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UNCSW66: Young Women and Climate Action Education 24/3/22

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There is a clear way to bring together gender, climate crisis and education in a coherent way. This session was hosted by Graduate Women International and brought together 60+ researchers, teachers, educators and professionals.   As an educator this was a balanced and positive event that included practical ideas for how to deliver activities in the classroom while reflecting on the key information and basic language we need to be able to articulate the intended outcomes. The overarching message was that “Climate action should be everyday action” and the goal for us in education is to embed this into the work we already do in classrooms around the world. We need to be aware that Children and young people as a group are constantly being presented with the message that the world as we know it is ‘on the path to destruction’ and that they are ‘our last hope’. This is why we need to be careful with how we present them with the information so that it isn’t overwhelming.   Any ...
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UNCSW66: Regional Caucus -North America and Europe 17/3/22

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  North America and Europe Caucus 17/3/22 The opportunity to come together regionally was to stop and reflect on what has been achieved and recognise the importance of civil society to be able to work in partnership with the country’s missions. As activists we tend to focus on the unfinished work, what’s still left on our collective to do list. As countries in North America and Europe we can’t campaign for women’s rights without recognising that different groups and identities of women have multiple experiences.   Especially when there is conflict – time and time again, evidence shows that women and children are affected first and the most. Migrant women need to be given a voice not just during media reported conflicts but all conflicts as women are often at this intersection. Members of this meeting referred to the importance of Security Council Resolution 1325 which clearly states that women’s rights and safety should be paramount during a conflict. We should all be co...
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UNCSW66: Where Race and Gender Intersect...

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  UN Anti-Racism Conversation Circle 15/3/22  This session was hosted as a parallel event by NGO CSW NY. A fantastic session which explored how we can come together to intersect race, ethnicity and gender to move close to equality. When researching attitudes towards people of a race different to their own, www.worldpopulationreview.com found that when ranking countries surprisingly the US and UK weren’t in the top 25.   This was the subject of discussion within the group before examining how racism manifests, the negative impact it has on both individuals and wider society. ‘Making anti-racism a verb’ was the discussion and learning   point for our groups. We heard about racism as a public health issue, the importance of mental health and wellbeing for those who experience racism and the lived experience of migrant workers in Dubai among others. We were involved in a deep discussion around privilege and the need to embrace uncomfortable conversations as a to...
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UNCSW66 - Do we still need to talk about gender equality?

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  UNCSW66:  CSW66(2022) | Commission on the Status of Women | UN Women – Headquarters As a teacher educator, I look forward to the UN CSW. This is my 3 rd year attending and I look forward to the theme, the space and the connections.   The space that is created is built on a coming together to examine the inequality women and girls face in a world which is still evolving. This Commission creates opportunity to examine the status of women from many different angles whether this is within the context of country, region or topic. As a woman, trade unionist and activist this space is bother empowering, exhausting and energising. This year the theme is “ Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes ”. How do we reconcile gender equality with the climate crisis?   we are facing both as one global community, yet it isn’t that isn’t easy to link. ...
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Why do women's voices need to be heard in union leadership.

 As a second time attendee at UN Commission on the Status of Women #UNCSW65 i appreciate that there is a space to reflect on the position and role of women in every walk of life, in pretty much every context - globally. Although online, this year is no different except now we find ourselves juggling all the other responsibilities we have as women in the home with finding space to attend a global conference of other women doing the same, domestic duties, paid work, caring responsibilities and of course, dealing with a global pandemic. But for a moment,  you are able to connect with other women across the world and find that there are definitely moments of clarity, understanding and purpose.  As women and girls, we are more than half the population yet our needs are very rarely considered let alone met. In a meeting concerning infrastructure, a moment of clarity for me was even the way our transport links are planned doesn't take into account the needs of women. And don't e...
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Gender Dialogues: The Road To Equality (16/3/21)

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  Why is infrastructure key to gender equality? Panelists Dr Nihan Akyelken, Associate Professor Sustainable Urban Development, University of Oxford Ms Grete Faremo, UN Under-Secretary-General and UNOPS Executive Director  Ms Doreen Malambo, Assistant Superintendent, UNPOL Gender Advisor for UNMISS  Ms Nichola Mallon, MLA Minister for Infrastructure for the Northern Ireland Executive  As always, the #CSW challenges us as attendees to see the world (as we think we know it) through different eyes. Today I joined a session that approached infrastructure through a gendered experience.   I never thought about how our world is designed by men for men, obviously during the pandemic there were female keyworkers on the frontline who were highlighting that the proportions for PPE are inappropriate for women. The sizes are 'wrong', they don't fit female sizes. We all saw the pictures of bruised faces from masks and googles, the double tied...
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In 2021 why are women still not safe?

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The start of UN Commission on the Status of Women 2021 coincided with what has been described as a 'moment' in the UK. Yes, this year we are in the throes of a global pandemic, which has truly exposed and exacerbated the divisions between women and men. Covid 19 has also highlighted the impact of systemic racism towards Black and minority ethnic communities and need for a planned recovery not just for the economy but also for the mental health of our nations. But in the week following International Women's Day and Mother's Day in the UK, many of us became transfixed with the disappearance of a 33 year old woman, who had been missing since Wednesday March 3rd.  This was happening during our 3 (or 4th - easy to lose track) national lockdown and she was last seen walking a short distance home from a friend's house. A journey that should have taken just 50 minutes. A journey she travelled many times before.   Her journey would've taken her across a public pa...
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