Calendar of virtual side events

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, all CSW side events took place virtually. Please find an archive of the events that commenced below. 
 
 
Thu 11 Mar
8:00 - 9:00
 
Agency and empowerment for adolescent girls beyond Covid-19
 
Organizer: UNICEF, ODI, Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence (GAGE)
 
As part of the broader conversations around the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women and in partnership with ODI’s GAGE and UNICEF, will bring together an interactive panel to explore empowering girl-intentional approaches to policy and programming. This panel event will bring together diverse stakeholders to share experiences regarding programming to support adolescent girls, including high level government representatives, implementers and youth activists. The session will also share experiences from promising practices in low- and middle-income countries, including lessons in light of the COVID-19 pandemic

More information: https://www.odi.org/events/17936-agency-and-empowerment-adolescent-girls-beyond-covid-19

Wed 10 Mar
10:00 - 12:00
Women, Peace and Security and Beijing+25: Progress and Challenges for Women and Girls in Palestine
 
Organizer: Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People (CEIRPP)
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/women-peace-and-security-and-beijing25-progress-and-challenges-for-women-and-girls-in-palestine-csw65-side-event/6238638425001/?term=CSW65%20Side%20Event&sort=date
 
 
Mon 15 Mar
8:00 - 9:45
 
Enhancing Women’s Political Participation to achieve the SDGs and build back better
 
Organizer: Qatar in cooperation India, Japan, Sweden, Tanzania and UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
 
A High-level virtual event to discuss:
  • Strategies and interventions to accelerate the adoption of laws and practices that advance women’s rights and women’s participation in public life, across regions;
  • The impact of unequal representation of women in public life on broader socio economic development of women and girls;
  • Trends in women’s political participation, in terms of representation, participation and
    influencing the agenda;
  • An overview on women political participation in the Arab region;
  • The impact of ICTs on women’s political engagement;
  • What does ‘build forward better’ mean for women’s empowerment and participation in public life.

 

 
Mon 15 Mar
8:30 - 9:45
 
Speeding Up Women’s Leadership: Ensuring a Safe Environment for Human Rights Defenders and Members of Women’s Organizations and Feminist Movements
 
Organizer: Spain
 
This event will be held at ministerial level. Executive summary and concept note will follow in due time.
 
 
Mon 15 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Gender in STI: Towards an Inclusive STI Ecosystem
 
Organizer: World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
 
The event aims at showcasing and discussing national policies/practices to help accelerate the participation of women and girls in science, technology and innovation, and forge an enabling and inclusive environment for gender equality in STI in support of the SDGs.
 
 
Mon 15 Mar
11:30 - 13:00
 
High Level Event of the Group of Friends for the elimination of violence against women and girls
 
Organizer: European Union
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/group-of-friends-for-the-elimination-of-violence-against-women-and-girls-group-of-friends-on-violence-against-women-and-girls-csw65-side-event/6240742394001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
Nearly one year after the appeal of the UN Secretary General for ‘peace at home’ during COVID-19, what have Member States done to include the prevention and redress of gender-based violence in their COVID-19 responses?
 
Speakers: UN SG Antonio Guterres, UN DSG Amina Mohammed, EU Commissioner Jutta Urpilainen, Government and Civil Society leaders.
 
 
Mon 15 Mar
11:30 - 12:45
 
Violence Against Women in the Public and Private Spheres: Measure It To End It
 
Organizer: Switzerland, Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE)
 
The event will discuss the importance of data, statistics and indicators to end violence against women and monitor progress towards the achievement of Goal 5 of the SDGs and its target 5.2 which aims at ending all forms of violence against women. The panel will also examine existing challenges in this regard, especially in times of crisis, as well as good practices at national, European and global level.
 
 
Mon 15 Mar
20:00 - 20:45
 
Promoting women’s participation in public life and decision-making: Australia’s world-leading eSafety model for addressing gendered-based violence online
 
Organizer: Australia
 
Australia takes a holistic approach to online safety focused on Protection, Prevention and Proactive Change.

The eSafety Women program, including its WITS program, is a world-leading model that can be leveraged to help achieve gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls globally.

