CSW 55 Round-up

As the flags in front of the UN continue to flap in the breeze, Presbyterian participants in this year's Commission on the Status of Women have returned home, agreed conclusions have been accepted, and the theme for next year (the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development, and current challenges) has been set. What difference did it all make?

Check out the agreed conclusions online here. Working together with a coalition of organizations and denominations known as "Ecumenical Women at the UN," Presbyterians helped shape talking points and lobby delegates. Our talking point "End the disproportionate effects of violence against women and girls: Quality Education and equitable employment require healthy and safe learning and working environments" was incorporated into two changes in the final outcome document.

• Firstly, on page 3 paragraph 17, the word bullying was approved and remains in the document, along with discrimination, violence and sexual harassment. This language came from our pointed language suggestions and positive dialogue with several Member State representatives.

• Secondly, on page 7 paragraph (r), language was agreed upon regarding school environment, infrastructure and transportation, which was an element and recommendation that was discussed in detail in a meeting Ecumenical Women held with Representatives from the Chilean Mission.

Many Presbyterians who attended CSW plan to share what they learned with their communities--and a few other tools to share the work of CSW resulted from this gathering. Two advocacy resources are available to help you and your community make a statement on the violence in Libya and Côte d'Ivoire. Download them and take action!

Presbyterian Women who attended CSW also felt strongly about encouraging the US ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Find out more about CEDAW at www.CEDAW2011.org!

Image by Martin Swart (UN Flags Uploaded by Smooth_O) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons