The 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women met at the UN from 1-12 March. The UK, along with other member states and representatives of non-governmental organisations and UN bodies, participated actively in the meeting, including at ministerial level.
The Commission reviewed progress in implementing the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the internationally agreed agenda for women's empowerment and gender equality, and identified the remaining obstacles and challenges to the full realisation of all human rights by women. The Commission adopted a political declaration in which member states pledged to work harder to ensure the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration. In addition, the Commission also adopted a number of resolutions on issues including HIV/AIDS; female genital mutilation; women's economic empowerment; and maternal mortality and morbidity. It also agreed a text supporting the establishment of a new UN body devoted to gender equality and women's rights through the consolidation of four existing UN offices which work on gender issues.
The UK remains committed to working with all other UN member states including through the Commission on the Status of Women to achieve gender equality and equal rights for women.