Applications open for Commission on the Status of Women 2025
International Headquarters is selecting delegates from around The Salvation Army world to attend the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations in New York City in March 2025.
Each March, United Nations entities and non-government organisations, including The Salvation Army, assemble for the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The gathering is diverse and includes representatives from all 193 UN member states. The Salvation Army has a ministry presence in 134 of these countries, and the International Women’s Ministries team (the team) “desires that our delegation would reflect this”.
Personal experience
Major Kaye Viney, Area Officer Northern Territory, attended CSW68 earlier this year.
“Imagine a world that is just, fair and free, where every girl can dream without fear,” said Kaye. “This sums up my experience of attending CSW68 conference in New York in March 2024.”
Kaye attended CSW68 with delegates from The Salvation Army’s International Social Justice Women’s Group, of which Kaye is a member.
“It was fantastic to meet with women in person who I had only previously known online and a great privilege to meet with women from all around the world to listen to stories that affect women globally,” she said.
During CSW68, Kaye attended many workshops and presentations at the UN, with topics including women in poverty, violence against women, education, and empowering women to invest in girls and daughters as change agents. She also attended forums on testimonies from Afghanistan and Pakistan, encouraging men to get in touch with positive emotions, the power of partnering against poverty and the Nordic response to Gender Equality.
“The experience had a profound impact on me and my ministry going forward to look outside the day-to-day operations of the office and into issues that affect women and girls around the world,” Kaye said. “It has made me determined to create a safe place for women suffering violence, trafficking and loss.”
Focus areas 2025
The year 2025 marks the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which saw 189 countries adopt the global agenda and key policy document for women and girl’s empowerment, protection and equality. A specific focus of CSW69 will be to review, analyse and celebrate the progress of the Beijing Platform for Action.
“Just as The Salvation Army was in attendance in 1995, we want justice-seeking leaders and future change-makers to be present at this key event in 2025,” the team explained.
Important themes are (but not limited to): gender-based violence, poverty, education, health, leadership, human trafficking and modern slavery, environmental justice, and the role of the girl child.
“We are seeking inspiring female delegate-candidates, currently between 20 and 40 years old, who are informed on the intersection of gender equity with social justice matters, are able to speak out on justice issues and to represent The Salvation Army’s international position with confidence at CSW69.”
The candidate may be an officer or a soldier with evident passion, experience or employment in the fields of development, education, health and social services or in the leadership of women-focused mission and ministry.
Application instructions
Candidates should submit a written paper detailing how their attendance at CSW69 would positively impact existing ministry and mission in a local or territorial setting (maximum 300 words) and a brief video speaking on a relevant subject of personal interest. Both tasks must demonstrate genuine concern for and knowledge of justice issues that impact women and girls, a good understanding of The Salvation Army, and an appreciation for its mission, and the ability to articulate their views and convictions with respect.
These tasks must be completed in English as delegates will be required to speak and understand English during CSW69.
Travel, accommodation and meals will be arranged and covered for selected candidates; however, visas and required documentation will remain the responsibility and expense of the individual or their representative territory.
Candidates should direct their email submissions to the international Women’s Ministries section(ihq-wm@salvationarmy.org) by Tuesday 20 August 2024, with both the written document and video statement attached or linked. Personal information (name, age, email address, occupation, corps and territory) should be clearly stated in the same email.
For more information, resources and outcomes from the 2023 Commission on the Status of Women, click here.
The team
Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham (World President of Women’s Ministries) leads international Women’s Ministries alongside Commissioner Shelley Hill (World Secretary for Women’s Ministries). Supported by International Secretaries, officers and staff at International Headquarters, they provide leadership to those responsible for territorial and regional ministries to women across the international Salvation Army.
Together, they seek to support the General in leadership of and direct missional engagement with Salvation Army women.
