The Anglican Communion delegation to the United Nations 65th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) say that churches are “important partners of governments and international organisations in reaching all sections of society, achieving gender justice, and addressing the Covid-19 pandemic.” The statement was made in a written statement from the Anglican Communion Office at the United Nations ahead of this month’s CSW65.
The statement sets out five recommendations for UN Member States, agencies, and civil society organisations, including urging them to “recognise the positive role of faith communities building gender just relationships, transforming social norms and achieving gender equality; consider them key stakeholders and partners in humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts as well as in combating the multi-faceted impacts of Covid-19.”
UNCSW65 will take place from 15 to 26 March and is being held mostly online because of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Last year’s CSW64 was curtailed and postponed. The delegation chosen to represent the Anglican Communion last year have been retained as this year’s delegation.
The CSW is an intergovernmental body established in 1946 by the United Nations Economic and Social Council to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Each year, the Commission focuses on a different theme, which then shapes the agenda of the intergovernmental body as well as the engagement of broader civil society organisations.
The theme for this year is “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” It will also review a previous CSW theme on women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development.
The Anglican Communion delegation are engaging with the meeting in a number of ways. A joint Anglican Communion and Mothers’ Union webinar, “What’s Faith Got to do with it?”, on Thursday 18 March, has been chosen as an official UN parallel event, and several delegates are taking part in other parallel events. As part of their communications plan, the delegation will be taking over the twitter account @AnglicansEndGBV over the two weeks they will share their experiences and thoughts from the meeting.
- Click here for more information about the Anglican Communion’s involvement in CSW65.
- Click here for more details and registration information for the What’s Faith Got to do with it? Webinar.