At CSW 70, Global Reproductive Rights Face Progress and Pushback

Seventy years ago, the fledgling United Nations established the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a groundbreaking pledge to the world’s women and girls. Today, CSW remains the preeminent international body dedicated to advancing women’s rights and empowerment. Each March, it convenes global leaders to assess progress, confront persistent challenges, and reaffirm commitments to achieving gender equality. The 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), held from March 9th to 19th, centered on the crucial imperative of ensuring and strengthening women and girls’ access to justice—a cornerstone of the Center for Reproductive Rights’ advocacy. As a leading legal advocacy organization, the Center actively engaged with Member States throughout the negotiation process. Furthermore, it hosted and participated in numerous events designed to explore innovative strategies for legal reform and expanded access to justice within the framework of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Delegates from across the globe convened for CSW70, underscoring the international scope of the fight for reproductive rights. Among them were key figures from the Center for Reproductive Rights: Elsy Sainna, Associate Director for Advocacy and External Relations for Africa; Maria Cecilia Ibanez Garcia, Senior Advocacy Advisor for Latin America and the Caribbean; and Kiefer Kofman, Global Advocacy Advisor. Their collective presence and contributions highlighted the organization’s commitment to integrating regional perspectives and global advocacy.

The significance of CSW in the protracted struggle for universal sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) cannot be overstated. It functions as a vital global forum where emerging threats to SRHR are identified, critically examined, and addressed through robust legal and policy discourse. This platform is instrumental in not only safeguarding existing commitments but also in forging new, more ambitious standards. In an era marked by a concerning rise in anti-rights movements and a rollback of established protections, CSW provides a crucial space to counter regressive agendas and to establish new avenues for advancing rights across diverse geographical and socio-political contexts.

Moreover, CSW serves as a critical mechanism for monitoring the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). This landmark document, a comprehensive roadmap for advancing women’s rights, has been endorsed by nearly all nations. The consensus reached at the conclusion of each annual CSW session signifies a renewed global commitment from Member States to accelerate the BDPfA’s implementation, thereby furthering the human rights of all women and girls, including their fundamental right to SRHR.

Emerging Threats to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Worldwide

The landscape of SRHR is currently under significant strain, facing multifaceted threats that manifest in both overt policy reversals and insidious erosion of rights. Maria Cecilia Ibanez Garcia articulates the tangible nature of these setbacks, citing the alarming trend of abortion criminalization, the prosecution of women and girls for obstetric emergencies, and escalating restrictions that impede practical access to essential services. Beyond these direct assaults, there is a concerted effort to reinterpret and weaken established international human rights law. Concurrently, anti-rights actors are actively engaged in influencing national laws, policies, and public discourse, aiming to dismantle existing protections and curtail individual autonomy.

Elsy Sainna elaborates on the ideological underpinnings of these attacks, characterizing them as deliberate assaults on constitutional and legal safeguards. These actions, she notes, are frequently fueled by misinformation and disinformation campaigns, often propagated by conservative and religious ideologies. This creates a challenging environment where established rights are constantly under siege.

Kiefer Kofman further illuminates the organized nature of these efforts, pointing to the coordinated attempts by conservative states, often in alliance with anti-rights groups, to undermine long-standing international commitments to gender equality and SRHR. He highlights a particularly concerning incident at the UN where a resolution on children’s rights saw attempts to entirely remove the phrase "sexual and reproductive health." This was a clear maneuver to erase a fundamental aspect of health and well-being, demonstrating the lengths to which extremist agendas will go. Kofman also points to the unprecedented amendments and last-minute resolution introduced by the United States at CSW70, which, if adopted, would have significantly weakened commitments to gender equality and human rights. This move, which isolated the U.S. as the sole Member State to vote against the adoption of the CSW outcome document, underscored the broader international consensus in favor of human rights and multilateralism over extremist viewpoints.

The Strategic Importance of the Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women, established in 1947, has evolved from its foundational role to become a critical nexus for global advocacy on gender equality. Its annual sessions provide a unique platform for civil society organizations, governments, and international bodies to engage in dialogue, negotiate policy, and shape normative frameworks. For organizations like the Center for Reproductive Rights, CSW represents an indispensable opportunity to:

• Influence Global Norms: CSW discussions directly contribute to shaping international norms and standards related to women’s rights. By advocating for clear language and strong commitments on SRHR, the Center aims to embed these rights within the global legal and policy architecture.
• Counter Regressive Agendas: The rise of anti-rights movements necessitates a robust counter-response. CSW provides a visible international stage to challenge and expose attempts to undermine reproductive rights and to rally support for their protection.
• Advance Legal Reform: The Center leverages its expertise to advise Member States on drafting and negotiating resolutions that promote legal reform and strengthen access to justice for SRHR. This includes advocating for the decriminalization of abortion, the provision of comprehensive sexuality education, and the elimination of gender-based violence.
• Monitor Implementation: CSW’s mandate includes reviewing progress on commitments made in documents like the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. This allows for accountability and the identification of gaps in implementation, which can then inform future advocacy efforts.
• Build Global Coalitions: The event fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders, enabling the formation of strong coalitions that amplify the voices of activists and advocates working on the ground.

