For more than 100 years, Zonta members have been working toward our vision of a more equal world – a world in which women’s rights are recognized as human rights and every woman is able to achieve her full potential, a world where women have access to all resources and are represented in decision-making positions on an equal basis with men, a world where no woman lives in fear of violence.
Today, that vision seems further away than ever. The world is facing unprecedented challenges, including a global pandemic, widespread gender inequality and climate change. While these challenges are felt by communities across the globe, they uniquely impact women and girls. Zonta International released a statement to the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, pointing out which strong impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on women and girls in terms of economic welfare, health, gender-segregation and violence, as well as underlining the effects of climate change on gender inequality and access to vital resources.
In the statement, Zonta International calls on Member States and the United Nations to address the immediate and long-term effects of these issues on women and girls by suggesting actions. Read the statement below:
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 and was established by in1946. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
source: https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw
Over the two weeks (March 13 - March 26) of the Commission on the Status of Women, NGO CSW/NY organizes more than 500 events that inform, engage and inspire grassroots efforts and advocacy needed to empower women and girls. This year, the NGO CSW65 Forum will be entirely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Find information about the NGO CSW65 Virtual Forum and how to participate here: https://ngocsw.org/ngocsw65/