Women (and men) from across the UK and all over the world will gather at the United Nations headquarters in New York 10-21 March to develop key points on future development, economic growth, and participation of women and girls in all areas of life. The 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women will focus on the review of the Millennium Development Goals due to be met next year.
The UK NGO CSW Alliance was formed in 2011 and brigs together organisations and individuals interested and working at the international level on women’s rights. Annette Lawson OBE, Co-Chair from London says, “this year is really significant as we will be influencing what happens globally on development for the next generation”.
“We want to make sure that the voice of UK women is heard and that the UK is active in implementing what is agreed at the international level. This year the review theme is access to employment and decent work – which affects all of us” says Zarin Hainsworth OBE, from Stroud, Co-Chair of the Alliance.
The days in New York will be busy and well-structured: there are government, UN agency and NGO events from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. covering a whole host of issues. More than 100 delegates from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and across England will meet with the UK government delegation, Ministers, government delegations from across the world plus activists and experts. They are involved in numerous panels and events and many are key speakers.
Together with fellow international delegates representing the vast array of women’s organisation, members of the CSW Alliance will work together in networking, lobbying, learning and sharing best practice ready to bring back their news to the UK.
Becky Cary, York University Politics student says, “this year NAWO is continuing its work to take young people to CSW and ensure that the voice of young people is heard there. I am really happy to be participating. It is all very exciting”.
