DPSMUN
2025
Background Guide
UNCSW
Letter from the
Executive Board
It is with great enthusiasm that we welcome each one of you as
participating delegates in the upcoming DPSMUN 2025. As the
Executive Board of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status
of Women we are honored to have you as representatives in what
promises to be a dynamic and impactful conference.
The UNCSW committee plays a pivotal role in addressing pressing
global challenges related to gender equality and women’s em-
powerment. Your involvement is instrumental in fostering con-
structive dialogue and proposing innovative solutions to these
critical issues. Remember that the success of the committee
hinges on the collective dedication and cooperation of each par-
ticipant.
To aid you in your preparations, we have provided a comprehen-
sive study guide that outlines the key topics and background in-
formation. We urge you to review this guide thoroughly and use
it as a valuable resource to enhance your understanding of the
committee’s mandate. Please expand your research beyond the
specified highlighted areas and employ logical deduction to ex-
plore aspects related to the mentioned issues. Treat this back-
ground guide as an introductory reference only, refrain from citing
it as a source for statistical data or evidence.
Use the provided information as a starting point and extend your
investigation to associated areas for a comprehensive under-
standing. Our committee chairs and secretariat are here to sup-
port you throughout the conference. If you have any questions,
concerns, or if there’s anything you’d like to discuss, please do
not hesitate to reach out.
We look forward to fruitful discussions, collaborative prob-
lem-solving, and the formulation of impactful resolutions that
address the challenges facing women and girls globally. Together,
let us strive for progress and positive change.
Best regards,
Huda Shabir Syed Afaan
(Chairperson) (Vice-Chairperson)
Mandate
The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal
global body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the
empowerment of women. Established by the United Nations Eco-
nomic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946, the CSW’s mandate
is to prepare recommendations and reports on issues related to
gender equality and the advancement of women’s rights.
It is tasked with monitoring progress, highlighting challenges, and
shaping global policy through its resolutions, which provide a blue-
print for states and international organizations to improve the sta-
tus of women. The CSW also functions as a platform for member
states and civil society to exchange ideas and propose solutions
to pressing gender issues. Over time, it has expanded its focus to
include a broad range of topics, including gender-based violence,
women’s participation in peace processes, economic empower-
ment, health and education, and women’s rights in conflict set-
tings.
Introduction
Gender inequality remains a pervasive issue worldwide, affecting
women and girls in nearly every country, culture, and society. From
economic disparity to political underrepresentation, gender-based
violence, and restricted access to education and healthcare, the
systemic discrimination faced by women and girls continues to un-
dermine their basic rights and opportunities. Despite decades of
progress, global gender equality is still far from being realized, with
women often facing social, legal, and cultural barriers that limit
their full participation in society.
At the heart of this inequality lies systemic discrimination, which
is deeply embedded in both institutional structures and cultural
practices. This form of discrimination manifests in unequal wag-
es, limited access to leadership roles, gender-based violence, and
policies that marginalize women, particularly those in vulnerable or
marginalized communities.
Moreover, global crises such as conflict, climate change, and eco-
nomic instability often exacerbate gender inequalities, leaving
women and girls disproportionately affected.
Efforts to promote gender equality have seen significant strides
through international frameworks like the Beijing Declaration, the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and UN Women’s initiatives.
However, the full realization of gender equality requires not only
legal reforms but a profound shift in cultural attitudes, economic
structures, and political systems. Achieving global gender equality
involves dismantling discriminatory practices, ensuring equal ac-
cess to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and
combating the deeply ingrained stereotypes that perpetuate gen-
der-based oppression.
The UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) has played a
crucial role in advocating for women’s rights, but the fight against
systemic discrimination requires renewed global cooperation. This
session will explore ways to address and eliminate systemic gender
discrimination through comprehensive policies, stronger enforce-
ment of international agreements, and a collective commitment to
empowering women across the world.
