The European Women’s Lobby once again took part in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held at UN Headquarters in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026.
As the UN’s largest annual gathering dedicated to women’s rights and gender equality, CSW70 brought together governments, UN agencies and civil society organisations from around the world. This year’s priority theme focused on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including through inclusive legal systems, the elimination of discriminatory laws and practices, and addressing the structural barriers that continue to prevent women from accessing their rights.
A strong outcome despite growing backlash
CSW70 took place in an increasingly challenging political context, marked by coordinated attacks on women’s rights and difficult negotiations. For the first time in the Commission’s history, the Agreed Conclusions were adopted through a recorded vote, passing with 37 votes in favour, one against and six abstentions.
While not legally binding, the Agreed Conclusions reaffirm governments’ commitments to improving women’s access to justice, eliminating discriminatory laws, strengthening survivor-centred justice systems, preventing violence against women and girls, and mainstreaming gender equality across legislation and public policy. The EWL welcomes their adoption while stressing that these commitments must now be translated into concrete action through legislation, funding and meaningful participation of civil society.
Bringing PARITY NOW! to the global stage
As part of CSW70, the European Women’s Lobby organised its official side event, “Parity Now: Ending the Gender Power Gap”, hosted at the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.
The event showcased the EWL’s PARITY NOW! campaign, launched earlier this year following the adoption of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, which calls for 50–50 parity in all decision-making bodies.
Bringing together representatives from the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the European Economic and Social Committee, the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE), the OSCE, governments and women’s organisations from across Europe and beyond, discussions explored concrete pathways towards parity democracy. Speakers highlighted successful national experiences, the importance of binding legal frameworks, reliable gender data, and sustained political commitment to ensure equal representation of women in political, economic and public life.
EWL advocacy throughout the Commission
During the Commission, EWL also engaged directly with key institutional actors.
Our Policy Officer, Sabrina Terentjew, addressed the meeting between civil society organisations and European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, presenting six recommendations to strengthen women’s access to justice. These included eliminating discriminatory laws, improving legal aid, ensuring trauma-informed justice systems, protecting victims throughout judicial proceedings, and placing survivors at the centre of justice reforms. She also underlined that equal representation in decision-making is essential to effectively tackle violence against women, highlighting the objectives of the PARITY NOW! campaign.
The EWL delegation also participated in numerous high-level discussions and side events covering issues including digital violence against women, women in Afghanistan, the gender pay gap, violence against women and girls, and gender parity in politics.
Looking ahead
The Agreed Conclusions adopted at CSW70 send an important political signal at a time when women’s rights are increasingly under pressure globally. However, declarations alone are not enough. Governments must now implement these commitments through concrete reforms, adequate funding and meaningful collaboration with feminist civil society.
The European Women’s Lobby remains committed to ensuring that the promises made in New York translate into real progress for women and girls across Europe and beyond.
Read the full EWL CSW70 Report for a detailed analysis of the Agreed Conclusions, our advocacy activities, the PARITY NOW! side event, meetings with institutional leaders and key recommendations for advancing women’s rights worldwide.
