Reflection on the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 70 By The Rev. Annalise Pasalo
[March 26, 2026] This month, I participated in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This two week session at UN headquarters in New York focuses on Sustainable Development Goal #5, gender equality. It is my 8th time participating in CSW, my fourth in-person. I attended my first CSW session in 2018 as a delegate on the Presiding Bishop's Delegation. In the years following, I participated as part of the leadership team for the Presiding Bishop's Delegation. The Episcopal Church is no longer sending an official delegation, so this year I attended as the provincial link representing The Episcopal Church with the International Anglican Women’s Network. I was partially funded by a continuing education grant from the Commission on Ministry and want to thank them for their support.
While I was in New York, I celebrated the Opening Eucharist at The Episcopal Church Center where I heard Mandy Marshall, the Gender Justice officer for the ACT Alliance, preach an excellent sermon about the need to speak truth to power, citing the example of David’s violence against Bathsheba and his redemption after intentional reconciliation. I also worshiped with sisters and brothers from different denominations at daily morning prayer hosted by Ecumenical Women at the Church Center of the UN.
I worked with Lynnaia Main, The Episcopal Church’s permanent Representative to the UN. She advocates for the issues based on the resolutions that are passed at General Convention. She makes every effort to include Episcopalians in the work of the UN and offers language to help take learnings and issues back to the local church context. The physical presence of representatives at UN sessions signals to the world that the Episcopal Church values the opportunity to advocate at a global level and is unafraid to stand up for justice as Jesus calls us to do.
Now, more than ever, we must be vocal about our belief in gender equality and inclusivity because there is significant pushback toward women's rights, especially in the United States. Data shows that, globally, women only have 64% of the rights of men. The Episcopal Church does not have an official stance on gender equality from General Convention. It is my intention to put forward a resolution in support of gender equity at the next General Convention. I look forward to inviting others (both women and men) to join me in this work because, in the words of the President of the UN General Assembly, “The struggle for women’s rights is the struggle for justice itself.” (Contributed photos)
Related article from The Episcopal News Service: Episcopal delegates, leaders reflect on 70th UN Commission on the Status of Women By Shireen Korkzan
Photo: Screenshot from ESC article
[March 24, 2026] Women from The Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion who participated in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, CSW70, gathered virtually March 23 to reflect on what they’ve learned and how they can localize those lessons in their communities.
The event, which took place March 9-19 both in person at U.N. headquarters in New York and online, is its largest gathering on gender equality and women’s rights. The priority theme for this year’s event was “ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.”
Since The Episcopal Church received U.N. Economic and Social Council consultative status in 2014, it has been able to bring delegates to U.N. meetings to represent and advocate on behalf of the church.
