Swords into plowshares
About this blog
Swords into Plowshares is the blog of the Peacemaking Program and the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations of the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Seeking peace. Striving for justice. Together.
Recent posts
- Do one thing for diversity and inclusion
- Palestinian prisoners, Israel agree to end of hunger strike
- A call from the Madagascar Council of Churches
- Authorize a Violence Against Women Act consistent with Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) policy
- Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike
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Posts with tag: women's rights
February 27, 2012Closing song from Monday morning worship
Ecumenical Women's worship this morning was led by the Lutheran World Federation and the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Here's a clip from the closing song.
February 26, 2012
Welcome to the Commission on the Status of Women
H.E. Marjon Kamara, Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations and Chair of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women welcomes everyone to this year's session.
Note that the volume appears to be low.
February 26, 2012
Giving thanks for the community of advocates
February 25, 2012
"I'm a Delegate"
Rhonda Everdyke, communicator for the Presbytery of Geneva, is blogging her experiences at the Commission on the Status of Women at I'm a Delegate. Today she reflects on the Ecumenical Women's Orientation:
It is hard to just put into words our experiences from today! So many women (even some brave men too) coming together to talk about common issues for women all over the world (including the United States) and what the struggles are within rural settings. Things need to change and women are the powerful voices to make it happen.
Tomorrow, some Presbyterian participants will worship with ...
February 25, 2012
Tweetable quotes - 25 February 2012
We are tweeting events around the Committee on the Status of Women as @PresbyUN. Here are a few highlights from the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
It’s some times easier to stay at home than to enter the struggle. Easier, but not better.
- Ana Chã, Brazil
You know what, I am that statistic. When we talk about statistics, we are talking about people.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
I wish I could find that teacher who told me I would never amount to anything and tell him where I am speaking.
- Michelle Deshong, Australia
If women around the world were paid for the ...
February 25, 2012
CSW encounters
Building community across nations - meeting sisters, and brothers, - happens regularly at the Commission on the Status of Women.
Peng Leong, volunteer with the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, reflects on an encounter - the beginning of a relationship with Naw Lee Myar - that took place today during the Ecumenical Women Orientation:
I met a delegate from Myanmar . . . she was sponsored by the Asian Rural Institute and the United Methodist church. She could not believe that God provided this opportunity since she had no means at all. She is so appreciative. . . . I am grateful to have met this wonderful sister who ...
February 24, 2012
It begins
The largest Presbyerian delegation to attend a meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women gathered at the Church of the Covenant for an orientation today. Thanks to our partners!
Our time together began with prayer for the delegation, the participants in the Commission, and our sisters and brothers around the world. The prayer included a special mention for Cynthia Bolbach, moderator of the 219th General Assembly (2010).
Particpants then introduced themselves. Representatives of Presbyerian Women spoke about their role in engaging the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the Commission. Staff for Women's Leadership Development and Young ...
February 24, 2012
Ready!
With excitiment and anticipation, I have read the posts on Facebook from Presbyterian participants in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) noting their travel. If I followed other pages, I would probably know about the travel plans participants with other organizations.
Some individuals have already arrived in New York City.
Some individuals have already experienced travel challenges.
Some individuals will arrive today; other individuals between now and Monday.
For the Presbyterians, our CSW experience begins this afternoon at 4:00 pm with an orientation. A BIG SHOUT OUT by the way to our partners at the Church of ...
February 23, 2012
Why we attend the Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (“CSW” or “the Commission”) begins on Monday, February 27. Presbyterian participants will gather for an orientation tomorrow - February 24.
The CSW is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Comprised of representatives of 45 UN Member States, the Commission gathers every year at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality ...
February 22, 2012
The 2012 Commission on the Status of Women
The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women begins on Monday, February 27.
Presbyterian and other participants will arrive in New York over the next few days. The Presbyterian Orientation will take place on Friday, February 24. We will join our partners at the Ecumenical Women's Orientation on Saturday, February 25.
There are a number of places to follow the events - including this blog. Watch the plenary sessions of the Commission on UN Webcast.
Other sources of information include:
- The Ecumenical Women Web page
- Presbyterian United Nations Ministry Facebook page
- Presbyerian Women Facebook page
- Ecumenical Women ...
November 25, 2011
16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence
O LORD, you hear the desire of the meek; you will strengthen their heart, you will incline your ear to do justice for the orphan and the oppressed, so that those from earth may strike terror no more. (Psalm 10:17-18)
November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. This day is followed by 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. The International Day and the 16 Days of Activism are commemorated every year around the world to raise awareness and trigger action on this pervasive human rights violation.
This year, UN Women Executive Director ...
July 8, 2011
NGO WORKING GROUP ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY: STATEMENT ON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Below is a release from the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security:
The NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security is alarmed at the latest reports by its member organizations and the United Nations of mass rape and other crimes against civilians perpetrated in the Fizi area of South Kivu by troops of the armed forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The NGO Working Group urges the Government of the DRC, the United Nations and Member States to heed the voices of Congolese women, who have repeatedly stressed that such attacks stem from the persistent ...
June 27, 2011
Support Women's Rights - Ratify CEDAW
John’s Gospel records the story of Jesus and a woman engaged in a long conversation at a well. Jesus recognized and honored her humanity as he did the humanity of all the women he encountered. Jesus consistently affirmed the dignity and worth of each person. Here is one way you can follow his example:
Participate in the campaign to call the United States Senate to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Presbyterian Women encourages Presbyterians to take part in this campaign, organized by the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights ...
March 2, 2011
From the Midwest to the UN: One Woman's Story
By Cindy Eschliman It is not often that I am put in a position of being in the minority. I am a young, white woman, who grew up in Hutchinson, KS – the center of the Midwest and I now...
February 25, 2011
Ratify CEDAW
On behalf of Presbyterian participants in the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, Louise Davidson of Presbyterian Women invites the ecumenical community to join in an advocacy effort to secure Senate ratification of the Convention to...
March 17, 2010
Stop Violence Against Women
From the Presbyterian Washington Office: Ask your Senators and Representative to cosponsor the International Violence Against Women Act. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA) has been introduced in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The bill, which was...
August 25, 2009
Tell your Senators to act on CEDAW
Celebrate Women's Equality Day (Wednesday, August 26) by urging your senators to take action on CEDAW (United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women). Call both your Senators at 202-224-3121 and urge them to support...