Less than a week away, 13 – 24 March 2017, will see the 61st Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) taking place in the United Nations headquarters in New York. CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The event occurs annually, providing a space where UN member states, civil society organisations such as Soroptimist International, and UN entities can discuss thematic issues relevant to gender equality.

This year Soroptimist International’s President Yvonne Simpson will lead a delegation of more than eighty Soroptimists from around the world. Yvonne says: “It is my privilege to lead the SI delegation to CSW61. Our presence will raise the profile of Soroptimist International and our mission to transform the lives and status of women and girls through our advocacy work. We are there to build on the incredible work done by our SI UN Reps. The results of their sustained effort has given SI a solid reputation, where our work is well known and respected. Our Advocacy team leaders and incoming leaders, with more than 80 Soroptimists from around the world, will join thousands of like-minded people passionate about gender equality. It is a time when we particularly focus on being “A Global Voice for Women”.

The priority theme this year will be ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’. The Review theme is ‘Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls’ (agreed conclusions of the fifty-eighth session), and the Emerging Issue is ‘The empowerment of indigenous women’.

At CSW there are various events that happen inside the UN buildings. These events must be sponsored by governments or UN entities. They will:

• Conduct high-level roundtables to exchange experiences, lessons learned and good practice;
• Evaluate progress from previously agreed conclusions under the review theme;
• Convene interactive discussions on steps and initiatives to accelerate implementation and to build capacity for mainstreaming gender equality across policies and programmes;
• Identify and address emerging issues that affect gender equality.

Additionally, there is a parallel NGO Forum, where civil society organisations host events outside of the UN buildings and are open to the public who register for the CSW NGO Forum.

Soroptimist International is involved in several events during CSW61:

Soroptimist International Representative to New York, Bette Levy will speak at a parallel event co-sponsored by the National Council of Women, ‘Future Leaders Economic Empowerment in the Changing Work World’, on Monday 13 March at 12.30pm on the 2nd Floor of the Church Centre.

‘Inclusive and Transformative Leadership for Women’s Economic Empowerment’ will take place on Tuesday 14 March at 10:30am, in the Salvation Army, 221 East 22nd Street. Leadership must be accessible to all, not just a select few. This event highlights different efforts being pursued to help shape inclusive and transformative leadership as a way to advance women’s economic empowerment. The event is organised by Soka Gakkai, and Soroptimist International, World YMCA, Graduate Women International and will be co-sponsored by The Global Movement for the Culture of Peace. Soroptimist International President Yvonne Simpson will moderate the event.

Tuesday 14 March, at 3:15pm, the Equalities and Human Rights Council UK will host the event, ‘Power to the bump: ensuring the right to work throughout the life cycle’ in the Bahai International Community Offices, 866 UN Plaza. Chaired by Soroptimist Margaret Clark, with Pepsie Ogechi Adiukwu, also of Soroptimist International joining the panel. The event is co-sponsored by Soroptimist International, UKNGOCSW Alliance, Ethical Business Building the Future, ADVANCE and World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.

Organised by Soroptimist International, ‘Opening the Door to Economic Empowerment for Women and Girls’ will take place on Wednesday 15 March at 10:30am, in the Hardin Room, Church Centre. Recognising that advancing women’s economic empowerment in the world of work is essential for achieving gender equality, this event will explore Soroptimist grassroot employment projects from around the world and demonstrate how global civil society partnerships transform communities through educating, empowering and enabling women and girls. This event is co-sponsored by Zonta International.

Soroptimist International Representative to Vienna, Dr. Martina Gredler will moderate a parallel event, ‘Transformative Politics and Women’s Leadership’, taking place on Thursday 16 March, at 12:30pm in the Church Centre.

‘Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work’ will see SI President, Yvonne Simpson and SI President-Elect, Mariet Verhoef-Cohen speak on the Importance of Women Leading the Water for All Call  and look at the interrelationship between SDG 5 (gender equality), and SDG 6 (water). The event will take place on 16 March, in the ECOSOC Chamber from 6.30pm.

‘Women in Water Diplomacy as a Key to Economic Empowerment’ will look at how implementing SDG 5 and 6 and other water-related targets depends on how policy strategies are combined, and the influence women have within the water sector. This event will share experiences and good practices in the role of women in water management, with recommendations going towards the 8th Annual Water Forum in Brazil, 2018. SI President Yvonne Simpson will join the panel and the event will be chaired by SI President Elect and President of Women for water Partnership, Mariet Verhoef-Cohen. This event is organised by the Permanent Mission of Brazil and co-sponsored by Soroptimist International, Women for Water Partnership, BPW Brazil. This event will take place on Friday, 17 March at 1:15, in Conference Room 2, UN Headquarters. *For those interested in attending the event, if you do not have a UN grounds pass, you will need to register by 14 March at http://goo.gl/jtPFY3. 

Soroptimist International Assistant Director of Advocacy, Sharon Fisher will speak at a parallel event co-sponsored by the Taiwanese Government, ‘Rebuilding Women’s Dignity and Strengths Through Empowering Women Economically’ at 10:30 am, Wednesday 22 March on the 10th Floor of the Church Centre.

We hope that those attending CSW this year will be able to attend some of these events, and for those further afield, Soroptimist International will be reporting and sharing news stories through the SI website and on Facebook and Twitter.  Watch this space!