More than 50 adolescents and youth from the Europe and Central Asia region participated in a regional consultation held on December 13 – 14, 2023. They shared their perspectives on advancing the agenda for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in preparation for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). These consultations, organized by the UN Women Headquarters and UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, are part of a series aiming to contribute to crafting a coherent and impactful set of proposals to be presented at the CSW68 session.
The priority theme for the 68th session of the CSW is “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.” This theme places a strong emphasis on the intersection of economic well-being and gender-responsive governance.
“As we turn our focus to CSW68, we stand on the brink of new possibilities and challenges. Engaging youth and adolescents is essential for fostering inclusive policies that reflect the diverse needs of every age group, especially in decision-making processes that shape their future. We always emphasize the importance of creating spaces for young people to engage, discuss, and contribute. That is what brings us here today to the regional consultation. CSW68 isn’t just a conference, but a collective opportunity to continue pushing for a more gender-equal world,” mentioned Erika Dupuis, consultant within UN Women Civil Society Division.
In the context of fostering intergenerational understanding and inclusivity, particular emphasis was placed on recognizing the diverse challenges and experiences associated with different age groups. During the event, youth (20 years and above) and adolescent (19 years and under) representation ensured a nuanced exploration of the unique insights and challenges inherent in each demographic, enabling comprehensive consideration and tailored recommendations for the CSW68 priority theme. Consequently, participants actively contributed their perspectives on four pivotal themes such as the such as rural areas, rights of women and girls with disabilities, gender-based violence, and climate and women and girls.
Asel Kubanychbekova, 26, a founder of She Starts, Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Fund in Kyrgyzstan and a Regional Coordinator of Women and Girls Empowered Project in Central Asia, highlighted that initiatives aiming to develop rural areas do not adequately represent the voices of young women and girls. “In Kyrgyzstan, women and girls lack access to information and professional opportunities. This is especially true regarding access to the digital economy; the primary barrier being the lack of access to the Internet,” concluded Asel Kubanychbekova.
Simultaneously, as the review theme of CSW68 is “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls,” which reflects on the progress made since the sixty-third session, focusing on tangible infrastructures and systems that support women and girls’ rights and opportunities, Karen, from Germany, pointed out the need for youth-friendly funding adapted to more informal organizations and sustainable in time. “Those elements are crucial to free up space for us to engage meaningfully,” said Karen.
In the coming weeks, youth and adolescents’ perspective and inputs will be incorporated into a comprehensive document, which will play a crucial role in shaping youth and adolescent advocacy and actions. “The journey of your ideas and recommendations doesn’t end here. They will continue to resonate and make an impact beyond today’s consultation. Let’s continue to work together. We look forward to sharing the outcome document with you for your review and finalization,” concluded Ema Mecaj, 19, co-moderator of the regional consultation, and a youth activist from Tirana, Albania.
The Commission on the Status of Women, established in 1946, has been at the forefront of advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women. It plays an instrumental role in shaping global standards for gender equality and women’s rights. It is a key platform where member states evaluate progress, share best practices, and set global policies to promote women’s rights, while also assessing the progress of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Source: ECA UN Woman
