From March 10 to 21, 2025, the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) was held at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. Centered on the theme of "Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women," this year’s session focused on reviewing the progress made in the 30 years since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and outlining future strategies. As one of the UN’s most prominent forums for promoting gender equality, CSW69 brought together representatives from 193 Member States, international organizations, and civil society groups. Key discussions focused on the elimination of gender-based violence, the safeguarding of women’s economic participation, and the promotion of inclusive development in science and technology.

In his opening remarks, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized, “Equality for women and girls is a human right. It is a matter of justice. It is the foundation of sustainable development and lasting peace. And it is essential for humanity. By ensuring access to quality education for girls, and opening the doors of opportunity to decent work for women, we kick-start economic growth and we forge stronger economies. And by giving women and girls their rightful seat at the table, we boost our chances of solving immense challenges - from climate to conflict.”

At this historic juncture, 2025 also marks the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While data indicates that women’s representation in political and economic spheres has improved globally, the pace of progress remains insufficient to meet the targets set out in the 2030 Agenda. As of 2024, the global extreme poverty rate for women - defined as living on less than $2.15 per person per day - stands at 9.8%, compared to 9.1% for men. This means there are approximately 24.3 million more women than men living in extreme poverty. Additionally, the global unemployment rate for women is 5.2%, while the employment gap - including both unemployed women and those actively seeking but unable to find work - has reached 13%. Women in the workforce also continue to face persistent gender pay gaps. Against this backdrop, CSW69 convened a series of side events aimed at fostering cross-sector collaboration and activating innovative solutions to accelerate gender equality and women's empowerment.

Converging Global Wisdom, Igniting “Her” Power

As an officially accredited key side event of CSW69, "Her Power: The New Wave of Fashion Led by the SDGs" and "Accelerating Action: Women, Technology, and Sustainable Futures" were successfully held on March 18 at the Diplomat Ballroom of the Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza. The event was guided by the Non-Governmental Organization Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW) and the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, and co-hosted by Peaceland Foundation, Global Youth Philanthropy, International Medical Crisis Responses Alliance (IMCRA), Community Development Project (COMDEV), Global Roses Philanthropy Corps, and other partners. Aligned with the core agenda of CSW69, the discussions engaged in in-depth discussions on enhancing and innovating global gender equality governance systems. Key themes spanned gender equality, women’s leadership, tech-driven innovation, education empowerment, and artistic and cultural expression. Through cross-sector dialogue and collaborative practice, the event sought to advance women’s leadership in technology, cultural innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

The event responded to the UN’s global strategies on technological empowerment, cultural innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration, highlighting the interdisciplinary and systemic nature of gender equality issues. The forum attracted government officials, experts from international organizations, business leaders, academics, and practitioners from the fields of culture and the arts from around the world. Participants engaged in multidimensional discussions on the role and contributions of women in advancing sustainable development, exploring pathways for collaboration and future directions for inclusive growth.

Conference Highlights

Opening Ceremony: A Symphony of Art and Action

The conference opened with the powerful 17-minute documentary The Great Wall, co-produced by Boston youth representative Lucy Meng, setting a compelling tone for the event. Following the screening, young musicians Boya Li, Xi Lu, and Tiffany Qianxun Zhao delivered moving performances, using music to express a heartfelt call for gender equality and a shared vision for sustainable development. The opening ceremony, through cross-cultural artistic expression, underscored the vital role of cultural heritage and innovation in advancing gender equality and sustainability. It highlighted the unique power of culture as a medium for raising awareness of global public issues and mobilizing social action, and also echoed the UN’s growing recognition of the cultural and creative industries as key drivers of inclusive economic growth and social transformation.

Following the performances, Tiffany Qianxun Zhao delivered a keynote speech entitled “Invisible Musicians in the Long River of History.” Drawing from a musicological perspective, she shed light on the historical absence of recognition for women artists and underscored their overlooked contributions to the evolution of music. She called for the establishment of a more inclusive and equitable framework for artistic evaluation, advocating for greater representation and voice for women creators in the global cultural narrative.

Keynote Address: Empowering Women from Diverse Perspectives

The keynote addresses centered on two major themes: “Her Power: The New Wave of Fashion Led by the SDGs” and “Accelerating Action: Women, Technology, and a Sustainable Futures.” These discussions echoed the goals set forth in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a focus on gender equality, educational empowerment, and technological innovation. Speakers explored women's participation and leadership within global governance systems, as well as pathways for empowering women in the digital economy and technological innovation sectors. Key topics included leveraging technological innovation to close the gender economic gap, advancing technological solutions to promote women’s health and well-being, enhancing women’s influence in global governance and decision-making processes, and exploring effective strategies to foster gender equality through education, culture, and the arts.

The keynote speakers, representing a diverse range of countries and organizations, presented cutting-edge perspectives and innovative practices on women’s empowerment from around the world. Highlights included:

1. Qiu Lili, Founder of the Peaceland Foundation, shared the organization’s comprehensive efforts in empowering women and addressing humanitarian crises.

2. Dr. Thomas G. Hedberg, Executive Director of the International Medical Crisis Response Alliance (IMCRA), discussed strategies to combat discrimination against women in electronic and social media platforms.

3. Wang Jianliu, Vice Chairman of the Gynecological Oncology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, highlighted the use of technology to protect fertility in patients with gynecologic tumors.

4. Yali Zhang Liu, representative of the Global Roses Philanthropy Corps, introduced the unique role of geothermal technology in promoting sustainable energy solutions.

5. Nkiruka Ifekwem, Founder of the Community Development Empowerment through Management and Organizational Vision (COMDEV) and Professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship, provided an evaluation of the progress made in women’s leadership since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action thirty years ago.

6. Shameem A. Nawber, a representative from Afghanistan, shared insights on an online education initiative developed in collaboration with the Peaceland Foundation, aimed at providing continuous educational opportunities for girls in Afghanistan.

The second group of speakers focused on women's empowerment and the role of women’s strength from the perspectives of youth and diverse cultural backgrounds. Notable contributions included:

1. Xie Yuanyan, Founder of Global Youth Philanthropy, delivered a speech titled “Gathering Global Youth, Innovating Global Governance”, explaining how public welfare initiatives, participation in UN meetings, and cross-cultural exchange and collaboration can cultivate global competence in youth, empowering them to actively practice the SDGs and become leaders in global governance.

2. Rory Hu, a youth representative from the "Youth Voice Press Corps”, shared insights into the role of women in shaping media narratives.

3. Jasonpaul Mccarthy, Executive Director of the Precollege Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), explored how art education can drive a sustainable future.

4. Zhou Ruoqi (Amy Zhou), AVPN member, art patron, independent scholar, and impact investor, discussed how women are breaking traditional perceptions through art and promoting social sustainability and psychological healing.

5. Luiza Zyskowska, Manager of The Society Management and U.S. agent for renowned model Liu Wen, introduced the social responsibility of the modeling and arts industries.

6. Allaura Osborne, a representative from Harvard University, examined the relationship between the return to matriarchal societies, indigenous sovereignty, and sustainable development.

7. Katie Wenwan Guo, a representative from Vancouver, shared the significant role of sustainable fashion in reshaping the future.

8. Lucy Meng, a representative from Boston, demonstrated how art can serve as a bridge for building connections and peace.

9. Nina Zhan, a representative from Chicago, called for greater collaboration among organizations empowering women and supporting female leadership to create a fairer future.

Roundtable Discussion: Cross-Sector Dialogue as a Catalyst for Change

The conference also featured two roundtable discussions, hosted by Nicole Sun, Founder of Chinese Cultural Project of LoHappy ToastMOMster of Global Youth Philanthropy. The discussions focused on two key themes: “Women in Leadership: Pioneering a Sustainable Future” and “Women in Art: Awakening and Empowerment.” The distinguished guests included Anaid Chacon, Founder of Minette.ai fit; Gina Chen, Founder of One Ally; Yanli Li, Founder of Nukamarketing; Lystra Omaka, Nigerian fashion designer; Annora Dong, Drama Director and Artist; Sophia Zhu, Drama Director and Artist; Mouhui Sun and Weiyu Tian, Founders of AAAAH Culture. The discussions explored the leadership roles and innovative practices of women in fields such as technology, entrepreneurship, and culture, emphasizing the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing women’s empowerment.

As a special program of the conference, the interactive physical-psychological drama BOND had its grand premiere to wide acclaim at an Off-Off-Broadway theater in New York. Co-written and translated by Dr. AnnCai, an educational psychologist from the School of Social Sciences and Humanities at a private university on the U.S. East Coast and author of Harvard's Neuro-Innovation, the play was artistically supported by the UN Chamber Music Society and co-produced by SpArkling Theatre Studio and Global Youth Philanthropy. Written, directed, and performed by Dong Yurou and Zhu Jiening, both emerging directors and screenwriters, BOND delves into women’s awakening and growth, weaving authentic narratives that capture their resilience in navigating multifaceted societal roles. Deeply resonating with the conference theme “Women, Technology, and a Sustainable Futures”, the production has sold out all performances since its debut, igniting passionate audience engagement. It has become a significant practice in empowering women through art and fostering social dialogue.

Art Exhibition: “Her Power: The New Wave of Fashion Led by the SDGs”

Curated by Katie Wenwan Guo and Zoe Li, representatives of the Art for Earth Environmental Art Youth Club (Vancouver), and implemented in collaboration with other passionate young artists and sustainability advocates, including Kelly Huang and Lucy Meng, the exhibition "Her Power: The New Wave of Fashion Led by the SDGs" became one of the highlights of the event. The exhibition showcased installation art, digital imagery, paintings, and sustainable fashion designs submitted by youth from around the world, promoting the widespread dissemination of gender equality issues. Youth curators from various countries used the theme of "Artistic Dialogue Between Sustainable Materials and Traditional Culture" as a central axis, creating unique artworks and eco-friendly items from discarded materials and natural dyes. This innovative approach breathed new life into ancient wisdom within the context of modern environmentalism. The exhibition vividly illustrated the creative power of women in building ecological civilization and celebrated the pioneering exploration and remarkable contributions of young women in the field of sustainable development.

Youth Voice Press Corps: Honoring the Era, Amplifying the Voice of Youth

The Youth Voice interview team, composed of youth journalists Rory Hu, Mia Liu, Shigira Aizawa, David Li, and others, captured the remarkable moments of the conference, inspiring more young people to engage in gender equality actions and contribute to global sustainable development. Ms. Xie Yuanyan, founder of Global Youth Philanthropy, and Ms. Mou Fenghua, head of Global Youth Philanthropy in Canada & co-founder of the Youth Voice Media Center, presented certificates of honor to outstanding youth journalists at this side event. This not only serves as encouragement for the new generation of media professionals but also recognizes their unique role in building international dialogue bridges and promoting youth participation in public issues. Throughout several UN side events, Global Youth Philanthropy has witnessed the growth and impact of young journalists.

Closing Declaration: Collective Innovation Leading the Future, Women Driving Global Transformation

The conference concluded successfully with open exchanges and discussions. At the closing of the event, participants and attendees engaged in extensive and in-depth conversations on gender equality, women's empowerment, and other related global issues. The consensus among the guests was clear: advancing global gender equality requires leveraging technological innovation, cultural integration, and cross-sector collaboration. Moving forward, all parties will continue to strengthen cooperation to deepen the implementation of the gender agenda and build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable global governance system.

This side event not merely injected innovative ideas and exemplary practices into the CSW69 conference but also reinforced the multilateral cooperation pathways within the global gender equality governance system. To achieve the "Gender Equality" goal of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the event further promoted global North-South dialogue, strengthened the institutional implementation of gender mainstreaming strategies, facilitated data transparency and knowledge sharing, and advanced the development of an inclusive digital economy. Additionally, the conference called for creating more opportunities for women in global governance, technological innovation, and social transformation, ensuring substantial equality for women in decision-making and leadership positions. Going forward, this side event will continue to serve as a multilateral collaboration platform, supporting the full realization of the strategic goals of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

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