UNCSW60: Commission on the Status of Women

PSI is an accredited organisation for the UN Commission on the Status of Women and will be participating with a delegation of 20 people from our affiliated unions. Although a large part of our activities will take place during the first week, we are seeking to ensure representation throughout the entire UNCSW60, with delegates attending the entire event and others attending only part of it.

The priority theme for UNCSW60 will be: “Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development”. In preparation for the 60^th session, UN Women will convene an expert group meeting (EGM) on this theme, from 1 to 4 November 2015, in New York. The session will also review the theme of the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls, basing the discussion on the agreed conclusions from the 57^th session.

The Global Unions have jointly prepared and submitted a Statement to the UNCSW60: Organising for Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment by 2030

• One of the main reasons why women join trade unions is to take charge of their own social and economic empowerment by getting organised and bargaining collectively for decent work. 70 million women world-wide are represented in trade unions. Consequently, unions are key stakeholders and actors in ensuring all of the Sustainable Development Goals are met by 2030.

• Essential public services, including water, sanitation, health and education must be excluded from public/private partnerships, blended finance and trade agreements, as such initiatives impact most negatively on women’s social rights. Tax justice and progressive taxation models can provide a solid alternative base for the public policies needed to achieve gender equality.

For more information on the UNCSW union delegation:

• You will be able to follow the trade union delegation's activities on our Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and YouTube.
• Global Unions Statement to the UNCSW60: Organising for Women’s Social and Economic Empowerment by 2030
• Information Circular #1: English - Français - Español
• Information Circular #2: English - Français - Español

 For more information on the session:

• Report of the Meeting of the Group of Experts: 
• Report of the General Secretary on the Priority Theme of CSW60 (attached)
• High Level Panel on Women’s Economic Empowerment 
• New UN Women Executive Board 
• UNCSW60 Program
• See the UNCSW60 website