UNITED NATIONS. New York: The sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) began on 15 March 2021 and will continue till 26 March. Representatives of Member States, UN entities and non-governmental organisations accredited by ECOSOC from all regions of the world are participating.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) is taking place virtually including the general discussion, ministerial round tables and interactive events with events organised by UN Women, which works to accelerate gender equality globally, in collaboration with other UN agencies, organizations and civil society.
The priority theme of the session is “Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.” The session will also review the agreed conclusions of the sixtieth session, “Women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development.”
Spain’s participation
Spain is taking active part through the organisation of two events and speeches by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero, several State secretaries and other government representatives.
The session began with an event organised by Spain on women leaders and human rights defenders, moderated by the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, for Ibero-America and the Caribbean, Cristina Gallach: “Speeding up Women’s leadership: Ensuring a safe environment for human rights defenders and members of women’s organizations and feminist movements.” The event included the participation of the Vice-President of Gambia, Isatou Touray, the Belarusian activist and politician, Svietlana Tsikhanouskaya, the Tunisian lawyer and politician, Bochra BelHaj Hamida and the Mexican indigenous leader, Jessica Vega.
“This event was a discussion between brave women who are paving the way towards the transformation, as political leaders, young activists and women inspiring civil society movements. This pressing discussion reminds us that thanks to your determination and efforts we will build fairer and more inclusive societies and that there is no time to waste,” highlighted Cristina Gallach, following the event.
Spain will also take part in the voluntary presentation on the Review theme: “Women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development,” with the participation of the State Secretary for International Cooperation, Ángeles Moreno Bau, in the Interactive Dialogue, “Build better – women’s participation and leadership in the COVID-19 response,” which will include a speech by the State Secretary for Equality and to Combat Gender-based Violence, and in the Interactive Dialogue “Elimination of violence against women in public life,” which will include the participation of the Director of the Spanish Women’s Institute.
Spain will also be taking part in the general debate with a speech by the Minister for Equality, Irene Montero; and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, will take part in the round-table entitled “Getting to parity: good practices towards achieving women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life.”
The Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs will also take part in the side event of the Generation Equality Forum entitled “On the Path to Economic Justice and Rights: Working towards Women’s Economic Empowerment” and will hold a bilateral meeting with the Executive Director of UN Women.
For her part, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, for Ibero-America and the Caribbean will take part in a side event entitled “Legislative advances and challenges in matters of autonomy and economic empowerment of women in Ibero-America,” organised by the Ibero-American Secretariat General (SEGIB).
The main results of the CSW are contained in the conclusions agreed on the priority theme. This, in short, is a set of specific recommendations for governments, inter-governmental organisations and other institutions, civil society agents and other interested parties, which will be applied at an international national, regional and local level. This year, Spain is one of the European Union negotiators.
More information on the 65th session of the CSW can be viewed on the following link: CSW65 (2021)
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