It was a privilege and joy for me to have participated in the 63rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) in New York from 11 – 22 March 2019. I gathered that over nine thousand people registered for the event, and about seven thousand eventually attended. There were women from almost all the geographical regions of the world. I felt quite encouraged to hear women from different nationalities speak with passion on issues of gender equality and human rights for women and girls.
I had the opportunity to attend many side events at the margins of the CSW63. One of such events made a deep impression on me. I was moved to tears as I listened to the narrative about the horrific experience of how her stepfather sexually abused her, and 
then eventually thrown out of the family house when she spoke up. With being homeless, she became vulnerable to further sexual abuses and violence. One violent abuse led to another until she ended up being sold into prostitution by someone who pretended to offer her a job and a home. But her story did not end in prostitution, for she was rescued from the situation by a group of Catholic Religious Congregation. She is today a survivor/advocate against human trafficking and sexual exploitation of young girls.
Governments must do more in the fight against human trafficking and sexual abuse of women and girls. Bridging the gap in gender inequality that still exists in many countries by providing social protection to all citizens, especially women and girls is one concrete way of ensuring gender equality. This was the core message of CSW63. It is, however, reassuring to know that civil society organizations are not giving up on the fight against violence against women and girls. Memories of my experience of CSW63 will remain with me for a long time.
Amid all the events happening at the conference, some students from schools around New York City joined in the match for climate change. I felt heartened to hear the young people lend their voices to issues on the protection of our environment.
Filed under: Commissions, Women | Tagged: Women | 1 Comment »
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