UN meeting calls for end to violence against women
Sweden’s Gender Minister Åsa Regnér
Photo: Kristian Pohl/Government Offices
The 60th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), held in New York on 14–24 March, agreed on a set of conclusions urging gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
The issues highlighted include the importance of combating all forms of violence against women and girls, involving men and boys in gender equality efforts, and the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.
“Following intensive negotiations, the countries of the world have united on agreed conclusions urging gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sweden and the EU have expressed their disappointment over the lack of formulations in the agreement on violence and discrimination against women and girls on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity. Formulations are also lacking that take into account the fact that there are various types of family formations,” says Sweden’s Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality Åsa Regnér.
Ms. Regnér, who led Sweden’s delegation in New York, gave a speech at the UN General Assembly on the sexual and reproductive health and rights of girls and women from the perspective of Sweden’s gender equality work.
Well-attended seminar on displaced women
Sweden organized a well-attended seminar focusing on the vulnerability of displaced women and girls. Ms. Regnér also held a seminar – together with Unizon and Alternative to Violence, a Norwegian NGO – on the importance of efforts preventing men’s violence against women.
During the three days that Ms. Regnér was on site, private meetings were held at which gender equality issues were discussed with representatives from Argentina, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, the UK, Uruguay and Plan International. Together with representatives from Germany and Austria, Ms. Regnér also met European Commissioner Věra Jourová, responsible for gender equality issues in the EU.
Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), which was organized for the 60th time this year, took place in New York on 14–24 March. The meeting brings together the UN Member States and is the world’s foremost intergovernmental body working globally to strengthen the situation of women and gender equality.
This year’s overarching theme was women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable development. Sweden organized a standing-room-only seminar on displaced women and girls and their vulnerable situation.
Hundreds of countries were represented at the CSW, which this year was attended by around 8,100 people from 1, 035 NGOs.
Swedish Government
