In a powerful display of collaboration, PaRD’s Gender Equality and Empowerment Workstream joined forces with the Gender Working Group of the Multi-Faith Advisory Council to the UN Inter-Agency Taskforce on Religion and Sustainable Development (MFAC to the UN IATF on Religion) and various key partners to host two impactful events at the 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). These events brought together religious, civil society, and governmental actors, underlining the crucial role of interfaith dialogue in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment worldwide. The discussions and outcomes from the events will help shape future partnerships and actions toward achieving the UN’s SDG 5 – the empowerment of all women and girls.
On March 10th and 11th, 2025, the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD) hosted two significant events that exemplified the critical role of faith-based actors in advancing women’s rights and empowerment. These events brought together key stakeholders from religious communities, civil society, and global organizations, underscoring the importance of collaboration in achieving gender equality and sustainable development.
Credits: The International Dialogue Centre – KAICIID
High-Level Multi-Faith Reception
The first event, the High-Level Multi-Faith Reception, took place on 10th of March at the Tzu Chi Center in New York City, attracting over 80 participants. Convened by the Gender WG of MFAC to the UN IATF on Religion along with the Joint Initiative for Strategic Religious Action (JISRA) with partners Mensen met een Missie, the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers, Tearfund and the Faith to Action Network, the Act Alliance and the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD), the reception served as a powerful platform for interfaith dialogue. It showcased the collaborative efforts of FBOs and secular organizations in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The reception focused on assessing the challenges and progresses toward achieving gender equality, as outlined in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, while emphasizing the crucial role that faith actors must play in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the opening segment of the High-Level Reception on 10th of March, the announcement of the recent election of two young women as the new co-Chairs of the Gender Working Group of MFAC to the IATF on Religion to lead the platform echoed the overall CSW and UN Women call for 6+1 key actions for accelerating progress on SDG 5 which have at their core the empowerment of young women. PaRD’s member organization, the International Dialogue Centre KAICIID is among the co-chairs. The reception underscored the importance of bridging divides between faith-based and secular organizations to create a more inclusive path toward gender equality in a world marked by growing geopolitical tensions and environmental crises. Faith-based actors must be included in the solutions to these challenges.
Dr. Rev. Uzoaku Juliana Williams led the room in a powerful declaration: “Together we stand in solidarity. We commit to listening, learning, and advocating for policies and practices that promote equality, justice, and human rights for all regardless of gender, religion, or expression”.
Dr. Nkeiruka Didigu, Senior Strategic Partnerships Specialist at UNFPA highlighted that: “Women have taken powerful strides forward and, as far as I’m concerned, we’re not going back”.
Roundtable on Faith Actors and Women’s Rights: Shaping Concrete Solutions
The second event, the Roundtable on “Partnering for Change: Working with Faith Actors to Uphold Women and Girls’ Rights”, was held on 11th of March at the Scandinavian House, New York City, gathering more than 60 participants. This roundtable was organized by PaRD’s Gender Equality and Empowerment Workstream in partnership with MFAC Gender. The event was co-sponsored by numerous organizations and Working Groups including World Vision Canada, the International Dialogue Centre-KAICIID, Islamic Relief Canada, Muslims for Progressive Values, the Ministry of Religious Affairs of Indonesia, the Faith to Action Network, ACT Alliance, and Soka Gakkai International.
The roundtable focused on the crucial role that faith actors play in advancing the rights of women and girls. It provided a platform for diverse stakeholders to discuss the intersections of religion, culture, and gender equality and to share strategies for overcoming barriers to empowerment. The roundtable featured a dynamic and inclusive format that encouraged participation from all attendees. It included remarks by several distinguished speakers, followed by breakout tables where participants discussed five critical sub-topics, moderated by Ani Zonneveld the Founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values.
- Table Topic #1: Collaboration between parliaments and religious actors from Southern Africa region – Caroline Kwamboka N., Trustee/Director, the African Rennaisance
- Table Topic #2: Partnerships between religious actors and state actors within repressive states – Ruby Kholifah, Secretary General, Asian Muslim Action Network (AMAN)
- Table Topic #3: Faith actors’ contributions to the Beijing Declaration over the last 30 years – Irene Anena, Uganda Forum Coordinator, ACT Alliance
- Table Topic #4: Best practices in faith-sensitive gender work and addressing backlash – Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights
- Table Topic #5: Addressing gender equality work through the lens of dialogue & peacebuilding – Abigail Will-Howe, Global GESI Director, World Vision International
This moment is crucial for women’s rights. We stand at the intersection of reflection and renewal as the international community assesses the progress of the Beijing Platform for Action (...) achieving SDG 5 requires a whole-of-society approach. Platforms like PaRD and MFAC show us that breaking down silos between the secular and religious sectors, governments, and the UN is not just possible—it is essential. These platforms enable multi-faith and multilateral partnerships that foster learning and policy coordination, amplify local voices in intergovernmental settings, ensuring all are heard. We must harness this synergy and translate it into stronger, more impactful action. It is our sincere hope that this gathering will shape the inclusive and collaborative spirit we aspire to embody in our work toward the advancement of SDG 5 and empowerment of all women and girls.
Moving Forward with Stronger Partnerships
Both events emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and collaboration in addressing the global challenges related to SDG 5 and empowerment of women and girls. Caroline Kwamboka N., Trustee/Director, the African Rennaisance highlighted the importance of “building bridges between policymakers and those who lead through faith”.
Looking ahead, there is a clear call to action: the need to strengthen and deepen partnerships between faith-based and secular organizations in order to tackle pressing global challenges. As part of its ongoing efforts, the Gender Equality and Empowerment Workstream is dedicated to furthering these important discussions and driving tangible results through collaborative action. With a renewed commitment to the Beijing +30 Agenda and the Pact for the Future, and intergenerational dialogue at every stage of our work, the PaRD Gender WG remains dedicated to advancing the global agenda for gender equality and remaining a safe space for global dialogue. By bringing together religious and secular actors, these events not only provided a platform for meaningful dialogue but also laid the groundwork for practical solutions that will continue to drive progress toward a more just and equitable world for all women and girls.
The outcome papers and the ongoing discussions from these events will serve as essential tools for shaping future policies and actions aimed at achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, which focuses on gender equality.
