She says Yes to power at CSW 2010
The legend of Helvi Sipilä, the Finnish diplomat, lawyer , politician and first-ever female Assistant-Secretary-General of the United Nations was commemorated at the 54th Commission of Status of Women on March 4, 2010. The ‘She Says YES to Power’ Helvi Sipilä Commemoration Seminar was an opportunity for leading gender equality advocates to reflect on women saying yes to power from around the world.
World YWCA Vice President Jessica Notwell was a panelist along with Rachel Mayanja, Special Adviser to the Secretary General on Gender Issues and advancement of Women, Minister Stefan Wallin of Finland and Shirley Randell, International Federation of University Women.
Minister Wallin affirmed the work of Helvi Sipilä and also expressed his pride in holding a Ministerial position jn a country considered a leader in gender equality. “Gender equality is a core value of the Finnish Government and we are dedicated to the Beijing Platform for Action. It was and is a very powerful document and even after 15 years, we are still implementing it and we need powerful women to help do this.”
Jessica told the audience the YWCA movement says yes to a number of issues including access to full sexual and reproductive health and rights, economic security and young women’s leadership. Jessica urged everyone to reflect on what power really means. “Power is not only about women and men saying yes to power. It’s about what women have access to power. We must remember it’s not an equal paying field yet.”
Sharing examples of women and young women’s leadership in the YWCA movement with the audience, Jess said more women need to be in decision making positions in all spheres of life. “When women and young women are in positions of power, transformational changes take place. We need to break stereotypes of what a leader looks like.’
The Helvi Sipilä Seminar started in 2006 to honor her work and the work of women with the UN and CSW and its bodies as well as in other international and national women’s organisations. The event was organised and supported by the YWCA of Finland, Finnish Federation of University Women, the National Council of Women in Finland, Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations and the National Committee for UNIFEM in Finland.
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