Priyanka Prem Kumar attending the CSW 69 - 6th Plenary meeting at Conference Room 4, UN HQ

The sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69 / Beijing+30) will take place from 10 to 21 March 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Engaging in high-level discussions with diplomats, policymakers, and international organizations has been an invaluable learning opportunity. Through my involvement with the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF), a coalition of student clubs at Utah Valley University, and Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) initiatives, I have honed my ability to understand complex issues and advocate effectively for marginalized mountain populations. Participating in UN forums has reinforced my understanding of diplomatic protocols, public speaking, and cross-cultural communications - critical skills for any professional delegate who influences global decision-making.

Mountain communities face unique socio-economic and environmental challenges, often exacerbated by climate change and limited access to resources. By representing these concerns at international events, I ensure their voices are heard at the highest levels. As a student delegate, I recognize the power of academic research in shaping policy and thus help in synthesizing data-driven insights with on-the-ground experiences. I am playing a role in integrating mountain-related issues into global development agendas.

On March 12, 2025, at 8:30 a.m., UIMF members and I  lined up in front of the lobby of the UN General Assembly to get the access pass to attend the CSW69th  6th plenary meeting. Ministerial Round Table 2 focused on national mechanisms for gender equality and empowering women and girls. It emphasized the need to recommit, allocate resources, and accelerate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action while also contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

To provide an overview, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) serves as the leading global intergovernmental body exclusively committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women. Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) through Council resolution 11(II) on June 21, 1946, CSW plays a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, documenting their experiences worldwide, and shaping global standards on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Access Pass to the Balcony of CR-4

 Once inside the Conference Room 4, the Ministerial Segment Round Table 2 begins. The chair of this 6th plenary meeting held on March 12th, 2025, was Dr. Maimoonah Al Khalil, Head of the Saudi Delegation and Secretary-General of the Family Affairs Council represented Saudi Arabia at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) and spoke on behalf of the chair.

 The Chair of this meeting then addressed the audience on how the sixty-ninth session will primarily involve reviewing and assessing the progress of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, along with the results of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. This review will examine the current challenges affecting the implementation of the platform, as well as the progress made in achieving gender equality and empowering women. Additionally, it will highlight the platform’s role in contributing to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It addresses the gaps and challenges faced after the 30 years of implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and how to tackle them moving forward.

 Dr. Maimoonah Al Khalil, Head of the Saudi Delegation

She then invited herself to speak as the head of the delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. She said how women empowerment in Saudi Arabia is the main pillar of building a vibrant prosperous society. In recent decades major transformations have taken place in Saudi Arabia on women’s rights transforming to policies for their betterment as well. It guarantees women’s participation and equal opportunities in different sectors and also the resumption of leadership roles thus avoiding any form of discrimination at the workplace. The Women Affairs Council and Human Affairs Commission of Saudi Arabia guarantee that the legislation and policies align with international standards.

Before giving the floor to the moderator, Ms. Daniel, Deputy Director General for operation of the International Organization for Migration, the chair reminded of the three-minute time limit given to all the panelists/State delegates (muted once the time exceeds) and requested them to speak at normal speaking speed.

Ms. Daniel, Deputy Director General for the operation of the International Organization for Migration

The Moderator begins by setting the context for the plenary meeting. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action remains the most widely endorsed vision for the global agenda to achieve gender equality. While new policy directions have emerged across all critical areas of concern, progress on gender equality outcomes has been limited, and reaching the 2030 agenda appears to be a distant goal. Despite various global crises, the UN Secretary-General's report highlights growing accountability gaps, weakened institutions, and insufficient investment in gender equality. Therefore, this ministerial roundtable serves as an important platform for addressing shared experiences, lessons learned, and best practices to overcome the obstacles that hinder commitment, resources, and accountability in accelerating the implementation of this platform. She firmly believes that investing in women and girls is not only the right thing to do but also the smart thing to do.

