The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is here!
This global gathering is a pivotal moment to advance gender equality, amplify women’s voices, and push for policies that create a world free from violence and discrimination.
From 10th to 21st March 2025, Every Woman Treaty will join a global community of activists, policymakers, and leaders at United Nations Headquarters, New York, to discuss critical issues affecting women and girls worldwide.
We are cohosting multiple events on the urgent need for a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end violence against women and girls and speaking at others.
Please see below for dates and times on how you can participate in person and online.
Every Woman Treaty Co-hosted Events
Thursday, March 13, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern Parallel event (in person)
Title: Towards a New Optional Protocol to CEDAW: Strengthening International Protection Against Violence Against Women and Girls
Co-hosts: Every Woman Treaty, The Carter Center and Soroptimist International
Venue: Salvation Army Auditorium, 221 E. 52nd St. New York, NY
Speakers:
- H.E. Prof. Rashida Manjoo, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences
- H.E. Dr. Dubravka Simonovic, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences
- Mrs. Leigh Ellwoodbrown, Director of Advocacy, Soroptimist International
- Ms. Karin Ryan, Senior Policy Advisor, The Carter Center
- Ms. Patricia Elias, Chief of Global Diplomatic Campaign, Every Woman Treaty
Register with this link.
Questions: Emily Broussard, Emily.Broussard@cartercenter.
Friday, March 14, 11:30 AM – 12:45 PM Eastern Side Event (in person; online)
Title: Towards a New Optional Protocol to CEDAW: Strengthening International Protection Against Violence Against Women and Girls
Co-hosts: The Core Group of Friends – the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Sierra Leone, and Antigua and Barbuda; Every Woman Treaty and The Carter Center
Venue: Conference Room – CR A, UN Headquarters, New York, UN pass required
Speakers:
- H.E. Ms. Reem Alsalem, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences
- H.E. Prof. Rashida Manjoo, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences
- H.E. Dr. Dubravka Simonovic, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences
- H.E. Mr. Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United Nations in New York
- Mrs. Chantal Mulop, Special advisor to the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo on youth issues, combating violence against women and human trafficking
- H.E. Honorable Senator Alincia Grant-Williams, President of the Upper House of Parliament in Antigua and Barbuda
- H.E. Mr. Walton Alfonso Webson, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Antigua-and-Barbuda to the United Nations in New York
- H.E. Mrs. Bineta Diop, Special Envoy of the President of the African Union Commission for women, peace and security (TBC)
- Ms. Karin Ryan, Senior Policy Advisor, Carter Center
- Ms. Patricia Elias, Head of Global Diplomatic Campaign, Every Woman Treaty
Contact: diane@everywoman.org
March 19, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM Eastern Parallel event (in person)
Title: WOMEN AND HEALTH: Beijing+30- Achievements, Gaps, Challenges, Solutions
Co-hosts: Medical Women’s International Association, Soroptimist International, International Health Awareness Network, American Medical Women’s Association, and Every Woman Treaty
Venue: Church Center of the UN, 8th Floor, 777 United Nations Plaza
Speakers:
- Ms. Veronica-Rodriguez-Torres, MD, President, Pan American Women’s Alliance, President MWIA Mexico
- Ms. Orchid Alexander, MD, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morristown NJ Medical Center
- Ms. Rhema Joy Hooper, MWIA Youth Representative, Lehigh College of Health
- Ms. Patricia Elias, Chief, Global Diplomatic Campaign, Every Woman Treaty
- Ms. Olga Tzortzatou Nanopoulos, Soroptimist International
No registration needed – join us!
Every Woman Treaty Speaking Events
Monday, March 10, 10:00 AM – 11:15 AM Eastern Side Event (in person)
Title: Women’s Leadership and Challenging Global Trends
Co-hosts: Government of Montenegro; Women’s Leadership Network; UNDP
Venue: Conference Room 9, UN Headquarters; UN pass required
Speakers:
- H.E. Mrs. Maida Gorčević, Minister of European Affairs, Montenegro
- Mrs. Ivana Živković, Assistant Secretary General, RBEC Regional Director, UNDP
- European Union
- Mrs. Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of Women Political Leaders
- Mrs. Yulia Netesova, Chief of Democratic Governance and Gender Unit, ODIHR / OSCE
- Ms. Patricia Elias, Chief of Global Diplomatic Campaign Every Woman Treaty
- H.E. Mr. Dan Juvan, State Secretary for Social Affairs, employment relations and labour rights (tbc)
- Mrs. Samra Hadžiabdić Filipović, Director, Agency for Gender Equality, BIH (floor intervention)
Contact: kaca.djurickovic@undp.org
Tuesday, March 11 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM CET Parallel Event (in Vienna; online)
Title: Artificial Intelligence vs Gender-Based Violence: Is The UN Cybercrime Convention Our Knight In Shining Armor Coming To Rescue?
Co-hosts: Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development (CSD) Vienna, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) Vienna
Venue: Vienna International Centre Room G-0541, Vienna
Online via this ZOOM link
Speakers:
- Ms. Pavlina Pavlova, WG Cybercrime Coordinator, Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
- Ms. Patricia Elias, Chief of Diplomatic Campaign, Every Woman Treaty
- Ms. Anna Alvazzi del Frate, Kennis: Knowledge for Safety and Good Governance, Chair, CSD Vienna
- Ms. Linda Witong, Soroptimist International, Moderator
Contact: ngocsd.vienna@gmail.com
Thursday, March 20, 3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Eastern Side Event (in person)
Title: WIDOWS: Looking forwards: abolishing invisibility
Co-hosts: The Permanent Mission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Widows Rights International, Latter Day Saints Charities, Soroptimist International
Venue: Conf Room E, UN Headquarters; UN pass required
Speakers:
- H.E. Ambassador Zénon Mukongo Ngay, Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Dr. Eleanor Nwadinobi, President WIDO, Cofounder Every Woman Treaty
- Mr. Richie Lontulungu, Deputy Secretary, Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Register with this link
