Soroptimist International of Europe at CSW70 - New York, United Nations Headquarters, 9–19 March 2026
Twenty-three Soroptimists from across Europe are travelling to UN Headquarters in New York to do one thing: make sure the voices of women, from every corner of our 43 member countries, are heard where global policy is made.
The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women takes place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026, bringing together representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from all regions of the world. The priority theme is “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls”.
Why CSW70 Matters
Access to justice is not a legal technicality. It is the foundation on which every other right rests. When a woman cannot access justice, because of discriminatory laws, financial barriers, social shame, or simply where she was born, every protection she is theoretically owed becomes hollow.
Three Priorities. One Mission.
At CSW70, SIE will advocate for concrete commitments from Member States on three interconnected priorities:
1/ Access to Justice
Push to eliminate discriminatory laws, strengthen legal aid systems, remove structural barriers that prevent women and girls from accessing justice.
2/ The Istanbul Convention
The Istanbul Convention is a collaborative effort by the Council of Europe to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence. Soroptimist International of Europe (SIE) has been advocating for the ratification and full implementation of this Convention as part of its advocacy work.
3/ Peace and Parity
Sustainable peace cannot exist without women participating fully and meaningfully in all levels of decision-making from the community to the international level.
Our Place at the United Nations
Soroptimist International holds general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) which gives us the ability to advocate for women’s rights by making policy statements and participating in panel, meeting and roundtable discussions organised by the UN.
We do not attend as observers. We attend to advocate.
Follow Our Delegation – Live from New York
From 8 March (International Women’s Day) through 20 March, follow SIE on social media for live updates, delegate interviews, key takeaways, and our advocacy messages directly from the UN.
The Commission on the Status of Women is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, established by the United Nations in 1946.