INDIA. New Delhi. In a noteworthy development, India has won a seat at the United Nations Commission on Status of Women (CSW) for a four-year term (2021-2025). Afghanistan and China were also among the main contenders. However, India won the seat for the Asia Pacific.
The 54-member UN Economic and Social Council hosted its first meeting of the 2021 session in the General Assembly Hall on Monday. The elections were held here for the seats in the Asia-Pacific States.
Apart from India, China and Afghanistan also contested elections to the United Nation’s Commission on Status of Women. Afghanistan has also won a seat for the first time with 39 votes of the 54 ballots cast. India secured its position by winning 38 votes whereas China, a permanent member of the UN security council, managed to garner only 27 votes and failed to get the required majority of 28 votes.
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India’s election win at the Commission on Status of Women is highly significant as India is also set to be seated at the UN Security Council high table as a non-permanent member for a two-year term to commence from 1 January 2021.
Promotion of women’s rights and gender equality
The Commission on the Status of Women is contributing to promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and determining global standards on gender equality and women empowerment. The representatives of the UN Member States and civil society organizations gather at UN headquarters to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the key global policy document on gender equality as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and women empowerment.
Member States agree on further actions to fast-track progress and promote women’s rights in political, economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded to Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for follow-up.
