In Focus: UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63)

CSW63: Social Protection, Public services, Infrastructure


Top stories | Photo essay | Photos | Social media

This year, the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63), the UN’s largest gathering on gender equality, is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 – 22 March 2019. It will focus on the theme, “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”.

What does the theme mean for women and girls? It’s feeling safe walking to the market, or through parks. Or having access to clean water. It’s public health centres and affordable childcare. It’s a pension in old age and public housing for survivors of domestic abuse.

When infrastructure, public services and social protections are lacking, women and girls are often the ones most impacted. Their needs need to be factored in when policies are designed. Their voices must shape the decisions that affect their lives.

When women are at the table, making decisions, they bring changes that benefit entire societies and nations.

From redesigning parks with women’s safety and access in mind, to advocating for legal protection of domestic workers, women and girls are leading the efforts to redesign systems that meet the needs of all. Like Shakhodat ensuring women’s needs are met in community water management in Kyrgyzstan. And Mai bringing financial planning and savings strategies to migrant domestic workers from the Philippines. And market-vendors in Tanzania speaking up against gender-based violence.

The Commission on the Status of Women is one of the largest annual gathering of global leaders, non-profit organizations, private sector actors, UN partners and activists from around the world, focusing on the status of rights and empowerment of all women and girls, everywhere.

Join us to learn more about what women need and their role in sustainable infrastructure, public services and social protections. Follow the unfolding conversation at the United Nations and what it will mean for communities worldwide.

Top stories

Infrastructure

INFRASTRUCTURE

public services

PUBLIC SERVICES

social protection

SOCIAL PROTECTION


 

Photo essay: Equality is our goal, access is our right

Photos: L-R: UNICEF/Ueslei Marcelino, UNICEF/Brian Sokol, UNICEF/Daniele Volpe

A bus to get to work. A clinic for health care. A monthly pension for old age. Some people can take these for granted. But many others suffer from the lack of infrastructure, public services and social protection that affect their rights and well-being. Women and girls are often foremost among those who miss out. See more►


Photos from CSW63

CSW63 - The 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

Social media

  • Are you in New York City for the conference? Use #CSW63 and show your followers what it’s all about!
  • Your experiences and ideas matter on social protection, public services and infrastructure. Tell the world how you want to make a difference using #CSW63.
  • Access the latest information on logistics, official sessions and side events through @UN_CSW on Twitter and UN CSW on Facebook.
  • Can’t join us in New York? Check out our Facebook Live broadcasts from United Nations HQ at UN CSW.
  • Head over to our Instagram Stories at @unwomen for a behind-the-scenes look and interviews!
  • Find more social media content around #CSW63 and the CSW themes on our UN Women accounts: @UN_Women (English), @ONUMujeres (Spanish), and @ONUFemmes (French) on Twitter; UN Women (English), ONU Mujeres (Spanish), and ONU Femmes (French) on Facebook.
  • Find our social media package with messages in English, Spanish and French here.