The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the United Nations’ principal global body dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Each year, representatives from member states, civil society organizations, and experts from around the world gather to assess progress, share insights, and drive solutions for gender-related challenges. The 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) took place from March 11 to 22, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

FAME Foundation hosted its first-ever side event in New York City at CSW69 at the United Nations Headquarters and it was a success.

Our session, “Confronting Gender-Based Violence: Focus on Femicide – Legal, Societal, and Technological Solutions for Achieving Gender Equality,” was a conversation that highlighted the need for a multi-faceted approach to ending GBV. We were honored to have a distinguished panel of speakers who brought different perspectives and expertise to the discussion:

• Dr. Jody Heymann – Founding Director & Distinguished Professor, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Luskin School of Public Affairs & Geffen School of Medicine.
• Dr. Rulla Sarras – Director of Funding and Development, Rural Women Development Society (RWDS) – Palestine.
• Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi – Executive Director & Founder, FAME Foundation for Girls and Women Empowerment.

Dr. Rulla Sarras led a discussion on “Understanding Femicide and GBV in Palestine,” shedding light on the challenges women face in the region and the urgent need for stronger interventions. She highlighted the role of social norms, political instability, and weak legal protections in perpetuating violence against women.

Dr. Jody Heymann spoke on “Eliminating GBV and Advancing Gender Equality: Laws Aren’t Enough, but Laws Matter.” She emphasized the importance of legal reforms and policy implementation while also stressing that laws alone cannot create change unless they are backed by enforcement, education, and systemic shifts in societal attitudes toward gender-based violence.

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi, Executive Director of FAME Foundation, spoke on “Confronting Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Nigeria.” She provided a deep dive into the alarming rise of femicide in Nigeria, sharing statistics, case studies, and the challenges of enforcing protective laws. She also discussed technological and societal solutions to prevent violence and support survivors.

At FAME Foundation, we remain committed to advocating for stronger policies, raising awareness, and driving real action to eliminate GBV. The fight to end femicide and achieve true gender equality requires continuous effort and collaboration. We look forward to building on this momentum and working with partners and stakeholders globally to create lasting change.

We sincerely appreciate our speakers and all attendees who contributed to this conversation. Your insights, expertise, and dedication continue to drive the movement forward.