 

 
Tue 16 Mar
5:00 - 17:00
 
TARGET GENDER EQUALITY LIVE: Women’s Empowerment in the Decade of Action
 
Organizer: United Nations Global Compact
 
Watch the archived webcast here:

Part 1: http://webtv.un.org/search/part-1-target-gender-equality-live-csw65-side-event/6241151171001/?term=CSW65&sort=date&page=3

Part 2: http://webtv.un.org/search/women-rise-for-all-financing-a-future-for-women-target-gender-equality-live-csw65-side-event/6241403461001/?term=CSW65&sort=date&page=2

TARGET GENDER EQUALITY LIVE will feature leaders from business, government, civil society and the United Nations working to advance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community. Outcomes of the Target Gender Equality programme — which supports participating companies of the UN Global Compact in setting and meeting ambitious targets for women’s representation and leadership in business — will be featured, along with the work of UN partners and organizations championing gender equality across the globe. See the preliminary programme here

Building  on  the  UN  Global  Compact  Leaders  Summit  and  Uniting  Business  LIVE  virtual  event forums, which attracted thousands of attendees from every region of the world, TARGET GENDER EQUALITY LIVE will be a completely virtual and innovative event experience. It will showcase the work of Global Compact Local Networks and partner organizations, featuring a dynamic mix of live plenaries, on-demand programming, networking opportunities and practical tools and resources. Registration is complimentary for all employees of UN Global Compact Participant and Signatory companies and non-business stakeholders as well as UN partners and affiliates, Member States Delegates and Civil Society representatives. 

 

Tue 16 Mar
8:00 - 9:00
 
Gender Equality/Equity in Healthcare
 
Organizer: The Netherlands
 
Gender equality/equity is still importantly neglected in Public Health and in many areas of Healthcare (SDG 3 and 5). Although the majority of the health workforce is female, only a minority of decision making positions are held by women. Empowering more women working in healthcare, will directly contribute to important issues related to Women’s Health being set higher on the agenda.

In this side-event at CSW65, the importance of Gender Equality/Equity in Healthcare will be discussed, from the perspective of the patient as well as the professional. Furthermore, lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic will be presented and the upcoming report of the Lancet Women’s Commission on CV health will be highlighted.

 

Additional information: https://heart.bmj.com/content/heartjnl/early/2021/01/15/heartjnl-2020-318425.full.pdf

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Advocating for peace during a pandemic: The impact of COVID-19 on WPS implementation in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, Central Asia and Africa
 
Organizer: Austria, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
 
Women peacebuilders have acted as first responders in the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. However, at the same time, they have sustained their advocacy and work towards inclusive peacebuilding and effective implementation of WPS. The proposed panel discussion, featuring women peacebuilders from Eastern Europe, South Caucasus and Africa, aims to explore good practices and lessons learned from addressing the COVID-19 pandemic through a gender and peacebuilding lens, and discuss concrete recommendations for gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive COVID-19 recovery, which emerged from regional consultations held by the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders. 

 

Additional Information: https://gnwp.org/regional-consultations-covid-wpsnap/

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Bodily Autonomy and SRHR for Generation Equality: What kind of leadership is needed?
 
Organizer: UNFPA
 
This event aims to showcase how women’s bodily autonomy and decision-making on SRHR is a cornerstone of promoting gender equality, SRH outcomes, and achievement of all SDGs within the Decade of Action. The speakers will raise awareness about SDG data for target 5.6 as part of national and global efforts to advance gender equality and women’s rights, while highlighting how women’s leadership is critical for realizing a future generation of equality, and for promoting bodily autonomy and SRHR. Finally the event will serve as one key session towards continuing to build a young feminist movement advocating for bodily autonomy on SRHR.
 
Moderator: Eunice Garcia, Executive Director, Youth Coalition on Sexual and Reproductive Rights

Invited participants: Natalia Kanem (ED, UNFPA), Diene Keita (DED-P, UNFPA), Ib Petersen (DED-M, UNFPA), H.E. Olga Sánchez Cordero, Minister of Interior, Mexico; Ragiatu Turay, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Sierra Leone; Micheline Wendyam Kaboré, Executive Director, Pananetugri Initiative for Women's Welfare (IPBF), Burkina Faso, Dr. Salma Nims, Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women; Roshana Sunar, Child Marriage Survivor and Advocate, Nepal; Fatma Bulić, Youth SRHR advocate, Bosnia and Herzegovina; Nayeli Yoval, Deputy Director of the National Youth Institute of Mexico; UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador Catarina Furtado

