The Gap in CSW’s Political Declaration: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women started this Monday, March 10. This year is particularly significant as it marks the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing+30), an essential roadmap for UN Member States to advance women’s rights and gender equality globally.

After three weeks of difficult negotiations, the Member States were able to agree and adopt a common political declaration by consensus. During the process, anti-rights voices were once again loud and there was pushback on language regarding sexual and reproductive health and rights, LGBTQI+ rights and intersectionality, leading to a lack of mentioning of essential components of gender equality. Nevertheless, there have been gains since the last anniversary of the Beijing Agenda in 2020, considering the negotiations took place in an extremely divided geopolitical context.

For example, the declaration recognizes the need to combat sexual and gender-based violence—both online and offline—while emphasizing the importance of protecting the human rights of women and girls in digital spaces. Additionally, Member States have committed to ensuring that victims and survivors of sexual violence in conflict have prompt and universal access to quality social and healthcare services, as well as access to justice. This commitment is especially crucial in an international context where conflicts are multiplying, and the rights and dignity of women and girls are systematically violated.

The issue of flexible, sustainable and long-term funding for civil society is recognised as a critical point to achieve gender equality and implement the 2030 Agenda, and the language is stronger than in the last political declaration. The declaration also reiterates the need for States to honour their ODA commitments.

We also welcome the mentioning of the promotion of safe and enabling environments for civil society as well as the recognition of the importance of their work for gender equality.

Some strong language has been included on the topic of health, namely the promotion of universal health coverage, the right to the enjoyment of high standards of mental and physical health, including menstrual health which is essential for the dignity of women and girls.

However, we regret that there are no mentions of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). The recognition of SRHR is key, especially in an already hostile international context. Even though we welcome that “inclusive and equitable quality education” is mentioned as a prerequisite for women and girls to enjoy their human rights, there is no mention of comprehensive sexuality education, which is a crucial component for preventing sexual and gender-based violence and harmful practices and empowering women and girls.

There is also no mention of human rights of LGBQTI+ people, although we welcome the recognition of multiple and intersectional forms of discrimination that weigh on women and girls and prevent them from fully enjoying their human rights.

Over the next two weeks, Member States will negotiate the Commission’s multiyear programme of work (MYPOW), outlining its priorities for the next five years. The selected themes will address both current and emerging challenges relevant to the Commission’s mandate. Given the difficulties encountered during negotiations on the political declaration, we can expect the MYPOW process to face the same obstacles. We will remain vigilant to ensure a strong focus on women and girls, diversity, human rights and structural barriers in the work of the Commission.

Illustration: Judit Canela