CSW70 (2026)

Tuvalu Highlights the Role of Older Women at CSW70 Ministerial Roundtable Tuvalu at the 70 th Session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women At the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York, Tuvalu participated in the Ministerial Roundtable on achieving gender equality and the empowerment of older women. Tuvalu’s intervention was delivered by H.E. Eselealofa Apinelu, High Commissioner of Tuvalu to Fiji and Head of Delegation. In the statement, Tuvalu highlighted the important role that older women play in sustaining families, communities and cultural knowledge. In Tuvaluan society, older women are caregivers, mediators of conflict, and custodians of traditions who help guide younger generations and strengthen community cohesion. At the same time, Tuvalu emphasised that gender equality requires that the contributions of older women are matched by opportunities to participate in decision-making. In many communities, local governance takes place through the Falekaupule, the council of elders, where women — including older women — generally have limited representation. Tuvalu also highlighted how changing migration patterns are affecting family structures across small island societies. As younger people leave their home islands to study or work abroad, older persons, including older women, may remain with fewer relatives nearby to provide daily support. Tuvalu reaffirmed that achieving gender equality across the life course means recognising the leadership, knowledge and experience of older women while ensuring they are fully included in shaping the future of their communities.