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
9:30 - 11:30
 
Partnerships for Implementing Impact-Driven National Actions Plans on Women, Peace and Security in the context of COVID-19
 
Organizer: Sweden, Jordan, Namibia, OECD, UN Women
 
By bringing together different experts, this joint webinar will address how the women, peace and security agenda is being implemented through the various National Action Plans, and in relation to the COVID-19 crisis. It will highlight how development co-operation actors are supporting this agenda and where the focus of future efforts needs to lie. The experts will also discuss the need for enhanced coordination and partnerships in support of implementation of the WPS agenda.
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Gender Dialogues: The Road to Equality
 
Organizer: UNOPS, the Norwegian Embassy in Denmark, the Swedish Embassy in Denmark, the Embassy of the United Kingdom to Denmark, The Why
 
How does infrastructure increase women’s participation in public life? Will inclusive infrastructure enable access to work and opportunities? Why is gender-inclusive infrastructure important for safety? Watch this UNOPS-led expert panel discussion on the issues. 
 
Additional Information: Live stream to watch the event https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUm0vyjmvyg&feature=youtu.be
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Introducing the Growing Global Coalition for Feminist Foreign Policy
 
Organizer: Mexico, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW)
 
CSW65 convenes to consider the impact of women’s leadership, feminists inside and outside of government are coming together at the United Nations to launch a growing, global, and informal coalition for Feminist Foreign Policy (FFP), one policy innovation that has emerged as a tool to advance outcomes under all 12 areas of Beijing Platform of Action. Following a year of consultations with civil society and the few member States that have boldly declared they will advance FFP, this group will review a common framework that defines the concept and provides guidance for additional states considering penning FFP.
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
“Generating empowerment, empowering generations” – Rights and leadership through comprehensive sexuality education
 
Organizer: Sweden, UNESCO, European Union Commission
 
An evidence-based conversation by actors from diverse international contexts on curriculum-based comprehensive sexuality education (CSE). - How CSE promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, equips girls and boys with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values to protect their rights to bodily integrity, their well-being and dignity, as well as develop respectful social relationships. - CSE as pivotal in in addressing gender and social norms and promoting the rights of women and girls in their path for leadership.

Opportunities for further development of this field will be shared by governments, UN agencies, the EU Commission, civil society and youth organisations.

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:00 - 11:00
 
How impactful healthcare programs accelerate women's path out of poverty: UNFCU Foundation global partners share their success
 
Organizer: UNFCU Foundation
 
Our partners from UNFPA, UNICEF, and The Floating Hospital will discuss their transformational programs, promoting women’s full economic participation through quality healthcare. Hear inspirational stories from the field with examples of women rising amid the pandemic.
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:15 - 11:15
 
Virtual Townhall Meeting of Civil Society and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres
 
Organizer: Executive Office of the United Nations Secretary-General and UN Women
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/watch/virtual-townhall-meeting-with-womens-civil-society-and-united-nations-secretary-general-ant%C3%B3nio-guterres-csw65-side-event/6241021250001/
 
We welcome you to join the United Nations Secretary-General's annual Virtual Townhall Meeting with civil society on the occasion of the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Moderated by UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the meeting will provide an opportunity for women’s and youth civil society organizations to engage with the Secretary-General on the session’s priority theme: women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. 


The virtual townhall will also build upon discussions from the Secretary-General’s virtual meeting with women’s civil society in light of the COVID-19 crisis, addressing ways to build back better and continue protecting and promoting women’s rights and agency within this new context.

The session will take place in English only, however translation into other UN languages will be available on the broadcast.

The townhall was webcast live (click here to watch the recording)

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
10:30 - 12:00
 
Beijing+25: Advancing gender equality and the empowerment of displaced women and girls in humanitarian action
 
Organizer: Canada, UNHCR, UN OCHA, UN Women

 

Women and girls often make up the majority of internally displaced and refugee populations. They are also among the most underserved and underfunded population groups affected by humanitarian crises.

The year 2021 marks 26 years since the landmark Beijing Platform for Action identified the key areas where urgent action was needed to protect the rights of women and girls and facilitate their empowerment and the advancement of gender equality. Comprehensive and informed gender equality programming in humanitarian action is a key measure of realising the Beijing Action Plan, Sustainable Development Goal 5 and the commitments set out in the Global Compact on Refugees and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the GP20 Plan of Action. This side-event will be an opportunity to reflect on progress made, the challenges that remain, and the road ahead to realizing gender equality and the empowerment of displaced women and girls.

