Planting Seeds of Justice and Equity: Fresh Thoughts from CSW70

Long before it was even warm enough to plant snow peas, Loretto/BVM at the UN intern, Grace Broome, and I were busy nourishing the soil of transformative learning. We checked off details like obtaining United Nations grounds passes; negotiating hotel contracts; sending invoices; hosting orientations and educational sessions; and planning our parallel event in collaboration with the Women’s Intercultural Network and several other groups.

The seeds were placed in fertile ground as 42 members of our in-person delegation to the UN Commission on the Status of Women arrived. The priority theme this year was “Access to Justice,” and the review theme was “Ending Violence Against Women and Girls” – both are essential to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all.

Our young sprouts were nourished by many types of natural fertilizers, like inspirational words from Malala Yousafzai and Anne Hathaway, who spoke as part of the 2026 International Women’s Day celebrations. Wise male feminists also offered important nutrients, like when UN Secretary-General António Guterres shared the data that “worldwide, women hold just 64 percent of the legal rights enjoyed by men. When we are not equal under the law, we are not equal. It is time to make justice a reality for women and girls everywhere.”

We even welcomed a 16-year-old girl from Afghanistan, Marhaba, who found our virtual delegation online. She joined over a dozen others who signed up this year to learn and share online. Marhaba now meets with Karen Conover BVM to work on her spoken English skills twice a week and is educating herself in a country where girls are prohibited from being in school beyond the sixth grade. “Who knows?,” Karen says. “Although we are divided by age, culture, language, life experience and a nine-and-a-half-hour time difference, mentoring will enrich us both!”

As we welcome the summer season this year, we’re grateful to the Loretto and BVM communities for the support of our office at the UN Church Center. Peace and justice come in many forms, and we are deeply grateful to be able to inspire future generations and help them broaden their perspectives.

This reminder from one of our student participants sums it up well: “I learned about efforts around the world, successes in women’s rights and obstacles yet to be overcome — and I learned how important it is for women to speak up and demand rights. It was really inspiring seeing all the women fighting for the same cause, but especially seeing all the young women my age, for example, at the teen orientation. The only way to make a change is to speak up.”