Information session.

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The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women.

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During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss the most pressing issues globally.

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70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

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The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 09 to 20 March 2026.

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The main focus of the 70th session will be on the on two themes:

70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

• 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
• 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.

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IFMSA participation

IFMSA, as the representative organization for medical students globally, has the opportunity to attend this event with a delegation.

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Reasons behind our attendance:

• Representing the voice of 1.5 medical students worldwide.
• Contributing to meaningful youth engagement and representation
• Meeting our partners and set further plans for collaboration.
• Meeting new potential partners and networking.

IFMSA delegation - tasks

ROLE OF THE IFMSA DELEGATION AT THE CSW

IFMSA delegation - before the meeting

• Participating in designing the Advocacy Plan.
• Assisting the LRA in planning the logistics (e.g. accommodation)
• Participating in the creation of the PRC Plan.
• Conducting some sessions in the pre-delegation training.
• Assisting the LRA with organizing/participating in side and parallel events, writing statements, etc.
• Reaching out to your member states representatives.
• Assisting in the drafting of the Sponsorship Prospectus
• Attending delegation online meetings

IFMSA delegation - during the meeting

• Participating in the plenary sessions (main agenda)
• Attending the different side and parallel events.
• Engaging in daily reflection meetings with the IFMSA delegation.
• Executing the PRC plan
• Networking with member states representatives and different organizations
• Conducting the representation watch.
• Organizing the Social Program for the delegation.

IFMSA delegation - after the meeting

• Contributing to drafting the report
• Writing a blog post or any publication as an outcome
• Participating in the final delegation meetings
• Review and renew the Survival Kit
• Use the experience to apply it on a personal level, for your LC, your NMO and/or to continue contributing and participating in the IFMSA.

Experience of previous delegates.

Carolyn (she/her)

IFMSA-Peru

Martin (he/him)

IFMSA-Egypt

Carolyn and Martin

What motivated you to apply as IFMSA Delegate to the CSW?

Martin

What role do you think the CSW plays in advancing gender equity on a global scale? And what do you think is the role of IFMSA in this?

Carolyn

How did you balance IFMSA responsibilities with the fast pace of CSW sessions and meetings?

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Martin

How did you approach networking with your member state’s delegation and other youth groups?

Carolyn

What do you wish you had prepared before arriving in New York that would have made your experience smoother?

Martin

What were the main skills or knowledge areas that helped you the most during CSW68?

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Carolyn

How did CSW69 influence your advocacy journey or your future work in gender equality?

Carolyn and Martin

Can you share an example of a moment where you felt the IFMSA delegation made a meaningful contribution?

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Martin

What advice would you give to someone attending CSW for the first time to make the experience impactful and not overwhelming?

Martin and Carolyn

How did you manage the intensity of the two weeks (delegation burnout and/or information overload?

Application process

DEADLINE: 9th of December at 23:59h GMT.

To apply to be part of the event, you must:

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• Be a health sciences student or have graduated no more than 6 months before the start of the event (documentation will be requested to verify this).
• Complete the Credential Form (signed and stamped by your NMO President).
• Fill out the application form with your candidacy: motivation, relevant experience related to the topic, experience in external affairs and advocacy, contribution to the delegation and the event, and follow-up.

Common mistakes

• Make sure to adhere to the maximum number of characters/words for each section of the application.

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• Fill out the Credential Form correctly. The name of the event is “The 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women”.

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• If you are NMO Presidents, the Credential Form must be signed by an EB member of your NMO or another representative from the same.

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• Make sure to submit everything before the deadline; applications received after the deadline will NOT be considered under any circumstances.

Team Building and Social Program

RESOURCES

IFMSA Manual “How to write an application”

Survival Kit “External Meeting at the NY UN Headquarters.”