ACT Alliance welcomes the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), adopted on Monday 9th March 2026.

For the first time in the Commission’s history, the outcome document, which focused on the priority theme – Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices, and addressing structural barriers. – was adopted by a recorded vote rather than by consensus. 

The highly contested negotiation process reflects the deepening polarisation in multilateral spaces, however, the vote (37 in favour, 1 against, 6 abstained) demonstrates that the majority of Member States are committed to protecting hard won gains and pushing for progress on gender equality.

As a small group of states attempted to roll back agreed language on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), intersectionality, gender identity, and accountability, faith-based actors mobilised, alongside broader civil society, to uphold justice.

“Progress is fragile. Rights can be rolled back much faster than they were won.  Space can close quickly.  And yes, fatigue is also real – especially when opponents are well-funded and ruthless.” – António Guterres, UN Secretary-General, CSW70 Townhall

For faith-based actors, such as ACT Alliance, the adoption of the Agreed Conclusions marks a significant multilateral commitment to strengthening justice systems, defending gender equality, and resisting coordinated attempts to weaken international human rights standards. 

“We welcome the reference to eliminating all forms of discrimination against women and girls in all matters relating to family relations, as legislation governing family and marriage – particularly religious family law – often contains discriminatory provisions. However, we would have appreciated a stronger and more explicit link to gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls and the full enjoyment of their human rights”. – Anna Enarsson and Joanna Lilja, Act Church of Sweden

“Comprehensive legal reform in the area of family law remains essential to dismantle structural inequalities and to guarantee that marginalised women are able to exercise their rights to equality, dignity, and access to justice.” – Misbah Khalid, Community World Service Asia

The CSW70 Agreed Conclusions reaffirm core human rights standards and maintain language on universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, while strengthening commitments to intersectional approaches and recognising the essential role of civil society, including ‘youth-led organizations, feminist groups, faith-based organizations’. The Agreed Conclusions further express the need for gender-responsive justice systems, stronger accountability and reparations for rights abuses, to address barriers to justice, including ‘discriminatory laws and practices, gender stereotypes, negative social norms, stigma, power imbalances and multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination’.

ACT Alliance is represented at CSW70 by members from Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean. However, there are also members who were unable to travel due to visa restrictions. CSW must not become a platform of exclusion. ACT urges Member States and UN leadership to uphold the CSW revitalisation commitments by ensuring safe, equitable, accessible participation – for all regions, all identities, and all movements working for gender justice.

“Today, shrinking civic space, visa denials, and unequal access prevent grassroots feminists, faith-based, and human rights defenders from participating in the very forum meant to elevate their voices.” – Rudelmar Bueno de Faria, general secretary, ACT Alliance 

As faith and rights-based actors, ACT is ready to challenge harmful norms, reform discriminatory laws and  build transformative alliances for gender justice. This year’s negotiation process demonstrated both the fragility and resilience of the multilateral system. 

Moving forward, ACT Alliance reaffirms its commitment to working with governments, feminist movements, and civil society partners to ensure that the promises of CSW70 lead to real and lasting change in the communities that we serve.