From March 10 to 21, 2025, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) convened at the United Nations under the theme: “For All Women and Girls.” VIVAT International was represented by four dedicated delegates: Marides Santos SSpS from the VIVAT New York Office, Edita Vera SSpS, Rosa Da Costa SSpS, and Lynn Tielde, a lay collaborator of the Little Sisters of the Assumption (LSA).
The theme emphasized the urgent need for inclusive policies that address the diverse realities faced by women and girls around the globe. It called on world leaders, civil society, and all stakeholders to ensure that every woman and girl, regardless of background, has equal access to rights, opportunities, and protections.
A Global Forum for Solidarity
CSW69 brought together voices from across the world, rising in solidarity with the unheard and unseen. Through powerful sessions and discussions, the forum spotlighted the structural challenges facing women: poverty, lack of education and training, gender-based violence, discrimination, and barriers to healthcare and political participation.
Speakers and panels urged a comprehensive approach that recognizes the specific situations driving inequality. This included creating awareness, building capacity, and finding innovative solutions together.
Education and Empowerment as Cornerstones
A key focus of the sessions was advancing the goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, especially the call for equal access to education. The message was clear: empowering women and girls through education is essential to achieving gender equality.
Participants highlighted the need for concrete action—investing in resources and support that enable women and girls to grow, lead, and transform their communities.
Breaking Barriers, Building Opportunities
The sessions also addressed economic independence and political representation. Equal pay, access to finance, and the removal of systemic obstacles that hinder women from leadership roles were top priorities. There was a strong push to create environments where women not only participate but also lead in shaping the future.
Confronting Gender-Based Violence
Violence against women and girls—whether at home, in public, or through harmful cultural practices—remains a pressing global concern. CSW69 reaffirmed the importance of stronger laws, survivor-centered support systems, and better healthcare access, particularly in marginalized communities.
A Shared Responsibility
The theme “For All Women and Girls” is more than a slogan—it is a call to action. It reminds us that gender equality is not yet achieved, and that we all have a role to play. Every effort matters, especially in reaching the women and girls who are most at risk and often forgotten.
VIVAT International’s Role
For us—SSpS, SVD, and our collaborators—CSW69 was a powerful reminder of why VIVAT International exists: to represent our shared mission at the global level. As we return to our communities, we are called to make visible the good practices and grassroots efforts that are already changing lives.
Let us continue to stand together for life, for dignity, and human rights.
Edita Vera SSpS – Argentina
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