CSW 63 Opening Session
Date of Meeting: 11 March 2019
Meeting Organizer: CSW
ISJC Staff Present: Catherine Millan Flores
Reporter: Catherine Millan Flores
Which SDG does this topic cover? SDG 5
Type of meeting: CSW63 General Assembly
Brief summary of presentation of information made
The theme for The Commission on the Status of Women 63 is ‘Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.’ The opening of CSW 63 stated the importance of SDG 5 and of ‘Social Protection’ as a link to the other SDGs and a vital part of achieving gender equality.
Antonio Guterres, UN Secretary General
- “Gender equality is a question of power, but women have been marginalised”
- Global responses are needed to the world’s challenges
- Last year, 26% of women were less likely to be employed than men
- Women’s participation in the labor force is necessary to achieve economic growth and the SDGs
- “When we include women, the whole world wins”
Inga Rhondan King, UN President of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
- The commission’s function is to implement accelerated efforts to achieve the SDGs.
- CSW63’s agenda includes public services, infrastructure, and social protection policies.
- It is important to value and recognise women’s unpaid work.
Maria Fernanda Garces, UN President of the 73°General Assembly
- We are here to speak on behalf of women whose rights and dreams are denied every day.
- This is an open space to share women’s experiences and frustrations.
- A total of 830 million women die from preventable causes relating to pregnancy and childbirth.
- Every year, 3 million girls face female genital mutilation.
- Women would need to work 10 years more to earn the same salary as a man.
- 1 out of 3 women experience a form of physical or sexual violence.
- Last December, the General Assembly adopted the 1st resolution to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment and any type of violence against women and girls.
Malène Schiappa, President of the Security Council for March
- The security council’s role is to implement the peace and security’s agenda for women
- “Gender equality is not an option to be discussed only at the end of meetings”
- Being a feminist is not tolerating for others what we would not tolerate for our own daughters.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, UN Executive Director Secretary of UN Women
- In the last 2 decades, 276 reforms and regulations regarding gender equality have been adopted in 131 developing countries.
- 90% of women who die from preventable causes are from low income countries.
- 1 billion people who are living in poverty are concentrated in rural areas and informal sectors.
- In low income countries, 79% of work is in the informal sector.
- In communities with a higher risk of being left behind, 80% of water collection is performed by women.
- 23% of the world’s schools lack safe sanitation.
- Provide secure public places such as
- Secure bus terminals and proper lightning
Muniba Ishfaq, UN Women Pakistan
- “Changing my perception was easy, but changing other people’s perception was difficult”
- Disability is not in human bodies but in the environment.
- Disability will vanish when we have an accessible environment.
- Women with different abilities face two barriers
- Lack of acceptability and accessibility to public places
- accessible infrastructure is a right not a favor
Mary Fatiya Joseph, YWCA South Sudan
- “I am asking for schools, not for a luxury school that women can attend”
What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
When Jesus was near to his death, he told his disciples in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Jesus encourages us to love each other not to have pity. When we are trying to implement anything to make life better, we need to make sure that we are including everyone such as vulnerable people, people who have different capacities and abilities, and elderly people. It is a way of showing love. It is not just about creating a better world, but it is about including everyone without looking how different they may look outside.
The Salvation Army needs to ensure that it is advocating for social protection for all, especially for women and girls, and that all people feel safe and welcomed into Salvation Army facilities .