Opening of the Commission on the Status of Women within the UN in Geneva

“Women and girls are calling out abusive behaviour and discriminatory attitudes. And let’s be clear the central question we face is a question of power. Power is normally never given, power normally needs to be taken.”

“We live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture. And that is why the empowerment of women and girls is our common central objective.”

“The theme of your gathering this year highlights rural women: a group that is particularly marginalized and may lack access to health care, education and technology.”

“But rural women are often the backbone of their families and communities, managing land and resources. They may be experts on climate resilience and on sustainable development.”

“Widows, indigenous women, women with disabilities and women who do not conform to gender norms face the greatest challenges of all”.

“By building equality, we give women a chance to fulfill their potential”.

These are some of the messages extended today by Secretary-General Guterres at the opening of the Commission on the Status of Women within the UN.

The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, and one of the main bodies within the United Nations. CSW is described as the UN body that promotes gender equality and empowerment of women. Each year, representatives of the Member States gather at the headquarters to assess the progress in gender equality, identify the challenges, set the global standards, and formulate specific policies to promote gender equality and empower women worldwide.

A representative of the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights of the Republic of Macedonia, the project and advocacy coordinator, Biljana Ginova, had an address at the opening event.