Rights Expert calls for recognition, inclusion of CDWD at Commission of Status of Women meeting

Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent (CDWD) rights expert Maria Atanasova spoke at the CSW69 Official Meeting: Interactive dialogue – Participation, accountability and gender-responsive institutions. Atanasova, a Roma woman representing the Global Forum of Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent, delivered a powerful speech calling for greater recognition and inclusion of marginalized communities at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Speaking in solidarity with Dalit women from Asia, Quilombola and Palenque communities in Latin America, as well as women from the Haratin and other marginalized groups in Africa, she highlighted the urgent need to address systemic discrimination and exclusion.

“These groups are among the most vulnerable, facing segregation, restricted access to services, harassment, and violence, including sexual violence against women and girls,” Maria stated. She further emphasized that many members of these communities are at high risk of slavery or bonded labor due to entrenched caste and social hierarchies.

While some countries have mechanisms in place to combat descent-based discrimination, others lack necessary protections, allowing exclusion and violence to persist. This lack of access to resources and political participation deepens marginalization, making it imperative for governments to adopt gender-responsive budgeting and intersectional policies that address the unique challenges faced by these women.

Maria called for formal recognition of communities discriminated against on the basis of work and descent, urging the CSW to integrate an intersectional approach in all United Nations programs and governmental policies. She stressed the need for active policies that promote the participation of women and girls from these communities in UN processes, including regional and international forums.

“The political participation of women from discriminated communities remains deeply hindered by structural barriers. To address this, gender-responsive institutions must implement deliberate measures such as quotas and targeted initiatives to increase their representation in decision-making spaces,” she said.

Governments must be held accountable for their commitments to gender equality by establishing mechanisms that ensure the inclusion of marginalized women in national gender equality reviews. Maria concluded her speech with a strong appeal to the CSW and member states, urging them to adopt these recommendations to ensure that women from discriminated communities are heard, included, and empowered.

Also Read: Friends of CDWD: Advancing dialogue and action on Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent