Civil Rights Defenders part of Sweden’s official delegation to the CSW

This year, for the first time, Civil Rights Defenders is part of Sweden’s official delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). CSW is the annual international summit for women’s rights, where UN member states meet at their headquarters in New York to set global goals and draw up concrete actions to promote gender equality worldwide.

Civil Rights Defenders’ Chair of the Board, Hanna Gerdes, participates in Sweden’s official delegation to CSW and travels together with Gabrielle Gunneberg, Global Department Director at Civil Rights Defenders.

“The human rights norms that have been the most central defence of democracy since World War II are currently facing more synchronized, systematic, and strategically thought out attacks than ever before. When the rights of women and LGBTQI individuals are attacked, threatened, and questioned, it is not only these individuals who are at risk—but the entire democratic system. The global anti-gender movement is part of a larger push for more autocracy, more repression, and less freedom” says Hanna Gerdes, Chair of Civil Rights Defenders.

CSW—Commission on the Status of Women—is the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Its annual meeting takes place in March, and representatives of governments, organisations, academia, and women’s rights organisations gather in the UN building in New York. The conference, which takes place 10-21 March 2025, focuses this year on the Beijing Platform for Action‘s 30th anniversary and how the UN member states live up to their commitments.

“Thirty years after the Beijing Platform, the struggle for democracy, human rights, and gender equality is more interconnected than ever. We appreciate that the Swedish government recognises this correlation and has invited us to join the delegation this year”, says Hanna Gerdes.

Gender Equality and Democratic Backsliding
As a human rights organisation, we are deeply concerned about the escalating assaults on gender equality and human rights worldwide. These attacks not only threaten individual freedoms but also serve as alarming indicators of democratic backsliding, potentially paving the way for autocratic regimes.

Some examples of the challenges we see globally:

• Decline in women’s and LGBTI+ rights: When these rights are declining, it is a sign that democracy is at risk and that countries are moving towards more authoritarian rule.
• Attacks on gender equality: When gender equality policies are dismantled, a broader disruption of democratic rights often follows.
• The growing anti-gender movement: All over the world, movements that work against gender equality and women’s rights are growing – often in collaboration with authoritarian forces.
• Women human rights defenders at risk: Women human rights defenders face gender-specific threats. Projects such as our Natalia Project or Emergency Fund provide essential protection and support.
• 30 Years On: Upholding the Beijing Platform for Action: Despite progress, women’s rights are under attack. The world must stand up for women human rights defenders and defend the promise of a just and equal future.

The international community must do more to protect gender equality, democracy and human rights.

1. Gender equality must be prioritised as a cornerstone of democracy
   • Recognise attacks on gender work and gender equality as warning signs of democratic backsliding and act against governments that restrict the rights of women and LGBTI+ people.
   • Ensure that gender equality remains a fundamental principle in all democratic institutions, policies and international agreements.
2. Condemn and counter the global anti-gender movement
   • Put pressure on governments that actively undermine gender equality through political and economic measures.
   • Strengthen diplomatic efforts to counter transnational anti-gender alliances.
3. Increase protection and funding for women human rights defenders
   • Support women human rights defenders legally, financially and politically – they are essential to defend democracy and human rights.
   • Expand opportunities for emergency protection, such as relocation in case of threats, legal assistance and psychosocial support.
4. Protecting the digital rights of women human rights defenders
   • Make sure they have access to secure digital tools like encryption, VPN, and training to avoid surveillance and censorship.
   • Take action against governments and corporations that use technology to silence or monitor activists.
5. Renew and strengthen the Beijing Platform for Action
   • 30 years after the adoption of the Platform, world leaders must reaffirm their pledges to defend gender equality and mainstream its principles into policy.
6. Hold perpetrators of gender-based violence accountable
   • Use laws, sanctions and diplomatic pressure to punish those who commit violence or oppress women and LGBTI+ people.
7. Support feminist movements and civil society in the fight against autocracy
   • Support and provide resources for feminist movements and civil society in the fight for human rights and democracy.