Story by Memory Chamisa
THE 69th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) ended in New York this Friday, with a consensus on setting a bold course towards achieving gender equality for all women and girls.
The Adoption of the Political Declaration by the member states to promote and protect gender equality and empowerment of women and girls was the main highlight of this year’s session.
The Political Declaration adopted at CSW reaffirms that gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls are essential for sustainable development and fulfilling the pledge to leave no one behind.
For the participants, the onus now is on women themselves to ensure the gains made are maintained.
“When women lead, progress follows. It is on record that women constitute the majority in most countries but you find them behind men when it comes to leadership, we are saying if we as women rise and group together, we definitely can change that narrative,” Look at Africa right now women have taken up leadership positions. This is a testament that we are more than able to lead. This year of note is how Women led organizations’ presence was at CSW69 and how it strengthened the movement for gender equality and a better future for all women and girls. Let’s support, fund, and amplify their voices,” a participant said.
“For 20 years, the gender gap in labour force participation has remained stagnant. Emerging technologies promise equality but are weaponised against women and girls, and women and girls bear the toughest brunt of the escalating climate crisis,” another paticipant added.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa could not hide her joy as she highlighted the highs of the conference for Zimbabwe and Africa.
“The conference also ended with celebrations for women who could not be more proud of their sisters who broke the glass ceilings including Zimbabwe’s own Minister, Kirsty Coventry who received a standing ovation for her election as the first female African president for International Olympic Committee,” senator Mutsvangwa said.
“We also celebrated the election of Namibia’s first female President. This year’s conference reviewed the progress made on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which remains the most revolutionary plan for gender equality to date.
“Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, it set the stage for equal rights for all women and girls. The world today is more equal for women and girls than ever before. Women have fought for and won the right to vote, work, and lead. More girls are in school than at any time in history. More countries criminalised domestic violence before 1995. Only 12 countries had legal sanctions against it.
“A new wave of fearless, youth-led activism is rising across the world, demanding rights, equality, empowerment, but global pushback on women’s rights threatens to undermine hard won gains and progress remains too slow.”
When women rise, humanity rises, these were the parting words as the 69th Commission on the Status of Women ended with reinvigorated hope for gender equality and women empowerment.
