Passionate – That is what we are!

On February 20, 2011, the YWCA delegation participated in the Ecumenical Women at the United Nations orientation day, which was organised in order to “shape our hearts to be and act together,” as the theme of the day stated. The YWCA delegation of seven women (four young women) was led by Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary, and Jessica Notwell, World YWCA Board Member. Hendrica Okondo, Global Programme Manager SRHR and HIV and AIDS was also present. The orientation looked at CSW through a faith lens and the delegation was able to meet and share exchanges with the other delegations through group work which focused on the importance of using inclusive language that acknowledges both unity and diversity.

On February 21, 2011, the World YWCA facilitated a one-day Pre-CSW Advocacy Training for YWCA representatives. The training began with a worship session led by the YWCA of Korea and Canada, and World YWCA Ambassador, Bonnie Fatio, and Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda held the opening remarks. The one-day training also included the screening of the film Pray the Devil Back to Hell , by Abigail Disney, to showcase the powerful force of effective advocacy.

The objectives of the training were to provide an opportunity for participants to: share the successes and challenges relating to the work of the YWCA; to develop a plan of action for the delegation during CSW events; to build advocacy skills for effective interaction and engagement; to ensure that the delegation has a clear understanding of the CSW programme; and to build skills on how to network, to track contacts made and to follow up on them. “We have an amazing amount of talent, expertise and enthusiasm in our delegation and already in our initial session there is a strong sense of sisterhood and connection,” says Rebecca Vassarotti, Executive Director of the YWCA of Australia.

At the pre-CSW training session, Rebecca also shared the importance of using CSW as a platform to advocate on particular issues with respective national governments. “We are using this as an opportunity to lift our profile as international advocates on women’s issues with our own government, to make connections with key participants and to develop strategies about how we will use these outcomes to advocate on these issues,” she said.

 “We are here together as a formidable group of twenty-five plus women, from more than 10 countries and diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and histories. We are all YWCA women leaders, connected by the history of our movement, our commitment to that common purpose so enshrined in our constitution, which is the leadership of women and girls and their collective power towards justice, peace, freedom, human dignity, health and care for the environment. This is who we are”, commented Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda.

At the advocacy training several participants shared what CSW means to them:

• “CSW means witnessing the power of women coming together. The World YWCA has led the women's movement for generations. It is so great to see that the YWCA is still at the forefront of this movement,” Doris Salah, YWCA of Palestine.
• “CSW is an opportunity to connect our experience with global discussions that impact on our lives,” Jessica Notwell, YWCA Canada.
• “CSW is meeting with various people and sharing stories from various backgrounds. It is to cooperate with other NGOs and share our YWCA experience," Aki Yoskida, YWCA of Japan.

This year the priority theme at CSW is the access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work. Key issues for the YWCA are the need to increase investment in education for women and girls and to ensure that it includes sexuality education. Other key issues include: involving women and girls in policy dialogues on education, ensuring that a rights perspective is included in education policies, that rights to productive employment and access to decent work are upheld, and to promote vocational and non formal educational programmes for girls that are unable to access mainstream education.