 

 

Tue 16 Mar
10:30 - 12:00
 
Enhancing Sport with gender balance
 
Organizer: Council of Europe, Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS)
 
This event will address gender inequality issues in the world of sport. It will explore the main gender gaps in all fields, from doing sport to institutional representation. It will discuss how public authorities and sport organisations can adopt a gender mainstreaming approach, as well as positive measures to address the under-representation of women and girls. It will also present the methodology developed by the ‘ALL IN’ project to collect data on gender equality across six strategic fields linked to sport in 18 European countries.

 Working languages: English, French and Spanish (with simultaneous interpretation).

Additional information: 

EPAS  webpage:

                EN Enlarged Partial Agreement on Sport (EPAS) (coe.int)

                FR Accord partiel élargi sur le sport (APES) (coe.int)

ALL IN project webpage :

                EN What is ALL IN? (coe.int)

 
Tue 16 Mar
10:30 - 11:30
 
High-Level Event on Gender-Responsive Climate Finance: Making Climate Finance Work for Women & Girls
 
Organizer: United Kingdom, Maldives
 
Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by climate change and, due to wider discrimination and inequalities, have less resilience to climate-related crises. At the same time, local civil society organisations often have considerable experience with adapting to climate change, but continue to face significant barriers in accessing climate finance.

UK Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan, International Champion for Adaptation and Resilience (A&R), will chair a panel discussion bringing together governments, diverse local and national civil society actors, UN agencies and the private sector to draw attention to the important issue of access to, and the gender-responsiveness of, climate finance.

 

Tue 16 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
Empower Women, Energize the World
 
Organizer: Denmark, PLAN Børnefonden
 
Energy access and gender equality are closely interconnected. Improving access to energy can have a large impact on gender equality, and increasing the proportion of women in the energy sector can accelerate the energy transition. The side event will be an opportunity to discuss ways to integrate energy and gender equality efforts, and to showcase initiatives on how investments in the energy sector can catalyze women’s economic empowerment. The speakers will provide perspectives on how to increase energy access, how to boost women’s professional participation in the energy sector, and how women entrepreneurs are contributing to the energy transition.
 
Tue 16 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
The role of electoral management bodies in promoting women’s political participation
 
Organizer: UNDP, Swedish International Development Agency (Sida), UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA)
 
The virtual session is aimed at bringing together electoral management bodies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders around a discussion on the status of EMB efforts to enhance women’s political participation, the good practices identified from across different regions, and areas where collaboration between EMBs and civil society can accelerate progress towards achieving the various commitments.

The specific objectives of the session are to:

  1. Raise awareness on the role of EMBs in facilitating the participation of women in all phases of the electoral cycle, as voters, candidates, party agents, observers, and administrators
  2. Showcase the efforts of EMBs in increasing and enhancing the participation of women in elections
  3. Discuss strategies and interventions to address the continued obstacles to women’s effective participation and the role of various electoral stakeholders including electoral assistance providers
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
13:00 - 14:30
 
Women’s empowerment at the UN and in the G20: policies to support women’s leadership and talent and to fight gender-based violence
 
Organizer: Italy and a cross-regional group of countries
 

 

The promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment is central to the UN and the G20, and it is a key concept in the agenda of Italy’s G20 Presidency for 2021. It entails a series of policies and complementary measures to promote empowerment, as well as women’s and girls’ leadership in the economic and social spheres by all involved actors: Governments, local authorities, international organizations, businesses and civil society. The G20 can play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, in connection with the UN agenda and priorities. The event dedicated to women’s empowerment that Italy is co-hosting as Chair of the G20, together with cross-regional co-sponsors, aims at having a debate on the following topics: STEM and digital education; women’s leadership in the public and private sector; work-life balance and adequate social, care and education infrastructure; measures supporting the economic independence of women also as a means to fight gender-based violence; women and the green economy

 
 
Tue 16 Mar
13:00 - 14:30
 
Women’s Leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
Organizer: Canada, Dr. Betsy McGregor, Principal of McGregor Leadership
 
