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The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
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Formed in 1946, the Commission on the Status of Women is an intergovernmental body underneath the branch of the UN Women with the objective to promote gender equality and empower women. The CSW was created out of a resolution passed by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The first topic will focus on women’s welfare after natural disasters. Member States should analyze the risk factors that may disproportionately increase women’s vulnerability to natural disasters (for example, access to childcare and menstrual hygiene) whereas members should develop plans to combat against any of these risk factors. The second topic will focus on violence against indigenous women which is going to look at both sociocultural, environmental, and historical factors of this type of gender-based violence. Member states will need to account for the unique barriers and discrimination the indigenous populations face when developing strategies that protect and promote the rights of indigenous women and girls. The topics require that member states contemplate both preventative and reparative measures that advance women’s rights of these vulnerable populations. Proposed solutions may overlap in addressing both topics. The goal of the committee is to have member states strategize and collaborate on solutions that not only advance SDG 5 but also interconnect in advancing multiple other SDGs as well.