On International Women's Day, observed annually on 8 March, the League of Arab States reaffirms its commitment to advancing Arab women's issues and strengthening their central role in the sustainable development of Arab societies. The League underscores that women's empowerment remains a cornerstone of its strategies, programmes, and initiatives, grounded in the firm belief that comprehensive and sustainable development cannot be realised without the active and equal participation of women across all sectors.
On this occasion, the League of Arab States announces its participation in the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). During the session, the State of Palestine, in its capacity as Chair of the Arab Women's Committee (44th Session), will deliver the official Arab statement before the Commission.
Furthermore, the League is organising three high-level events on the sidelines of CSW69 at the United Nations headquarters in New York, in collaboration with member states and relevant regional and international organisations.
Among these, the high-level side event titled "Women of Gaza: Rising for Freedom and Dignity" is set to take place on 11 March at the United Nations headquarters. This event is being organised in partnership with the Ministry of Women's Affairs of the State of Palestine and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) – Regional Office for Arab States.
The event aims to shed light on the resilience and struggle of Palestinian women amid the exceptional circumstances they continue to endure. It will highlight their pivotal role in preserving the social and familial fabric, while documenting the ongoing violations of their human rights. Additionally, the event seeks to mobilise international support for the empowerment of Palestinian women, enhance their participation in reconstruction and peacebuilding efforts, and call for the implementation of the International Court's decisions to ensure the necessary international protection for the Palestinian people.
The second event, titled "Care Economy: Valuing Paid and Unpaid Work," is scheduled for 11 March in partnership with the Saudi Women's Affairs Council. The event will underscore the critical importance of recognising the economic and social value of paid and unpaid care work, which is predominantly undertaken by women, and its profound implications for women's empowerment and gender equality. The discussion will highlight innovative policies and programmes that facilitate the redistribution of care responsibilities and the establishment of comprehensive social protection systems for caregivers. The event will feature the participation of Arab ministers, experts, and high-level officials from Arab countries, as well as representatives from relevant UN agencies and international organisations.
The third event, titled "Arab Women Towards Creativity and Innovation: The Era of the Industrial Revolution," will take place on 12 March in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development of the Sultanate of Oman. The event is organised within the framework of Muscat's designation as the Capital of Arab Women for 2024. It aims to highlight and enhance Arab women's participation in creativity and innovation, empowering them to harness the opportunities presented by the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The event will showcase successful experiences from Arab countries in this domain and explore avenues to strengthen regional and international cooperation to support Arab women's engagement in technology and the digital economy.
The League of Arab States affirms that these initiatives are part of its ongoing efforts to implement the Arab Women Development Agenda (2023-2028): "Gender Equity and Parity for Sustainable Development and Environment." Through these efforts, the League seeks to bolster coordination and collaboration among Arab nations, regional entities, and international organisations to advance Arab women's issues and align with global commitments on women's empowerment, particularly the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
In this regard, the League of Arab States urges member states, regional and international organisations, and civil society to redouble efforts and strengthen partnerships to advance Arab women's issues, safeguard their rights, and enhance their participation across various fields. Arab women remain indispensable partners in achieving sustainable development, peace, and stability throughout the region.
