At CSW70, the Abortion Consensus Cracked

Earlier this month, I attended the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Throughout the session, we engaged in fruitful conversations with NGO leaders and member state delegates from across the globe, including Zambia, Namibia, Gambia, Nigeria, Uganda, Hong Kong, China, South Korea, and Spain. We also had the opportunity to meet with both the South Sudanese and the Chilean Ambassadors to the United Nations.

While much of the session reflected broad agreement on issues such as education, economic opportunity, and protections against violence for women and girls, our discussions focused on the impact of abortion and how governments can support women and girls without promoting or permitting it. The session as a whole revealed deep divisions over how “women’s rights” are defined, particularly when it comes to abortion.

From a pro-life perspective, CSW70 was notable not only for its substance, but for a historic procedural shift. For the first time in the Commission’s history, the final resolution did not pass by unanimous consent. The United States broke with precedent and voted no, raising concerns about language that could be interpreted as promoting abortion within international frameworks. Additionally, several other countries chose to abstain rather than lend their support. Through this departure from consensus, we saw signals of a growing willingness among nations to challenge the assumption that abortion must be included under the umbrella of women’s rights.

Alongside the official proceedings, we participated in a wide range of parallel events that offered an alternative vision for advancing women’s dignity, one that does not rely on abortion. Organizations connected through CSW Family hosted panels, discussions, and networking events that emphasized the importance of the family as the foundational unit of society. These gatherings highlighted practical solutions such as supporting mothers in crisis, strengthening family structures, expanding access to prenatal and postnatal care, and addressing the social and economic pressures that often lead women to consider abortion. Many of these parallel events also focused on amplifying the voices of women who have chosen life in difficult circumstances. They demonstrated that authentic empowerment comes from support. It doesn't come from eliminating the vulnerable. These parallel events stressed that policies should uplift both women and their children, ensuring that no one is forced into an impossible choice between the two.

At the heart of the debate at CSW70 was a fundamental question: what does it truly mean to advance women’s rights? As pro-life advocates, we made the case that the right to life is foundational. No society can claim to protect human rights while excluding the most vulnerable. We argued that true progress is measured not by expanding access to abortion, but by expanding the resources and support systems that allow both mother and child to thrive. Ultimately, CSW70 revealed a shifting global landscape. The lack of unanimous consent, and the decision by the United States and others to oppose or abstain, demonstrates that the international community is far from unified on the role of abortion in defining women’s rights. At the same time, the strong presence of groups like CSW Family and the momentum behind their parallel events show that there is a growing movement committed to advancing a holistic, life-affirming vision for women around the world.