What is the Commission on the Status of Women? The main global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It meets in a two-week session every year where UN agencies, Member States, and civil society organizations (like the UCC) discuss issues facing women, girls, and gender equality. It also assesses progress made towards the implementation of various global women’s rights documents. Each year, the Commission focuses on specific themes, known as the priority and review themes. At the end of the two-week session, an outcome is usually agreed upon by UN Member States. What are the 2022 CSW themes? Priority theme: Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programs Review theme: Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work Why is the UCC engaged in this work? Religious groups are an important voice for expansive, intentional, and inclusive civil society participation in UN decision-making. Engagement with the United Nations and its various agencies is an important part of our vision to create a just world for all. The UCC has long advocated for gender equality and participation in CSW is part of that calling. What can I expect as a UCC delegate to CSW 2022? CSW will occur from March 14-25, 2022. The delegation will meet in the weeks prior to meet each other, review the schedule of events, and receive some orientation and training to the UN system and CSW specifically. There will be no cost to delegates to register and no travel as all events will be held virtually. Timeline of delegation meetings and events: - 1st Delegation Meeting on Zoom; February 7, 6-7pm EST - 2nd Delegation Meeting on Zoom; February 23, 6-7pm EST - 3rd Delegation Meeting on Zoom; March 4, 6-7pm EST - Ecumenical Women Orientation Session; March 12, 9am-noon EST - First Day of CSW; March 14 - Delegation Meeting on Zoom; March 18, 6-7pm EDT - Last day of CSW and Delegation Meeting on Zoom; March 25, 6-7pm EDT How can I be part of the UCC’s delegation to CSW 2022? Email Rebekah Choate at [email protected]. She will then send registration and additional information.