CSW 2008

This year, a former girl-soldier discovered her passion for horticulture through a skills training programme run by a local women’s organisation and started a small business as she struggles to reintegrate into society. The YWCA of Liberia’s programme for former female soldiers trains and supports women and girls to start a new and productive life. But, where is the money to support her to heal from the sexual abuse and trauma of forced participation in civil war?

As one of the first organisations to play a part in the global women’s movement, the World YWCA will actively participate at the 52nd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Demanding adequate funding for women’s response to HIV and AIDS and security is the key message the World YWCA has taken to the fifty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from February 25 to March 7, 2008.

The fifty-second session of the Committee of status of Women (CSW) started with a strong message from United Nations General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon, “Violence against women is never acceptable! Never excusable! Never tolerable!”

Demanding adequate funding for women’s response to HIV and AIDs and security is the key message the World YWCA has taken to the fifty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from February 25 to March 7, 2008.

On the opening day of the Committee of Status of Women (CSW), the World YWCA delegation met with two prominent women, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)

The World YWCA has joined the GEAR Global campaign: Gender Equality Architecture Reform at the United Nations. The campaign has been launched to push for a stronger focus on women’s issues at the United Nations.

A meeting between World YWCA staff and the UNDP Gender Team concluded in commitment to partner on work in the area of HIV and AIDS and UN Security Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.

Susan Brennan, World YWCA President and Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary received a warm welcome from the YWCA World Service Council at a reception held in their honour in New York on March 4. The YWCA World Service Council is a USA based organisation that works to increase support and understanding of the work of the World YWCA and the YWCA USA by securing gifts, bequests and grants.