The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established in 1946 as a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Its primary objective is to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women around the world. The CSW serves as a platform for the discussion of issues related to women’s rights, including violence against women, reproductive health, education, and economic equality. It holds an annual session at the UN headquarters in New York, bringing together governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to assess progress, formulate policies, and promote global action for women’s rights.

Over the years, the CSW has been instrumental in advancing key international agreements such as the Beijing Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Despite progress, the CSW continues to advocate for enhanced global efforts to address persistent challenges, including gender-based violence and gender inequality in leadership roles.