GWL Voices at CSW69: Safeguarding Gains, Accelerating Equality

As the world marks the thirtieth anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) presents a pivotal moment to address gender disparities in leadership and advocate for women’s full participation in decision-making processes.

GWL Voices is leading a series of high-impact evidence-based events and activities at CSW69 to assess the progress made and mobilize action toward gender equality in global leadership. These high-level discussions and advocacy efforts will highlight the urgency of defending past gains while pushing for transformative change in multilateralism and global governance.

Women in Multilateralism 2025: Launch of the Flagship Report

The GWL Voices flagship report “Women in Multilateralism 2025” sheds light on the persistent gender imbalance in global governance. This edition will have a spotlight on women’s leadership in global health, and includes a groundbreaking analysis of female representation among UN Permanent Representatives. The launch event will foster discussions on key findings and the reforms needed to accelerate gender equality in multilateral spaces.

• Date: March 10, 2025
• Time: 5:00 - 6:30 PM
• Location: Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice
• Host: GWL Voices

Women in Politics: Obstacles and Challenges to Gender Parity in Subnational Government

Despite progress in gender equality, women remain significantly underrepresented in local governments, with only 35.5% holding seats and just 5% serving in executive leadership roles. This session will examine the structural barriers preventing women from advancing in subnational governance and highlight strategies to foster greater female political participation.

• Date: March 11, 2025
• Time: 8:30 AM
• Location: Permanent Mission of Chile to the UN, New York
• Host: GWL Voices, Permanent Mission of Chile to the UN, Permanent Mission of Colombia to the UN, UN Women LAC, UCLG, Colmena Fund.

Beijing+30: Addressing 21st Century Challenges to Gender Equality

Three decades after the landmark Beijing Declaration, gender equality remains an unfinished agenda. This event will bring together trailblazing leaders and young changemakers to assess progress, discuss contemporary challenges, and chart a path forward in the fight for gender parity.

• Date: March 12, 2025
• Time: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
• Location: Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs
• Hosts: GWL Voices, Women’s Initiative at the Institute of Global Politics at Columbia University, Vital Voices, Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, and Wellesley College.

Elevating Girls' and Women's Leadership: A Cross-Generational Dialogue Between GWL Voices & WAGGGS

In collaboration with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS), this session will spotlight young women leaders and advocate for an intergenerational approach to leadership development. With only 26 countries currently led by women and 113 nations never having had a female head of state, the discussion will underline the urgency of systemic change to support emerging female leaders.

• Date: March 2025 (TBD)
• Location: Salvation Army, NY
• Host: GWL Voices & WAGGGS

Through these events, GWL Voices continues to drive the global agenda for gender equality in leadership. Join us as we push for a world where women's leadership is the standard, not the exception, follow our activities on social media @GWLVoices in all channels.

Intergenerational Dialogue: Women’s Leadership with GWL Voices & The New School

This interactive conversation will bridge the generational gap between young leaders and seasoned professionals, emphasizing the need for structural changes that support women’s leadership across all governance levels.

• Date: March 20, 2025
• Time: 5:00 PM

• Location: The New School

• Host: GWL Voices, The New School