The single largest forum for the UN Member States, civil society organizations, and other international actors, CSW is the place to build consensus and commitment on policy actions, and this year the focus turned to women and girls working and living in rural locations. A delegation led by SI President, Mariet Verhoef-Cohen of over 90 Soroptimists, joined more than 4,300 representatives from over 600 civil society organizations, and 170 Member States for this year’s Commission in New York.

Play the slideshow above to view highlights of CSW62.

The outcome of the two-week meeting, known as the Agreed Conclusions adopted by the Member States, has now been released and can be viewed HERE.

Photo: L-R SI Advocacy Director Bev Bucur and SI President Mariet Verhoef-Cohen at CSW62

The Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, said: “The Commission’s agreement on measures to bring substantive equality to women and girls in rural areas is a vital step forward. In the Commission’s two weeks of dialogue, we have heard clearly from the women and girls themselves what they want: from the rights to own property, to the need for quality infrastructure, to the rights to make decisions about their own bodies and lives. Effective action to bring the changes they need will take the continued engagement of all partners, from governments to civil society. Rural women themselves must be able to speak up and be heard in all consultations, and youth delegations must be included at all levels. These agreements are made in the meeting rooms of New York but must take effect in the lives of women and girls we are here to serve.”

Visit HERE to read the blogs written by Soroptimists at CSW62.

Full CSW62 coverage and news stories – including the two CSW62 webinars can be viewed HERE.

A very special thank you to all of the Soroptimists who worked so hard on reporting news for SI and captured the wonderful events and celebrations on camera.