Advocacy for women at the UN

On Friday afternoon, an advocacy delegation from Ecumenical Women visited the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations.

The delegation met with Ambassador Shin Dong-Ik, the Deputy Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations. From the ambassador, they learned about Korea’s work on the Security Council. They shared Ecumenical Women‘s talking points for the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women:

• Cultural, structural and economic violence are underlying factors that must be addressed.
• Education is a vital part of the change process, especially societal change. Education must incorporate men and boys alongside women and girls.
• We must pay particular attention to the needs of rural and minority populations and improve their access to resources and services.

They also asked the ambassador to encourage the government of Korea to ratify both the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. These two international treaties are key to the effort to end human trafficking.

Making the visit were Ryan Smith, Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations, Presbyterians Doreen Der-McLeod, Cynthia Joe, and Ann Rhee Menzie, and Episcopalian My-ryong Kim. Presbyterian Sung Yeon Choi-Morrow arranged the visit.

Thanks to all who participated in this visit and ministry of advocacy during the Commission on the Status of Women.