ICW Events
Overview
The General Assembly (GA) and the Executive Committee Meeting (ECM)
Since its founding, the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) has brought together its members through its General Assemblies and Executive Committee Meetings, which form the backbone of its institutional life. Members meet in person every 18 months.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
ICW-CIF also maintains a strong and continuous presence at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
Established in 1946 by ECOSOC, the CSW emerged from the joint efforts of women diplomats and leading international women’s organizations active before and during the Second World War. Among them, ICW-CIF played a pivotal role, advocating directly with the newly founded United Nations for the creation of an independent commission dedicated exclusively to women’s rights.
The CSW stands as the result of this historic alliance, in which ICW-CIF was a key driving force. Several ICW leaders contributed to the early UN consultations, and the first CSW session was held in Lake Success, New York, in 1947.
True to its legacy and commitments, ICW-CIF participates annually in the CSW in New York and regularly hosts impactful parallel events.
The General Assembly (GA)
Like all associations recognized as being of public interest, the International Council of Women (ICW-CIF) holds an Annual General Assembly, either in person or online. Every three years, this gathering takes on particular significance, as it becomes the Triennial General Assembly.
At this triennial meeting, members elect the new governance of the organization and review the work carried out by the National Councils on the theme of the concluding triennium. It is also the moment to collectively determine the thematic focus for the forthcoming triennium, to adopt new action plans, and to vote on resolutions submitted by National Councils and Standing Committees.
Beyond its statutory role, the General Assembly is a highlight in the life of the ICW-CIF: a unique forum for dialogue, mutual learning, and solidarity, bringing together members from across the world in a spirit of shared commitment and exchange.
The Executive Committee Meeting (ECM)
Held at the midpoint of the triennium, the Executive Committee Meeting is a pivotal moment in the life of ICW-CIF. It brings together leaders of National Councils and Standing Committees to reflect on the journey so far, assess progress, and collectively adjust the course where needed. More than a governance milestone, the ECM is a space for meaningful dialogue, shared learning, and the exchange of experiences, strengthening collaboration and renewing the collective momentum of our global movement.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated exclusively to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in 1946 as a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the CSW plays a central role in advancing women’s rights by reflecting women’s lived realities worldwide and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Since 1996, its expanded mandate includes a leading role in monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as promoting gender mainstreaming across the United Nations system.
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