UN News and Events
68th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
Our contemplative stance awakens us to the pain of indifference, and we are urgently invited to be proactive in meeting the need for inclusion of all – MMS 15th General Chapter Report
The world is at a crucial crossroad for gender equality. Globally 10.3 per cent of women live in extreme poverty today, and they are poorer than men. Progress towards ending poverty needs to be 26 times faster to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. (UN Women)
Once again, the world looks at the United Nations as around 7,000 participants gather in-person for the 68th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68). The UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment will take place on March 11-22 at UN Headquarters in New York under the priority 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”. Governments, civil society organizations, experts, and activists from across the world will come together through a wide range of meetings, panel discussions, interactive dialogues, ministerial round tables, intergovernmental negotiations to agree on actions and investments that can end women’s poverty and advance gender equality.
For more information about the CSW68 and to learn ways on how to participate, the Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) produced a guide available in 4 languages. Click the following to access this guide: English : Spanish : Portuguese : French
NGO Participation
The NGO Committee on the Status of Women (NGOCSW) is a coalition of NGOs, civil society organizations, and individuals concerned with global gender equality and the rights and empowerment of women and girls. During the NGOCSW Forum, the Committee organizes more than 700 virtual and in-person events that inform, engage, and inspire grassroots efforts and advocacy needed to empower women and girls. This is free and open to the public. If you are interested to attend some of these events, register here NGO CSW68 Forum and explore their virtual platform.
MMS at the UN is happy to announce that 5 MMS Associates from Unit North America will join the CSW68 in New York. Sr. Selen Wilson, O.P. will represent the Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville. Therese Connolly, Marguerite Sexton, Thomas Sexton, and Linda Townsend will attend a couple of days to represent the Medical Mission Sisters.
We celebrate women’s voices, proclaiming wisdom.
We honor women’s lives, forging new paths.
We remember women’s faith, strong amid challenges.
We anticipate women’s vision, calling us into the future.
Past, present, and future, our lives join with women everywhere.
Prayer at the Meeting of Religious at the UN
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY!
Newsletter MMS at the UN - Feb 2024
62nd Commission on Social Development from 5 to 14 February 2024
The Commission on Social Development (CSocD) is a conference that serves as a platform for United Nations (UN) Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders to come together to discuss recommendations and policies to advance social development at both the national and global levels. It focuses on reducing inequalities among various groups through poverty eradication, social inclusion, and sustainable development for all.
This year, the 62nd session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD62) will focus on: "Fostering social development and social justice through social policies to accelerate progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieve the overarching goal of poverty eradication".
It will take place from 5 to 14 February 2024, in Conference Room 4 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, and will be broadcasted live at: https://webtv.un.org/en. You can visit their website at CSoCD62.
The Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) produced a guide that gives basic information and ways to participate in this event. This guide is available in English and Spanish. Click here: English-JCoR Guide to CSoCD62 , Spanish-JCoR Guide to CSoCD.
In the effort to bring the voice of the grassroots to the UN, JCoR submitted a collective statement to the Commission on Social Development, taking from the experience, insights, and recommendations from the members. Thanks to Maigualida Riera of Unit Venezuela for contributing to this statement. You can read the collective statement by clicking this link JCoR Statement to CSoCD62.
Since the first week of January 2024, the NGO Committee on Social Development of which our Society is a member has been meeting with 44 Member States of the Commission on Social Development to share the advocacy priorities from the grassroots, with the hope that it will influence their national position on the urgent need for social, economic, political and environmental justice. Please include us in your prayers that Member States be open to learn from the grassroots and collaborate with civil society in the work for development and justice at the local and global level.
You are invited to support the Civil Society Declaration by signing here: Civil Society Declaration 2024. This declaration calls on the leadership to establish a renewed social contract integrating social, economic, environmental, and political justice at both national and international levels.
Lastly, MMS is co-sponsoring a parallel event during this CSoCD62 with the title: Not Leaving Behind Future Generations: How do we bridge the gap between generations and communities. It will be held on February 8 from 9:45 – 11:00 (EST). Kindly register here to join.