This event will seek to explore the impact of women’s leadership on COVID-19 outcomes as they relate to women and gender equality, identify key obstacles to achieving full participation at all decision-making tables, and to discuss best practice examples overcoming obstacles
 
More information: www.feministforum.ca
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
13:15 - 14:45
 
Women Ministers leading the Economic Reactivation in post-COVID-19 times
 
Organizer: Dominican Republic, Argentina, UN Women, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), Interamerican Commission of Women (CIM)
 
The COVID-19 crisis has had devastating impacts on the global economy, which are not gender neutral. As the pandemic has affected the economic sectors where women are most found - the service sector, the informal economy, domestic work, tourism - it has also turned the crisis of care into a global emergency. Together, these two realities have the potential to reverse many of the gains made by women in recent decades.
This situation requires affirmative action, clear and forceful public policies and the leadership of women in the post-COVID mitigation and recovery process. However, the National Mechanisms for Women continue to face political, programmatic and budgetary challenges to fulfill their role as leaders of national equality policies and to place the issue at the center of national recovery efforts.
This round table will explore the opportunities, challenges and strategies used by some National Mechanisms in the region to place the women's agenda in the response to the COVID-19 crisis and will raise future priorities so that women are an active part reactivation and their particular needs are on the national recovery agendas.
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
14:00 - 15:00
 
High-level panel discussion on the unprecedented suffering and hardships that women faced globally due to the Covid-19 pandemic
 
Organizer: Guatemala, International Federation for Peace and Sustainable Development
 
 
This high-level meeting panel discussion composed of experts aims to bring awareness of the pandemic's effect on women and girls and address the role of relevant stakeholders in implementing solutions to this global crisis. The fight for gender equality is no exception, from surging reports of domestic violence to disproportionate economic losses, gender disparity, and decreasing number of women who maintain full participation and decision-making at all levels. Women and girls around the world faced unprecedented suffering and hardships due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This humanitarian crisis is not only limited to women in urban settings living in developed and underdeveloped nations.
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
15:00 - 18:00
 
The Rapid Response to Women and Girls needs during the COVID-19 Pandemic
 
Organizer: Egypt
 
The presentation of national and regional efforts to respond to women and girls needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The implementation of the General Assembly resolution A/RES/75/156 entitled “Strengthening national and international rapid response to the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on women and girls”
 
Additional Information: https://undocs.org/en/A/RES/75/156   
 
 
Tue 16 Mar
15:00 - 16:15
 
Women's & Children's Health and Well-being: Implementing Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Amelioration of Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs) in the context of COVID-19
 
Organizer: Jamaica, Thailand, WHO, ICW-CIF
 
Access to UHC includes physical and mental health and neurological conditions, the inclusion of mental health in primary care services, as well as the need for disaggregated data to develop comprehensive health policies and are essential to address mushrooming non-communicable diseases (NCDs) which include the five major burdens of disease worldwide (heart disease, cancer, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and mental health and neurological conditions), especially for women and children. These must be addressed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to accomplish the SDGs. Examples of successful and replicable programs and research from Australia, Europe, Asia, Caribbean, and U.S. will be discussed.

 

 
Wed 17 Mar
7:00 - 8:30
 
 
Violence Against Women in Politics: Experiences and Ways Forward for Women Leaders
 
Organizer: OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), UN Women
 
Hosted by UN Women Europe and Central Asia and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), this Side Event will provide a platform for women politicians and leaders to discuss their experiences with harassment and violence in politics and share strategies for rising above such violence and persevering in their important work in public sphere. Special emphasis will be placed on exploring solutions and good practices for systematically addressing violence against women in politics. The event will feature high-level panelists from Europe, North America, and South Caucasus. Interpretation in English/Russian and International Sign Language will be provided.
 
Wed 17 Mar
8:00 - 9:30
 
HIGH LEVEL SIDE EVENT ON THE MARGINS OF THE SIXTY FIFTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN: An intergenerational dialogue of child, early and forced marriage titled “WE HEAR YOU!”
 
Organizer: Zambia, Canada, UNICEF, UNFPA, Save the Children
 
This event will be held at ministerial level. This event will create a space where member states and other stakeholders can come together through inter-generational dialogue, leadership and action to help solve one of the greatest challenges of our time – child marriage. The event will also drive accountability for the biannual resolution on Child, Early and Forced Marriage (RES/75/167) by providing a platform for stakeholders to highlight steps taken to address the recommendations within. 
 
