Maria’s CSW70 Blog Post

Being back at the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations Headquarters became even more meaningful as a UNA-USA Delegate and Global Goals Ambassador for Quality Education.

The opening of the 70th Session was filled with powerful and inspiring voices. Malala Yousafzai, Anne Hathaway, Sima Bahous, Annalena Baerbock, and Secretary-General António Guterres shared a common message: until women and girls everywhere enjoy equal rights and opportunities, the work for justice remains unfinished.

Throughout the conversations, sessions, and high-level meetings, I continued to reinforce my commitment to education as the foundational right that enables justice and access. One event, in particular, left a lasting impact: Knowledge is Power: Education as the First Step to Justice for Women and Girls.

In this session, Pia Britto, Director of Education at UNICEF, shared a message that has guided my work for over a decade: education is relationship-driven. Prioritizing relationships that shape belonging, agency, and ultimately justice should be at the core of every educational system. I closed this experience with meaningful conversations with Patrick Paul Walsh, Director of SDG Academy, and Nabila Aguele, Malala Fund Chief Executive, reflecting on the need to center educators in global efforts toward equity.

This global gathering is a reminder of the work ahead, and of the power of grassroots movements around the world. Being part of a community committed to moving the needle toward a safer and more just world like UNA-USA is truly something we should all strive for, and I look forward to continuing to serve and help grow this community. Let’s continue the heart work. 💙