LUCKNOW UNIVERSITY MODEL UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE, 2025
Background Guide
AGENDA
Promotion of Economic Empowerment of Women with Special Emphasis on Involvement
of Women in the Workplace and Decision-Making Bodies
Letter from the Executive Board
Dear Delegates,
It is with great enthusiasm and anticipation that we welcome you to the United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) at this edition of the Model United Nations
Conference. The Executive Board is both honored and excited to witness your insights,
diplomacy, and commitment as we come together to discuss a topic of profound global
significance: “Promotion of Economic Empowerment of Women with Special Emphasis on
Involvement of Women in the Workplace and Decision-Making Bodies.” Despite decades of
progress in gender equality, women across the world continue to face systemic barriers that limit
their full participation in the economy and in leadership. From wage gaps and occupational
segregation to underrepresentation in boardrooms and parliaments, the economic and political
contributions of women are often marginalized or overlooked. Empowering women
economically is not only a matter of rights and justice—it is a critical driver of development,
innovation, and peace.
As delegates, you will have the opportunity to examine the issue through both global and
national lenses, identifying key challenges and proposing collaborative solutions. Whether
through legislation, grassroots empowerment, financial inclusion, workplace reform, or
education, your role will be to build frameworks that allow women to thrive equally in all
economic and decision-making spheres.
We urge you to approach this agenda with sensitivity, inclusivity, and determination. Recognize
that while the issues are global, the experiences and contexts vary widely across regions. The
diversity of your country's perspectives is your strength—use it to build dialogue, draft
thoughtful resolutions, and find common ground.
Remember, your words and actions in committee represent more than debate—they reflect the
voices of millions of women around the world still striving to be heard, valued, and empowered.
On behalf of the Executive Board, we wish you a stimulating, enriching, and impactful session.
Let this committee not only be a platform for diplomacy but a forum for vision, action, and
change.
Warm regards,
Chairperson
Sujal Sharma
Vice-Chairperson
Kritika Singh
Eesha Bajpai
Executive Board
United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
Model United Nations Conference 2025
I. Introduction to the Committee
The United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) is a functional
commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), established in
1946. It is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion
of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting
women’s and girls' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and
shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Each year, the Commission reviews progress and sets global standards and policies on gender
equality and the advancement of women, focusing on a priority theme related to women's rights
and empowerment.
In 1996, ECOSOC in resolution 1996/6 (see p. 20) expanded the Commission’s mandate and
decided that it should take a leading role in monitoring and reviewing progress and problems in
the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and in mainstreaming a
gender perspective in UN activities.
During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil
society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York. They discuss
progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the
General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect gender
equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Member States agree on further actions to
accelerate progress and promote women’s and girls' enjoyment of their rights in political,
economic, and social fields. The outcomes and recommendations of each session are forwarded
to ECOSOC for follow-up.
II. Defining the Agenda
Economic Empowerment of Women
Economic empowerment refers to the ability of women to participate fully in economic life,
including access to education, employment, entrepreneurship, ownership of assets, and
financial independence. It also includes removing structural barriers that perpetuate economic
inequality.
Women in the Workplace
This emphasizes equal opportunities in hiring, fair wages, maternity protections, leadership
roles, and combating workplace harassment and discrimination. Women often face glass
ceilings, informal sector employment, and unequal pay.
Women in Decision-Making Bodies
This involves increasing women's representation in political offices, corporate leadership,
and policy-making bodies. As of 2023, women hold only 26.5% of parliamentary seats globally
and are underrepresented in senior executive roles.
III. Historical Context
● Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995): A landmark agenda promoting
women's rights in twelve critical areas, including economic empowerment and political
participation.
● CEDAW (1979): The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination
Against Women legally binds states to promote gender equality in all spheres.
● SDG 5 (Sustainable Development Goal 5): Focuses on achieving gender equality and
empowering all women and girls.
IV. Current Situation and Statistics
Global Workforce Participation
● Women make up nearly 47% of the global workforce, but often in lower-paying,
informal, or vulnerable jobs.
● The gender pay gap remains at around 20%, even in developed economies.
● Unpaid care work, predominantly done by women, limits their ability to pursue
economic activities.
Access to Financial Services
● Women are less likely to have access to bank accounts, credit, and property
ownership.
● Only 65% of women globally have access to financial services compared to 72% of
men (World Bank, 2022).
