The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is an intergovernmental, multi-sectoral platform for individuals, civil society, NGOs and government bodies to work together towards promoting and advancing women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women. CSW was officially established and mandated by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.

The 68th session of the CSW will take place between March 11 to 22, 2024 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, U.S.A. This year’s themes include: 

• Priority theme: Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective
• Review theme: Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-third session)

About the OCIC Delegation 

OCIC plans to send a delegation of Council representatives to the first week of CSW68 that will include up to: four funded delegates from OCIC’s Youth Policy-Makers 2023-2024 Hub; four funded delegates from OCIC’s Gender Equality Hub, Organizational or Network/Institutional membership; and OCIC staff.

The OCIC delegation may also include additional Organizational or Network/Institutional member representatives that do not require funding and that do not have United Nations consultative status to ECOSOC (Economic and Social Council).

Through our participation at CSW68, OCIC extends its commitment to help advance holistic and accelerated progress on the sustainable development goals (SGDs) globally. The aim of our delegation will be to further the Councils’ strategic priorities to strengthen the capacity of our members; to increase multi-sectoral dialogue amongst leaders and practitioners, issue-specific experts, advocates, academics, funders and others; and to influence and inspire key decision makers and the public through transformative community and public engagement. 

Selected delegates are expected to participate in and contribute to a series of capacity building and dialogue sessions in preparation for, during, and following CSW68, and to actively engage in and co-create collective communications and engagement activities. 

Application Process

Please note that applications will be reviewed by Selection Committees composed of staff, Youth Policy Makers Hub alumni and members of the Council, and all applicants can expect to hear back from OCIC by November 10, 2023. 

The application submission deadline for all applicants is October 15, 2023, 5:00 pm EST.