YWCA USA young women to attend UN’s CSW 2012
Four young women, who attended the World YWCA meeting in Zurich this past summer, will represent the YWCA USA at the 56th Session of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women in February – World YWCA Broad member Luna Lee and Kris Silvestry from the Northeast, Jenna Lodge from the Southeast and Leanne Baumung from the Pacific Region, who in 2008 worked in Geneva as part of the World YWCA team as a one year intern .
In addition, Sandra Cano from New England will serve as an intern for the World YWCA delegation that includes women from 18 countries. Women led non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from around the globe gather each year to promote women’s rights as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals.
This is the first year the YWCA USA will have a formal young women’s delegation at CSW. Last year Luna Lee who has permanent credentials as UN liaison to the International Relations Council reported on CSW for YWCA USA. This year extra credentials for two of the young women were provided by Canada and credentials for two others were given by the World YWCA. The YWCA USA is currently seeking consultative status that would grant up to 20 slots for YWCA USA delegates to attend CSW in the future.
The delegation’s involvement will include two days of advocacy training led by seasoned CSW YWCA women. The priority theme of the 56th session is the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger and the review theme is financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women. The World YWCA regularly participates in the Commission as an accredited NGO. In the lead up to the Commission, NGOs have the opportunity to submit statements as a way of lending expertise on the chosen topic of the session. This represents an important opportunity for the YWCA to bring its expertise on the situation for women and girls to the United Nations and influence future policies.
The World YWCA will be using the CSW platform to advance the new Strategic Framework 2012-2015 by advocating for continued implementation of global commitments on women, including CEDAW and UNSCR 1325, with a particular focus on engaging rural women in the peace building process. The World YWCA also plans to host a women's intergenerational dialogue, which has become a trademark of the YWCA's participation at the CSW over recent years; and to progress the climate change resolution adopted at Council by hosting a side event on the impact of climate change on women in rural communities in collaboration with partners.
Non-UN credentialed YWCA women are invited to attend off-site sessions, of which there are many on a variety of topics throughout the two weeks. In early February the CSW calendar will become available online and contain a full listing of CSW sessions and activities.
Please Note:
YWCAs (especially those in the New York City, New Jersey area) interested in hosting world delegates to CSW in February should contact Joelle Logue at jblogue@yahoo.com
