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Episcopal Church invites churchwide participation in 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women

March 3, 2025
Office of Public Affairs

The Episcopal Church and Anglican partners will advocate for global issues that impact women and girls in all their diversity at the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) in New York City, March 10-21.

This year’s session marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark blueprint for advancing women’s rights—with a review and appraisal of its implementation. In celebration of this milestone, the Rev. Margaret Rose, ecumenical and interreligious deputy to the presiding bishop, will gather and share stories of gender justice from the past 30 years.

A presiding bishop’s delegation of six will represent The Episcopal Church in person and virtually at the conference. All are invited to follow the delegation’s work online and to register for events that include the following:

  • March 3, 4–5:30 pm. ET (virtual):Beijing+30: Celebrating the Blessing.” Episcopal leaders share their stories of Beijing’s impact within The Episcopal Church over the past 30 years. Participants are invited to bring their own stories of celebration and learn more about how to participate at CSW69.
  • March 10, 12:10-1 p.m. ET (hybrid): “CSW69 Opening Eucharist” for all participants, hosted by the presiding bishop’s delegation.
  • March 21, 12:10-1 p.m. ET (hybrid): “CSW69 Closing Eucharist” for all participants, hosted by the presiding bishop’s delegation.
  • TBD (virtual):Beyond Beijing+30: Realizing the Dream.” A report back on CSW69 and brainstorming session for future plans for interested Episcopalians.

Members of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe’s delegation include Julia Ayala Harris, president of the House of Deputies; the Rev. Margaret Rose, ecumenical and interreligious deputy to the presiding bishop; Rebecca Linder Blachly, chief of public policy and witness, Office of Government Relations; Troy Collazo, policy advisor, Office of Government Relations; Nicole Hosein, director of gender initiatives, Episcopal Relief & Development; and Lynnaia Main, Episcopal Church representative to the United Nations.   

The delegates will observe official UNCSW meetings in person and online and advocate for priorities outlined in a written statement submitted to U.N. Women in October by then-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry as part of the formal consultative process for nongovernmental organizations. Episcopal Church priorities are as follows:

  • Prioritize resources and programs for marginalized women and girls.
  • Increase access to resources, public services, social protections, and infrastructure.
  • Increase access to economic and political power and decision-making.
  • Eradicate violence against women and girls and all forms of gender-based violence.
  • Address climate change and environmental concerns.

Those interested can follow CSW69 and share thoughts on all social media platforms using the hashtags #CSW69, #GenerationEquality, #EpiscopalUN, #EpiscopalCSW, and #EpiscopalAdvocacy.

All are also invited to join the presiding bishop’s delegation and wider interfaith community in daily praying the Beijing Noonday Prayer. Co-written by Episcopalians and other faith partners, this tradition began during the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995.


Questions? Email EpiscopalUN@episcopalchurch.org.