The AIC representatives participate in the 65th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the UN (CSW65)

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The CSW is instrumental in 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. CSW65 took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 15^th-26^th March 2021.

The CSW65 priority theme was: “Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls”.

The AIC representatives make the voices of the women we work with heard at this important international Commission. AIC, along with four NGOs from the Vincentian Family (Sisters of Charity Federation, the Company of the Daughters of Charity, the Congregation of the Mission and the International Society of St. Vincent de Paul), submitted a written statement to the Commission urging member states to step up their actions towards addressing the increased violence against women and girls due to the pandemic.

AIC also collaborated with the Vincentian Family and other organisations to co-sponsor two side-events as part of the Commission. The first, “Transforming gender stereotypes: Making the uncomfortable conversation comfortable”, discussed ways of changing gender stereotypes and norms to bring about transformative change. The second, “Hidden Homelessness: From Trauma to Empowerment”, offered information on women living in insecure housing and shared solutions and outcomes.