From Grassroots to Global: Justice for Women & Girls at CSW70

I had the honor of attending the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York as a delegate with the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) and serving as Co-Chair of the UNA-USA Women’s Affinity Group.

This year’s theme—strengthening access to justice for all women and girls—was both timely and urgent. From the opening sessions to the final conversations, one message remained clear: justice is not only about legal systems—it is about whether women and girls can safely exist, seek support, and be heard within those systems. My academic work at Claremont Graduate University’s School of Community & Global Health, combined with my professional role in Community Translational Research and my fellowship with BreastfeedLA, continues to reinforce how local leadership and global policy must work hand in hand.

“Justice is not automatic—it must be intentional. Justice is not just about policies; it is about systems that truly work for women, especially those most vulnerable.”

A Powerful Moment: Civil Society Briefing

One particularly powerful moment was participating in the Civil Society Briefing on Women and Girls, where global advocates came together to elevate priorities, share realities, and push forward collective accountability. I am especially proud to have joined our Legacy Co-Chair, H.E. Lady Tee Thompson, MBA, in delivering a powerful statement at CSW70. That moment was not only inspiring—it reaffirmed my commitment to help lead the UNA Women mission to the next level.

From Grassroots to Global Action

As part of CSW70, the UNA-USA Women’s Affinity Group hosted a parallel event, “From Grassroots to Global Action,” where I had the opportunity to moderate and engage in critical dialogue alongside incredible leaders, including Megan Lundstrom, Teena Halbig, and Cecile Mazzacurati. These conversations reinforced the importance of connecting community-driven solutions to global policy frameworks. This discussion explored how legislative innovation, civil society leadership, and international collaboration can drive global action to address technology-facilitated gender-based violence, including the growing crisis of sextortion.

Key Sessions & Engagements
Inside UN Headquarters:
• High-Level Opening Session of CSW70
• Civil Society Briefing on Women and Girls’ Access to Justice
• Member States Dialogue on Gender-Based Violence & Legal Reform
• Interactive Dialogue on Strengthening Justice Systems
• UN Women session on inclusive legal frameworks

Beyond the UN:
• Parallel Event: From Grassroots to Global Action (Moderator)
CSW70 Blog — Dr. MaryAnn Ngozi Obidike | Page 5
• Women Embassy Dialogue on Diplomacy, Dignity & Leadership
• NGO CSW70 Forum on digital safety & sextortion prevention
• Consultation at the Ford Foundation
• Networking with global women leaders

We continue to see progress, but also persistent gaps. Justice is not just about policies— it is about systems that truly work for women, especially those most vulnerable. And importantly, mental health must be recognized as a justice issue.

Mental Health Is a Justice Issue

A critical takeaway from CSW70 is that advancing justice requires more than policy commitments—it demands coordinated, systems-level action. Mental health, genderbased violence, and economic inequities are deeply interconnected, and addressing them requires integrated, cross-sector responses. Importantly, mental health is a justice issue. When women and girls cannot access mental health support, they cannot fully access justice.

We Leave CSW70 With
✨ Renewed Urgency — The time for action is now.
✨ Stronger Partnerships — Bridging grassroots advocacy with global policy.
⚡ Shared Responsibility — From conversation to implementation.

Get Involved Today: ✍️ Sign the DEFIANCE Act Petition: https://lnkd.in/eYYfcDrG
Join UNA-USA: https://unausa.org/join/

Grateful for the opportunity to stand in these spaces with H.E. Lady Tee Thompson, MBA, and to continue advancing the work of equity, dignity, and justice for women and girls globally. Special thanks to Farah Eck, Madison Peak, and Sabreen Hussain for all the national-level support for CSW70. Thank you to all UNA Women Affinity Group delegates who ensured that we were well represented on various platforms and our voices were heard. As we move forward, let us carry the spirit of CSW70 into every community, every institution, and every conversation. The work of justice is not confined to a single week in New York—it is a lifelong commitment to ensuring that every woman and girl, no matter where she is, has the dignity, support, and opportunity she deserves. Together, we are not just advocates; we are architects of a more just world.

#CSW70 #GenderJustice #WomenInLeadership #UnitedNations #UNAUSA #GlobalHealth
#PublicHealth #HumanRights #WomenAtTheTable #EndGBV