Last month, BAPS volunteers proudly participated in the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (70th Session), held in New York City from March 9 to 19, 2026. CSW is an annual platform for discussing and advancing women’s rights and gender equality across the globe. The active participation of non-governmental organizations, such as BAPS, which holds General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, is critical to the success of the event. This year, the session’s theme focused on ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls.
In his opening remarks, UN Secretary General António Guterres emphasized that access to justice “cuts to the heart of the struggle for equality”, as “around the globe, women hold only 64 percent of the legal rights enjoyed by men.” He also impressed that “justice for women and girls must be a cornerstone of the world we seek to build” because “justice is the engine for sustainable development”, “the foundation for peace and security”, “the guardian of human rights and human dignity”, “essential to a safe and inclusive digital future”, and “essential for climate action.”
The Commission on the Status of Women consisted of a wide range of meetings, panel discussions, interactive dialogues, round tables, and intergovernmental negotiations, wherein participants from diverse backgrounds advocated, learned, and shared experiences about women’s challenges to accessing justice and how to effect enduring solutions. Sixteen BAPS volunteers attended various events and shared insights on how faith can be a key driver of women’s empowerment. One volunteer, Kajal Patel, recounted, “It was so meaningful to come together with other NGOs in the same space, learn from their experience, and collectively brainstorm ways to improve and expand our respective work in driving better outcomes for women and girls around the globe. One thing I really took away is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to gender equality. A lot of the discussions showed that context, which includes culture, upbringing, and values, plays a huge role in how these topics are understood.”
As part of CSW this year, our volunteers also participated in a workshop hosted by the Gender Working Group of the United Nations Multi-Faith Advisory Council and members of the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion and Sustainable Development. The workshop focused on a draft compendium of positive faith-based approaches to advancing gender equality, grounded in sacred scriptures. Puja Patel of BAPS facilitated the Hinduism track, engaging 20 Hindu women from around the world in discussion and reflection. She shared, “It was inspiring to be part of a space bringing together so many different faith perspectives. In the Hinduism track, we shared personal experiences and reflected on how our faith and upbringings shape our approach to gender equality.”