The United Nations 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) is taking place from 9 to 19 March 2026.
CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women.
This year’s session brings together delegations from governments, civil society organisations, and gender equality advocates from across the world.
Australia’s delegation is comprised of senior gender equality office holders and civil society representatives:
- Padma Raman PSM, Executive Director, Office for Women, representing Senator the Hon Katy Gallagher, Minister for Women as head of delegation
- The Hon Michelle O’Byrne AM, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality
- Dr Anna Cody, Australia’s Sex Discrimination Commissioner
- Jahna Cedar OAM, Co-Chair of First Nations X and Director of the Lowitja Institute.
- Chanel Contos, Founder and CEO, Teach Us Consent, and Chair of the Youth Advisory Committee of the Global Institute of Women’s Leadership.
Delegates will discuss issues affecting women worldwide, including gender based violence, health inequities, and economic inequality. This will include a focus on finding ways to reduce inequality and barriers to women accessing justice, and improve the wellbeing, opportunities and lives of women and girls worldwide. Australia’s engagement in CSW70 will strengthen our knowledge of evidence based strategies and policy models, supporting national efforts to advance gender equality under Working for Women.