Commission on the Status of Women CSW

The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council. The committee concerns itself with issues surrounding gender equality and empowerment around the world. In the past, it has passed resolutions addressing topics such as marital consent, equal pay, and domestic violence. Established with a mission to eliminate discrimination against women and promote their full participation in all spheres of society, CSW serves as a catalyst for transformative change through policy formulation, advocacy, and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. This year, the CSW is focusing on empowering women through education, focusing on the ways member states can uplift women by providing them with the tools for success. Specifically, delegates will address disparities in access to resources between men and women.

Topic A: Equal Access to Education
The UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development outlines the mission to “eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.” Despite the UN’s best efforts to promote education, the COVID-19 pandemic has served as a barrier to reaching the desired outcomes, due to reduced access to resources and disease and poverty on the rise. The committee is centered around addressing the barriers that often prevent women and young girls from completing their education, including but not limited to cultural and social norms, gender-based violence, lack of sanitary facilities, and inaccessibility to schooling. If left unaddressed, the lack of education may further perpetuate extreme poverty, domestic violence, and social stratification. Delegates will address this topic through comprehensive and tailored solutions that bring nations together to holistically address systemic issues preventing women from receiving education.

Topic B: Bridging the Gender Digital Divide
The gender digital divide broadly refers to the disparities in women accessing and using digital technologies, including internet access, digital literacy, and participating in the digital economy. Since the rise of digital technology, a disparity has formed between individuals unable to access or afford internet, devices, or other forms of technology and those who have the resources to do so. Efforts have been made to bridge this divide, primarily focused through initiatives such as providing subsidies for internet access, distributing low-cost or free devices, and expanding infrastructure for technology in underserved areas. While these efforts have helped narrow the gap to some extent, significant disparities persist, particularly in rural and low-income communities where women often face additional barriers such as affordability constraints, lack of knowledge of the benefits of digital technologies, and socio-cultural barriers. In this committee, delegates will seek to foster an inclusive digital future where women and girls have equal opportunities to utilize the power of technology for their empowerment and advancement.