The World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations (WUCWO) actively participated in the CSW Forum within the framework of the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).

On 20 March 2025, WUCWO organised a parallel event at the CSW titled "Women and Forced Migration: Addressing Challenges and Promoting Rights" in collaboration with the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN) and the Center for Migration Studies (CMS). This event aimed to highlight the lived experiences of women refugees and migrants, advocating for their rights and exploring how the international community can better support and protect them. Representing WUCWO at this event were President General Mónica Santamarina, the World Women’s Observatory (WWO) Project Director Ana Martiarena, and WUCWO’s International Representative at the United Nations in New York, Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski.

The event was very well attended and we were delighted to welcome Beth Mahoney, President of the National Council of Catholic Women in the USA and several members of the New York Forum for Catholic NGO’s, a group coordinated by Maribeth.

The event highlighted how the world is witnessing unprecedented levels of human mobility, with millions of women embarking on migration journeys. According to UN reports, between 2000 and 2015, the number of international migrants increased by 41%, reaching 244 million people—almost half of whom are women. These women face unique and multifaceted challenges, including violence, discrimination, economic hardship, and limited access to essential services. However, they are also agents of change, significantly contributing to the social, economic, and cultural development of both their host and home communities.

The World Women’s Observatory in Latin America and the Caribbean

In Latin America and the Caribbean, women have increasingly become key protagonists in migration flows. The World Women’s Observatory (WWO) of WUCWO has been addressing this issue through research projects in the region. These initiatives aim to understand the root causes of women's migration, the challenges they face along their journeys and at their destinations, and the violations of their rights—ultimately working towards positive changes for migrant and refugee women. The side event at CSW69 focused on protection and rights, addressing gender-based violence, access to justice, and legal protections for women refugees and migrants, social inclusion and integration, discussing approaches to ensure the inclusion and respect of women refugees and migrants in their host communities, and health and well-being, addressing the mental health challenges faced by women migrants and advocating for accessible healthcare services.

The event featured the participation of distinguished panelists including Grace Joe Staples from the Scalabrini International Migration Network, Dr. Jeanette Rincon from Caritas Internationalis, Sr. Francisca Ngozi Uti, Executive Director of the Centre for Women Studies and Interventions, Rev. Mons. Marco Formica, Counselor of the Holy See Mission to the UN, Ana Martiarena, WUCWO’s World Women’s Observatory (WWO) Project Director, and Mónica Santamarina, WUCWO President General. The event also included a message from Rev. Marcio Toniazzo, Executive Director of the Scalabrini International Migration Network New York, powerful testimonies from Scalabrinian Missionaries and was moderated by Maribeth Stewart Blogoslawski, WUCWO’s International Representative at the United Nations in New York. Frequent applause throughout and discussion following the presentations indicated the attendees’ strong interest and support for this important work.

The event aimed to raise awareness of the specific challenges and vulnerabilities faced by women refugees and migrants, foster collaboration between faith-based organisations, civil society, and policymakers to promote and protect the rights of migrant women, provide actionable recommendations for Member States, NGOs, and CSOs to enhance the protection and empowerment of women migrants, and increase the visibility of refugee and migrant women’s voices on the CSW platform. Through this event, WUCWO reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights and dignity of women in forced migration situations, aligning with its mission to foster awareness, empowerment, and action for women worldwide.