The 58th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) session began in New York City yesterday and will convene through March 21. Over 6,000 registered representatives of the 193 member states, the UN, and non-governmental organizations are in attendance, including representatives from Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) and Girls Learn International, a special program of the FMF dedicated to girls’ global education.
CSW is the “principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.” This year, the annual event will focus on development, particularly women and girls’ equal access to education, and their access to sexual and reproductive education, health, and rights.
“We can and must do better because equality for women is progress for all!” said UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
Participants will also discuss the challenges and achievements in the implementation of the UN’s Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), women and poverty, women’s access to decent employment, and violence against women, among other topics.