A Timeline of Advocacy at CSW70

CSW70, with its focus on access to justice, presented a critical juncture for advancing SRHR. The Center for Reproductive Rights strategically engaged throughout the session:

• Pre-Session Negotiations: Leading up to the official session, the Center actively participated in consultations with Member States, providing technical expertise and advocating for language that would strengthen SRHR protections within the forthcoming outcome document. This involved detailed engagement on legal definitions, policy recommendations, and the scope of justice for women and girls.
• Side Events and Panel Discussions: Throughout the 10-day session, the Center organized and co-hosted numerous side events. These forums brought together experts, policymakers, and activists to delve into specific issues, such as the impact of legal restrictions on maternal health, strategies for combating gender-based violence, and the role of regional human rights mechanisms in protecting SRHR. For instance, a roundtable event titled "Strengthening Access to Justice for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in a Complex Global Context" provided a platform for in-depth discussions on practical challenges and innovative solutions.
• Direct Engagement with Member States: Center representatives engaged directly with delegates from various Member States, offering insights, sharing data, and providing legal analysis to inform their positions during negotiations. This direct advocacy was crucial in building consensus and countering opposition.
• Participation in the Women’s Rights Caucus: As an active member of the Women’s Rights Caucus, the Center collaborated with a broad coalition of organizations to coordinate advocacy efforts, share intelligence, and present a unified front in pushing for SRHR advancements. This collective action was instrumental in navigating the complex negotiation dynamics and ensuring that the voices of women’s rights defenders were heard.
• Response to U.S. Amendments: A significant development during CSW70 was the introduction of controversial amendments and a last-minute resolution by the United States that sought to dilute established language on gender equality and human rights. The Center, alongside its partners, actively worked to counter these regressive proposals, highlighting their incompatibility with international human rights obligations. The subsequent isolation of the U.S. in voting against the outcome document served as a clear indicator of the prevailing international consensus.
• Post-Session Analysis and Future Planning: Following the conclusion of CSW70, the Center engaged in a thorough analysis of the outcomes, identifying areas of progress and persistent challenges. This analysis informs their ongoing advocacy strategies and preparations for future international forums.

The Interplay of Global Norms and National Realities

The impact of CSW extends beyond the halls of the United Nations. The norms and commitments established or reaffirmed at CSW translate into tangible actions at the national level. For instance, the "Celia Ramos v. Peru" decision by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which recognized reproductive violence as a form of gender-based discrimination, serves as a powerful example of how international legal interpretation can drive national legal change. Similarly, the freeing of Violet Zulu in Zambia, a single mother who had been jailed for obtaining an abortion, demonstrates the direct impact of advocacy on individual lives. These victories, occurring alongside the diplomatic efforts at CSW, underscore the interconnectedness of global advocacy and on-the-ground change.

Moving Forward: A Multifaceted Strategy

The path forward in securing SRHR worldwide is charted through a combination of persistent advocacy, legal action, and grassroots mobilization. Kiefer Kofman emphasizes the Center’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that SRHR are universally recognized as fundamental human rights within the UN system. This involves relentless engagement with Member States to uphold their obligations under international human rights law.

Elsy Sainna highlights the importance of constructive dialogue and reminding states of their binding commitments under international and regional human rights instruments. She specifically references the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol) as a key example of regional legal frameworks that Member States are obligated to uphold.

Maria Cecilia Ibanez Garcia outlines a comprehensive approach that integrates multiple strategies: holding states accountable for existing commitments, pursuing stronger legal standards through strategic litigation and advocacy, and empowering local actors to effectively utilize these legal tools. The core of this approach lies in recognizing and building upon the historical achievements of the movement, demonstrating that progress is enduring and can be sustained despite efforts to reverse it, and crucially, bridging the gap between global norms and tangible improvements in people’s lives.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Momentum

Despite the challenges and pushback encountered at CSW70, the session served as a potent reminder of the global community’s dedication to sexual and reproductive health and rights. The strong consensus in favor of these rights, as evidenced by the outcome document and the isolation of dissenting voices, demonstrates that the fight for reproductive justice continues to gain traction. The victories at the national level, such as the "Celia Ramos" decision and the case of Violet Zulu, further bolster the conviction that progress is not only achievable but is actively occurring. As the international community prepares for CSW71, the lessons learned and the momentum generated at CSW70 will undoubtedly fuel continued advocacy and action for the realization of SRHR for all.