The 69th Session of the UN Commission on Women’s Status (CSW69), which takes place from March 10 to 21, is critical to promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of their lives around the world and shaping global patterns on equality and gender empowerment. Last year, CSW68 was attended by 100 world leaders and 4,800 civil society participants.
This year’s session will revise the results of the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly, as well as the Declaration and the Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995.
Read our explaator about CSW and why it matters now here.
‘Creating a better future for everyone’
For Loretta Jeff Combs, from the first Tlesqox nations in Canada, Beijing’s declaration is a -chair moment in history, paving the way to recognize the rights of indigenous women and girls.
“Very often, indigenous women are left out of the decision -making spaces that affect our future,” she told Delegates in the General Assembly hall.
She pointed to the current situation in Canada, which is witnessing what is equivalent to a race -based genocide against indigenous women and has called for rapid changes.
“We need indigenous women at all levels,” she said. “We need our young people to see that our voices are important. When we raise indigenous women, we create a better future for everyone. ”
Watch the opening session below:
Bahous: ‘We are not afraid of the reaction’
In the same line, Sima Bahouswho arrives UN Womenwarned that “Misogyny is on the rise” At a time when females are having the weight of various crises and conflicts around the world.
Although there was progress in the advancement of women’s rights, it is not fast or long enough, she said.
To change this, she asked for action, including the closing of digital division, investing at the end of poverty and strengthening laws to break the cycle of violence against women and girls. She also asked for the inclusion of women in important decision -making and peace building.
“We are not afraid of the reaction,” she said. “We will not back down.”
UN Head: How to face the ‘Poison of Patriarchate’
For the UN Secretary-General António GuterresThe “Poison of Patriarchy” is apparent while women’s rights are currently “under siege”.
“Masoginia masters are gaining strength,” he said, pointing to the “bile” throwing for women on -line and leaders who “are happy to throw equality to wolves.”
Guterres said the “antidote is action”Including the pact for the future and other efforts, among other things, investments in education, fight violence against women and girls, supporting women organizations and human rights defenders, encouraging the leadership of women in technology and ensuring their full participation, from policy to peace building.
“In these dangerous times for women’s rights, we must gather Beijing’s statement, recommend the platform for action and stay firm in the promise of rights, equality and empowerment a reality for all women and girls around the world,” said the UN chief.
Secretary-General António Guterres opens the sixty and seventh session of the Commission on Women’s Status (CSW69).
‘We are in a decisive moment’
The strong message of the secretary general was made by statements made by women, girls and other UN authorities at the opening meeting, as well as a wide range of parallel events that take place on the UN and online campus.
President of the General Assembly Philémon Yang He highlighted gains obtained, but warned about the challenges ahead.
Although there are more women and girls elected at school since Beijing’s statement was adopted 30 years ago, systemic obstacles continue to obstruct the path of equality, he said.
“The urgency and necessary political resources are not enough, given the challenges we face“He said.
At the current pace, it will take 137 years to get all women out of poverty and 68 years to end children’s marriage, he warned, asking for the international community to completely implement the “Beijing Promise” and shape a world that achieves common goals and equality is made for all women and girls.
“I believe it is possible to achieve gender equality in our lives if we take advantage of this opportunity,” he said. “We are in a decisive moment.”
For live updates on CSW69, visit our meeting coverage section, which manages a daily blog about this and other official meetings at UN headquarters in English and French.
Among the dozens of secondary events, several highlight the power of youth.
UN agencies are supporting girls education in Sierra Leone.
Node Power4girls: Invest in girls, transform the world Event, girls’ champions will challenge the view that girls led initiatives are too small to have a wide impact and that government systems are too large for significant reform.
With the support of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and co-organized by the governments of Canada and Sierra Leone, discussions will explore how the global community can intensify strategies and commitments by aligning policy solutions and providing multisectoral services with the realities of girls’ lives and through the critical role of the organization to boost collective and transformative impact.
Watch the Power4Girls event at UN TV Web here.
This is one of many daily events on the sidelines of the CSW session.
From outstanding achievements to outlining challenges, visit the CSW69 to find a parallel event schedule for the full session here.
