Presence Matters: Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh and Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America Present Hindu Perspectives on Women
- Representatives of Bharatiya Stree Shakti shared ideas based on Indian values and community work at the Commission on the Status of Women.
When you enter the United Nations Headquarters in New York during the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), you find yourself in a space filled with people from all over the world. Everyone brings their own stories and hopes for a more inclusive future. In every hallway, panel, and side event, people are always sharing ideas about how to create a fairer world.
The 70th session of CSW was held from March 9 to 19, 2026, and brought together people from governments, international organizations, and civil society. The event was more than just policy talks. It was a chance to see how different countries are working toward shared goals and to learn from each other’s experiences.
A main guide for these discussions is the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by the United Nations in 2015. SDG-5, in particular, is about empowering women and ensuring they have equal opportunities in education, leadership, and the workforce. The message is clear: real progress is only possible when women and girls are fully involved in shaping society.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), created in 1946, is central to this work. It provides a space to review progress, talk about challenges, and share new ideas. Besides the main meetings, there are many side events showcasing local projects, creative solutions, and real-life stories from around the world.
This year, the discussions centered on two main topics. The first was about making justice more accessible and fair for women and girls. The second looked at how women take part in decision-making and the need to remove violence and other barriers that stand in the way of real equality.
The 70th session of CSW was held from March 9 to 19, 2026, and brought together people from governments, international organizations, and civil society.
It was inspiring to see Indian and Indian-American organizations take part as well. Representatives from Bharatiya Stree Shakti shared ideas based on Indian values and community work. Indian-American delegates from groups like HSS,USA (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA) and VHPA (Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America) brought a diaspora perspective, showing how cultural roots and community involvement shape leadership and service, even far from India.
For me, going to different sessions and side events was a truly rewarding experience. Every discussion, whether about justice, leadership, or community projects, gave me a new perspective.
The Hansa Mehta Memorial lecture stood out to me the most. I was amazed to learn about Dr. Hansa Mehta, who represented India at the UN Commission on Human Rights from 1947 to 1948, and the changes she brought in there. As India’s representative, she ensured the Universal Declaration of Human Rights included everyone, not just “men,” thereby promoting equality.
Another highlight for me was joining a panel at the Consulate General of India in New York on “Indian Pathway to Equality and Partnership” on International Women’s Day. The discussion showed that Indian ideas focus on balance and partnership rather than competition. By connecting global talks at CSW with Indian philosophy, I spoke about women’s empowerment from a worldwide view. The panelists shared Hindu concepts such as Purusha–Prakriti, Ardhanarishvara, and Dampati, which clearly illustrate the idea of complementarity.
At the UN, seeing people from so many backgrounds made me realize that real change starts with who is in the room. Just being there matters. When people from different communities are present, they can influence the conversation in ways that are not possible from afar. It also made me think that, as an Indian American community, we have both the chance and maybe the duty to take part more actively in these global spaces. Our presence can add real value to talks about cooperation, inclusion, collective progress and well-being.
Top photo, HSS, USA and VHPA delegates at the UN.
Sugandha Ganesh is a volunteer with the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, USA. She leads HSS’s initiative called Hindu Education Foundation(HEF) in New Jersey.