By Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter
Two sisters from Milton, Ont., spent their March break attending the 69th session of the world’s largest annual conference on women’s rights, the Commission on the Status of Women.
Shilpa Sharma, 15, and Suneha Sharma, 17, visited the United Nations headquarters, where they gained firsthand insight into global discussions on gender equality.
The 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) is being held from March 10 to 21, 2025, at the UN Headquarters in New York City.
As the world’s largest annual conference on women’s rights and gender equality, CSW69 brings together representatives from UN Member States, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to evaluate progress, identify challenges, and set global standards for achieving gender equality.
For the Sharma sisters, the visit was deeply personal. Originally from a small village in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, they immigrated to Canada with their parents in 2018 when they were seven and nine years old.
They come from a community where access to basic sanitation, education for girls and women’s safety are ongoing challenges. Their experience growing up in India and their new life in Canada have shaped their passion for advocating for women’s rights.
“We grew up in a place where girls and women were treated as second-class citizens,” said Suneha.
“There were no toilets in our village, and women had to go into the fields, which was not just uncomfortable but also dangerous. We constantly heard horrifying stories about girls being assaulted when they went out at night. It was terrifying.”
his year’s priority theme focuses on “Empowering Women in the Digital Age,” addressing issues such as bridging the digital gender divide, promoting women’s participation in technology sectors, and ensuring online safety for women and girls.
Through high-level panels, interactive dialogues, and side events, CSW69 aims to foster collaboration and share best practices to advance women’s rights globally.
Shilpa added: “We were lucky to come to Canada, where we can go to school, dream big and not live in fear every day. But we never forget where we came from, and we want to make a difference for girls who are still struggling in places like our village.”
Their visit to the conference was an opportunity to hear from world leaders, activists and advocates working to address issues such as gender-based violence, economic inequality and access to education for women and girls worldwide.
“It was inspiring to be in a room with so many powerful women,” Suneha said. “Listening to speakers from different countries made us realize that, although challenges are different in each place, women everywhere are fighting for the same basic rights.”
One of the most impactful moments for the sisters was a panel discussion on gender-based violence. The speakers shared harrowing stories of women’s struggles in war zones, rural villages and major cities around the world.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about the girls back in India,” Shilpa said. “Hearing about survivors of violence made me emotional, but it also made me determined. These women are so strong, and they refuse to be silenced. I want to be like them.”
The sisters also attended sessions on the role of young people in shaping gender policies and were particularly moved by a discussion about the importance of education in empowering women.
“In our village, so many girls drop out of school early because their families think education isn’t important for them,” Suneha said. “One speaker at the conference said, ‘When you educate a girl, you change a generation.’ That really stuck with me.”
Despite the serious topics covered at the conference, the sisters left feeling hopeful and motivated.
“We saw that change is possible,” Shilpa said. “We met women who have dedicated their lives to making sure no girl has to suffer like they did. It made us want to do something, even if it’s just raising awareness in our school and community.”
Back in Milton, the sisters are now planning to share their experience with their classmates and teachers. They hope to start conversations about women’s rights, both in Canada and globally, and possibly organize events to support girls’ education in underprivileged communities.
“This was just the beginning for us,” Suneha said. “We want to keep learning, speaking up and doing whatever we can to help. No girl should have to live in fear or be told she doesn’t matter.”
Their visit to the United Nations has given them not just a deeper understanding of the challenges women face worldwide but also a clear sense of purpose. The Sharma sisters are ready to use their voices to make a difference.
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