MoS for Women & Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur to Participate in the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations in New York

**Executive Summary** The Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, will represent India at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) in New York from March 9 to 12, 2026. During this session, India will highlight women-led development, access to justice, and global South cooperation. The Minister will deliver India's national intervention and address a high-level meeting on violence against women and girls. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Participation in CSW-70:** * The Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur, will attend the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW-70) in New York from March 9 to 12, 2026. * CSW is the primary global intergovernmental body focused on gender equality and women's empowerment. * **India's Focus Areas:** * India will highlight its initiatives on women-led development. * Emphasis will be placed on strengthening access to justice and ensuring the safety, dignity, and empowerment of women and girls. * **Key Engagements:** * The Minister will deliver India's national intervention during the Commission's General Discussion. * She will address the High-Level Meeting on "Violence against Women and Girls." * India will participate in a side event titled "Women-Led Development and South-South Cooperation - Success Stories from the IBSA Fund," showcasing development cooperation initiatives under the IBSA Fund. * **CSW-70 Themes:** * **Priority Theme:** Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws and practices, and addressing structural barriers. * **Review Theme:** Examining women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, and eliminating violence against women and girls, in line with the 65th session's agreed conclusions. * **Outcomes of the Session:** * The Commission will negotiate agreed conclusions, which are the principal outcome and guide global policy on gender equality and women's empowerment. **Impact Analysis** **Ministry of Women and Child Development** * **Impact:** The Ministry will showcase India's commitment to gender equality and women's empowerment on a global platform. Its initiatives will be highlighted, contributing to India's international standing in this domain. * **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned. **Smt. Savitri Thakur (Minister of State)** * **Impact:** As the representative of India, she will be directly involved in high-level discussions, deliver key statements, and engage in negotiations. This will position her as a prominent voice for India on gender equality issues. * **Action Required:** To deliver India's national intervention, address the High-Level Meeting, and participate in the side event. **Women and Girls Worldwide** * **Impact:** The discussions and agreed conclusions from CSW-70 will influence global policies aimed at advancing gender equality, promoting women-led development, and empowering women and girls. * **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned, as they are the beneficiaries of the outcomes. **Global South Countries (particularly those involved in IBSA Fund)** * **Impact:** These countries will benefit from the showcase of successful women-led development and South-South cooperation initiatives, potentially fostering further collaboration and knowledge sharing. * **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned, beyond participation in the showcased initiatives.

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