Dr. Ashok Sahu, Secretary General, NHRC attended the 57th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York from 3rd-8th March, 2013. The theme of the Session was "Elimination and Protection of all forms of violence against women and girls".

During the course of the meetings, Dr. Sahu drew the attention to the fact that the CSW allows participation of one delegation from each member state. Being a Paris Principle compliant 'A' category NHRI, the NHRC-India is of the view that it would not be appropriate for it to participate in CSW deliberation as a part of the Government delegation. The NHRIs' participation in CSW as independent institution may, therefore, be supported.

In the main conference, representatives of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UN Women, CEDAW, Group of 77 and China, African Countries, European Union, Caribbean Community, Members & Associated States of MERCOSUR, Central American Integration System (SICA), Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, ASEAN, Member States and Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women made their presentations. Some of the important points highlighted in the presentations were as follows:
o Gender discrimination has to be eliminated at any cost and gender equality achieved as they play a catalytic role in achieving women empowerment, human rights and sustainable development;
o Institutions like ECOSOC need to be strengthened. ECOSOC can review the functioning of functional Commissions like CSW;
o There is a need to have regular dialogues among various stakeholders on women related issues; and
o A culture of prevention of violence against women and girls needs to be created. Various laws and policy measures in this regard enacted throughout the globe need to be implemented effectively.