What is it like at CSW?

A lasting impression of attending the Commission on the Status of Women (SW) meetings for the first time is of tears...... lots of tears...  pouring freely down my cheeks... 

Tears of gratitude to be able to participate in something I had dreamed of for years. Tears of sadness at the stories and statistics of women's plight around the world one heard in every meeting and conversation Tears of wonder at the thousands of people from all parts of the globe that cared, that came, that advocated, that dared to believe it could be different, that knew that while some progress had been made there was still a long way to go and were committed to go the distance. 

Anglican delegates to UNCSW58 from around the world.

 Other highlights include: 

* sitting in a small group discussion with a dear woman from Pakistan (who she knew "Mother Alice"); a woman from the south of Italy and a woman from Madagascar and discovering that, while there were many differences to our lives and work we shared a desire to learn from each other and take something tangible back to the women we represented.
* singing with Phumzile and hearing her share her heart
* worship times with women of so many nationalities and denominations
* attending the Europe and North America caucus meeting at the UN
* learning how intentionally the YWCA develops young women leaders

And perhaps, most powerfully, watching the democratic practice at its best as woman after woman used her voice to advocate for the  girls and women she came to represent in the NA/Europe caucus meeting. Everyone was invited to speak into the document that would help craft the  CSW58 Agreed Conclusions. As person after person came to the microphone and respectfully yet with conviction shared their suggestions I was struck by how amazing it was that thousands and thousands of words, about hundreds and hundreds of concerns, representing millions and millions of real people's lives were being systematically gathered in what must be one of the most beautiful manifestations of the heart of God for the oppressed being lived out in human form, on a global scale, from people of all backgrounds,  that I have ever seen.

-Ellen Duffield

Delegate from the Diocese of Algoma