A coalition fifty years in the making.
NGO CSW/NY is a coalition of civil society organizations and individuals advocating for gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity. As a substantive committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO), we convene global civil society for the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women.
- Founded
- 1972
- Status
- CoNGO Committee
- Convenes
- NGO CSW Forum, annually
- Based in
- New York, NY
Mission & Vision
Two statements that anchor everything on this page, from our founding in 1972 to this year's Forum.
Mission
To facilitate a platform for the voices and leadership of feminists and women's rights organizations globally who advocate for their inclusion in the United Nations in pursuit of gender equality.
Vision
A world without gender discrimination or gender-based violence, where economic, political, and social policies encourage gender equality and equity.
Fifty years, in brief.
Read our full 50-year history, told chapter by chapter in each past Chair's own words.
NGO CSW/NY is founded
Established under the auspices of the Conference of NGOs (CoNGO), with a mandate to provide a forum for exchange of information and cooperation among member organizations.
International Women's Year
NGO CSW/NY organizes in preparation for the UN's International Women's Year and the First World Conference on Women in Mexico City.
The UN Decade of Women
A decade of sustained civil society organizing around the UN's global agenda for women's rights.
The History of NGO CSW/NY, 1972–2023
Our History Working Group publishes a chapter-by-chapter account of the coalition's first 50 years, in the words of each former Chair.
Four standing programs.
Everything we run year-round traces back to one of these.
Advocacy
A platform, in person and online, for the NGO community to advocate for gender equality at the UN — plus trainings, e-manuals, and networking during the Commission.
See our advocacy →Civil Society Forum
The NGO CSW Civil Society Forum runs parallel to the UN Commission on the Status of Women, giving civil society space to engage, advocate, network, and showcase their work.
Explore the Forum →Community Building
Safe, supportive, inclusive spaces — in person and online — that bring together activists, feminists, and advocates to collaborate toward gender equality.
See how to get involved →Monthly Meetings
Open, free meetings with expert speakers on the CSW priority theme, held every month and open to the public.
See upcoming dates →Executive Committee & Staff
Select a name for a short bio where one is available.
Officers
Rosa Lizarde
Co-Chair
Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development International
Read bio
Rosa is a Mexican-American feminist advocate for women's economic, environmental, gender, and racial justice, and Global Director of the Feminist Task Force. She has spent two decades in UN advocacy and policy work, and co-founded the Women's Working Group on Financing for Development. She joined the NGO CSW/NY board in 2019.
Pamela Morgan
Co-Chair
Zonta International
Read bio
Pamela chairs Zonta International's UN Committee, leading teams across New York, Bangkok, Geneva, Paris, and Vienna. She serves on the Executive Committees of NGO CSW/NY and the NGO Committee on Migration, and is founder and Executive Director of Woman in Media-Newark.
Marline McLean
Secretary
Soroptimist International
Read bio
Marline has been a member of Soroptimist International of NYC since 2004 and served as its President. A retired Clinical Systems Analyst, she is now a UN Representative and serves as NGO CSW/NY's liaison.
Gillian D'Souza Nazareth
Treasurer
Red Dot Foundation
Read bio
Gillian transitioned from commercial airline management to social protection and development in 2015. She is Director of Global Partnerships and Principal UN Representative for the Red Dot Foundation, and vice-chair of the NGO Committee on Social Development.
Members-at-Large
Amy Banker
Member-at-Large
Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association International
Cecilie Kern
Member-at-Large
Mercy International Association
Read bio
Cecilie Kern is the Global Policy and Research Advocate with Mercy International Association, where she focuses on connecting Mercy experiences at the grassroots with international advocacy at the United Nations. Since 2014, she has represented communities of women religious at the United Nations and engaged in advocacy related to gender equality, human rights, human mobility, and climate justice. Cecilie is the Immediate Past Chair of the NGO Committee on Migration. Before her roles at the UN, Cecilie worked as an immigration paralegal, accompanying migrants, refugees, and their families through the US immigration system. Cecilie has a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in Diplomacy & World Affairs and Spanish Literary Studies from Occidental College.
Emily Van Vleck
Member-at-Large
Business and Professional Women International
Liliane Nkunzimana
Member-at-Large
Bahá'í International Community
Read bio
Liliane represents the Bahá'í International Community's UN Office in New York, focusing on gender equality and peace. She previously served as Secretary of the NGO Committee on Social Development and holds a Master's in Public and International Affairs.
Dr. Quisia Gonzalez
Member-at-Large
International Union for Land Value Taxation
Staff
Tanitra Partivit
Digital Operations & Event Systems Consultant
B. Yolande Atwater
Bookkeeper and Financial Coordinator
Mads Menoher
Office Manager
Muthia Fadhila Khairunnisa
Cities for CEDAW Fellow
Mariama Bah
Advocacy and Administrative Intern
Jamison O'Malley
Communications Intern
Past Chair
Ivy Koek
Past Co-Chair, Ex Officio
Soka Gakkai International
Common questions
Straight answers, for the record.
What is NGO CSW/NY?
A coalition of civil society organizations and individuals advocating for gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity. It's a substantive committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United Nations (CoNGO) and convener of global civil society for the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women.
When was NGO CSW/NY founded?
1972, under the auspices of CoNGO — formed ahead of International Women's Year (1975), the UN Decade of Women (1975–1985), and the First World Conference on Women in Mexico City.
How is NGO CSW/NY different from the UN Commission on the Status of Women?
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a UN intergovernmental body made up of Member States. NGO CSW/NY is the civil society coalition that convenes and coordinates NGO participation around the Commission's annual session, including the NGO CSW Forum.
Who can get involved?
Membership is open to civil society organizations and individuals who support gender equality and women's rights. You can also join our free Monthly Meetings or apply to host a Parallel Event during the NGO CSW Forum.
Bring your organization's voice to the United Nations.
Membership supports the annual NGO CSW Forum, our Monthly Meetings, and the small team and interns who make both possible.