United Nations Commission on the Status of Women -UNCSW

One of the first sessions I attended was 30 Years After Beijing: Survivors Reflect and Speak Up. This forum was hosted by Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) and Survivors of Abuse and Prostitution Calling for Enlightenment (SPACE International). Listening to the poignant narratives shared by survivors of sex trafficking was eye-opening... [listening to the story of a person] trafficked from Nigeria to Italy stuck a deep cord. She spoke candidly about being forced to repay her “debt” through commercial sex work and how societal and legal frameworks often silence victims, making it extremely challenging for them to seek justice and support. Her resilience in sharing her story illuminated the often-hidden struggles of victims of human trafficking. Anther impactful panelist... discussed Sweden’s compassionate approach to treating victims of commercial sexual exploitation. Her insights on effective policies that prioritize victims support rather than criminalization was enlightening. Sweden’s methods inspire hope for real transformation in how societies can address these issues with empathy and understanding yielding much greater result in addressing gender-based violence

My favorite NGOCSW sessions were the multiple events held by Māori/Pacific Islander delegations. In those sessions, women from New Zealand/Aotearoa, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands shared their challenges and struggles while graciously sharing and demonstrating their culture. Each session held by Māori/Pacific Islander women opened and closed with a song that acknowledged their ancestral lands and their collective struggles.”

My favorite NGOCSW sessions were the multiple events held by Māori/Pacific Islander delegations. In those sessions, women from New Zealand/Aotearoa, Samoa, Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook Islands shared their challenges and struggles while graciously sharing and demonstrating their culture. Each session held by Māori/Pacific Islander women opened and closed with a song that acknowledged their ancestral lands and their collective struggles.

The parallel sessions I attended were not only highly informative but also deeply humanizing. In the first session, YWCA Korea: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) & Gender Equality, the global discussion centered on the multifaceted issues of TFGBV, including digital harassment, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and deepfake sexual crimes. One particularly impactful speaker from YWCA Japan highlighted the inadequacy of legal penalties for these offenses, noting that the maximum prison sentence was only two years, provided a trial was pursued. The lack of comprehensive human rights education in schools, insufficient penalties, and limited access to healthcare services are critical concerns.

In the lead-up to CSW69, I met Magdalene, who has been leading a powerful, grassroots initiative at my local YWCA. We bonded instantly, and I learned about the small but incredibly impactful ways she’s been tackling period poverty in West Africa. I remember thinking, Yes. That’s right. The overwhelming majority of women and girls in Guinea lack access to basic menstrual hygiene products. And here was someone showing that change doesn’t always need to start big — it just needs to start. There are meaningful, tangible ways to support my community, without getting overwhelmed and this was one of them. CSW69 echoed this truth over and over. I was surrounded by people making a difference in ways that were small in scale but huge in impact.

One of the most impactful sessions I attended focused on the experiences of Indigenous women and their ongoing struggles against colonial violence and environmental destruction. Indigenous women across the globe face persistent challenges related to land rights, cultural erasure, and gender-based violence. Speakers shared powerful testimonies about the need for global solidarity in protecting Indigenous communities and ensuring their sovereignty. These discussions reinforced the importance of centering Indigenous voices in policy-making and advocacy efforts, as their wisdom and leadership are crucial in addressing climate justice, gender equity and human rights.

Another powerful session highlighted the struggles of women in Okinawa, presented by YWCA Japan who are living near U.S. military bases. The speakers, many of whom were young activists, shared deeply personal accounts of the environmental and social harms caused by military presence, including contamination from PFAS chemicals, noise pollution, and an increase in gender-based violence. The discussion also addressed the Japan-U.S. Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), which limits Japan’s ability to regulate or hold U.S. military personnel accountable for these issues. This session resonated deeply with me, as I saw clear parallels with the struggles faced by communities in Hawai’i, where the impacts of militarization continue to shape environmental and social justice concerns. The global need for demilitarization, accountability, and Indigenous self-determination was evident.

One of the most profound aspects of my experience was being immersed in conversations that spanned across cultures, identities, geographies and lived experiences. As I listened to lived realities from grassroots leaders, policymakers, and youth activists, I was struck by the universality of the struggles faced by people around the globe- yet vividly aware of the disconnect between governmental officials and lived experiences. I was especially moved by the testimonies of LGBTQ+ individuals from across the world who are fiercely and tirelessly fighting for their right to exist. Their stories highlighted the need for resilience and unwavering commitment to protect their existence and humanity has left an unreliable mark on me, reminding me that true progress requires centering the voices of those most impacted by systemic injustice, revealing the need to bridge the gap between NGO’s and the UNCSW.