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
8:00 - 9:00
 
Violence against women estimates, 2018 & VAW prevention programming: RESPECT implementation package
 
Organizer: WHO, UN Women
 
This event will present the new WHO report, Violence against women estimates, 2018 (which will be launched on 2 March 2021) and the RESPECT implementation package. The report presents the first global, regional and national prevalence estimates of physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence against women, as well as the first global and regional estimates of non-partner sexual violence against women, within the SDG reporting period. During this discussion, panelists will foster a critical dialogue on VAW data production and use as a part of a comprehensive approach to ending violence against women and mobilize key actors.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
Protecting planet and people - Voices from Women Environmental Human Rights Defenders
 
Organizer: European Union, United States, Front Line Defenders, FRIDA Young Feminist Fund
 
The EU, together with the US and civil society organisations, will provide a platform for five women whose work, in different parts of the world and addressing very different environmental problems, is making a difference for the protection of people and planet.
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Digital Gender Gaps and Opportunities: Fostering equal participation and ending violence against women in the connected age
 
Organizer: Germany, Council of Europe
 
Accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the digital transformation generates new opportunities for women’s empowerment through access to knowledge and resources. At the same time, it exacerbates the digital gender divide and discrimination against women, especially through online and technology-facilitated violence. Bringing together representatives from governments, international organizations and civil society, this side event presents strategies to achieve women's equal digital participation and to end online violence against women. It draws upon promising research and policies across regions and explores the added value of the Council of Europe’s legal instruments: the Istanbul Convention and the Recommendation on preventing and combating sexism.
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Gender-based Violence in the Online World: Emerging forms, New Approaches to Youth Prevention
 
Organizer: Czech Republic
 
New forms gender-based violence emerge in the online world. To tackle them, new methods have to be applied and special attention must be paid to children and youth. Our speakers will discuss their experience with youth prevention programs with an emphasis on need to implement comprehensive plans to reach all children and youth growing up in the digital world to prevent our next generation from becoming victims or perpetrators of gender-based and domestic violence. Producer Pavla Klimešová and actress Anežka Pithartová will introduce their documentary “Caught in the Net”, which sheds light on online sexual abuse of pre-teen girls and has shocked the Czech audience, becoming one of the highest-grossing films in the Czech cinemas in 2020. Activist Johanna Nejedlová, who was awarded the 2019 Woman in Youth Activism Award for strengthening the voice of young women in Europe, and gender equality expert Lucie Ingrová will discuss their collaboration with schools on organising workshops on sexual violence for students. Gender expert Jurgita Pečiūrienė will present the European Institute of Gender Equality’s research on the risks that youth faces in the online world and will outline EIGE’s future plans in the area of cyberviolence against women. Finally, Jannicke Stav and Barbora Jakobsen will introduce a practice of organisation Alternative to Violence and discuss gender-based and domestic violence youth prevention programs.

 

Additional Information: YouTube live stream https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCkBfuYs63lgqdo1ca3CLag

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Power Up! Gender Justice for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in sub-Saharan Africa—'Education Plus’ Initiative
 
Organizer: Benin, Luxembourg, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women
 

High-level policy dialogue co-hosted by Benin and Luxembourg around a new game-changing flagship initiative, Education Plus, which is co-led by UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNICEF and UN Women, and which will be launched during the Generation Equality Forum, in Paris, France.

The high-level advocacy initiative is focused on a rapid scale-up of multisectoral action and investments in response to the alarming numbers of adolescent girls and young women acquiring HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. Its vision is a world in which every adolescent girl and young woman completes secondary education and is empowered to lead a secure, healthy, fulfilling and productive life, free from gender discrimination, violence and HIV. Leaders from African governments, continental bodies, development partners and young women’s movements will engage in a compelling exchange about the initiative and on how to arrive at the gender transformation we all want to see by the Sustainable Development Goals deadline.

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Time for a Better Bargain: How the Aid System Shortchanges Women and Girls in Crisis
 
Organizer: Japan, UN OCHA, UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, CARE International
 
Please join this discussion about CARE's new report card Time for a Better Bargain: How the Aid System Shortchanges Women and Girls in Crisis, which assesses the performance of the top donors, UN agencies, the humanitarian system, and CARE's own record. Hear from women leaders from Bangladesh, Haiti, and South Sudan about the challenges on the humanitarian frontlines, as well as what is possible when targeted funding and resources empower them to lead. And add your voice to a conversation about how all members of the humanitarian community can contribute to making women- and girls-led crisis response a reality ahead of 2030.

