Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a United Nations-affiliated intergovernmental body that promotes women empowerment and gender equality. The Commission has been highly influential in encouraging women to shape their global standards. Established on 21 June 1946, CSW bridges the gap between the theory and the social reality of women globally.

No matter your age, gender, and sexuality, everyone is entitled to equal treatment. However, even in the 21st century, attaining gender equality is still a challenge. CSW works for the primary objective of improving gender equality and women empowerment worldwide.

Commission on the Status of Women 2023

The United Nations (UN) established the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) through ECOSOC resolution 11(II) on 21 June 1946. CSW is a global intergovernmental body that works closely with women to help them stride over gender bias and establish themselves as leaders.

Girls and women are among the most marginalized groups worldwide. CSW works to improve the status of women through targeted steps. It also empowers women worldwide by offering them several opportunities.

CSW Full Form

The full form of CSW is the Commission on the Status of Women. This is an organization comprising of members from around the world working for the mutual goal of women empowerment. CSW was established by the United Nations in 1946 by ECOSOC resolution 11(II).

Also called UNCSW, the Commission on the Status of Women monitors and reports on the social, political, educational and civil rights of women around the world. Originally, the CSW only had 15 members but the organization has now grown to include many more countries.

United Nations CSW History

The 11th ECOSOC resolution established the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) or CSW on 21 June 1946. The Commission aimed to ensure that girls' and women's rights are rightfully met regardless of nationality. Here is the complete history and timeline of CSW.

• Established in 1946, the CSW included only 15 members.
• In 1996, the 1996/6 resolution of the ECOSOC expanded the Commission. Through this expansion, it was decided that the Commission would be prominent in monitoring and reviewing progress achieved by CSW.
• The 1995 Declaration and Platform for Action held in Beijing highlighted various issues concerning the gaps in the implementation of this declaration.
• Thus, the 23rd General special session held in Beijing discussed emerging issues regarding gender equality. The CSW also discussed ways to accelerate this process of the global empowerment of women.
• The UN representatives and advocates of women's rights and empowerment annually gather at UN CSW headquarters in New York for the annual two-week session.

Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Original Members

The first session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) (1947) had 15 members in attendance, who are all women:

• Evdokia Uralova, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic
• Zee Yuh-Tsung, China (at the time the Republic)
• Elizavieta Alekseevna Popova, Soviet Union
• Graciela Morales F. de Echeverria, Costa Rica
• Bodil Begtrup, Denmark
• Marie-Hélène Lefaucheux, France
• Shareefah Hamid Ali, India
• Sara Basterrechea Ramirez, Guatemala
• Amalia C. de Castillo Ledón, Mexico
• Alice Kandalft Cosma, Syria
• Mihri Pektaş, Turkey
• Mary Sutherland, United Kingdom
• Dorothy Kenyon, US
• Jessie Mary Grey Street, Australia
• Isabel de Urdaneta, Venezuela

Tasks of the CSW

The Commission on the Status of Women was established with the goal of challenging the gender bias and empowering women. Some of the first tasks of the United Nations women commission were as follows.

• Drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Introducing more inclusive language while drafting the Declaration.
• The CSW fought resistance from the Commission on Human Rights members for the same but succeeded in their efforts.

CSW Objectives

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established on 21st June 1946 to promote and monitor political, economic, civil, and social issues of women. The CSW or the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is committed to accelerating the implementation of gender equality and women empowerment.

How does the CSW work?

The Commission on the Status of Women works with a methodological approach, which is outlined here.

1. Panel discussion and dialogue to mainstream gender equality across policies and other programs.
2. Strengthen pollical commitment to the realization of gender equality and women empowerment.
3. The CSW makes efforts to bridge the gaps between the discussions and practices by identifying and following up on the goals.
4. Celebrating International Women's Day whenever the session falls around 8 March.
5. The CSW enhances gender perspectives in works concerning political and intergovernmental issues.
6. Adopting unanimously agreed on resolutions to promote gender equality and women empowerment.

CSW Significance

The CSW as an organization highlights the issues faced by women around the world. Gender equality is not primarily concerned with women but it entails the fundamental human rights issue. Here is why the CSW is such a significant organization.

• Denying girls and women the equal treatment they deserve is unfair and unethical.
• Despite this realization, girls and women continue to be marginalized and poorly treated across the globe.
• To achieve the empowerment of girls and women and gender equality, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has designed multiple effective decisions to ensure this marginalized group's rights are not compromised.

Role of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Each year, representatives of CSW Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York. These members assess the progress on gender equality, identify challenges, and develop global standards and specific strategies for the betterment of gender equality and empowering women around the world.

• United Nations agencies such as the CSW are active in their role in including women in development approaches, programs, and meetings.
• Women participate in preparatory meetings of the CSW to develop strategies, hold caucuses and network on various agenda items being negotiated by multiple committees.
• NGOs are also allowed to attend CSW meetings, participate in caucuses and panel discussions, and organize their parallel events.

CSW: Current Members and Representatives

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) consists of one representative from each of the 45 member countries elected by the Economic and Social Council based on equitable geographical distribution. Currently, the representatives CSW has include 13 from Africa; 11 from Asia; 9 from Latin America and the Caribbean; 8 from Western and Other States, and 8 from Eastern Europe 4.

All the members of the CSW serve a four-year term. Each session of the CSW sets a priority theme to make a bigger impact on society as the host of the world's biggest gathering on women's rights. The prime focus of the UN women commission is making the world a better place for all genders and abolishing oppression.

FAQs on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

Q.1) What is the Commission on the Status of Women or CSW?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a global intergovernmental body currently operational under the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), aiming to improve gender equality and women empowerment worldwide.

Q.2) When was the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) established?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established on 21st June 1946 by the United Nations. The purpose of this organization is to give women leaders a chance to work on women empowerment and highlight issues faced by women from around the world.

Q.3) Where is the headquarters of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) annually meets at the UN New York headquarters to discuss women's rights and empowerment. This organization has 45 members worldwide, who work for the upliftment of women.

Q.4) How many members are there in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) currently has 45 member countries. The participation consists of one representative from each of the 45 member countries elected by the Economic and Social Council based on equitable geographical distribution.

Q.5) What is the significance of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)?

Over the years, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has played a remarkable role in monitoring and evaluating gender equality through research and public education. This organization promotes gender equality and women upliftment.