By Izunna Okafor, Awka
A Nigerian gender advocate, Chief Mrs. Obby Okwubanego, has described her participation at the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a fully enriching experience that strengthened her commitment to advancing gender equality advocacy and inclusive development at the community level.
Held between March 9–19, 2026, the global conference organised by the United Nations, brought together policymakers, civil society organisations, development partners and advocates from different parts of the world to deliberate on issues affecting women and girls, with a focus on strengthening global commitments to equality, justice and empowerment. The Commission on the Status of Women is the principal intergovernmental body dedicated to promoting women’s rights and shaping global standards on gender equality.
Speaking after participating in the global event, Chief Okwubanego, popularly known as Ife Nwafija, said attending the seventieth session of the conference provided a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and reflection on the progress made so far in the global struggle for women’s rights.
According to her, the sessions created an opportunity for participants from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, share experiences and explore practical ways of addressing persistent inequalities affecting women across different societies.
She further noted that the gathering featured wide-ranging discussions involving government representatives, advocates and development practitioners, adding that the interactions broadened her understanding of key global issues while also strengthening her resolve to contribute to sustainable solutions within her own community and beyond. She described the engagement as one that reinforced the importance of linking local initiatives with global policy directions in order to achieve meaningful progress.
Chief Okwubanego stated that the theme of this year’s session, which focused on strengthening access to justice for women and girls, was particularly significant because it highlighted the urgency of coordinated action in tackling long-standing inequalities. She added that the deliberations served as a reminder that achieving gender equality requires sustained commitment, strong partnerships and the empowerment of women and girls at every level of society.
Ifè Nawfija further commended the organisers of the programme for sustaining a global platform that continues to amplify voices from different regions and encourage innovative ideas aimed at building a more inclusive world. According to her, the impact of the conference was evident in the renewed sense of purpose and practical insights gained from the sessions, which she said would guide her future engagements in community development and advocacy.
The Anambra-born advocate added that experiences from the conference would help in aligning local efforts with global priorities, further stressing that community-based action remains critical in translating international resolutions into real change for women and families. She also expressed optimism that continued participation of Nigerians in global policy conversations would strengthen the country’s contribution to the international movement for gender equality and sustainable development.
This reporter, Izunna Okafor, gathered that the CSW70 session, also reviewed the progress so far on women’s participation in public life and efforts to eliminate violence against women, while the discussions re-emphasised the need for inclusive legal systems, stronger institutions and collective action to remove structural barriers that limit opportunities for women globally.