The panelist from Saint Kitts and Nevis began speaking on the policies and strategies adopted by her nation to amplify women’s participation and decision-making at all levels and include women and young women in leadership roles. In 2022, the first governor-general was appointed to the office. They have the highest percentage of female representation and participation, especially in the cabinet to which she is a member, and in the legislature, women’s participation increased to 33%. 75% of the civil service is managed and led by women as permanent secretaries and female managers. The Primary and Secondary schools and many private youth organizations uplift young women to hone and mold their leadership skills and bring confidence in their voices.

Panelist from Saint Kitts and Nevis

The next panelist,  from Estonia, then answered the question from the moderator as to which areas in her country where gender equality is most considered as most urgently needed. It needs a clear vision, strong strategy, and allocation of resources as reflected in her nation’s welfare development plan. Investments in reducing the gender pay gap are done. Web app - Pay Mirror, to reduce, analyze, and monitor the digital gender-based gaps. STEM and ICT are the areas in Estonia where women are most underestimated. Collaboration between schools and employers along with training programs developed with the help of school counselors to encourage women to stereotype career menopause. There are private organizations set up to support and encourage women’s digital skills.

Later the panelist from Libya spoke about the Omani Women Initiative which targets weak women initiative to include Omani women in financial support to women and also help women recover from health-related issues and support women in the whole healthcare system. She also spoke in support of women in Palestine, and Syria

The Panelist in Kiribati spoke on how crucial policies are needed to make informal decisions which are possible when sufficient financial resources are allocated. There is also an urgent need to eradicate violence against women in all forms, especially digital abuse. She also mentioned the urge to include women in the decision-making policies especially regarding climate resilience and gender response finance to women who are impacted

Panelist from Kiribati

 The Next panelist from Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) spoke on strengthening the structured institutional framework for Gender-Based Violence happening in her country. She also mentions creating national gender-sensitive platforms connecting to the Beijing Declaration for Platform of Action and invites international funding to ensure gender-sensitive programs and the development of sensitive policies in the Ivory Coast.

Panelists from New Guinea spoke on how her country is determined to give women their rightful place by supporting civil societies to fund gender-based resolutions. Trafficking of women is being tracked and prevented as the top priority as Gender Equality is not just a goal and they should double their efforts to achieve them

Panelist from Guyana spoke as to how women are not just partners but also lead the change of food security and climate challenges and policies. Grassroot women organizations are emphasized and they are crucial in narrowing the gender divide

Moving on, the panelist from Luxembourg stressed the importance of joining hands on eradicating gender equality and the backlash women face in the name of inequality from all over the world. Women should be the center when creating policies and actions and abolishing misogynistic attitudes in society which will definitely lead to dead ends. Discussion of Gender-Based Violence and Gender Equality are put as the highest priority on Agenda 2030 for Luxembourg. She stresses the importance of including boys and men as allies and all forms of violence to end.

 

Panelist from Luxembourg

 Later the panelist from Somalia spoke on a key policy priority for their nation - Economic empowerment. She addressed the structured barrier her country faces and the policies that must be intervened which to benefit women. She emphasized how the primary education for women rose to 34% in the past decade. Improving healthcare access for women in 2023 increased to 60% and women's participation in health care also increased. She ended her statement on how more improvements are needed in legal systems and other forms of life.

Panelists from Sweden spoke on how honor-related violence and oppression have prevailed in the past decade in Sweden. Her government has created a new goal wherein the right to abortion is treated as a fundamental right. She also stressed how policy analysis and implementation of gender equality policy is crucial to bring changes.

Further, the Panelist from Egypt said that her country’s progress is at its peak when she emphasized how the women in her country have access to banking services and financial institutions. There is a great urge for women's leadership possibilities and policies and actions taken towards eradicating violence and obstacles for women. Women now have access to National ID cards. Cyberviolence has prevailed in recent times and the government is analyzing and monitoring ways to have safe space for women over the internet.

The Panelist from Togo focused on how it is quite essential to protect students against Gender-Based Violence in schools and the workplace. Gender focal points and hotline centers are created for the victims who face violence. They are also educating the girls on teen pregnancy and its repercussions as much as possible and developing strategies to combat and manage it as well. Funds are allocated for women in entrepreneurship and finance-enabling activities. This has led to draft gender-sensitive results in Togo.

