CSW70 (2026): Gender Youth Caucus Updates & Youth Participation at the United Nations

The Gender Youth Caucus is supporting and coordinating youth participation at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9–19 March 2026.

CSW70 is one of the most important global policy spaces for advancing gender equality, women’s rights, and the empowerment of women and girls, and youth voices are a critical part of shaping its outcomes.

What Is CSW70?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the United Nations’ principal intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting gender equality and advancing the rights of all women and girls worldwide.

Each year, CSW brings together:

• UN Member States

• UN agencies and entities

• ECOSOC-accredited civil society organizations

• Feminist movements, youth groups, and grassroots advocates

The 70th session (CSW70) will be held at United Nations Headquarters, New York.

Gender Youth Caucus: Supporting Youth Engagement at CSW70

The Gender Youth Caucus is facilitating meaningful youth participation at CSW70 by:

• Supporting youth accreditation through ECOSOC-accredited NGOs

• Coordinating youth advocacy spaces and strategy

• Collecting and amplifying CSW70 Youth Recommendations

• Sharing regular updates and opportunities for engagement

🔹 Youth Accreditation for CSW70

Young people and youth-led organizations seeking to attend CSW70 in person can request accreditation support through the Gender Youth Caucus.

👉 Apply to request accreditation here (via the official Gender Youth Caucus form)

🔹 Contribute to CSW70 Youth Recommendations

Youth can also engage without traveling to New York by contributing ideas, priorities, and policy recommendations.

👉 Submit your input to the CSW70 Youth Recommendations here

CSW70 Themes (2026)

Priority Theme

Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by:

• Promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems

• Eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices

• Addressing structural and systemic barriers to justice

Review Theme

Women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation in decision-making and public life, and the elimination of violence against women and girls, building on the agreed conclusions of CSW65.

Bureau of the Commission (CSW70)

The Bureau plays a critical role in guiding negotiations, facilitating preparation, and ensuring successful outcomes of the CSW session.

CSW70 Bureau Members (2026):

• H.E. Ms. Maritza Chan Valverde (Costa Rica) – Chair (Latin America & Caribbean)

• Ms. Samah Dbouk (Lebanon) – Vice-Chair (Asia-Pacific)

• Mr. Noah Oehri (Liechtenstein) – Vice-Chair (Western European & Others Group)

• Ms. Andreea Mocanu (Romania) – Vice-Chair (Eastern European Group)

• Ms. Flavia Umulisa (Rwanda) – Vice-Chair (African Group)

CSW70 Outcomes

The main outcome of CSW70 will be Agreed Conclusions, negotiated and adopted by all UN Member States. These conclusions influence:

• National gender equality policies

• International legal and normative frameworks

• Funding priorities and UN programming

• Civil society advocacy strategies worldwide

NGO Participation at CSW70

The active participation of civil society is a cornerstone of CSW.

• Who can participate?
  NGOs in consultative status with Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)

• NGO Registration Period:
  3 October 2025 – 23 January 2026

NGOs can attend official sessions, organize side events, and contribute to advocacy and negotiations.

CSW70 Side Events

CSW is also known for hundreds of side events, including:

• Youth-led and feminist forums

• Policy dialogues and advocacy briefings

• Networking and coalition-building spaces

• Events organized both at UNHQ and across New York City

Details on CSW70 side events will be shared closer to the session.

The Gender Youth Caucus is facilitating youth participation at the CSW70 at the UNHQ in New York from 9-20 March, 2026. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the UN’ principal intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

• Apply to request accreditation here. 
• Beyond in-person participation, you can contribute the CSW70 Youth Recommendations via this link.

More updates can be found by referencing this newsletter from 7 January and following @genderyouthcaucus on Instagram.