AWAC Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC

AWAC Granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations ECOSOC

A proud milestone in AWAC’s 10-year journey of advancing rights, dignity and justice for marginalized women, especially women sex workers.

AWAC is proud to announce that it has been granted Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

On 21 July 2026, the Economic and Social Council adopted the recommendation of its Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations to grant Alliance of Women Advocating for Change (AWAC) Special Consultative Status. The United Nations subsequently communicated its congratulations to AWAC on this significant achievement.

What does this mean for AWAC?

Special Consultative Status creates important opportunities for AWAC to engage more directly with the United Nations system. Through this status, AWAC can participate in relevant sessions, events, conferences and activities of the United Nations and designate representatives to participate as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council and, under specific conditions, the General Assembly and other intergovernmental bodies.

AWAC can also contribute its expertise through written statements, consultations and, subject to the applicable processes, oral presentations at ECOSOC. Organizations with special consultative status may submit written statements on issues within their areas of competence, while ECOSOC subsidiary bodies may consult NGOs and request studies, papers or other contributions.

From grassroots realities to global policy corridors

For AWAC, this status is more than a recognition. It strengthens our local voice to connect grassroots realities to global policy corridors.

It creates an opportunity to bring the experiences, priorities and realities of marginalized women—especially women sex workers, into spaces where global conversations on human rights, gender equality, sustainable development and social justice take place.

Our commitment remains firmly rooted in the communities we serve. As we engage at global level, we will continue to centre the voices and lived realities of women whose experiences are often excluded from policy and decision-making spaces.

A new platform for advocacy and partnership

With this status, AWAC looks forward to sharing its expertise, contributing to policy discussions, strengthening partnerships and advocating for the rights and dignity of women, girls and marginalized communities.

This milestone comes as AWAC celebrates 10 years of advocacy and grassroots action. It represents both recognition of the journey we have travelled and a new opportunity to amplify the voices of the communities we work alongside.

AWAC is now an NGO with Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council since 2026.