CSW 55 New York 22 February - 4 March 2011


Lois Beilin, SI Representative to the United Nations, New York, reports


What is CSW? The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. It is the principal global policy-making body. Every year, representatives of Member


The Commission’s primary activity is to produce ‘Agreed conclusions’, which contain an analysis of the priority theme of concern and a set of concrete recommendations for Governments, intergovernmental bodies and other institutions, civil society actors and other relevant stakeholders, to be implemented at the international, national, regional and local level. The 55th Commission on the Status of


States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. The Commission consists of one


representative from each of 45 Member States elected by the Council on the basis of equitable geographical distribution.


Soroptimist International invites YOU to help our advocacy campaign!


the Consultation Day. Other speakers will be leaders who have promoted getting women and girls in to science, technology and mathematics and leaders of grassroots projects that are working at the frontier of science and technology. For expert papers and preparation see:


Women will be held in New York, 22 February – 4 March, 2011. Plenary sessions will be held in the UN Building (a new temporary known as the North Lawn Building) and severe limitations of space will curtail attendance. However, Consultation Day, all parallel events, the CSW reception and UNIFEM luncheon are open to NGOs and participants that are not officially registered. Michele Bachelet, Under Secretary of UN Women, has been invited to address


www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/55es.htm The NGO Working Group on Girls plans to bring 15 girls from countries around the world to participate in CSW55. These young women are guaranteed registration by the CSW committee and will attend sessions and participate in as many discussions as can be arranged. The young women will be the


ambassadors of CSW55 to their respective communities and contribute to a periodic newsletter called Action for Girls – Girls’ Rights are Human Rights. For further information, contact wggs@girlsrights.org.


government officials before CSW 55 in February. Here are three things you can do to make a difference for women and girls using the Soroptimist statement: 1. Use our postcard or letter template to write to your national government officials responsible for gender equality and women’s issues.


We are asking every Soroptimist to ensure that our concerns and solutions are heard by


Download: http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/CSW_Pre-Session_Advocacy_Toolkit.pdf 2. Lobby government officials, women’s commissions, or other relevant targets in person to ensure that the voices of women and girls, as expressed in the SI statement, are included in decision-making at this year’s CSW. Make sure they have a copy of the Soroptimist statement! Download: http://www.soroptimistinternational.org/CSW_Pre-Session_Advocacy_Toolkit.pdf 3. Learn more about the issues raised in SI’s statement and spread the word in your club and community. Discuss the issues with local community leaders. When you’re done, we’d like to hear about it! Use the SI online reporting system (the PFRs).


INTERNATIONAL DAY For the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls


The official observance on 23 November, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York was opened by Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-Moon. Ms Michele Bachelet, the Under Secretary


General for UN Women spoke, as did Ms Shupe Makashinyi, of Equality Now in


Zimbabwe. The messages were all devoted to the


enormous work yet to be accomplished in so many parts of the world. Women and Girls in conflict and post-conflict areas are especially vulnerable and need immediate implementation of SCR 1325 by those states. The campaign of UNITE will be given increased visibility and support by UN Women, however, all NGOs and civil society are called on to increase their efforts to advocate with governments to implement the resolutions they have signed.


TIS December 2010 Page 4


WOMEN AMBASSADORS MEET SOROPTIMISTS IN NEW YORK


Women Ambassadors are invited to meet CSW/NGO members each year to acquaint them with the objectives and activities of the committee. The annual CSW/NGO


(http://reports.soroptimistinternational.org/) to tell us what you did and feel free to send photos to hq@soroptimistinternational.org.


luncheon is also a chance for members to become acquainted with the issues of women in the ambassador’s country. Although there are few women ambassadors, these dynamic women leaders are important and many are helpful in moving the agenda forward. All are supportive of UN Women and several will be speaking at CSW55. SI of New York sponsored and hosted the


Ambassador of Liberia, H.E. Ms. Marjon V. Kamara. Ambassador Kamara has a long history of work with refugees under the auspices of United Nations agencies all over the world.


increasing education for all children, development of the economy and most importantly, security for all. Ms. Kamara, with her wealth of UN experience, plays an important mentoring role too with the newer and younger ambassadors. The photograph shows New York


Her work for Liberia is devoted to


Soroptimists (one is not a rep. but a member of SINYC club, Manuela Roosevelt) and the Ambassador from Liberia: L to R: Carolyn Themm, H.E.


Ambassador Kamara, Lois Beilin, Manuela Roosevelt, Yoko Komori Olson and Katherine Mayer.


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