CSW70 proved to be a defining and historic session. For the first time in the Commission’s history, the Agreed Conclusions were put to a vote following late-stage amendments introduced by a Member State after weeks of negotiations. These amendments were resoundingly rejected, and a clear majority adopted the Conclusions.
When a further attempt was made to redefine existing terminology in UN documents, Soroptimist International (SI) worked closely with civil society partners and supportive delegations to oppose the change. Through coordinated advocacy, the effort was halted via a no-action motion led by Belgium on behalf of the European Union — a significant outcome to which SI’s unified engagement strongly contributed.
This year also reflected a unique representation dynamic within SI. While the total Soroptimist contingent at CSW70 stood at 136 participants, the SISEAP Federation was represented by just 7 Soroptimists. Despite our smaller numbers, SISEAP’s visibility, influence, and contributions remained strong and impactful throughout the programme.
SI’s advocacy extended beyond negotiations. SI wrote to the UN Secretary-General expressing our concerns about the proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA, warning that such a step risks weakening the gender equality mandate, diluting accountability, and stretching already limited resources. This letter has been shared with UN missions, agencies, and key civil society networks, and SI will continue to actively engage on this matter.
CSW70 also brought heightened global attention to UN leadership with the current UN Secretary General stepping down in the second half of 2026.. With an overwhelming majority of female candidates emerging compared to a minority of male contenders, the possibility of a woman serving as the next UN Secretary-General has significantly increased. This development marks a powerful moment in the larger movement toward gender-balanced global leadership.
During the two-week session, we were honoured to speak at several high-impact side events, including:
- “Lifelong Learning and AI: Implications for Women and Girls”
- “Women, Water & Health: A Commonwealth Perspective — A Case Study from Rural East Malaysia”
These engagements provided an important platform to highlight rural women’s realities, promote evidence-based solutions, and reinforce Soroptimists’ work in advancing education, health, and community resilience.
Despite our smaller delegation, SISEAP’s presence at CSW70 was strong, strategic, and meaningful, contributing to key outcomes and shaping the global gender equality discourse. We return with renewed determination to advocate, to protect hard-won language, and to champion the rights of women and girls within our region and across the world.