Leadership and Decision-Making
● Only 10.6% of Fortune 500 companies had female CEOs as of 2024.
● Cultural, social, and institutional barriers continue to block women's rise to leadership.
Overview of Women and Leadership
Historical Context
● For centuries, leadership roles were predominantly held by men.
● Trailblazers like Cleopatra, Queen Elizabeth I, and more recently, leaders like Indira
Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher, and Angela Merkel, broke traditional molds.
Current Landscape
● Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in politics, business, education, and
activism.
● Global examples: Jacinda Ardern (New Zealand), Ursula von der Leyen (European
Commission), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO).
Barriers to Leadership
● Gender bias and stereotypes
● Lack of mentorship and sponsorship
● Unequal pay and work-life balance expectations
● "Glass ceiling" and "glass cliff" phenomena
Benefits of Women in Leadership
● Empathetic and inclusive decision-making
● Better financial performance in organizations with gender-diverse leadership
● Promotion of equity and social change
Leadership Styles
● Research often shows women leaders lean toward transformational leadership,
emphasizing collaboration, empowerment, and innovation.
Key Movements & Initiatives
● Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg
● #MeToo movement highlighting workplace inequality and harassment
● UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5: Gender Equality
V. Barriers to Women's Economic Empowerment
1. Legal Restrictions: In many countries, laws still limit women’s rights to work, travel,
or own property.
2. Cultural Norms and Gender Roles: Stereotypes continue to undervalue women’s
work and discourage leadership roles.
3. Lack of Education and Skill Development: Gender disparity in STEM and vocational
training reduces employment options.
4. Workplace Harassment and Discrimination: Unsafe or hostile work environments
discourage participation.
5. Limited Maternity and Childcare Support: Inadequate leave policies and childcare
infrastructure hinder women's job retention.
VI. Past UN Actions and Resolutions
● UN Women programs promote training, funding, and mentorship for female
entrepreneurs and leaders.
● Resolution 1325 (2000) by the UN Security Council emphasizes the role of women in
peace and decision-making.
● ILO Conventions (e.g., Convention No. 100 on Equal Remuneration and No. 190 on
Violence and Harassment).
● Generation Equality Forum (2021) created coalitions to tackle systemic barriers to
gender equality.
VII. Case Studies
Rwanda
Rwanda has one of the highest rates of women in parliament globally (61%), owing to gender
quotas and proactive legislation.
Bangladesh
Grameen Bank and similar microfinance initiatives have empowered rural women, improving
household incomes and education levels.
Nordic Countries
Countries like Norway and Iceland have strong maternity/paternity leave policies and workplace
equality laws, resulting in high female labor participation and leadership.
VIII. Questions to Consider
1. What legal and policy reforms are necessary to ensure equal economic opportunities for
women?
2. How can member states support female participation in leadership and decision-making
roles?
3. What role should private sector and international organizations play in promoting
economic empowerment?
4. How can the international community support women in informal economies and rural
areas?
5. How can cultural and societal norms that hinder women's empowerment be addressed?
IX. Possible Solutions and Policy Recommendations
● Mandatory gender quotas in political and corporate leadership.
● Equal pay legislation and wage transparency policies.
● Investments in education, especially in STEM and vocational training for women.
● Microfinance and entrepreneurship support for women, particularly in developing
nations.
● Public-private partnerships to create women-friendly workplaces.
● Accessible childcare and paid parental leave policies.
● Monitoring mechanisms to track progress and accountability on commitments.
X. Conclusion
Economic empowerment of women is a key pillar of sustainable development. Without
addressing systemic gender inequalities in workplaces and decision-making structures, the world
cannot achieve true equality or inclusive growth. The UNCSW plays a critical role in driving
global commitments, and your role as delegates is to craft inclusive, actionable, and culturally
sensitive solutions that promote women’s full economic and leadership potential.
Note for the Participants
The Executive Board hopes that this Background Guide has served its purpose as a foundational
tool to aid your research. As reiterated earlier, this document is intended to be a starting point,
not an exhaustive resource. Given the breadth and depth of the agenda—particularly its strong
historical, political, legal, and judicial dimensions—the Executive Board encourages all
participants to conduct comprehensive research. This includes examining political standpoints,
relevant legislation, judicial developments, and key case studies. We urge all delegates to uphold
the required decorum and strictly adhere to the Rules of Procedure during committee sessions.
Your preparedness, engagement, and conduct will significantly contribute to the overall quality
of the discussion.
