(1/3) Reflections from the Commission on the Status of Women

A group of 11 youth delegates traveled to UNHQ to represent UNA-Canada at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women in March 2025. Our delegates ensured a productive schedule while in New York, bearing witness to the conference’s proceedings and organizing our first ever parallel event to a UN conference. The goal of the side event was to create a forum of global voices that reinforces leadership and impact. Additionally, they also generated policy proposals to address the many ways in which gender inequality is holding the world back.

You can find an excerpt from the first of those proposals below, along with a link to view the full policy outline.

Rethinking CSW69: From Theory to Action

Ayat Ibrahim, Malika Kone, Lisa Say

Objective of Policy

The phrase "sitting in your ivory tower" describes decision-makers who remain disconnected from the realities on the ground, focusing on theories rather than tangible solutions. This metaphor reflects the current structure of CSW69, where gender equality discussions are dominated by States, often sidelining the voices of grassroots organizations and civil society—the very actors implementing these policies in communities.

Our policy seeks to bridge this gap by ensuring that civil society organizations are not merely consultants but recognized decision-makers in global gender policy. This means securing them a formal seat at the table in CSW negotiations, institutionalizing mechanisms for their direct participation, and integrating their expertise into policymaking processes. By dismantling the "ivory tower" approach, we can create policies that are not only visionary but also actionable, equitable, and rooted in lived experiences.

To view the full policy proposal, click here.