CSW69 Event: Empowering Women, Protecting Futures

In March 2025, the Human Thread Foundation participated in the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. CSW69 marked a pivotal gathering of global leaders, civil society, and frontline advocates dedicated to advancing gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls worldwide.

A High-Level Dialogue on Gender, Technology, and Exploitation

Our founder, Lisa Kristine, was invited to speak at the high-level event “Empowering Women, Protecting Futures,” co-hosted by the Permanent Missions of Romania, Mongolia, and Sweden, in partnership with Equality Now and eLiberare.

The event focused on the urgent intersection of modern slavery, technology-facilitated exploitation, and violence against women and girls, particularly in vulnerable and underserved communities. It brought together a powerful group of speakers representing different sectors—faith, government, survivor advocacy, law, and civil society—to engage in solutions-driven dialogue.

Lisa Kristine’s Keynote: The Power of Bearing Witness

In her keynote address, Lisa shared powerful stories from behind the lens—stories of women and girls who have faced unimaginable exploitation, and those who have risen beyond it. Drawing from decades of fieldwork documenting modern slavery, she underscored the urgent need to harness technology as a tool for freedom rather than oppression.

“I spoke of the urgent need to reclaim technology as a tool for freedom, not oppression, and the transformative power of bearing witness.”

Lisa called for corporations to take a stand against digital exploitation by adopting zero-tolerance policies for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on their networks and devices. She emphasized the importance of technological tools like Thorn’s Safer and NetClean, and highlighted Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) as a leading example of corporate commitment to ethical practices in the tech supply chain.

A Diverse and Impactful Panel

Lisa’s remarks were part of a larger dialogue featuring distinguished voices from across sectors, each offering critical insights into the systemic nature of exploitation and how to dismantle it:

  • Rabbi Diana Gerson spoke to the immense power of faith-based communities—reaching 86% of the world’s population—in mobilizing against human trafficking.

  • Ciczie Weidby, Member of Parliament from Sweden, emphasized the role of gender equality in political systems as a pathway to ending violence and exploitation.

  • Ioana Bauer, President of eLiberare, shared her organization’s work to build legal frameworks in Romania that protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

  • Tsitsi Matekaire, Global Lead on Ending Sexual Exploitation at Equality Now, addressed the growing challenge of technology-facilitated sexual exploitation and the urgent need for coordinated global and legal responses.

  • Samantha McCoy, a survivor, attorney, and changemaker, delivered a powerful message on the necessity of survivor-led approaches, drawing from her personal journey and legal expertise.

  • Andreea Mocanu, Deputy Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations, moderated the event with clarity and purpose, ensuring space for each speaker’s voice and perspective.

Collective Strength for Systemic Change

“When we come together—survivors, lawmakers, faith leaders, advocates, and artists—we turn awareness into action.” – Lisa Kristine

At the Human Thread Foundation, we believe that change happens when systems are challenged, stories are heard, and action is shared across sectors. This event served as a powerful reminder that collective effort—rooted in empathy and accountability—is essential to building a future where women and girls are protected, empowered, and free.