Orientation session opens ecumenical participation at UN talks on women’s rights

Ecumenical Women at the United Nations, an international coalition of church denominations and ecumenical organizations, offered an orientation session, on 9 March, to participants of the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Those gathered discussed collaborative efforts related to communications and advocacy.

Held at the Tillman Chapel of the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City, the program included a panel of faith leaders from Ecumenical Women that explored the theme “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.”

CSW, the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment, will take place this year from 11 - 22 March under the priority theme, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.

Dr Ryan Smith, World Council of Churches representative to the UN in New York City, and co-chair of Ecumenical Women, said: “The faith community is core to the fabric of society; we come together here to advocate for a just community of women and men, working for a world we know God desires.”

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, assistant secretary-general and deputy executive director for Normative Support, United Nations System Coordination and Programme Results, UN Women, said: “Diversity is the essence of humanity. It is core and critical to protect that dignity in order to protect human rights for all.”

Learn more about the Ecumenical Office to the United Nations

Learn more about Ecumenical Women at the UN