SI Programme Director Hilary Ratcliffe reports on International Women’s day at CSW57 and hands on the baton to the Soroptimist delegates for week 2, led by SI Assistant Programme Director Anusha.

In the driving snow some 400 women marched from the main UN building to the Dag Hammarskold plaza saying No to Violence against Women. Many of our Soroptimist delegation were there. We marched wearing white vests provided by UN Women and shared in the solidarity of our fellow women. It felt rather as it must have done when the suffragettes marched demanding votes for women.

When we reached the plaza there was a stage an various luminaries spoke to us The first to speak was Madame Ban, the wife of Ban Ki-Moon the Secretary General of the United Nations. We also had some of the leading members of UNWomen and celebrities such Susan Sarandon. Ban Ki-Moon was on the platform. He does seem to genuinely care and do all he can to support women’s rights as human rights.

Many of our delegates braved the cold. President Alice of course her elegant self in her fur hat but the best was President Elect Ann’s wellies black with red bows!

Many SI delegates have now returned home due to pressure of work BUT weave six stalwarts who are still in New York. They will carry the banner forward. This is the week of tight negotiation, a down to the wire exercise to try and get a positive and robust agreement.  Lets wish them well as they are led by Assistant Programme Director Anusha, and hope that we are able to achieve the document we want that affirms Women’s Rights as human rights and says firmly NO to Violence Against Women.