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51st Session on the Commission of the Status of Women
February 23-28, 2007
New York
Give a brief overview the event
The 51st Session on the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW) is a two-week gathering at the United Nations, where representatives from numerous countries and Non-Governmental Organizations come to express their recommendations and testimonies concerning young women and adolescent children. In addition to the CSW, we went through a series of events, including an orientation with Ecumenical Women Working Group at the Church Center and the NGO Consultation at New York University.
Describe your role at the event
- Serve as an observer in the CSW, orientation and Consultation
- Gather resources for REYWT
Provide any highlights and general notes
- Received a tour of the Presbyterian office in the Church Center
- Met with other ecumenical women
- Received numerous packets and handouts regarding U.N. structure, AIDS, poverty, info on the “Girl Child”
- Heard a testimony from AIDS survivor Lynn Murchison, who also interns with UNAIDS
- Saw a mere glimpse of U.N. culture
- Attended a few parallel events
Describe how the event affected you personally and vocationally in the life of church
Over the course of a few days, we received various amounts of information, textually and verbally. I retained as much information as my brain could handle from each event. Not surprisingly, I did not retain even 50 percent of the verbal information given to us. Despite my retention, I will remember the testimonies that I heard. There were testimonies from young children about the living conditions for girls in their respective countries. There were testimonies that made my stomach queasy, as in the case of the Canadian woman who was used as a sex slave when she was ten years old. Other stories were motivating and encouraging, such as the one I heard from a young woman from Uganda. Despite economic, social and political turmoil in her country, she wants to pursue higher education and wants to help young women in her country. Other topics spoken about included AIDS, genital mutilation, domestic abuse and child pornography. Indeed, from hearing testimonies and receiving information about these topics, my awareness and intellectual insight of these issues broadened my perspective of the treatment of girls in other countries.
After this week in New York, I realized how thankful I am for my upbringing, the protection I have from my family and surroundings, and the love I receive from my family. My mind cannot even fathom the demonic spirits in people who conduct such acts on young women and children. Although there are cultural reasons for some acts (like genital mutilation in African countries), I am disgusted about what people are capable of doing to little girls.
Overall, I realized how critical it is for young women (at least domestically — I cannot attest to other situations in different countries) to be involved in support groups and activities at an early age, so that young women are emotionally and spiritually sound as they mature. Furthermore, I strongly affirm that through belief in Jesus Christ and being surrounded in Godly council of church, family and Godly environments, young girls and women will be healed of harmful memories, and the chances of young girls and women being abused drops significantly.
Describe how this event is beneficial for other racial ethnic young women
As mentioned above, there are various issues that are focused on during the CSW and side events. Any woman who attends will definitely find the resources and meetings at the UN/Church Center that cater to her specific interests. One note of warning: some topics such as sex trafficking and genital mutilation are not for the faint-hearted. These topics involve graphic testimonies and alarming statistics.
Women who attend CSW will forever be enlightened on global issues about the “Girl Child” and also be spiritually and emotionally impacted
Suggestions for REYWT based on attending this event
It would definitely be beneficial for REYWT members to attend this UN function every year because the event impacts a person spiritually, emotionally, politically and socially. |
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