By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is currently underway at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, United States, drawing a global convergence of leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to advancing gender equality and women’s rights.
The prestigious annual gathering, organized by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), has attracted high-profile representatives from member states, UN entities, and accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from diverse regions of the world. The session provides a platform for nations and advocacy groups to assess progress, identify challenges, and chart new courses toward achieving gender parity and sustainable women’s empowerment.
Among the prominent voices at this year’s session is Mrs. Obby Okwubanego from Nawfija Anambra State, a renowned advocate for sustainable women’s empowerment, who has issued a strong and urgent call for decisive global action against gender-based violence, systemic gender inequality, and structural barriers impeding women’s progress—particularly in Africa and other developing regions.
Speaking at the high-profile event, Mrs. Okwubanego emphasized the dire need for governments and institutions worldwide to intensify investments in girl-child education and holistic women’s empowerment initiatives. According to her, education remains the most potent weapon against poverty, discrimination, and gender disparity, and equipping women with the right knowledge, skills, and opportunities will transform them into powerful agents of social and economic change.
She further decried the persistent injustices that women face globally, including economic exclusion, workplace discrimination, and alarming rates of gender-based violence, urging world leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take measurable, enforceable actions to dismantle these systemic inequalities.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the ongoing CSW69, slated for 10-21 March, 2025, will feature discussions centered on the review and appraisal of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, alongside an evaluation of the outcomes of the 23rd Special Session of the UN General Assembly. The session will also conduct a critical assessment of existing challenges that hinder the full realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment, highlighting their direct impact on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
With passionate voices like Mrs. Okwubanego’s pushing for meaningful change, it is anticipated that this year’s session will not only draw attention to the urgency of addressing gender disparities but also pave the way for concrete commitments and transformative policies that will shape a more inclusive and equitable future for women and girls worldwide.
