A Strong Presence in New York
Soroptimist International of Europe was strongly represented at CSW70 in New York, where our delegation engaged actively in discussions and advocacy efforts throughout the session and conducted parallel events.
The Power of Team Spirit
What stood out most was the remarkable team spirit. We were a highly committed and supportive group, meeting almost every evening to review the day, exchange insights, and reflect on key developments. This daily exchange was new and proved extremely valuable and strengthened both our understanding and our cohesion.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all members of the delegation. As is customary for CSW, participation required a significant personal commitment, with all participants covering their own costs. That makes the level of engagement, dedication, and professionalism shown even more remarkable.
A Shifting Landscape for Women’s Rights
At the same time, the insights gained during CSW70 give rise to serious concern. We observed a well-organised and strategically funded pushback against women’s rights, highlighting that progress in gender equality cannot be taken for granted.
Particularly troubling was the shift in the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions. Unlike in previous years, they were not adopted by consensus but required a vote. The United States sought to reopen and weaken long-agreed language, including terminology established more than three decades ago.
These developments show clearly that the global political landscape for women’s rights has changed significantly. In this context, the role of civil society is more important than ever—and so is our collective response.
The Time to Act is Now
We now need to stay engaged, informed, and active. As a next step, SIE will organise a central Zoom session in English to share key insights of the CSW. The delegation will continue to meet regularly to further develop these topics. We call on all Unions to take this forward, by organising follow-up discussions in national languages together with their advocacy coordinators and bringing the issues into their local contexts.
Now is the time to stand together, to speak up, and to act.
Sabine Reimann,
SIE President 2026-2027