The 68th UN Commission on the Status of Women convening takes place at the UN Headquarters in New York City, USA for two weeks, commencing on the 11th of March, 2024. Delegations from more than 100 member countries all over the world consisting of government diplomats and officials, as well as CSO representatives are attending to review progress, identify challenges to be addressed; and discuss recommendations for womenโs rights and gender equality, based on this yearโs priority theme.
The priority theme for this yearโs CSW is โ โAccelerating the achievements of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspectiveโ. This surely calls for stronger commitment to womenโs economic empowerment as it is key to societyโs overall economic growth.
Samoaโs delegation is lead by the Hon. Minister for the Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development, Afioga Mulipola Anarosa Ale Molioo; with two ACEOs, Mataia Meritiana Fepuleai Tanuvasa of the Division for Research and Policy and Sauoaiga Autagavaia Olive Kaio of the Division for Social Development; as well as Matilda Tile Bartley (Deputy Permanent Representative) and Dorothy Anetone; both of the Permanent Mission of Samoa to the UN.
Prior to the opening of CSW, Samoa took part in the Commonwealth side meeting for senior officials which was attended by the two ACEOs; and the Commonwealth Womenโs Forum Event on the 10th of March, in which the Hon. Minister delivered the welcoming remarks. This was followed by panel discussions on the topic of women economic empowerment, as one of the thematic topics for the upcoming Womenโs Forum for CHOGM in October, later this year.
Joining CSW alongside Samoa this year are delegations from other Pacific Island countries such as Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Vanuatu and others. In preparation for a collective Pacific voice in CSW68, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) hosted a Pacific meeting a few hours before the opening ceremony of CSW68 on the 11th of March, 2024. This was also attended by the Samoan delegation, to ensure the alignment of country and regional priorities will be articulated at CSW68.
