60THCOMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (CSW60)
New
York 14th -24th March 2016
Main Theme: Women’s
empowerment and their link to sustainable development
Review Theme: The
elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls
CSW60 was quieter than
last year, not surprising as last year was the Beijing +20 review, the ending
of the Millennium Development Goals and preparation for the adoption of the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) later in the year. I was not alone in feeling that CSW60 had a
warm friendly atmosphere. It is about the best CSW of the nine I have
attended. ICW-CIF had a strong
delegation of members accredited by ICW-CIF, affiliated National Councils with
ECOSOC status and like-minded organisations. Many delegates had the opportunity
to meet over dinner the evening prior to the opening of CSW. Then, during CSW,
there was an opportunity to exchange information following the Morning
Briefings.
In keeping with the
main and review themes most side and parallel events focused on aspects of
gender equality and the empowerment of women, also on all forms of
discrimination, including violence, against women and girls, linking them to
the 2030 Agenda. The two well received and attended ICW-CIF workshops focused
on equality and empowerment of women:-. “Women in Power and Decision-Making”
held in conjunction with the Korean National Council and sponsored by the
Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, R.O.K. and “Transforming Society
through Women’s Empowerment. ICW-CIF was also a co-sponsor of a number of
parallel and side events focusing on one or other of the themes.. Much emphasis
was placed on the SDGs/the 2030 Agenda. “Inclusiveness” - “that no one should
be left behind” was often refer to (see para 13 of the final draft of the Agreed
Conclusions). Emphasises was also put on the need for action/implementation
rather just words.
Young women were
visible giving valuable input to the proceedings. They are our future. The
first ever CSW young women’s forum was held just prior to CSW60. It is now
planned to have such a forum annually.
The campaign for the
next Secretary-General of the UN to be a Woman was being promoted. An out-line
of how the Secretary-Generals have been appointed was given at the last Morning
Briefing A good thing of the campaign has been to highlight the great need to
make the process and actual election of
the Secretary-General transparent and democratic.
The highlight of CSW60
for ICW-CIF was an audience with Secretary General H.E. Ban Ki-Moon. Eleven of
us meet with him for 20 mins during which time we had a conversation around
violence against women and girls.
It
was a pleasure working with Dr Kim to
prepare and then oversee the CSW60 programme. I thank Dr Kim and all who
assisted in some way to make ICW-CIF’s participation successful.
There
is still much work to be done to ensure “no one is left behind”.
Elisabeth
Newman
ICW-CIF
Vice-President April
2016
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