Building Belonging: A Youth Delegate’s Reflection from CSW70

At the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), I was reminded that gender equality is not just a policy goal, it is a lived reality shaped by who is included in the conversation, and who is not.

As a youth delegate with the United Nations Association of the USA, I had the privilege of engaging with global leaders, civil society organizations, and fellow advocates working to advance the rights of women and girls. Yet, one of the most impactful moments was hearing Malala Yousafzai speak about the ongoing crisis facing Afghan women and girls.

Her words were not just powerful, they were urgent. In a world where millions of Afghan girls are denied access to education, their futures are being systematically erased. It was a stark reminder that while progress is being made globally, there are still communities where basic rights remain out of reach.

Through my work with Minds Without Borders, I have seen how mental health, gender equity, and access to care are deeply interconnected. At CSW70, these intersections became even more evident. One message was clear: we cannot achieve gender equality without centering the voices of marginalized youth.

Youth are not just future leaders, we are current changemakers. But meaningful inclusion requires more than symbolic representation; it demands co-creation, investment, and trust.

CSW70 reinforced my commitment to building systems that do not just serve young people, but are shaped by them, because true progress begins when everyone belongs.