The 70th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women Will Be Held at UN Headquarters in New York, USA, from March 9 to 20, 2026

The 70th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women will be held at UN Headquarters in New York, USA, from March 9 to 20, 2026. Representatives at ministerial level and above from 193 member states, as well as representatives of non-governmental organizations recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council, are invited to attend. As a non-governmental organization holding Special Consultative Status with the UN Economic and Social Council, P.R.I.D.E. has been invited to attend and will lead a delegation of distinguished representatives from various fields to participate in this conference.

I. Conference Themes

Priority theme: Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equal legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers.

Review theme: Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, and the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

II. About the Commission on the Status of Women

[Date of establishment] Established in 1946 pursuant to a resolution of the Economic and Social Council, it is one of the functional commissions of the UN Economic and Social Council.

[Main functions] The Commission on the Status of Women is the principal UN body dealing with issues concerning women. Its main responsibilities are to promote equality between men and women in political, economic, social and educational fields, and to make recommendations and reports to the Economic and Social Council on pressing issues relating to women's rights and interests.

[Membership] Members are elected by the Economic and Social Council on the principle of geographical distribution, with 45 members in total, serving four-year terms. [Organization] It meets once a year. During the intersessional period, day-to-day affairs are handled by UN Women.

III. How to Participate

(1) Attendance: only 10 places available (note: applicants without a US visa should apply 3 months in advance)

*Applicants must be representatives who support gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls

*Applicants must have made outstanding contributions in their field of work, or have achieved outstanding results in advancing gender equality, the empowerment of women and girls, or sustainable development

Application deadline: December 31, 2025

(2) Parallel forums: During the session, the UN Commission on the Status of Women holds hundreds of parallel forums each year. Civil society organizations may apply to host parallel forums, and the themes of these forums must align with the theme of the 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Application deadline: November 30, 2025

IV. Contact:

unasia@pridecn.org