Next, the panelist from Zimbabwe spoke on strengthening mechanisms for tracking women's empowerment and gender equality. The commission to strengthen gender equality is set up as part of the Beijing Declaration of Platform for Action mainly to enable peace in this sector and install institutional mechanisms. Building alliances with the private sector, microfinancing, a one-stop center for Gender Based Violence victims and mandatory gender budget statements are some of them to mention.

To add on, the panelist from the United Arab Emirates spoke on how her nation is working on enhancing the physical and psychological health of women. Policies and strategies are developed keeping in mind a holistic approach. She also mentions how they have abolished the act of no abortion for women as a woman’s physical and mental health are their priority. They have allocated at least one seat for women in parliament as part of their effort to invite women to leadership positions in the UAE.

After UAE, a panelist from Tonga spoke on gender-responsive budgeting done in her country handled by gender-sensitized civil servants. This has resulted in positive national and regional outcomes.

Panelists from Tanzania then spoke on increased women's participation in decision-making policies and mainstreaming gender equality in all sectors. The State has agreed to grant interest-free loans, and activities like data collection and use of data technology are prioritized to make informed decisions that allow discussion against gender inequality.

Panelist from Tanzania

 Next last speaker I listened to that day was the Panelist from the State of Palestine, who spoke on how programs and budgets are allocated to achieve gender equality, promoting and integrating with stakeholders and promoting the integration of women in all sectors. Developing educational programs to promote data collection. Increasing financial resources for women in health and education so that the violence is reduced. They are also inculcating best practices with the neighboring countries as well to ensure women from Palestine are also actively participation in gender-related activities globally.

 We had a meeting set up with  Ambassador Kasymalieva at 1:00 pm at the UN Cafeteria. Even though Madam Ambassador was very busy with her diplomatic activities and scheduled meetings, she was eager to spend time with the UIMF members. Ambassador Kasymalieva emphasized that the partnership between the Kyrgyz Republic and the State of Utah focuses on advocating for sustainable mountain development (SMD) and gender equality through educational initiatives. Given their shared mountainous landscapes, both regions have fostered ties since 1999. Kyrgyzstan has long championed mountain-related global issues, leading efforts such as the 2002 Bishkek Mountain Platform and the UN’s declaration of 2023-2027 as the Five Years of Action for Mountain Development.

UIMF delegates meeting Ambassador Aida Kasymalieva

Additionally, she highlighted the collaboration of Utah Valley University (UVU) with the International University of Kyrgyzstan (IUK) and other partners, which has played a key role in advancing SMD. UVU was the first North American university to join the UN Mountain Partnership in 2006. Through its Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF) and student-engaged learning (SEL) model, students—including non-traditional learners—have been actively involved in solving mountain community challenges, hosting events like the Women of the Mountains Conferences (WOMC) and UN International Mountain Days.

She also spotlighted the fact that the SEL model has also enabled students to participate in UN forums such as the sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where they have engaged as junior diplomats. These efforts align with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (quality education) and contribute to the broader Five Years of Action initiative. Moving forward, a key recommendation was provided to remove the UN age limit for internships, allowing more non-traditional students to contribute to SMD efforts globally.

 

Group Photograph with PR of Kyrgyz Republic, Ambassador Ksaymalieva

Taking a photograph with Madam Ambassador in front of the UN flag and seal was a moment of great significance and pride. It symbolized not only our shared commitment to sustainable mountain development and gender equality but also the growing recognition of student-driven efforts in global advocacy.

The UN flag and seal represent the ideals of international cooperation, peace, and development—principles that align with our mission to address the unique challenges faced by mountain communities worldwide. This moment captured our dedication to bringing these issues to the global stage, reinforcing the importance of partnerships like the one between the Kyrgyz Republic and the State of Utah.

For students involved in the Utah International Mountain Forum (UIMF) and the Sustainable Mountain Development (SMD) initiatives, this was more than just a photo opportunity—it was a powerful reminder that their voices matter. Standing beside Madam Ambassador, they embodied the next generation of leaders working to make a lasting impact through education, advocacy, and international collaboration.

                Priyanka Prem Kumar, Indiana Bloomington University student