The Office for Women has started the CSW62 process by opening up nominations for the Civil Society positions on the official Government delegation to the 62nd meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), opening submission for side event proposals and seeking submissions for Australian Government priorities. 

The priority theme for CSW62 is ‘challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls’. The review theme is ‘Participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women’.

There are two civil society positions on the Australian Government delegation. These roles are a critical bridge between civil society and Government in the lead up to and at CSW. This is a great opportunity to bring your expertise and engagement with civil society into the negotiations CSW negotiations. In a time of shrinking space for civil society in UN processes, the inclusion and representation of civil society delegates on the Government delegation is vital. Nominations close 17 September. 

Side events are also an important opportunity to showcase work and advocacy on issues in conjunction with Government at CSW. Proposals for CSW Side Events are due 17 September. 

The submissions process on Government Priorities for CSW is a key avenue to influence Government positions at CSW and highlight issues relating to the CSW themes to be heard and considered at the international level. Submissions are due 29 October. ERA will be working with the National Rural Women’s Coalition and our sister National Women’s Alliances on a consultation process for a joint submission – watch this space for your opportunity to feed in.