World YWCA conversations at CSW 2010 truly intergenerational
Women and young women from all corners of the globe came to participate in ‘An intergenerational conversation on HIV, Universal Access and Reproductive Health and Violence Against Women’ held by the World YWCA at the 54th CSW in New York City on March 5, 2010.
Co-moderated by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, UNFPA Executive Director and Icilda Humes, Belize Ministry of Women's Affairs and World YWCA Board Member, a high level panel of intergenerational women leaders reflected on important issues facing the women of today. Mary Robinson, President Realizing Rights, Dr Nafis Sadik, Special Advisor to UN Secretary General and Special Envoy on HIV and AIDS in Asia, Rachel Arinii Judhistari, Aliansi Remaja Independent and Global Youth Coalition on AIDS, Liza Barrie, UNICEF Chief of Partnerships, Gladys Acosta, UNIFEM, Jessica Notwell, World YWCA Vice President and Women's Economic Council Executive Director , Ines Alberdi, UNIFEM Executive Director and Facia Harris, a young female broadcaster at the UN ‘Girlpower’ radio in Liberia all captivated and challenged the audience to address intergenerational issues.
“Each generation from the other is different and each one brings another culture.This dialogue today is very important. In UNFPA, we know it’s important to establish intergenerational dialogues at country and local levels to close the gap existing between generations,” said Thoraya as she opened the panel’s dialogue.
HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women of reproductive age (15-49 years) worldwide and panelists agreed young women need to be involved at all levels in the HIV and AIDS response. “Girls, young women and women living with HIV want a life. They have dreams. They want to be educated and the policymakers should listen,” reflected Gladys. “When you look at the rates of HIV infection in Sub Saharan Africa, it’s indicative of the reality young women face. Their voices are not where the decision making is,” stated Mary Robinson.
Reproductive health was also a hot topic of the panel with Dr Nafis Sadik challenging young women to ‘stay vigilant’. “Rights can not be taken away from you, “said Dr Sadik. “I think about how I have changed, through my own work over the years. Women’s health needs to address cultural and social values and look at an overall holistic approach.”
Dr Sadik also raised the issue of gender equality in addressing reproductive health. “Decisions on reproductive health are made my men while women bear the consequences.”
The issue of women’s leadership was important to all panelists. Jessica Notwell, World YWCA Vice President said, "We all agree that women are key to solving the global issues of poverty and development. And if this is the case, our investment in girls and young women is our global succession plan".
Mary Robinson affirmed the work and vision of the YWCA movement. “I admire the way the YWCA includes young women in everything. We have tokenism in the women’s movement and we need to get over it.”
When reflecting on intergenerational approaches in our work places, families, churches and communities, Fazia urged women leaders to remain accessible to younger women. “We need access to women leaders. We need to keep a connection open amongst the generations.”
As discussions at CSW also focus on the creation of the new UN gender entity, the intergenerational dialogue was also an opportunity for young women to share their visions. “As young women, we want to be part of it, to participate and not just be there. We don’t need a youth seat or an office, we just need our voice to be heard in the new entity. Our voices matter at policy and decision making level,” said Rachel.
Mary Robinson also shared her dreams for young women in the future. “I want by 2015 that we are not in the position of girls having a lack of voice, a lack of choices and a lack of power.”
As the panel came to a close, Rachel summed up the conversation. “Young women can create safes spaces where we are recognised by health and education systems that celebrate our diversity.”
Partners for the event included UNFPA, UNIFEM, UNDP, UNAIDS, Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, Ford Foundation and The David and Lucile Packard Foundation.
