The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established as a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) by Council resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946 to prepare recommendations and reports to the Council on promoting women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. The Commission also makes recommendations to ECOSOC on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women's rights. In 2000, a comprehensive review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of the Platform for Action was undertaken by the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (Beijing +5) entitled "Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century." The Assembly adopted a Political Declaration and Further Actions and Initiatives to Implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (the Outcome Document). The Commission's current and future work, as determined by its multi-year programme of work is closely related to both the Platform for Action and the Outcome Document so as to ensure their effective implementation.

The 56th Session of CSW was held 27 February - 9 March 2012 in New York. The priority theme of 2012 year's commission was 'The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.' For a full report and summary of last year's events please click here. 

The theme of this year's CSW is "Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls" and the session will take place 4 - 15 March 2013 at United Nations headquarters in New York.