In Focus: CSW60

Sixtieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, 14–24 March 2016


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The Issue

Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development will be the focus of the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW60). At the annual high-level gathering, taking place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 14-24 March 2016, global leaders, NGOs, private sector, and activists will meet to discuss how to ensure women and girls are at the forefront of their plans to implement the new 15-year global development roadmap.

Adopted by all United Nations Member States in September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is the successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals. In addition to the stand-alone goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment, Sustainable Development Goal 5, there are gender-sensitive targets across 11 other SDGs.

Learn more about the role women play in all goals, and what UN Women is doing in these areas:

  • Women and the Sustainable Development Goals
  • SDG 1: No poverty
  • SDG 2: Zero hunger
  • SDG 3: Good health and well-being
  • SDG 4: Quality education
  • SDG 5: Gender equality
  • SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation
  • SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth
  • SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • SDG 10: Reduced inequalities
  • SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • SDG 13: Climate action
  • SDG 14: Life below water
  • SDG 15: Life on land
  • SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The 2030 Agenda seeks to address the key challenges of the 21st century, such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. Women’s empowerment is recognized as a pre-condition to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). But how do those most impacted by the challenges view the SDGs?

From where I stand...

As part of a new editorial series, UN Women is capturing the unique and powerful stories of people around the world, to showcase their daily lives and challenges and how they are bringing about change. Read their first-person accounts…



CSW 60: Women's empowerment and its link to sustainable development
See CSW60 Brochure.
Download in:[Arabic | English | French | Spanish]

CSW60 will also feature the first review of the historic agreed conclusions from the fifty-seventh session of the CSW (2013), which focused on ending violence against women. In that vein, on 15 March, for the first time, 10 Member States will submit voluntary reviews of their progress in this area, namely: Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Estonia, Japan, Romania, Sweden, Tunisia and Turkey.

Every year, CSW attracts thousands of NGO members and hundreds of country representatives from around the world to discuss critical issues for women, galvanize attention and spur action. More than 1,035 NGOs and a total of 8,100 representatives have registered to participate. Setting a new record this year, about 220 side events are planned on UN premises, organized by Member States and UN entities, many in collaboration with civil society.

Read the CSW60 agreed conclusions.

See past editorial packages for: CSW59, CSW58, CSW57 and CSW56.