Loretto Active at #CSW63

Loretto at the UN was so grateful to be able to host more than 30 Loretto/BVM students, teachers, volunteers and guests for the UN’s 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March 2019. As a functional commission of the United Nations’ Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), CSW was established by council resolution 11(II) June 21, 1946.

This year’s CSW meeting focused primarily on social protection systems and evaluated progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions from the 60th session (2016) on “women’s empowerment and the link to sustainable development.”

The 10-day session included a ministerial segment with round tables and other high-level interactive dialogues, a general discussion, interactive and expert panel discussions and an outcome document.

Stakeholders within the United Nations organized side events to draw attention to critical aspects of the work on gender equality, and those of us who are members of civil society (the non-governmental sector) worked to organize over 400 parallel events that took place in four locations in Manhattan close to the United Nations.


Highlights of the week

Several highlights of the week are worthy of mention, especially the three parallel events co-sponsored by Loretto at the UN. With the Temple of Understanding, an interfaith organization, we sponsored an event entitled “Systemic Commitment to Peace, Justice and Transformation” at the Church Center of the United Nations.

Later in the week at the Armenian Center we sponsored two additional events entitled “Breakthrough in Transforming Patriarchy: The Promise of Gender Equity and Reconciliation” with Gender Equity Reconciliation International and “Transformative Spirituality: Living in and Through the Spirit” with the Medical Mission Sisters.

Outstanding panels

There was also one other outstanding panel, hosted by YWCA USA, World YWCA and Hispanics in Philanthropy, entitled “Refuge Denied: Women in Crisis at the U.S./Mexico Border.” It was wonderfully facilitated by YWCA board member Juliet Choi, and speakers included Sylvia Acosta, YWCA El Paso CEO; Alejandra Y. Castillo, YWCA USA CEO and president; Ana Marie Argilagos, CEO of Hispanics in Philanthropy; and Annaliese Gil, a junior at Loretto Academy and member of our Loretto delegation.

Through the eyes of women of different ages they explored and articulated the many conditions prompting migrants and refugees to flee, various factors that have exacerbated the crisis and parallels with refugee crises around the globe. 

They also witnessed to the work going on at Loretto Academy and many other places in El Paso. Here’s a link to the session.

Finally, to read/view more about CSW63, please subscribe to our e-newsletter or refer to our website.