GWL Voices at CSW67

GWL Voices’ participation at the Commission of the Status of Women (CSW67) was full of inspiring conversations and actions to advance women’s empowerment in the multilateral system. 

GWL Voices led the following panel discussions:

• A panel focused on rural women as significant actors in combatting the climate crisis, with the participation of Ms. Carol Bellamy, Ms. Guillermina Martín, Ms. Anayansi Perez, and Ms. Andrea Macías.
• The online violence towards women politicians panel was joined by Ms. Susana Malcorra, Ms. Felicia Appenteng, Ms. Mariateresa Garrido, and Ms. Dawn Clancy.
• A panel centered around the impact of technology on women, peace, and security in Yemen, saw the contribution of GWL Voices’ member Ms. Amat Alsoswa. 

GWL Voices also developed a cross-cutting approach at incorporating a feminist framework into the “Our Common Agenda” process with the participation of the authors of policy briefs with various proposals emerging from feminist perspectives across diverse thematic areas, in partnership with the Coalition for the UN We Need, UNDO, Bahai International Community, Global Governance Innovation Network and International Women’s Association. 

We, GWL Voices members, also hit a milestone for our organization and hopefully for the inclusion of women in decision-making spaces in global affairs:

GWL Voices, on behalf of its 62 leaders, presented for the first time the results of a comprehensive mapping of the gender of leaders in 33 of the world’s most crucial multilateral organizations. 

These multilateral organizations claim to be committed to gender equality, thanks partly to women’s efforts, as in the 77-year-old United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. However, the evidence suggests otherwise, and the first step to achieving gender equality in leadership is to acknowledge the facts. Women are vastly underrepresented in positions of power, and we already have the numbers and know the big picture; now, let’s use this evidence to drive change. 

In the framework of CSW67, GWL Voices’ President Ms. Susana Malcorra and Executive Director Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés held meetings to foster continued collaboration and strengthening of strategic relationships to advance women’s rights around the world.  

Always working hand in hand with UN Women, Ms. Susana Malcorra and Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés held a meeting with the Executive Director, Ms. Sima Bahous, to explore the opportunities that lie ahead in terms of research to advance women’s leadership within and outside the multilateral system. Also joining forces with the President of the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Mr. Csaba Kőrösi, discussing multiple issues that require a feminist perspective, especially mentioning women’s participation in crises which is transformative.

Of course, we always make time for another edition of the Her Turn program. GWL Voices members Ms. Federica Moguerini, Ms. Margot Wallström, and Ms. Susana Malcorra held an enriching conversation with New School International Affairs students exchanging perspectives about the importance of having women in leadership positions and the difficulties we face. GWL Voices Her Turn program engages young student leaders worldwide to learn about their concerns about the future and ideas to improve women’s and girls’ lives globally.

A warm welcome to H.E. @SusanaMalcorra & H.E. @mfespinosaEC during #CSW67.

I appreciate their leadership for gender equality, incl. in context of #GenerationEquality & @GWLvoices.

Discussed priority areas for progress, including gender parity in public & private sectors. pic.twitter.com/eZWRtBWfg7

— Sima Bahous (@unwomenchief) March 6, 2023

We need women's leadership more than ever to address today's complex crises.

Great to reconnect with @SusanaMalcorra & @mfespinosaEC of @GWLvoices on #CSW67 sidelines.

Discussed opportunities to join forces for gender equality as we prepare for SDG Summit & Summit of the Future pic.twitter.com/HU209F2XNR

— UN GA President (@UN_PGA) March 7, 2023