Carol Strametz of AWC Hamburg reported:
I had the pleasure and privilege of attending three days of CSW60, the 60th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), at United Nations Headquarters in New York. FAWCO had a delegation of 14 members, several of whom were present throughout the session.
In preparation for CSW60, FAWCO joined with other members of the NGO CSW in Vienna to sign a statement on the priority theme that was submitted to CSW60. The statement was published on the UN's website as a part of the CSW60 provisional agenda. FAWCO UN Liaison Laurie Richardson co-moderated an NGO Briefing and made a statement on refugees. On the last day of CSW60, FAWCO along with the NGO Committee on Migration in NY, the Organization for Early Childhood Education, UNHCR and other organizations cosponsored an important parallel event: Empowering Syrian Refugee Women and Children for a Better Future: Challenges and Innovative Solutions in Early Childhood Development. The flyer for the event lists the impressive line-up of speakers.
It was exciting, inspiring, impressive and overwhelming to attend CSW60. It was stunning to view the UN Headquarters from 1st Avenue when all the flags are flying and it was breath-taking to be with hundreds of men and women in traditional dress from all over the world. Entering the UN is literally entering another world—it is extraterritorial and under the jurisdiction of the UN not the US. The organization, the level and quality of the event presentations and panel discussions were impeccable. Organizers and participants were engaged, committed and passionate. Many steps to implement the 2030 Agenda are in place and others are being feverishly sought. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka alluded to the fever in her opening speech: "… in your hands is a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to end poverty and transform gender relations irreversibly for the next generation, making the world a better place for all. Let us seize the day!"
Following are some of the side and parallel events that I was able to attend:
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Informal NGO Morning Briefings
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Combatting the Trafficking of Women and Girls: What Role Can the Private Sector Play in Addressing and Preventing Human Trafficking and Modern-Day Slavery? (A ministerial-level event organized by Hungary, Liechtenstein, and the United States of America)
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"Getting to Equal: The World Bank Group's Gender Equality Strategy 2016-2023" (Carel Grown, Senior Director, Gender Cross-Cutting Solution Area, World Bank Group)
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Habitat III Agenda and Gender Equality: Safe Public Spaces for Women and for All (UN Women, UN-Habitat)
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Widows and the Sustainable Development Goals: Leaving No One Behind (The Loomba Foundation)
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Advancing Women's Empowerment in the OIC Region (Permanent Observer Mission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to the United Nations)
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Arab Women Refugees: A New Challenge for the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 (Arab Women Organization/ League of Arab States- New York Mission)
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Gender-based Violence in the Caribbean: A Cause of Concern and Time for Action (Bahamas)
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Human Trafficking in the Tourism Industry (International Tourism Partnership, United Religions Initiative, Florida International University)