From 25 February - 7 March 2008, the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meets in New York. Bringing together representatives from 45 countries, hundreds of NGOs and several thousand women working for women's human rights, the Commission evaluates progress on gender equality and sets new standards for global policy. It takes place in the lead-up to International Women's Day on 8 March. This year, the meeting will focus on financing for gender equality and women's empowerment, and exploring gender perspectives on climate change.

As part of our 5050 initiative openDemocracy will be there, taking you behind the scenes and reporting on everything from keynote speeches to the taste of the coffee, to bring you a slice of politics in action.

Zohra Moosa and Jane Gabriel blog live from New York with tales and testimonies from a UN meeting which should place women at the forefront of the global debate.

This year's blog follows on from last year's coverage where openDemocracy's Solana Larsen, Jane Gabriel and Patricia Daniel blogged live from the meeting. Click here to read their reports.