The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and UN-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world, such as PPSEAWA International, attended the session.
The 61st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York from March 13-24, 2017. The theme for CSW61 was “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the Changing World of Work.” PPSEAWA International was highly proactive this year, and was proud to co-sponsor six parallel events at CSW61:
1. March 14, 2017
Topic: “The Business of Parliaments: Achieving Women’s Economic Empowerment and Why 30% Women’s Representation is important”
Venue: Salvation Army Auditorium.
Organizer: League of Women Voters and PPSEAWA International. Co-sponsors: Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, Ukrainian Mission United Nations, International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW), League of Women Voters, International Council of Jewish Women, World Jewish Congress, World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO). *Unfortunately, the UN was closed on this day due to inclement weather arising from Blizzard Stella.
2. March 15, 2017
Topic: Human Trafficking & Labor / Accessorizing Our Lives at the Cost of Others
Venue: Salvation Army Auditorium.
Organizer: NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons (CSTIP). Co-sponsors: End Trafficking Project at UNICEF USA and PPSEAWA International.
3. March 16, 2017
Topic: Implications for Global Health and Well Being for Women and Children
Venue: UN Headquarters Conference Room A.
Organizers: Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the United Nations; Permanent Mission of Belgium to the United Nations; Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations; Permanent Mission of Ukraine to the United Nations; Permanent Mission of Palau to the United Nations; WHO Office at the United Nations, New York; New York; International Council of Women (ICW-CIF); Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations (CCCUN); United Nations NGO Committee on Mental Health (CMH), World Federation of Ukrainian Women; Soroptimist International; Dianova International; Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association (PPSEAWA International); Nightingale Initiative for Global Health; International Psychoanalytical Association; Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities.
4. March 18, 2017
Topic: Women Refugee: Empowerment through education, participation in decision-making, and economic life
Venue: Church Center to the UN.
Organizer: Dialogue Institute Southwest/Houston. Co-sponsors: PPSEAWA International, The United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society, Journalists and Writers Foundation.
5. March 22, 2017
Topic: Challenges and Opportunities for Migrant Women’s Economic Empowerment
Venue: Church Center to the UN.
Organizer: Dianova International. Co-sponsors: PPSEAWA International, Dialogue Institute Southwest/Houston, The United Methodist Church-General Board of Church and Society.
6. March 23, 2017
Topic: Innovations in Education, Technology & Mental Health for Economic and Social Empowerment
Venue: Church Center to the UN.
Organizer: NGO Committee on Mental Health. Co-sponsors: PPSEAWA International, International Council of Women (ICW-CIF), Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations (CCCUN), American Psychiatric Association, World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations, National Council of Women of USA and National Council of Women of Ukraine, Nightingale Initiative for Global Health, Dianova International
CSW Reception
PPSEAWA USA co-hosted a welcome reception to kick off CSW61 with PPSEAWA International and the New York Chapter, at the Dim Sum Palace Restaurant on March 13, 2017. Speakers from the six parallel events were joined by PPSEAWA international sisters from Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand, as well as local members from Chicago, Honolulu, New York and Toledo.