A tidal wave of energy

There are 6000 women at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York (UNCSW57) this week... participating in many different ways.  It is the largest ever worldwide gathering of women to discuss violence against women! It is bigger than any of the four World Conferences on Women held between 1975-1995. Something new is happening here this week...a tidal wave of energy!

Women from all over the world have gathered to discuss the primary theme of the elimination and prevention of violence against women and girls. In addition to the formal proceedings held at the UN (to discuss the Draft Agreed Conclusions with the intention of producing an Outcome Document by March 15), there are over 400 parallel and side events which are taking place throughout Manhattan over these two weeks. Everywhere you go in the few blocks surrounding the UN building there are women making their way from one event to the next, meeting as groups in coffee shops and restaurants, attending worship services, film screenings, panel discussions, debriefing sessions, conversation circles, caucuses and more.

There are approximately 300 NGO’s here providing essential input to governments and inter-governmental bodies. The involvement of civil society is important in helping member-states and all those who are participating at CSW to better grasp the experiences of women and the challenges involved in addressing violence against women and girls. These groups also help by sharing their knowledge and expertise in developing creative solutions.

This is not a group of women simply re-stating the well-known, documented and long-standing truth about violence in the lives of women and girls.  Realities we have known about and have worked to raise awareness about for decades. There are certainly efforts being made to ensure we have the most current information on the various forms these human rights violations are taking today around the world, but this gathering is focused on action.  It is focused on ensuring that all of the significant commitments made in previous declarations (such as the Bejing Declaration, the Bejing Platform for Action and Millenium Development Goals) are implemented.

There is a strong Anglican/Episcopal presence at the UNCSW57.  The Anglican Church of Canada/International Anglican Women’s Network (Canada) has 15 women who are participating. There are 26 Anglican participants from around the world who are attending through the Anglican Communion Office at the UN (including some of the Canadian women). There have also been 18 women from around the world participating for the first time in a Women’s Indaba process which has been organized by Anglican Women’s Empowerment (AWE). We also work with the Ecumenical Women group while we are here as well which means we are one of the largest faith-based groups involved at CSW.

I have a lot more to share in terms of what I’ve heard and experienced since I arrived in New York...and I will endeavour to do so over the next few days. 

Peace,

The Rev. Carolyn Seabrook
Diocese of Ottawa, Canada