What to expect at CSW69: Key themes and business leadership insights

The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is set to be a landmark event in the global push for gender equality. Taking place 10-21 March, CSW69 will bring together government representatives, business leaders, policymakers, activists and other stakeholders to assess progress and set the course for the next decade of action. This year’s event is particularly significant as it coincides with milestone anniversaries. Here’s what to expect from CSW69 and why businesses should be paying attention.

This year’s CSW session holds special significance as it coincides with three major anniversaries in the global gender equality movement:

• 80 years of the United Nations, marking global cooperation and progress toward peace, human rights and sustainable development.
• 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, established as one of the major blueprints for advancing women’s rights worldwide.
• 25 years since the founding of the UN Global Compact, emphasizing corporate responsibility in advancing gender equality.
• 15 years since the creation of the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs), a key framework for embedding gender equality in business operations.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remain a cornerstone of the global gender equality movement. As CSW69 marks the Beijing Declaration’s 30th anniversary, there is an urgent need to evaluate how far we have come—and what still needs to be done to fulfill its vision. Stakeholders must collaborate to accelerate progress, ensuring that the commitments made in 1995 translate into tangible action today. This year’s discussions will focus on reinforcing accountability, strengthening policy implementation and identifying key enablers for gender equality in the next decade.

The Business Leadership Dialogue at CSW69 will convene over 70 C-Suite business executives to discuss the levers the private sector can pull to advance the Beijing agenda. Key topics discussed at the convening will include:

• Investing in women: Exploring how businesses can support women-led enterprises and drive gender-inclusive investments.
• Gender-responsive supply chains: Showcasing successful corporate initiatives that integrate gender equality into procurement strategies.
• Male allyship: Unveiling the new Mainstreaming Male Allyship: An Action Guide for Business to help companies mobilize male leaders as champions for gender equality.
• Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC): Highlighting regional commitments to gender inclusion and the impact of the ABLC Gender Statement launched in Kigali in 2024.
• Policy enablers for business action: Advocating for government policies incentivizing businesses to adopt gender-equal workplace practices, including pay transparency, parental leave and anti-discrimination measures.

The UN Global Compact will use CSW69 as a platform to urge companies to join the Forward Faster initiative. Forward Faster calls on businesses to:

• Ensure equal representation, participation and leadership across all levels of management by 2030.

• Ensure equal pay for work of equal value by 2030.

  

CSW69 is more than a convening—it’s a moment for companies to step up. Following CSW69, organizations are encouraged to:

• Sign on to the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) to drive meaningful change.
• Utilize the Male Allyship Action Guide to embed allyship within organizations.
• Align their investment and procurement strategies with gender equality goals.
• Share key takeaways from CSW69 with internal and external stakeholders.

CSW69 is set to be a defining moment for advancing gender equality. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the conversation—and the solution. Read more about CSW here.