support including gender-based violence as a recurring agenda item, with strategies for elimination such as observatories and femicide watches.
Advocacy at the United Nations
From civil society voices to global action.
NGO CSW/NY equips advocates with resources and training to influence gender equality policy at the United Nations—especially during the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
Our role
What does NGO CSW/NY advocate for?
NGO CSW/NY advocates for gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls in all their diversity. We help civil society participate effectively at the UN, provide practical advocacy training, and contribute recommendations to the UN CSW Zero Draft and outcome document through our Advocacy & Research Group.
- Prepare Resources and training for advocates working at the UN and CSW.
- Convene Civil society perspectives gathered across regions and generations.
- Influence Evidence-based recommendations for CSW negotiations and outcomes.
Reimagining CSW
Civil society told us what must change.
In 2024, NGO CSW/NY distributed a survey to nearly 50,000 civil society representatives to gather ideas for transforming CSW and accelerating gender equality worldwide.
advocate for a global overview of laws and practices that discriminate against women and girls.
emphasize integrating this agenda as a priority focus in CSW discussions.
Survey profile
Perspectives across regions and generations
Every percentage is written as text as well as represented visually, so the findings remain accessible without relying on color or graphics.
Regional representation
Percentages total 99% because of rounding.
Age distribution
What respondents recommend
A more accessible and inclusive CSW
The survey findings point toward practical changes that would broaden meaningful civil society participation.
- Simplify ECOSOC accreditation for NGOs.
- Increase accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- Include marginalized groups such as refugees, Indigenous women, and youth.
Resource library
Tools for advocates
Use these resources to prepare for advocacy at the UN, CSW, and other global gender equality spaces.
Toolkit · PDF
CSW68 Advocacy Toolkit
Practical information and tools for civil society advocates engaging with CSW68.
Open toolkit in a new tab GuideAdvocacy in Negotiations & Women's Rights
A guide to advocacy, negotiations, and women's human rights.
Read guide Learning resourceWomen's Human Rights Teaching, Learning & Advocacy Resource
Materials supporting human rights education and advocacy.
Visit resource in a new tab Action platformGeneration Equality Commitments
Learn about becoming a commitment maker for Generation Equality.
Explore commitments in a new tab Training · VideoNGO CSW67 Forum Advocacy Training
Watch the recorded advocacy training from the NGO CSW67 Forum.
Watch recording in a new tabTurn knowledge into action
Bring civil society's priorities into the conversation.
Start with the latest Advocacy & Research Group recommendations for CSW70.