Handshake Summit at CSW70
At the seventieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, the Handshake Summit & Awards gathered more than 200 global leaders to advance women’s empowerment and gender equality through partnerships and innovation.
Held at the UN Church Center, the summit aimed to transform global discussions into concrete actions supporting women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and access to opportunities. The event followed a strong call from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stressed that gender equality remains a major global challenge and that millions of women and girls still lack justice and equal power.
During the summit, leaders from government, finance, technology, and development sectors explored how artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure can unlock funding, strengthen collaboration, and expand opportunities for women-led initiatives worldwide.
In her remarks, Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), emphasized the importance of community-based partnerships that support women, families, and grassroots development.
The event also featured the Handshake Awards, recognizing global leaders for their contributions to diplomacy, development, security, communication, and women’s empowerment. Honorees included Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, alongside Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed Sowa, Ambassador Erelu Ngozi Abeni Adeleke, Dr. Kingsley Ighobor, DCP Dr. Oki Emesem Rita Oyintare, Tolani Alli, Mamotake Matekane, and Ambassador Mrs. Billy Umar Garba.
Speakers such as Dr. Padmini (Mini) Murthy highlighted the importance of ensuring that emerging technologies like artificial intelligence support equitable healthcare and human rights for women. Veteran humanitarian Hawa Taylor Kamara Diallo, a retired United Nations official and founder of the IBTK Foundation, also reflected on decades of global advocacy and encouraged younger leaders to continue building stronger systems that support women and girls.
The summit concluded with a call to action led by Gail Davvis-Carter, urging participants to formalize partnerships and commitments aimed at advancing gender equality. Through symbolic “Handshake” pledges and collaboration agreements, attendees committed to turning dialogue into measurable progress.
Overall, the Handshake Summit served as a platform for transforming advocacy into action, fostering alliances that strengthen women’s leadership, economic empowerment, and global influence in an increasingly complex world.
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