International Engagement
ERA works with our colleagues at the other five National Women’s Alliances to engage and support the women’s sector in Australia on international human rights processes, in particular through: participation in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), reporting on Australia’s progress under the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and other human rights treaty reporting processes, and raising awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals.
What is the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)?
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the chief policy making body on women’s rights and gender equality at the United Nations. CSW operates as a functional commission of the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), meaning CSW is charged with promoting and monitoring women’s rights around the world.
CSW is held over approximately two weeks at the United Nations Headquarters in New York every year in March. Each year the members of the Commission negotiation a set of Agreed Conclusions which are commitments to improve gender equality made by member states (governments).
Each year ERA works with the other National Women’s Alliances and other NGOs to consult with women and girls on the priority theme for CSW and provide input and support to the Australian negotiating team. We also support Australian NGOs participating in CSW to network and engage in the CSW process by providing training, networking and communications support.”