Bette Levy, one of Soroptimist International’s UN Representatives, has been appointed a member of the Executive Committee of the New York NGO Committee on the Status of Women for 2013-2015.

NGO CSW is a volunteer-based, non-profit NGO that represents around 80 civil society organizations in consultative status with the UN. It plays an active role in the UN community, advocating for gender architecture reform at the UN, women’s rights and the advancement of women and girls worldwide. 

Soroptimist International’s UN Representatives in New York have been actively involved in NGO CSW for several years; lead UN Rep Lois Beilin recently stepped down as Treasurer after two years in this role.

"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work on this committee and the important role it plays in the life of women around the world", says Bette.

"The Executive Committee has been very busy over the summer, meeting with over 20 ambassadors and their key gender staff, UN Women and other UN agencies. We have been hard at work pushing the gender perspective for the post 2015 era and indicators. Personally for me these meetings, while  time consuming, have been enlightening… I have learned about some of the back room wheeling and dealing and been given advice about how best to approach different members states, UN organizations, etc." 

By playing an active role at NGO CSW, Bette will also be a valuable ambassador for the work of Soroptimist International around the world.

"Keeping Soroptimist International front and center was part of our goal", she explains. "I have had the opportunity to meet people and get the word out about Soroptimist International. When meeting with Norway,  I said  I was from SI. Before I could do my spiel,  the gender coordinator shared with the ambassador that SI is active in Norway. It is this type of experience that makes the time and energy worthwhile."

As Member at Large of the Executive Committee, Bette will be Program Co-chair for the Consultation Day for the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW58) in 2014. She will also be responsible for the North American Outcome Document, as well as other ongoing duties as necessary.

Since her appointment as one of SI’s volunteer representatives to the UN in New York in September 2011, Bette has been an active participant in many committees. 

"My journey in this first term as a UN Rep has been truly amazing. My first year as a designate was a time to learn about the different mechanism at work at the UN, including the various NGOs and collaboratives. I realized quickly that unless I willing to roll up my sleeves and get involved at the NGO committee level there would be little I could do to change the lives of women and girls, just by attending meetings that were often poorly attended by member states."

"During this past year, I have really stepped up and have taken on leadership responsibilities.  I became the Treasurer of the NGO Committee on Social Development (CSocD) and will be responsible for Advocacy breakfasts with the bureau members for the Commission on Social Development. I am also on the core committee of the Poverty Eradication sub-committee and the workgroup for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (October 17, 2013). I remain active with the Women’s Major Group -WMG (Sustainable Development) and Co-facilitator of the European/North American Commission on the Status of Women caucus."

"My goal is to bring together and intersect the work I do on the different committees to improve the rights (lives) of women and girls; the triangle of NGO CSW (Gender), Women’s Major Group (Sustainable Development) and NGO CSocD (Social Development/Poverty)."

Read more about Soroptimist International’s UN Representatives.

Visit the NGO Committee on the Status of Women New York website