IDRC at CSW70
By elevating Southern-led perspectives and advancing transformative policy solutions that strengthen women’s rights, support care systems and promote more just, resilient and equitable societies worldwide, IDRC has much to contribute to these deliberations.
Here are some CSW70 events featuring IDRC or its grantees
March 10, 2026, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. │ Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice (320 E. 43rd St., New York). Invite only.
Co-hosted by: the Global Alliance for Care, the International Domestic Workers Federation, IDRC and UNI Global Union.
March 11, 2026, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. EDT │ United Nations Headquarters — Conference Room E
Co-hosted by: the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), IDRC, ELA, the Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Group for the Analysis of Development and Public Services International, with the support of the Global Alliance for Care, Defensoría del Pueblo de Colombia, UN Women and the governments of Chile, Colombia and Finland.
This event will explore how recognizing care as a human right is essential to strengthening access to justice for women and girls. Research and policy actors will discuss the landmark Inter-American Court of Human Rights advisory opinion OC-31/25, drawing lessons from its adoption and practical implications for law, policy and inclusive justice systems globally. Highlighting how transforming the care economy can advance empowerment, gender equality and rights realization for rural, migrant, Indigenous and disabled communities, participants will share evidence-based experiences for improving access to justice for paid and unpaid caregivers and identify barriers and solutions where care responsibilities intersect with gender-based violence, protection and economic autonomy.
March 11, 2026, 1:15-2:30 p.m. EDT│United Nations Headquarters — ECOSOC Chamber, Conference Building
Co-hosted by: DAWN Canada, Canadian Women's Foundation, the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association, the Government of Canada and the Government of the Philippines.
Women continue to face systemic barriers to full economic participation, including discriminatory laws, restrictive policies, unequal access to financial services and under‑representation in decision‑making. To address these barriers, Canada will convene a conversation featuring diverse leaders and policymakers to provide insight on how countries can foster sustainable livelihoods for all women, especially women most impacted by economic inequality and insecurity. By highlighting policy innovations and scalable solutions, this timely discussion seeks to advance the economic empowerment of all women by responding to their unique needs and circumstances. To this end, Canada’s event will also highlight the unique experiences and perspectives of women with disabilities. An IDRC partner will be a panelist at this session, offering perspectives from the Scaling Care Innovations in Africa initiative.
March 16, 2026, 4:45-6:00 p.m. EDT│United Nations Headquarters — Conference Room 8
Co-hosted by: UNRISD, IDRC, AVINA Foundation, the Climate and Care Initiative, WEDO, Global Alliance for Care and the governments of Mexico, the Philippines, Finland and Canada.
Care systems are essential to climate resilience. Yet they remain largely invisible in climate policy and financing. Climate change disproportionately increases unpaid care burdens, disrupts livelihoods and deepens inequalities for women and marginalized communities in the Global South — creating barriers to rights, justice and participation in decision-making. This event will highlight the care-climate-justice nexus, sharing evidence from the IDRC-supported Climate and Care initiative showcasing innovative Global South approaches and exploring how care can be recognized as critical climate infrastructure. Leveraging recent research supported by IDRC, discussions will also examine mobilizing climate finance for care and advancing a just transition agenda in the lead-up to COP31 and CSW71.
March 17, 2026, 3:00-4:00 p.m.│Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations (2 United Nations Plaza, 28th floor)
Co-hosted by: the Global Alliance for Care; the Governments of Mexico, Bolivia, Spain, Uruguay and the Philippines; International Trade Union Confederation; International Domestic Workers Federation; United Cities and Local Governments; Huairou Commission; Equipo Latinoamericano de Justicia y Género; IDRC; and UN Women.
Legal systems shape women’s lives and can either reinforce or challenge gender inequalities. Discriminatory laws, entrenched caregiving roles and unequal domestic workloads often limit women’s access to assets, social protection and justice — perpetuating care inequities. Yet legal frameworks can also recognize, reduce and redistribute care work, making care central to advancing gender equality. Momentum is growing globally, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean where countries are advancing comprehensive care systems. A historic milestone came in August 2025, when the Inter-American Court of Human Rights issued advisory opinion OC-31/25, recognizing care as a human right. At this session, the Global Alliance for Care will convene governments, civil society and partners to examine how legal reform can transform care systems, remove barriers to justice and drive collective action toward more equitable and inclusive societies.
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