YWCA Palestine at CSW68
For the past 12 years, the YWCA has been actively participating in the United Nations Commission on the Status of women in New York which is convened in March of every year for 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. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world are invited to contribute to the session.
YWCA Palestine has been striving to build young women’s capacities in International Advocacy and offering them platforms to advocate for a Just Peace in Palestine.
This year 2024, the 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), took place from 11 – 22 March under the priority theme, “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.
Three delegates attended in Person the CSW68 from the YWCA Palestine: Queen Masoud, Board of Directors member, Mayadah Tarazi, Operations and Human Resources Manager, Selina Abdallah, Grants Reporting and Compliance Manager.
Parallel Event
YWCA Palestine organized a Parallel event at the CSW68 in New York, under the theme “Illuminating the transformative impact of young women’s empowerment on the resilient pursuit of rights and social well-being”. More than 50 participate attended the event from different YWCA’s and other international organizations.
The event highlighted the suffering of women in Palestine, which has worsened under the current circumstances, and the challenges facing young women in exercising their rights.
It also emphasized the YWCA’s vision that youth and young women are the agents of change and given the right opportunities and support, they can build a brighter future for all that promotes freedom and justice.
Meetings and Discussions
During their participation at the CSW68, YWCA Palestine delegation successfully held side meetings with several associations within the movement in order to develop joint ventures and actions.
The delegation held meetings with: YWCA USA, YWCA Canada, YWCA Finland, YWCA Japan, YWCA Korea, Global Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ, and others.
The meetings and discussions were an opportunity to work collaboratively towards the YWCA Goals, and to discuss ways of collaboration and strengthen partnerships with other international organizations.
The delegation shed light on women’s issues in Palestine, the efforts of YWCA Palestine towards economic empowerment of women, young women and youth, its programs and interventions especially under the current situation, and methods of support.
As part of the Palestinian delegation headed by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, YWCA Palestine delegates met with UN Women representatives, and Palestine’s UN envoy, Riyad Mansour.
