The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), established in 1946, is the United Nations highest forum on women’s issues. It meets annually to discuss critical and emerging issues concerning women globally.
CSW works to achieve equal rights for women and men by developing policy recommendations for the international community.
CSW also prepares resolutions on promoting women’s rights in political, economic, social, civil and educational fields, for consideration by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The Commission is made up of 45 member countries elected by ECOSOC for a period of four years. The Australian Government considers honouring its responsibilities as an international citizen a high priority and sends a high-level delegation to participate in CSW each year.
56th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
The Australian Government Office for Women has begun preparations for the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 56), taking place in New York between 27 February and 9 March 2012. Updates on the progress of these preparations, including requests for applications for interested individuals to participate in the Australian Government delegation to CSW 56, will be posted to this website.
This year, the Commission will consider:
- Priority Theme: The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.
- Review Theme: Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women (agreed conclusions from CSW 52)
NGO Participation on the Australian Government delegation
The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) sought applications to participate in the official Australian Government delegation to the 56th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 56) to be held from 27 February to 9 March 2012. Applications have now closed. Thank you to those who have taken the time to submit an application.
CSW 56 Email List
In the lead up to CSW 56, the Office for Women would like to keep in touch with all those from Australia with an interest in CSW 56, including those who are intending to participate in CSW next year.
We will be compiling an email list for all interested NGOs and individuals who would like to share information in the lead-up to CSW 56. If you would like to be included on this list please send an email to WomensBranchInternational@fahcsia.gov.au. Please note that email addresses on the mailing list will be shared with others on the list to facilitate information sharing among NGOs and individuals with an interest in CSW 56.
55th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
The Minister for the Status of Women, the Hon Kate Ellis MP, led the Australian delegation to the 55th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 55) which took place from 22 February to 4 March 2011 in New York.
CSW is the highest international meeting on gender equality and women’s empowerment with representation from countries around the world. It meets annually in New York.
This year, the Commission considered:
- Priority theme: Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work.
- Review theme: The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child (CSW 51).
Minister Ellis delivered Australia’s Country Statement. In line with the CSW theme, the statement focused on education and training, and access to decent work. The statement also referred to Australia’s new National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.
The Australian delegation comprised representatives from the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency, the Office for Women, AusAID, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, the Australian Human Rights Commission and the Sex Discrimination Commissioner.
This year, the Government fully funded two community sector delegates and one Indigenous delegate to participate on the Australian delegation.
Australia participated actively in the negotiation of the agreed conclusions on the priority theme. These are recommendations to the international community to advance gender equality with respect to the priority theme.
In addition, the Commission adopted three resolutions on specific issues. Australia co-sponsored the resolutions on Mainstreaming gender equality and promoting empowerment of women in climate change policies and strategies and Women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS.
Previous Sessions of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
CSW Agreed Conclusions
Agreed Conclusions from all sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women can be found on the United National Division for Advancement of Women website.
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Australia’s Country Statements
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Australia’s Discussion Papers