Saturday, March 7, 2015
A girl born today will be an 81-year-old grandmother before she has the same chance as a man to be CEO of a company.
So UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told those who gathered for the Ecumenical Women Orientation to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women.
Presbyterian participants in the met with our Ecumenical Women partners for the event. Presbyterians and other members of Ecumenical Women work together to advocate and witness for justice during the Commission.
The day began with prayer and song, quickly followed by Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka who reflected on the lack of progress made in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. No country has achieved gender equality since Beijing according to Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka.
After Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka’s presentation, the orientation focused on how Ecumenical Women will work during the Commission, and when participants return to their homes, to change that reality. The Ecumenical Women will call UN member states to take steps to: end violence and discrimination against women; end poverty and inequalities and address climate change; provide education and training of women and girls; act to improve health for women, including full access to reproductive health and informed decision-making.
A panel presentation, workshops, relationship building, planning, and energetic worship filled the day.
Inspired, participants went forth to witness together so that the full human rights of women of all ages will be honored.
Lynnaia Main of the Episcopal Church and Ryan Smith, Presbyterian Representative to the United Nations, co-chair Ecumenical Women. Victoria Edmonds of the Salvation Army chaired Ecumenical Women’s Orientation Day team.