender inequality has been linked to increased conflict and social unrest.
According to the World Bank, closing the gender gap in labor force participation could add trillions to the global economy, yet discriminatory laws and policies continue to hold women back. Achieving gender equality benefits everyone, fostering more resilient, prosperous, and peaceful societies where individuals—regardless of gender—can reach their full potential.
This year's UN Commission on the Status of Women 69th session holds special significance as it marks the 30th anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women and the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995. The Beijing Declaration is widely regarded as the most progressive blueprint for advancing women's rights, outlining 12 critical areas where urgent action was needed to ensure greater equality and opportunities for women and men, girls and boys.
The 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women
Taking place in Beijing, marked a significant turning point for the global agenda for gender equality. The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, adopted unanimously by 189 countries, is an agenda for women’s empowerment and considered the key global policy document on gender equality. It sets strategic objectives and actions for the advancement of women and the achievement of gender equality in 12 critical areas of concern:
The Beijing conference built on political agreements reached at the three previous global conferences on women, and consolidated five decades of legal advances aimed at securing the equality of women with men in law and in practice. More than 17,000 participants attended, including 6,000 government delegates at the negotiations, along with more than 4,000 accredited NGO representatives, a host of international civil servants and around 4,000 media representatives. A parallel NGO Forum held in Huairou near Beijing also drew some 30,000 participants.
CSW69’s 30 Year Review and Where We Go From Here
This year’s UN Commission on the Status of Women session serves as a pivotal platform for reviewing and appraising the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, assessing current challenges, and strategizing on accelerating progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. The session brings together representatives from UN Member States, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to engage in dialogue, share experiences, and collaborate on effective policies and initiatives.
The participation of diverse stakeholders—including governments, civil society, women human rights defenders, youth, and community-based organizations—is fundamental to shaping policies that leave no one behind. This inclusive approach ensures that the voices of all women, in their diversity, are heard, valued, respected, and protected. The goals of achieving gender equality and empowering women are crucial for sustainable development and the well-being of societies. Since the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, significant progress has been made in advancing gender equality, including increased female representation in political leadership, greater access to education for girls, stronger legal protections against gender-based violence, and expanded economic opportunities for women, though challenges still remain in fully achieving these goals worldwide.
Despite progress over the past three decades, no country has fully achieved gender equality, and significant gaps and obstacles remain. For instance, nearly a quarter of governments have reported a rollback in women's rights, and gender-based discrimination remains deeply entrenched in global economies and societies.
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to promote women's access to credit and entrepreneurship, reduce unpaid care and domestic work, close the gender digital divide, ensure access to quality education, and prevent violence against women and girls. The active participation and leadership of all stakeholders at CSW69 are pivotal in accelerating progress towards the full realization of the Beijing Platform for Action and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
As we commemorate this 30-year milestone, it is imperative to reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive and secure space for engagement, where all voices are heard and valued. The collective dedication demonstrated at CSW69 serves as a catalyst for advancing gender equality and empowering all women and girls worldwide.
Looking Ahead Together — Where We Can Go From Here
As we look ahead, it is crucial to build on the progress made since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration by fostering inclusive policies, amplifying women's voices, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all. While strides have been made in education, workforce participation, and leadership representation, many barriers still exist that prevent women and girls from reaching their full potential. By committing to collective action, supporting grassroots initiatives, and advocating for systemic change, we can create a world where every woman and girl is empowered to thrive, lead, and contribute to a more just and equitable society. The journey toward gender equality is far from over, but with sustained dedication, collaboration, and unwavering resolve, when we act all together in unity — we can continue to create waves of positive change and create a future where everyone is truly empowered to live their full potential.
Each of us can play a role in bringing this dream into reality—whether it's mentoring young women, advocating for equal pay, supporting women-owned businesses, challenging stereotypes in everyday conversations, or even something as simple as listening to, valuing, respecting and supporting the voices of women in our lives. By taking intentional steps in our personal and professional lives, we can create ripple effects that contribute to a global culture of equity, inclusion, and empowerment.
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