Event Report by Shivonia Singleton, REYWT Core Member

51st Session on the Commission of the Status of Women

February 23-28, 2007
New York

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was an exciting experience.  Before attending the event, I was filled with expectations and hopes of making a difference. We began the weekend by attending an orientation session held by Ecumenical Women. There were many presentations — some were very helpful; others made visiting the United Nations seem like a daunting task.  I thought I would never understand the ins and outs of the United Nations. One of the highlights of the first day was the announcement that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) had written a report on the Girl Child that addresses many of the issues identified by the Commission in the past. Many of the other denominations were impressed with the document, but I had a different outlook when I first read the document. My ideology centered more on the fact that yes, we have the document, but when are we going to take action?

The following day was set aside for the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Consultation. The purpose of the consultation was to get the participants prepared to lobby during the Commission.  Throughout the day, there were numerous panels that presented their ideas and arguments concerning their work with or for the girl child.

The next two days were spent attending the commission sessions and parallel events.  During the Commission sessions, we were able to sit in an observation area and listen to the discussion between the delegates. At the parallel events, various organizations sponsored panels that provided more insight surrounding the issues faced by the girl child and women.

As a part of REYWT’s advocacy work, two women were invited by the Presbyterian U.N. office to talk to about HIV/AIDS and women of color during our visit. One of the speakers was from the UNAIDS office and the other was from New York Collaboration on HIV/AIDS.

Since this was my first time attending a U.N. event, I believed that this was my opportunity to learn more about the process and procedure of the United Nations. Before attending this event, I had only a general understanding of the purpose of the United Nations and the Commission. By attending the event, I have much better understanding of the United Nations and especially the Commission. Even though there are an overwhelming number of activities taking place during the commission, the experience of meeting and observing people from all over the world is reason enough to attend. 

Women and girl children from all over the world came to express their thoughts and feelings about the mistreatment of girl children. During our breakout session during the NGO consultation, I felt that we were not exactly accomplishing the goal of the session.  However, I was able to hear the personal stories of women in Africa, where girl children have no rights and are being mistreated by participating in cultural traditions. Before hearing their stories, everything felt surreal, but hearing their concern and emotion brought the issues home.

During the Commission, there was a woman on the panel who had been trafficked as a result of being placed in a foster home during the week while her mother worked, because her mother was unable to afford a place for them to live. The woman shared graphic stories about the abuse she observed and experienced without her mother’s knowledge. She never shared the information with her mother because of the threats she received from her caregivers. 

I believe REYWT members should continue to attend to learn about issues pertaining to women and to understand what the United Nations and other organizations are doing to help situations such as this one.