Africa Disrupt CSW 70
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.
“When women have access to timely, effective, and affordable access to justice, they can manaofte their destinies, participate in the political, economic, and social life of their communities, live free from violence and discrimination, and, ultimately, contribute to the development of their communities.” Zainab Malik (2024)
The African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) in collaboration with the UN Women East and Southern African Office (ESARO) and members of the NGO CSW/Africa convened a series of African-wide consultations to collectively reflect on the theme of the seventieth session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). A total of seven convenings brought together over 1,000 girls, young women, and women’s rights activists, legal practitioners, feminists, FEMNET members, gender and social justice advocates and development practitioners from 577 CSOs and 210 youth organizations across 54 countries.
The Africa Disrupt CSW is part of the collective efforts of African women to strengthen the meaningful participation of women and girls from Africa in CSW. Launched in 2022, it was created to address challenges such as cumbersome accreditation and immigration procedures shaped by racist biases in visa processes, COVID-19 regulations and limited access to vaccinations, the high cost of accommodation and meals, restrictive travel requirements, both economic and otherwise, and pandemic-related changes that capped country delegations at a maximum of six members.
Since then, Africa Disrupt CSW has gained recognition as a key alternative space that allows for African women and girls to voice their demands and contribute to the outcomes of the CSW, even when they cannot make it to New York. The Africa Disrupt CSW model was highlighted by UNW as among the innovations for meaningful investment in a regional, in-person meeting for many activists, feminists and advocates who are unable to join the in-person
In 2022, FEMNET held the first Africa Disrupt CSW in Nairobi, Kenya, which convened over 100 women and girls from the 5 sub regions of Africa during the first week of CSW66. The main objective was to ensure that African women and girls were able to meaningfully participate and engage in the virtual CSW with minimal contextual interruptions. The discussions contributed to the The Nairobi Declaration.
In the spirit of inclusion and diversity, FEMNET hosted the second Africa Disrupt in Southern Africa, Lilongwe, Malawi. The convening brought together over 200 distinguished delegates (physically and virtually). The outcome of this convening was The Lilongwe Declaration which highlighted the reflections on the progress and the challenges on the technological gender divide; consolidated perspectives from localized contexts and co-developed a common agenda and voice on advancing gender transformative policies and practices that are centred on safety, well-being, inclusivity affordability and sustainability. During the same year, FEMNET and NGO CSW/Africa led the Rotate the venue of CSW campaign. FEMNET met with the Chair of the CSW Bureau and presented the Position Statement and requested her to endorse the rotate CSW venue calls by CSOs/ WROs. A resolution was circulated and endorsed by over 500+ feminists, activists, young people, civil society and movement leaders.
On 20th – 22nd of February 2024, FEMNET convened civil society organisations for the third Africa Disrupt CSW68 in Yaoundé, Cameroon under the theme: ‘Reclaiming the Dignity of Women and Girls in Africa’. The event, whose outcome was the Yaoundé Declaration, was a space for African women and girls to reflect and delve into discussions surrounding poverty, financing and institutions.
In recognition of Botswana’s role as the chair of the Bureau of the Specialized Technical Committee (STC) on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE), FEMNET convened the fourth Africa Disrupt in the country’s capital, Gaborone. Held on 25th-27th February 2025, under the theme “Beijing+30- Uniting in Solidarity, safeguarding our Gains, amplifying our Voices”, the gathering brought together over 60 African women and girls from member countries of the STC including Botswana, Tunisia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, The Gambia, and Uganda. A key outcome of the event was the Africa CSW69 was the Africa Women and Girls Recommendations for the Revitalization of CSW.
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