(ACNS) Thousands of women from around the world, including more than 90 representing the Anglican Communion, will gather in New York March 1-12 for the 54th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women to undertake a 15-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The CSW is the oldest U.N. standing commission. It meets annually to examine a different theme as it relates to gender equity — global poverty, economics, peacekeeping, human rights, etc. — from the lens of the most vulnerable and exploited communities, mostly women and children, said Alessandra Peña, a consultant for the Anglican United Nations Thematic Working Group on Women’s Right and Empowerment.
“This year is a review year ”¦ there was a five-year review in 2000 and a 10-year review in 2005,” she said. “Beijing (is important) because it is still considered the most comprehensive platform on issues of gender equity ”¦ the MDGs were informed by the Beijing platform.”
And let’s not forget that all important issue: abortion on demand.