Arab States join global intergovernmental meeting on gender equality and women’s empowerment
Date:
Representatives from Arab States governments, civil society organizations and UN entities are joining the ongoing session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the main global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The meeting follows a preparatory meeting in which Arab States countries agreed on a common regional position ahead of the global gathering.
During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives from all over the world gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) taking place from 15 to 26 March 2021, will be held in a hybrid format with mostly virtual meetings. This year’s priority theme is “Women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”
Arab States events at CSW65
March 22 – 3:00 pm (Palestine time)
The Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Palestine: Context, Progress and Future Direction
Hosted by the State of Palestine, The Representative Office of Norway to the Palestinian Authority and UN Women Palestine, this side event will aim to highlight new developments in Palestine and how they offer opportunities for promoting women’s participation and leadership, as well as to present the progress of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in the country, including commitments articulated in the second National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325. Click here to attend the meeting.
March 23 – 2:00 pm (Cairo time)
Gender Justice & The Law: Implications of inequality before the law for full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence
The Governments of Jordan and Morocco in collaboration with ESCWA, UNDP, UNFPA and UN Women will host a side event aimed at introducing the Gender Justice and the Law initiative, which provides a comprehensive assessment of laws and policies affecting gender equality and protection against gender-based violence in Arab States countries. Read more and register here.
March 25 – 2:00 pm (Cairo time)
Working Together to End Violence Against Women in the Arab States Region
Organized by the League of Arab States in collaboration with UNHCR Egypt, UNFPA Arab States and UN Women Arab States, this event aims to reinforce the commitment by LAS member states to eliminate gender-based violence in the region and take stock of the efforts being made towards achieving this especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more and register here.
About CSW
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.