WILPF at the UN Commission on the Status of Women

UN Commission on the status of women

The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the United Nations’ global body dedicated to advancing gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls worldwide. Representative WILPF members participate in CSW’s annual convening – lifting local voices in global advocacy. We access CSW through WILPF International’s permanent consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WILPF US participates in CSW two ways: our Practicum in Advocacy program available to college/university students and young professionals working in social justice, and Local to Global program available to current WILPF US members. Plus opportunities for cross-generational power building and mutual mentorship across both programs.

CSW70: March 2026

The 70th session of CSW will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from March 9 to 19. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world attend the session.

WILPF US’s programs run in the first week of CSW from March 9 to 13.

2026: Priority theme: Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers

2026: Review theme: Women’s full and effective participation and decision making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls (agreed conclusions of the sixty-fifth session)

WILPF US Practicum in Advocacy

Every December, students are invited to apply to WILPF US’s Practicum in Advocacy program. During the week-long program in March, participants attend high-level UN meetings and panel discussions, as well as events hosted by member governments, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and parallel side events hosted by civil society organizations. Participants come away from the week with increased understanding of:

  • The structures and functions of the UN and its various parts
  • WILPF US and WILPF International’s focus areas, programs and activities
  • International women’s issues and policy advocacy around these issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate?

WILPF US’s Practicum in Advocacy is open to students in enrolled undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs in the United States, as well as young community leaders and activist working in non-profits that address  peace and justice issues.

The program takes place in the first week of CSW (see dates listed in section above). Practicum in Advocacy participants are required to attend the entire week-long WILPF program which will include a pre-orientation.

WILPF does not offer course credit for the Practicum, but students may be able to arrange course credit through an independent study program from their home college or university.

Every day, time is split among Practicum delegation meetings, speakers, presentations by women activists from many countries, and evening debriefings. Most mornings, participants will be expected to join in early morning briefings. They will attend meetings and other events from 8:00 – 5:00 and, and unless other scheduling arises, have daily debriefing sessions 6:30 – 8:30 pm.
Practicum Faculty and Coordinators will make few exceptions for missing delegation activities.

All applicants will be required to complete a post-Practicum project. Assistance and information will be given to students throughout the week including one-on-one mentoring with program faculty and coordinators as well as introductions to WILPF US leadership. 

Participants are required to cover the cost of their travel to New York plus approximately $1,000 in program fees. Most participants fundraise from their educational institution or other sources to cover these program fees. Individuals writing letters of recommendation are also expected to help applicants identify funding sources. Separate from program fees, WILPF US covers the cost of selected participants’ hotel, food, UN access and conference fees, and in-town travel. 

WILPF US Local to Global

Every December, WILPF US members are invited to apply to the Local to Global program which takes place the following March. The program opens opportunities for active WILPF US members to bring local voices into WILPF’s national and international work at the UN. Hear from the CSW69 (2025) Local to Global Coordinator & Participants about their experience at this global convening by and for women.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to participate?

Local to Global participants are required to be WILPF members in good standing and be active in their local branch, or national issue committee or standing committee. Applicants must submit a letter of reference from a current WILPF US member who has been a member for at least two years. 

The programs take place in the first week of CSW (see dates listed in section above). Local to Global participants are required to attend the entire week-long WILPF program which will include a pre-orientation

Participants engage in high-level, formal and informal sessions at the UN and side events hosted by civil society organizations outside the UN. After CSW, participants are required to prepare and present a program of their own design, and, where possible linked to WILPF projects that they are part (in their branch or national issue committee or standing committee). They are also expected to share their CSW experience and UN knowledge garnered with other WILPF US members: existing members and prospective new members.  

Delegation participants will attend briefings most mornings and CSW meetings from 8:00 am–5:00 pm. There will also be evening debriefing sessions with the Practicum participants throughout the week.

The Local to Global program was designed to open WILPF’s work at the UN to active WILPF members who otherwise might not be able to afford the trip and related conference fees. WILPF US will pay for hotel, meals, and all UN conference fees. However, participants must cover approximately half of their travel costs to and from New York (consistent with WILPF US guidelines for reasonable travel costs).

The working language of the WILPF US UN Programs is English.