History
The establishment of the United Nations (UN) in 1945 was a sig-
nificant turning point for the global recognition of human rights
and gender equality. In the aftermath of World War II, there was a
heightened global awareness of the need to protect human rights
and promote social justice. As part of this commitment, the United
Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was created in
1946 by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
The CSW’s mandate was to promote gender equality, review the
progress of women’s rights, and make recommendations to mem-
ber states. It played a crucial role in addressing key issues such as
legal equality, access to education, and women’s economic em-
powerment. Through its work, the CSW has been instrumental in
shaping the international agenda on gender equality and women’s
[Link] Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimina-
tion Against Women (CEDAW) - 1979
Adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1979, the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
is often described as the international bill of rights for women. It
is a comprehensive legal framework aimed at eliminating gender
discrimination in all aspects of public and private life. CEDAW man-
dates that member states take all appropriate measures to end
discrimination against women in areas such as political participa-
tion, employment, education, and healthcare.
The treaty also calls for measures to combat harmful practic-
es such as child marriage, female genital mutilation, and gen-
der-based violence. CEDAW’s implementation has been pivotal in
establishing international standards for women’s rights, though
challenges remain in ensuring its full enforcement globally. The
CEDAW Committee monitors the progress of member states in
complying with the treaty’s provisions, regularly reviewing country
reports and making recommendations.
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action - 1995
The Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995
produced the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a land-
mark document in the global struggle for gender equality. The
Platform for Action set out 12 critical areas of concern, ranging
from violence against women to the economic empowerment of
women, education, health, and political participation. It called for
a global commitment to eliminate barriers to gender equality and
emphasized the need for systemic change at both national and
international levels. The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
remains a cornerstone in global women’s rights policy, as it advo-
cates for gender-responsive budgeting, policies for women’s ac-
cess to resources, and recognition of women’s unpaid labor. The
document also highlighted the importance of intersectionality,
acknowledging that women face multiple forms of discrimination
based on race, class, ethnicity, and disability.
UN Security Council Resolution 1325 - 2000
In 2000, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on
Women, Peace, and Security, which recognized the critical role
that women play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. This
resolution was groundbreaking in its acknowledgment that con-
flict disproportionately affects women and girls, particularly
through sexual violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods.
It called for the inclusion of women in all peace and securi-
ty efforts, including peace negotiations, conflict prevention, and
post-conflict reconstruction. The resolution also emphasized the
need for gender-sensitive approaches to peacebuilding and the
protection of women in conflict zones. Since its adoption, Resolu-
tion 1325 has catalyzed a series of follow-up resolutions that have
furthered the inclusion of gender perspectives in UN peace and
security initiatives, and it has been used as a basis for advancing
women’s participation in peace processes globally.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and SDG 5 - 2015
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the Sustain-
able Development Goals (SDGs) represent a global blueprint for
addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the world,
including poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace. Among
these, Goal 5 stands out for its focus on achieving gender equal-
ity and empowering all women and girls. SDG 5 calls for the elim-
ination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women
and girls, ensuring equal participation in leadership, and securing
access to sexual and reproductive health services. The SDGs are
unique in that they have an integrated approach to development,
with gender equality being seen as a crucial component of prog-
ress across all areas. This agenda underscores the importance of
eliminating the structural barriers that prevent women and girls
from reaching their full potential, ensuring that gender equality is
a key driver of global development.
Current Scenario
Despite notable progress in gender equality, women and girls
continue to face systemic discrimination globally. In both devel-
oped and developing nations, barriers in education, employment,
and political representation persist. Gender-based violence, in-
cluding domestic violence and human trafficking, remains a
widespread issue, exacerbated by crises such as conflict and
displacement. In conflict zones like Syria, Ukraine, and Yemen,
women face sexual violence, forced displacement, and lack of
access to basic needs, with their voices often excluded from
peace processes and post-conflict reconstruction.
The economic consequences of global crises, such as the
COVID-19 pandemic, have disproportionately affected women,
deepening existing gender inequalities. Women are often left with
increased caregiving responsibilities and higher job losses. Ad-
ditionally, women continue to face the pink tax, where products
marketed to women—such as toiletries, clothing, and personal
care items—are often priced higher than similar products for men,
exacerbating economic inequalities. This pricing disparity, com-
bined with ongoing wage gaps, further perpetuates the financial
disadvantage women experience.
International frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs) and the Beijing Platform for Action set ambitious targets
for gender equality, but their full implementation remains a chal-
lenge. The rising global movements, such as #MeToo and advo-
cacy for UN Security Council Resolution 1325, reflect a push for
stronger protections and increased women’s participation in
peace and security processes. While much work remains, these
efforts mark significant progress toward eliminating systemic
gender discrimination and achieving global gender equality.
Statistics
- Female extreme poverty is about 10% globally since ~2020; if
current trends continue, 351 million women and girls could still be
living in extreme poverty by 2030.
- Maternal mortality has dropped nearly 39% since 2000 globally.
Girls outnumber boys in many places for school enrolment, yet
gaps persist in Africa and Asia.
- Women and girls spend 2.5 times more hours than men on
unpaid domestic and care work. In Northern Africa and West-
ern Asia, the gap is even more extreme — women spend over 4x
more.
- Women hold just 27.2% of parliamentary seats globally. Local
government representation is about 35.5%.
- In management positions globally, women occupy ~30% of roles.
At the current rate, achieving parity in managerial positions is
nearly a century away.
- GBV (Gender-Based violence) remains pervasive: more than 1
in 8 women aged 15-49 experienced physical or sexual violence
from an intimate partner in the past year.
- Child marriage: nearly 1 in 5 young women married before 18
years globally.
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): ~4 million girls each year under-
go FGM; over half are cut before age 5.
- Digital gender gap: in 2024, ~ 70% of men used the internet vs
65% of women. Closing this gap could benefit ~343 million women
and girls by 2050; lift 30 million from poverty; add ~$1.5 trillion to
global GDP by 2030.
- Conflict exposure: in 2024, 676 million women and girls lived
within 50 km of deadly conflict—highest since the 1990s.
- Decision-making power: only ~ 56.3% of women (aged 15-49,
married or in union) in 78 countries report full decision-making
- Decision-making power: only ~ 56.3% of women (aged 15-49,
married or in union) in 78 countries report full decision-making
power over their sexual & reproductive health and rights.
- Violence: 1 in 3 women worldwide has experienced physical or
sexual violence.
- Child Marriage: 12 million girls are married before 18 each year.
Proposed
Solutions
- Strengthen International Legal Frameworks
Enforce international agreements like CEDAW and the Beijing Dec-
laration. Create accountability mechanisms for gender equality
commitments. Develop universal legal protections against sys-
temic gender-based discrimination.
- Education and Awareness Campaigns
Implement gender equality education in school curricula.
Fund public awareness campaigns to challenge harmful gender
stereotypes. Improve women’s representation in media.
- Economic Empowerment
Close the gender pay gap with equal pay policies.
Support female entrepreneurship with access to loans and men-
torship. Promote policies for female labor force participation, like
paid family leave.
- End Gender-Based Violence
Strengthen laws to combat violence against women.
Provide survivor support services like shelters, legal aid, and
counseling. Launch public education campaigns about consent
and healthy relationships.
- Political Participation and Leadership
Implement quotas or affirmative action to increase women in
politics. Create mentorship programs for women aspiring to lead-
ership roles. Ensure women’s inclusion in peacebuilding and
post-conflict decision-making.
- Access to Healthcare and Reproductive Rights
Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health
services. Provide comprehensive healthcare, especially in under-
served areas. Address the health impacts of gender inequality,
such as mental health effects from violence and discrimination.
- Address Intersectionality
Develop policies that consider the intersection of gender, race,
class, and other factors. Implement gender-responsive budgeting
to support gender equality initiatives.
- Global Cooperation and Solidarity
Strengthen global partnerships (e.g., UN Women’s HeForShe) to
promote gender equality. Collaborate with civil society organiza-
tions to design inclusive policies. Prioritize women’s needs in in-
ternational aid and peacekeeping efforts.
