Civil society organizations (CSOs) are pivotal actors in the ever-evolving landscape of global diplomacy and governance, bridging the gap between grassroots initiatives and international policy-making. From the inception of the United Nations in San Francisco, civil society has been an indispensable part of the UN ecosystem, advocating for transformative change and implementing solutions at the grassroots level. As we edge closer to the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, Kenya, the significance of engaging with and leveraging the vast potential of civil society to address contemporary global challenges cannot be overstated. 

This side event, titled “Empowering Women Leaders in Civil Society for Global Change,” is in tandem with the themes of the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), focusing on “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” The event aims to highlight the indispensable role of women in leadership within civil society as catalysts for global change.