“The world over, COVID-19 has further exposed that women are not equal partners in decision-making and policy implementation” said Sunita Suna, Executive Secretary for Programmes at the Asia and Pacific Alliance of YMCAs. “And YMCA will call that out when the UN meets to discuss the status of women next week.”
Sunita was speaking as YMCA delegates from all around the world who will attend the UN’s 65th Session of the Commission for the Status of Women (CSW) got together on Tuesday 9 March for a World YMCA-hosted Welcome Event. The event – attended by nearly 40 delegates from some 20 countries – provided an opportunity to network and clarify questions, and also to hear from guest speaker Jill Anami, a gender specialist working on human rights advocacy at World YWCA.
‘CSW65’ is happening from 15-26 March 2021. It is focusing on women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence. This year’s mostly virtual CSW is taking place amid the backdrop of COVID-19, which has disproportionately impacted women from job losses to reported increases in domestic violence. Discussions will focus on expanding healthcare and education, to green economies and ending violence against women. All this, to build sustainable and resilient futures.
At ‘CSW64’ in October 2019, World YMCA issued a statement which was submitted to the United Nations.