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UN CSW70 Forum: Fo Guang Members Discuss Women’s Influence

The 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) opened on March 9 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, USA.  During the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, members of the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA) not only interacted with participants from various countries but also shared the principles of Humanistic Buddhism in promoting gender equality and social care. On March 12, BLIA will host an online parallel forum titled “Finding Hope Through Disaster—Recognizing the Power of Women,” which will explore women’s resilience and influence when facing challenges and disasters.

Venerable Neng Xian and Venerable Ming Hua of Fo Guang Shan New York Temple, Jenny Chen, President of the BLIA New York Chapter; together with Michelle Hu, Chair of the BLIA World Headquarters Eastern U.S. Fellowship Committee; Helen Leong, Director of the BLIA New York Association; and Judy Chiang and others attended two side events at the United Nations Headquarters on March 9 to learn alongside representatives from different countries on issues related to gender equality and women’s leadership development.

The two forums focused respectively on Nordic family policies and the development of women’s judicial leadership in the Middle East. Through dialogue with international representatives, BLIA participants discussed women’s empowerment and social sustainability, demonstrating the proactive role that civil society organizations play in global gender-related issues.

The first forum, “Nordic Ministers’ Panel: Gender Equality Makes Families Thrive!”, was held in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Chamber at the United Nations Headquarters.  Judicial ministers from several Nordic countries participated in the discussion, sharing how progressive family policies, comprehensive social welfare systems, and gender equality initiatives contribute to family well-being and social stability.

Speakers noted that well-established social welfare systems and gender equality policies are essential foundations for family prosperity and sustainable social development. Rights-based family policies should include shared parental leave systems, gender equality in child-rearing, stable economic security, and affordable childcare services, while also safeguarding women’s bodily autonomy and ensuring equal participation for men and women in the labor market. Only by implementing genuine gender equality within family and social systems can long-term development of families and society be achieved.

The second forum organized by the Government of Egypt and UN Women jointly, titled “Enhancing Women’s Access to Justice: Scaling Judicial Leadership.” The forum focused on “Egyptian Women’s Leadership in the Middle East—From Tradition to Modern Transformation,” exploring the evolving roles of women in the judicial and public sectors.

Speakers reviewed the historical social conditions of women in Egypt, noting that under traditional social structures, women were largely confined to domestic roles and had limited opportunities for education and public participation. For a long time, women lacked access to decision-making and leadership roles. However, over the past century, with the expansion of education and social reforms, women’s status has gradually improved, enabling them to enter political, judicial, and administrative systems and participate more actively in public affairs.

The forum also highlighted significant milestones, including the appointment of Egypt’s first female judge in 2022, symbolizing women’s entry into the core of the judiciary and marking a breakthrough for gender equality in the Middle East. Speakers emphasized that the advancement of women’s status depends on educational policy reform, institutional support, gender equality advocacy, and the cultivation of women’s professional capabilities, which have increasingly become key indicators of progress toward gender equality in the region.

BLIA representatives took the opportunities at the forums to share the Humanistic Buddhist vision of promoting gender equality and social compassion with others at the forum inviting them to join the online parallel forum organized by BLIA, titled “Finding Hope Through Disaster—Recognizing the Power of Women,” which will be held on March 12 from 8:30 to 10:00 p.m. The forum will explore women’s resilience and influence when confronting challenges and disasters.