In six days I’ll travel from Vienna too New York, directly from the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (58th session, CND58) to the Commission on the Status of Women (59th session, CSW59). It is in fact the third time in three years that IOGT International is present at the Commission on the Status of Women – advocating for effectively addressing alcohol as an obstacle to gender-equality, women empowerment and Women’s Rights. I’ve been blessed to be part of all three delegations, since 2013. This year, at CSW59, we are taking our work to another level! We are organising a high-level Side Event, together with the Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the United Nations, New York.
Check out what the event will be about, and stay tuned here for all the updates and breaking news from our work at CSW59 and from our Side Event…
Women in the 21st century are likely the most decisive drivers for development and global prosperity. But as a group they are – still – subjected to tremendous human rights violations, inequalities, health threats and extreme poverty.
HIV/ Aids, Non-communicable diseases and all forms of violence against women are the three epidemics largely causing the disproportianate burden on women and girls, their human rights and their opportunities to be equal and free:
- One in three women will be subjected to gender-based violence during her lifetime.
- Non-communicable diseases are today the leading cause of death and disability in the world and thus a major obstacle to development. NCDs are the single biggest threat to women’s health and development today.
- HIV/ Aids affects, like NCDs and VAW, all generations of women: from the unborn and newly born, via children and youth, to adults and grand mothers.
Given this evidence and the fact that never before have these three issues been addressed together – our Side Event attempts this innovative approach where decision-makers, researchers, UN agencies and Civil Society come together to address cross-cutting risk factors and offer creative solutions.
I’m very proud of the impressive lineup of honourable and prestigious speakers and look forward to what they together can come up with. It’ll be honour to moderate this session. And we’re looking forward to hosting a celebrity, too…
Time and place: Wednesday, March 18, 2015, 10.00 – 11.15 AM, Conference Room E, GA Building, United Nations Headquarters
Download the Invitation Three major epidemics Side event CSW59 here.
We have limited seating for the event and I’m really inspired to see that event registrations are pouring in. So, please sign up here, or by mailing me at kristina.sperkova [at] iogt.org.
I’m looking forward to meeting you in New York and to discuss these important issues with you.
