Every Woman Treaty Diplomacy Team at the United Nations
By DIANE VISSOH and AMJAD CHATILA
Dear Global Community,
We recently returned home from attending the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York. It was our first time participating in this historic gathering, and experiencing CSW in person was incredibly, deeply inspiring.
Just before CSW, UN Women released a report sharing that 1 in 4 nations has experienced a rollback in women’s rights and that women and girls are facing higher levels of discrimination and weaker legal protections. This reality shaped every conversation we had throughout the two weeks. It sparked a drive and resolve among women’s rights activists and other stakeholders that was palpable at the United Nations and on the ground in New York City to not only safeguard women’s rights but further them, together, as a global community.
The biggest takeaways from our events were clear paths that could accelerate progress for the Optional Protocol’s creation, put forth by leading experts: the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Ms. Reem Alsalem, at our side event, and former Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Prof. Rashida Manjoo, parallel event, with historical context former Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls Dr. Dubravka Šimonović. Their leadership—and the support of all those in the room—reaffirmed that real momentum is building.
Three key steps were suggested:
- Issue a state resolution calling for its drafting at the Human Rights Council, the General Assembly, or the Commission on the Status of Women
- The establishment of a multistakeholder working group that includes UN Member States, UN entities, and civil society
- Support the revitalization of the Commission on the Status of Women
Throughout CSW, the role of civil society was not only recognized—it was celebrated. Women’s rights activists like you created the Commission on the Status of Women, the CEDAW Convention, the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Beijing Platform for Action and more—a testament to what we can continue to do together for women and girls everywhere.
Please see below for more details on our events at CSW69.
As always, we are deeply grateful for your support. Thank you for walking this path with us. Your dedication strengthens this movement, and together, we are shaping a future where every woman and girl can live free from violence and discrimination.
In Solidarity,
Diane Vissoh and Amjad Chatila
Diplomacy Team
Every Woman Treaty
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Momentum grows for the creation of a new Optional Protocol (OP) to CEDAW dedicated to ending violence against women and girls
- CSW69 High-Level Side Event on the OP: The UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, Ms. Reem Alsalem, outlines a potential path to accelerate the creation of a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW. Read and watch HERE.
- CSW69 Parallel Event on the OP: Read insights from two former UN Special Rapporteurs on violence against women and girls, Professor Rashida Manjoo and Dr. Dubravka Šimonović HERE.
- CSW69 NGO Briefing: The Chair of NGO CSW Vienna, Dr. Evelyn Dürmayer, used her time to support the call for a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end violence against women and girls. Read and watch HERE.
- CSW69 Parallel Event on Women’s Health: Every Woman Treaty Cofounder Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi and Chief of Global Diplomatic Campaign discussed how a new CEDAW Optional Protocol can improve women’s health. Read HERE.
- CSW69 Coalition Gathering: Members of the global coalition gather to connect. See photos HERE.
Every Woman Treaty also:
- Delivered a keynote speech at a high-level Side event on women’s leadership cohosted by the Government of Montenegro
- Delivered a keynote speech at a session on how a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW can support the new UN convention on cybercrime
- Attended an open exchange with multiple African First Ladies
