Cities Alliance at CSW69 - Our Programme

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal intergovernmental body promoting gender equality and women's empowerment. During its annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations, and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to assess progress and gaps in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which marks its 30th anniversary this year. 

As urbanization accelerates, cities must equitably serve all residents, particularly women, girls, and marginalized groups. The time to act is now, with 60 percent of areas expected to be urban by 2050 yet to be built. Women’s voices must shape urban renewal and local decision-making to create inclusive and sustainable cities.

Gender-responsive urban development and the meaningful participation of women in decision-making are essential to build inclusive, safer, more accessible, and resilient cities. 

For over 25 years, Cities Alliance has championed inclusive urban development, with gender equality at the core of its efforts. At CSW69, it will engage with global leaders, civil society, and policymakers to spotlight gender-specific urban challenges. 

As part of its participation, Cities Alliance is organizing a session on gender-responsive infrastructure and contributing to several panel discussions with partner institutions. These sessions will highlight the challenges women face in cities while offering actionable recommendations and case studies to advance gender equality in local contexts.

Programme (NYC time / EDT).

Maria Fernanda Espinosa, President of Cities Alliance

Monday, 10 March

• 11:30 - 12:45 30 Years of women's political participation. Towards full parity: Organised by the Republic of Slovenia Permanent Mission to the UN and Club de Madrid, this side event will reflect on 30 years of progress and explore strategies to advance women’s political participation globally, driving momentum for inclusive governance and the Beijing Declaration’s vision. Learn more.
• 17:00 - 18:30 Women in multilateralism 2025 report presentation: GWL Voices will present the 2025 Women in Multilateralism Report, focusing on women’s leadership in global health and trends among female UN Permanent Representatives. Experts will discuss key findings and governance reforms. Register.

Tuesday, 11 March

• 08:30 - 10:00 Women in politics: Challenges to gender parity in subnational governments in Latin America: This dialogue organized by GLW Voices, UCLG and others, will address the underrepresentation of women in local politics, explore barriers they face, and discuss strategies to increase their participation in decision-making. Invitation only. 
• 15:00 - 16:30 Mujeres con la voz bien alta (Women speaking loud and clear): Hosted by the Government of Spain, this event tackles the global conservative wave and efforts to silence feminist voices through disinformation and violence, reaffirming Spain’s commitment to free expression. Register.

Wednesday, 12 March

• 10:00 - 12:00 How can the leadership of women and girls help save our cities and planet?: Sponsored by the Permanent Mission of Nigeria and key partners, this session will examine how women and girls in cities drive climate action, with insights from WUF12, SDG 5 localization, and feminist urban movements. Register.
• 16:00 -18:15 Addressing 21st century challenges to gender equality: Beijing+30:  Hosted by Columbia/SIPA, GLW Voices and others, this event will highlight the Beijing Conference’s transformative impact, feature young activists and share lessons from world leaders on advancing gender equality. Register.

Tuesday, 18 March

• 13:15 - 14:30 Women Rise for All - Turning hope into action: Hosted by UN initiative Women Rise for All, this event will showcase the impact of women’s leadership, promote intergenerational collaboration, and drive commitments to uphold the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Register.
   

Giulia Maci, Senior Urban Specialist, Programme Manager Euro-Mediterranean region, Cities Alliance

Wednesday, 12 March

• 16:00 - 17:30 Bridging generations: Feminist municipalism for present and future leaders: Organised by UCLG, this session explores how intergenerational dialogue sustains feminist movements by reshaping governance, advancing local feminist policies, and empowering youth to challenge patriarchal structures.

Thursday, 13 March

• 08:30 - 10:00 Financial literacy and promotion of better social inclusion for women and youth: Organised by Global Thinking Foundation, this event will explore how financial and digital health systems drive economic empowerment and social inclusion, creating ecosystems where women and youth can thrive. Register / Livestream.
• 11:00 - 12:30 Gender-responsive infrastructure for women's safety and inclusive climate resilience: Co-hosted by UNOPS and Cities Alliance, This discussion will focus on how gender-responsive infrastructure enhances climate resilience, improves women’s safety, and fosters inclusive urban development. Learn More / Register.