Important
Terms
1. Systemic Discrimination
The deep-rooted, institutionalized discrimination within societal
systems (e.g., legal, political, economic) that unfairly disadvantag-
es certain groups, particularly women, across various domains.
2. Gender Equality
The state where all genders have equal rights, responsibilities,
and opportunities, ensuring fair treatment in political, economic,
and social spheres.
3. CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimi-
nation Against Women)
An international treaty adopted by the UN to promote gender
equality by eliminating discrimination against women in all areas,
from education to employment and health.
4. Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
Violence directed at an individual based on their gender, including
physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, with women and girls
being disproportionately affected.
5. Intersectionality
A framework for understanding how different social identities
(gender, race, class, etc.) overlap to create unique forms of dis-
crimination, particularly for marginalized women.
6. Empowerment
The process by which women and marginalized groups gain
the power, agency, and resources to make decisions and im-
prove their own lives, including in economic, political, and social
spheres.
7. Gender Pay Gap
The difference in earnings between men and women, often at-
tributed to systemic discrimination, occupational segregation,
and unequal access to leadership roles.
8. Feminism
A movement advocating for the equal rights of all genders, focus-
ing on eliminating gender-based inequality and systemic barriers
faced by women.
9. Glass Ceiling
The invisible barrier that prevents women from advancing to high-
er leadership or decision-making roles, despite having the qualifi-
cations and capabilities to do so.
10. Reproductive Rights
The right of individuals to make decisions regarding their repro-
ductive health, including access to contraception, family planning,
and abortion services.
11. Sexual Harassment
Unwanted, inappropriate, or coercive behavior of a sexual nature,
typically occurring in the workplace or educational settings, cre-
ating a hostile environment for the victim.
12. Affirmative Action
Policies designed to address historical inequalities by providing
preferential treatment or quotas for women and other marginal-
ized groups to ensure equal opportunities.
13. Violence Against Women (VAW)
A broad term that includes any act of violence directed at wom-
en, such as domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking,
which reflects systemic gender inequality.
14. Institutionalized Discrimination
Discrimination that is built into the structures of social institutions,
such as education, healthcare, or the workforce, leading to wide-
spread inequalities that disproportionately affect women.
15. Patriarchy
A societal system in which men hold primary power, dominating
roles in political leadership, social privilege, and control over re-
sources, often reinforcing gender inequalities.
Moderated Caucus
Topics
1. Should affirmative quotas for women in parliaments / local gov-
ernments be mandatory vs. voluntary?
2. Is gender equality best advanced via universal legal standards,
or culturally modified / locally contextualized norms?
3. Role of male engagement: Should policies require men/boys’
participation in gender equality programs?
4. Strategies for Closing the Gender Pay Gap and Achieving Equal
Pay for Equal Work.
[Link] and Combating Gender-Based Violence in Conflict
Zones and Post-Conflict Recovery.
[Link] Women’s Economic Empowerment through Work-
force Inclusion and Leadership Opportunities.
[Link] Role of Education in Advancing Gender Equality and Empow-
ering Women and Girls.
[Link] Legal Frameworks and Policies to Combat Sys-
temic Gender Discrimination Globally.
[Link] sector accountability: Should multinational companies
be obliged under international law to enforce gender equality
standards in their operations abroad?
[Link] reproductive rights (including abortion / contracep-
tion) be considered non-negotiable human rights in all member
states?
Research Links
(meant for light reading and as highlighted sources of proof)
UN Women-Gender Equality
[Link]
World Economic Forum – Global Gender Gap Report
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
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[Link]
[Link]
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Contact
Information
Phone Numbers:
Organising Committee
Secretary General:
Hadi Imtiyaz
+91 91497 68837
Headboy:
Shehjaar Shafi
+91 60056 42247
Secretary of Delegate Affairs:
Manahel Khan
+91 94190 44424
Head of Communications:
Minha Wani
+91 70064 64790
Email Address
mun@[Link]
DPSMUN 2025