New York, 6 March 2026—The seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 19 March 2026.
UNFPA will play a leading role in shaping the global dialogue and advancing solutions that ensure women and girls everywhere can exercise their rights, make informed choices about their bodies and futures, and live free from violence and discrimination.
The proceedings of the annual session will be broadcast on UN Web TV.
UNFPA and partners will host a series of side events at the annual session, which will include the following:
Signature event
Demographic resilience and access to justice: Securing rights and choices in a changing world
- 12 March, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EDT
- UN Secretariat, Conference Room 6
- This signature side event will explore how societies can adapt to diverse population shifts by prioritizing human rights and gender equality, emphasizing that demographic resilience is built on a foundation of access to justice.
- No advanced registration required; please arrive early as space is limited. Webcast here.
UNFPA-hosted events
From protection to empowerment: Advancing justice for adolescent girls to end child marriage
- 10 March, 9:00-11:00 a.m. EDT
- Labouisse Hall, UNICEF House, 3 United Nations Plaza
- This conversation will focus on strengthening justice systems, empowering adolescent girls and accelerating action to end child marriage.
- Register here.
Breaking barriers in business: A policy and practice blueprint for closing the menstrual health gap at work
- 10 March, 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. EDT
- UNFPA Headquarters, 730 Third Avenue, New York
- This conversation will focus on driving policy and systemic change for menstrual health at work.
- Register here.
Under attack: Gender consequences for health in conflicts
- 10 March, 1:15-2:30 p.m. EDT
- UN Secretariat, Conference Room D
- This event will identify practical approaches to support human rights in conflict-affected settings.
- No advanced registration required; please arrive early as space is limited.
Investing in women’s health is everyone’s business: A cross-sector call to action
- 11 March, 2:00-3:30 p.m. EDT
- UNFPA Headquarters, 730 3rd Avenue, New York
- Featuring opening remarks by UNFPA Executive Director Ms. Diene Keita and a high-level representative from the governments of Canada and Kenya, this event will examine why investing in women’s health is not only a human rights imperative, but also a strategic economic and business priority.
- Register here.
Together, we can end child marriage
- 11 March, 2:00-4:00 p.m. EDT, followed by a reception
- Scandinavia House, 58 Park Avenue, New York
- This side event will offer a showcase of vision, creativity and commitment to ending child marriage and achieving girls’ rights.
- Register here by 8 March; space is limited.
Female genital mutilation laws and human rights principles: Ensuring access to justice for all women and girls
- 13 March, 1:15-2:45 p.m. EDT
- UNFPA Headquarters, 730 Third Avenue, New York
- This event will focus on strengthening rights-aligned legal frameworks and survivor-centred justice pathways to eliminate female genital mutilation.
- Register here by 9 March.
Healthy, dignified and prosperous: Older women thriving through better laws, policies and practices
- 16 March, 1:15-2:45 p.m. ET
- UN Secretariat, Conference Room 8
- This event will focus on challenges facing older women, including unequal access to pensions, limited land rights, structural barriers to accessing higher education and more.
- No advanced registration required; please arrive early as space is limited. Webcast here.
For more information or interviews requests, please contact media@unfpa.org
