Young women ready to make their mark at CSW 2010

02.03.2010 Violence against young women, economic justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights and the role of media were just some of the issues young women listed as areas of concern at the Young Women’s Caucus at the current 54^th session of the Commission of Status of Women (CSW 54).

The Young Women’s Caucus is organised and moderated by World YWCA and the World Association Girls Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) to ensure young women and men have space to discuss issues being raised at CSW 54. “We organised this caucus as we discovered in the past that young women didn’t have a voice at CSW; especially at the plenary level,” explained World YWCA Vice President Jessica Notwell to 30 young people gathered for the event.

Youth representatives from organisations as diverse as the National Council of Churches USA, European Youth Forum, WAGGGS and Plan International gathered to share tips and techniques on lobbying and advocacy during CSW 54.

Over the next two weeks, a range of guest speakers will address the caucus including Anke Green, UN Programme on Youth on the International Year on Youth, Margot Baruch, Program Coordinator Center for Women’s Global Leadership on the GEAR Campaign Update and Urjasi Rudra from UNIFEM on the ‘Say No to Violence Campaign.’

The Young Women’s Caucus will take place on March 3, 5, 8 and 10 from 5-7pm at the UN Youth Section, Two UN Plaza, DC2-Level 13 in New York City.