What is CSW 2015 All About?

The upcoming CSW is an important one - it is reviewing the progress made since the 4th World Conference on Women, in 1995. Yes, that was 20 years ago that the world came together and agreed to the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action. States have been asked to write formal reports on what they have accomplished. Canada has submitted a report. 

Prior to the meetings of the CSW, States have come together to put together a Regional perspective. And these reports have been reviewed by NGO's (Non Government Organizations) and the NGOs have come together to write their own reports, and just as important their demands to move forward. A number of NGOs prepared a report on Canada's progress, and where action is needed.

Themes
The main focus of the session will be on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The review (Beijing+20) will also include the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, the first five-year assessment conducted after the adoption of the Platform for Action, which highlighted further actions and initiatives.
The session will also address opportunities for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the post-2015 development agenda.
- See more at: http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw59-2015 So the main focus of the 59th session of the CSW will be on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The review (Beijing+20) will also include the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, the first five-year assessment conducted after the adoption of the Platform for Action, which highlighted further actions and initiatives.

Another important focus will be to address opportunities for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the post-2015 development agenda. This is important as the world moves from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals - where does gender equality fit in?