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New York, 12 March: The Commisson on the Status of Women (CSW62) kick started today in New York City, in the Unitewd States of America.
Thousands of women from across the globe gathered during this annual meeting to discuss the status of women, take stock and share their experiences in advancing gender equality and womens empowerment.
This yearâs theme runs under the banner challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls. The review theme will focus on; Participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women (agreed conclusions of the forty-seventh session).
The concerns of young women took the centre stage in many discussions at the forum on the first day. In an event hosted by the Malawi Government,African Women’s Development and Communications Network (FEMNET) and the Southern Africa Gender protocol Alliance the Minister of Gender in Malawi Dr Jean Kalirani reiterated the importance of harnessing the demographic dividend saying there is no other time but now to tap into this resource.
However with the look of things many young women have been left behind as they could not acquire documentation to travel to the event. Many young people who could have effectively participated in CSW where missing from the discussions .
Missing young womenâs voices excludes them from the narrative about their own development and empowerment . The meeting also noted that for centuries young women have been talked about but now is the time for them to find and claim their space .
Speaking at the same event the Esmie KainjaPermanent Secretary in the ministry of gender in Malawi , expressed the readiness of the government of Malawi to work with civil society in order to push for equality. The permanent secretary noted that the government believes in the power of collaboration , partnerships and also leadership by the youth and not for the youth in order to attain the gains they have made confer.
Emma Kaliya chair person of the Gender Protocol Alliance also noted that many governments in the region are also very willing to listen tocivil society which enables the ability to push gender equality on the governmentâs agenda.
As the week progresses more conversation on young women and their rights will continue to dominate the space.
This article is part of GL News and Blogs service on coverage of CSW.Photo courtesy of Njeri Rugene.
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One thought on “CSW 62 opens, where are African young women?”
In as much as you would like to talk about including young women in your women empowerment discourse, a lot more than ‘suggesting’ needs to be done in terms of actively and proactively making young women be a part of your aim and vision. This means investing in them your time and material resources. I, for one, am one of the young African women searching for platforms to be heard and opportunities to make a difference. My challenge to you is, what are you going to do with all the other young women like me out here?