Representatives of the Maryknoll family who attended the session share their takeaways.
The following article was published in the May-June 2024 issue of NewsNotes.
The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on March 11-22. The 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.” Maryknoll Sisters Margaret Lacson and Susan Nchubiri, as well as Maryknoll Father John Sivalon and Lisa Sullivan of the Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns attended the sessions and shared their observations.
The session focused on the intersection of gender inequality and poverty—often referred to as the feminization of poverty—and explored multifaceted strategies to address these issues through robust financial inclusion, gender-responsive budgeting, and acknowledging the economic violence women often face.
The conference made historical strides by agreeing to adopt a set of conclusions, aptly titled Agreed Conclusions, which prescribe operational recommendations to address these critical issues effectively. These Conclusions reflect a comprehensive approach to tackling the root causes of poverty affecting women and girls worldwide. They emphasize the necessity of integrating women and girls’ needs into broader economic and environmental policies, considering their unique vulnerabilities and capabilities.
One of the most pressing challenges highlighted was the disproportionate impact of environmental degradation and climate change on women, particularly those in impoverished regions who rely heavily on natural resources for their livelihoods. The Conclusions drew attention to the need for sustainable environmental practices that include and benefit women, ensuring their right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
The participation of men and boys as allies was also noted as crucial in the fight for gender equality. The conference called for their active engagement in changing societal norms and supporting the empowerment of women and girls. This collaborative approach is essential for creating lasting gender equality.
The sessions also underscored the importance of addressing economic abuse, which manifests as restrictions on women’s access to financial resources, healthcare, employment, education, and participation in financial decision-making. Such practices not only undermine women’s autonomy but also reinforce intergenerational cycles of poverty. The Agreed Conclusions advocate for concrete measures to eradicate these forms of economic violence.
Sister Lacson shared her takeaways from the sessions: The global financial structure is not working to remedy gender imbalances. The public debt crisis in developing countries is not accidental, and more money is spent on servicing debt payments than on countries’ needs for public services such as health care, social protections, education, sanitation, and clean water. All of these public services would improve the status of women worldwide, but funds are diverted away.
In addition to setting ambitious goals, the CSW68 discussions reflected on the need for gender-responsive budgeting and adequate financing to ensure the effective implementation of national and sectoral plans for gender equality. This approach is vital for closing the resource gaps that hinder progress.
Sister Nchubiri observed the disproportionate impact on women and children among the civilian population in times of conflict and war. A quick review of this issue of NewsNotes is all that is necessary to see both the scope of conflict flaring internationally and the effects of those conflicts on girls and women. An irony in this is that women are demographically least responsible for erupting violence. She writes, “There is a need for targeted solutions. This requires the inclusion of women at the decision-making tables, programming, implementation, and evaluation of programs and policies that affect society’s lives.”
Father Sivalon highlighted “the special rapporteur for the rights of woman’s presentation on how the last few years have led to a denigration of the rights of women and girls because of situations of conflict around the world. Most specifically she mentioned, Gaza, South Sudan, the DRC and the war in Ukraine. She warned how things could get even worse because of the financial constraints that the UN is now facing. [Member] States are not living up to their commitments to the UN.”
As nations look to build on the momentum from CSW68, the focus will increasingly shift towards translating these Agreed Conclusions into actionable policies that can be implemented at national and international levels. This ongoing commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women is not only a moral and social imperative but also a foundational element of global development and peace.
Photo of Sr. Margaret Lacson, MM, Sr. Susan Nchubiri, MM, and Fr. John Sivalon, MM, left to right, at the 68th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March.