In 2020, the global community will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995). A five-year milestone will be reached towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.   2020 is therefore a pivotal year for the accelerated realization of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, everywhere.

Participating in UNCSW is a primary opportunity for IIWR-MB to contribute to the global dialogue regarding the status of women within the United Nations framework.  It is also provides a platform for meeting with international partners and an opportunity to influence domestic policy as Federal Ministers are in attendance at the session.

Meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women 64

March 3, 2020

IIWR-MB agrees with the decision taken at the UN yesterday, cancelling NGO events planned for CSW64, given the seriousness of the coronavirus. The 28 IIWR-MB delegates and supporters are disappointed they will not be at the UN physically, and that the CSW64 will be a very abbreviated version. However, we are pleased that we did share the Parallel Event virtually, and you can view it here. 

“Following the announcement by the UN Secretary-General on the coronavirus threat sent on Friday, 28 February, and the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW64) briefing held on 2 March, the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York (NGO CSW/NY) Executive Committee has decided to cancel all NGO CSW64 Forum events due to the current threat posed by the coronavirus as per recommendations by the UN Secretary-General, UN Women and the World Health Organization (WHO).”

 The 64th session of the Commission on the Status of Women was originally planned for March 9 to 20, 2020 in New York.

Background Documents

Background Documents

As documents become available they will be posted here.

Delegation Information

IIWR-MB Delegates

  • Sanjida Ahmed 
  • Elizabeth Aluk
  • Kristyn Anderson
  • Shayne Bloomfield*
  • Nicholas Catalano
  • Micalea Crighton*
  • Jessica Da Silva
  • Janice Hamilton
  • Isabelle Hodgson
  • Winter Lipscombe
  • Renata Meconse*
  • Jamileh Naso
  • Sheila North
  • Florence Okwudili
  • Julie Pelletier
  • Mary Scott
  • Nadine Sookermany
  • Bushra Tahir
  • Caitlin Thomas*
  • Elise Thorlacius
  • Sara Usman
  • Fiona Vowell
  • Teruni Walaliyadde
  • Leah Wilson
  • Darryl Zuend*

*space made available courtesy of National Council of Women of Canada

Non Delegate attendees

  • Counsellor Bava Dhillon
  • Chief Darlene Comegan
  • Chief Judy Whitecloud

Parallel Event Panel

Photo Montage

A slideshow has been prepared for the panel, Canada’s Unfinished Business: Tomorrow’s Change Makers”.  Watch for details on when and where it will be shown in Winnipeg.

Canada’s Unfinished Business: Tomorrow’s Change Makers Beijing+25 

EVENT – Did not happen at the UN, because of the rise of the Covid19 virus. The event was done later however, and shared virtually, and you can view it here. 

Download: 2020 IIWRMB UN Parallel Event POSTER

2020 IIWRMB UN Parallel Event POSTCARD

Panelists

Lead Speaker: Sheila North

Moderator: Renata Meconse 

Panelists: Winter Dawn Lipscombe, Teruni Walaliyadde, Sara Usman, Nadine Sookermany

Criteria to be Delegation Member

Priority will be given to applicants who:

  • are active members of IIWR-MB
  • have an active interest in Women’s rights, as demonstrated by their studies and/or volunteer and community work
  • are able to meet the expectations as listed below

Responsibilities of Selected Delegates:

  • Maintain an ACTIVE membership within IIWR-MB until March 2021 at a minimum. This can include board membership, committee membership, or participating and assisting at events.
  • Participate as an ACTIVE member of the delegation, both before the CSW and after the Commission.
  • Participate in meetings and de-briefings related to CSW64 organized by IIWR-MB, both before and after the CSW. Telephone conferencing is an option for those unable to attend in person.
  • Add reports, experiences, pictures, etc. to the IIWR-MB blog (NEWS) and other social media platforms while at CSW and after. Contributing a minimum one blog post is expected (see NEWS).
  • Participate in reporting back to the wider community shortly after CSW64.
  • Provide support when requested before, during, and after CSW for CSW related events.

FAQ

Monday, March 9 – Friday, March 20, 2020.  Registration begins two days before. 

You do not have to attend the whole 2 weeks of the CSW. Generally, the first week  has the most activities, and coming early to attend the Consultation Day is suggested for first timers. Consultation Day, organized by NGOs, will be held Sunday, March 8.  There is a fee for this event.

The CSW is held in New York, New York.  Some events happen in the United Nations building.  Many of the Parallel Events happen in other venues near the UN.

Attendance at UNCSW is totally self-funded. 

Bursaries are available for students studying human rights at Global College, University of Winnipeg. The application for student bursaries will be available following the announcement of the delegation members.

Delegates are welcome to independently raise funds to support their attendance.

It is recommended that delegates budget for a minimum of $2000.00 Canadian, depending on how long you intend to stay. Costs include airfare, accommodations, food, special events costs.  Parallel Events are free.

Delegates

  • make their own travel and accommodation arrangements (IIWRMB will help with recommendations)
  • prepare by attending IIWRMB orientation and support the lead up to CSW
  • participate in CSW activities and events as wholeheartedly as possible
  • commit to contributing to sharing information while at CSW on social media, etc.
  • actively participate in reporting back
  • support IIWRMB post CSW events
  • maintain active involvement in IIWRMB for at least one year post CSW

Application process is now closed: see delegate members listed below.

The IIWRMB Board will make decisions on the delegation. IIWRMB can send up to 20 delegates.  If sister organizations have unused spots, the delegation may be larger. IIWRMB delegates will be chosen using the criteria outlined on the website and in the application form.

Anyone can attend the NGO Parallel Events without delegate status, however only delegates have access to the United Nations building where the official meetings and some Side Events occur (events hosted by UN Agencies or Governments).  Permission to enter the UN building for non-delegates is possible but it requires initiative and is not guaranteed.

Parallel Events are organized by NGOs, and focus on specific topics.  IIWRMB has hosted 3 Parallel Events in the past, using a panel format. We hope to host a Parallel Event in 2020, and this gives support for local issues to be raised in a global context.  Other events happen at the CSW, including Side Events (hosted by UN Agencies and Governments) and the official Government meetings.

Join the IIWRMB CSW64 Facebook group. If you are interested, email us and request an invitation to join the group.

Global College Bursary

All students from the Global College at the University of Winnipeg, who have been selected as delegates to CSW 64, are eligible to apply for a Bursary to assist with costs. The bursary is up to $500 per student.  See the application for details.

The application for The Global College Bursary can be downloaded here.

Deadline for applications is January 31, 2020

For those not chosen to be on the official Delegation: Anyone can attend the NGO Parallel Events without delegate status, although only delegates have access to the United Nations building where the official meetings and some Side Events occur (events hosted by UN Agencies or Governments).  Permission to enter the UN building for non-delegates is possible but it requires initiative and is not guaranteed.

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