Watch the ‘On the Road to CSW69’ Webinar here.

Visit the ‘Soroptimist International at CSW69’ webpage for regular updates.

As Soroptimist International (SI) prepares to make its mark at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), members gathered for an essential advocacy training webinar. Opened by SI President Siew Yong Gnanalingam and SI Director of Advocacy Leigh Ellwood Brown, the session outlined the organisation’s strategic approach to CSW69, which will focus on the Beijing+30 review and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through expert insights, the webinar provided a roadmap for members to engage effectively in both the UN CSW69 official meetings and the NGO CSW69 Forum in New York this March.

Understanding CSW: Insights from Bette Levy and Marline McLean

Bette Levy, Lead SI Representative to the UN in New York, provided a overview of CSW’s structure and decision-making processes. She emphasised that this year’s CSW will not have Agreed Conclusions due to its focus on reviewing the progress of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Instead, governments will negotiate a Political Declaration, with civil society organisations—like SI—working to influence discussions through member state engagement. Marline McLean, SI Representative to the UN and a member of the NGO CSW Committee, highlighted the critical role of civil society at the NGO CSW Forum. She explained how parallel events will amplify grassroots advocacy and encouraged participants to register early for sessions of interest, as well as to engage strategically in networking opportunities.

Strategic Advocacy: Guidance from Berthe De Vos Neven and Tania Gomez

Preparation was the focus of Berthe De Vos Neven’s presentation, as she outlined key documents that delegates should review before arriving in New York. She stressed the importance of understanding national and regional Beijing+30 reports, the SI Statement for CSW69, and the zero draft recommendations from NGO CSW New York. Berthe also detailed SI’s side and parallel events, which will cover topics such as gender-based violence, AI, and economic empowerment. Tania Gomez provided a complementary perspective on effective advocacy at CSW69, offering practical tools such as the UN Blue Book, NGO CSW’s advocacy app, and strategies for engaging with government delegations. As the new SI Advocacy AI Advisor also underscored the growing role of AI in advocacy, introducing digital tools to help delegates maximise their impact.

Amplifying Voices: Young Soroptimists Alice Paola Pome and Shaleen Wanjiru

Alice Paola Pome, from the SI Youth Forum, shared her journey from feeling overwhelmed at her first CSW to now stepping confidently into advocacy and global networking. She encouraged first-time attendees to embrace their unique perspectives, actively contribute to discussions, and build meaningful relationships. Echoing this sentiment, Shaleen Wanjiru, SI Youth Representative to the UN, highlighted the power of digital advocacy in amplifying SI’s presence at CSW69. She urged members to engage on social media platforms, use official hashtags like #CSW69 and #Beijing30, and connect with key stakeholders online to keep conversations going beyond the event itself.

As SI prepares for CSW69, the webinar reinforced the importance of collaborative advocacy, strategic preparation, and digital engagement in ensuring that Soroptimists remain a powerful voice for gender equality on the global stage.

Q&A Session: A Space for Clarity and Collaboration

The Q&A session provided participants with an opportunity to clarify key details about CSW69 and strengthen their advocacy strategies. From understanding the difference between Political Declarations and Agreed Conclusions to ensuring smooth registration for events, speakers addressed a range of practical and strategic concerns. Bette Levy provided critical insights into UN processes, while Marline McLean helped attendees navigate logistics, including event access and the Whova app. Participants also discussed how to enhance Soroptimist International’s advocacy impact, with suggestions for incorporating more empirical data into position statements. The session reaffirmed the importance of preparation, collaboration, and strategic engagement as Soroptimists prepare to make their voices heard at CSW69.

Summary of Key Questions from the Q&A Session

During the Q&A session, participants raised several important questions about CSW69 logistics, advocacy strategies, and technical aspects of the UN process.

1. Difference Between a Political Declaration and Agreed Conclusions
   • A key question sought to clarify the difference between Political Declarations and Agreed Conclusions. Bette Levy explained that Agreed Conclusions focus on a specific theme each year, while Political Declarations are broader commitments made at a head of state level, usually as part of five-year reviews or special events. She also noted that Political Declarations tend to be shorter and less detailed than Agreed Conclusions.
2. Legal Implications of CSW Declarations
   • A participant asked whether Political Declarations and Agreed Conclusions hold any legal binding status. Bette confirmed that neither is legally binding, but they serve as political commitments that governments are encouraged to implement.
3. Registration and Event Access
   • Many attendees inquired about CSW registration and whether they needed a QR code for event access. Marline McLean clarified that those with a UN grounds pass do not need a QR code, but for in-person NGO CSW events, it is best to register in advance due to limited space.
4. Using the Whova App for NGO CSW69
   • Several participants had issues accessing the Whova app, which provides schedules for NGO CSW69 events. The advice given was to ensure they were registered through the NGO CSW website, check their spam folders for login codes, and try logging in again.
5. Understanding the Multi-Year Programme of Work (MYPOW)
   • A question was raised about the MYPOW, which determines the themes for CSW in future years. Bette provided an overview of the proposed themes for 2026-2029, covering issues such as care systems, gender equality in humanitarian crises, and access to justice for women and girls.
6. Strengthening Soroptimist International’s Advocacy Position
   • One participant suggested that SI’s advocacy statements could be more data-driven, citing UN reports that provide economic arguments for gender equality. There was general agreement that using empirical evidence strengthens advocacy, though word limits remain a challenge.

Conclusion

As the countdown to CSW69 continues, this webinar provided Soroptimists with the tools and insights needed to engage effectively in advocacy efforts at both the UN and NGO CSW forums. From understanding key UN processes to exploring digital advocacy and networking opportunities, members are now better equipped to represent SI’s mission on the global stage. With a strong emphasis on collaboration, preparation, and strategic engagement, Soroptimist International is ready to amplify its voice and drive meaningful action for gender equality at CSW69 and beyond.

Watch the ‘On the Road to CSW69’ Webinar here.

Visit the ‘Soroptimist International at CSW69’ webpage for regular updates.