 

Additional information: https://www.care.org/our-work/reports-and-resources/she-leads-in-crisis-report-card/

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
What future for women small-scale and informal cross-border traders in Africa?
 
Organizer: UNCTAD, UNECA
 
As the economic effects of the coronavirus pandemic continue to unfold, it becomes clear that some will be hit harder than others. The event will deal with the case of women small-scale and informal cross-border traders in Africa.

In response to the global health crisis, countries in Africa have introduced restrictive measures affecting the movement of people and merchandise. UNECA and UNCTAD have active work on the impact of such measures on those who earn a living by making regular trips between countries. As has been the case with other shocks, women risk bearing the brunt of this pandemic. A more tailored package of measures is needed.

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
"Thank you" Doesn't Pay the Bills: Join EPIC and Close the Gender Pay Gap
 
Organizer: Switzerland, Equal Pay International Coalition
 
The event will be an opportunity to amplify interest in innovative and practical solutions and in promising global initiatives to reduce the gender pay gap, also in times of crisis. Special guests will engage in an interactive discussion to advance equal pay for work of equal value globally and take tailored action at country level.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
 
Building Back Better for Women in the UK after COVID-19
 
Organizer: UK Parliament Women and Equalities Committee, UN Women UK
 
At this unique moment in history, organisations, activists and communities across the UK must come together to combat the rolling back of women’s rights by decades that is being threatened by the pandemic. Co-organised by representatives of UK Parliament, this event will feature the presentation of a new report on the impact of COVID-19, a virtual multimedia art exhibition created by young women to share their experiences, and the creation of a joint vision for the UK to ‘build back better’, led by the voices of women and girls. 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Take steps for the empowerment of women and girls in the French-speaking world / Agir pour l’autonomisation des femmes et des filles dans l’espace francophone
 
Organizer: International Organisation of La Francophonie / Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF)
 
This is a high-level consultation in the presence of the Secretary general of the Francophonie. The detailed program of the consultation will be communicated shortly. It is an “invitation only” event.
 
Il s’agit d’une concertation de haut niveau, en présence de Mme la Secrétaire générale de la Francophonie. Le programme détaillé de la concertation sera communiqué ultérieurement. Il s’agit d’un évènement fermé.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
9:30 - 11:00
 
Increasing Public and Private Investments for Gender Responsive Local Economic Recovery and Achievement of Beijing +25 Commitments
 
Organizer: UNCDF and UNDP
 
The side event will bring together representatives from the government, private sector, civil society, bilateral and multi-lateral agencies to discuss the importance of gender responsive investments for local economic recovery and to meet the ambitious SDG targets and Beijing +25 commitments. The event will showcase examples and innovative practices on gender responsive local development finance and SME finance in the aftermath of COVID-19. The event will focus on the importance of investing in women’s organizations, local businesses and infrastructure, and the centrality of developing local capacities and systems for a long-term economic recovery and sustainable impact. The event will specifically discuss financing gaps for a post COVID-19 economic recovery in the context of SDG targets on women’s economic empowerment and provide key recommendations for a renewed commitment and a strengthened partnership to meet the financing needs.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Advancing Women's Leadership in Public Finance
 
Organizer: UN Women, INTOSAI Development Initiative, International Budget Partnership
 
Women’s full and equal representation and participation in decision-making is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. However, they are significantly underrepresented in decision making, especially in public finance. Globally, as of 1 January 2021, only 11% of countries had finance portfolios held by women. The International Budget Partnership,  INTOSAI Development Initiative and UN Women are convening a side event during the CSW 65 to unpack the structural and institutional barriers to women’s entry and advancement in public finance institutions. Women leaders from Costa Rica, India, Morocco and Rwanda representing finance ministries, supreme audit institutions and civil society will tackle the persistent barriers to women’s advancement in public finance institutions and devise strategies to overcome these.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Always Forward: Social Support Policies as a Tool for Women’s Empowerment in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic
 
Organizer: Turkey
 
Event Link: https://www.youtube.com/ailevecalisma

 

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995 as a comprehensive and visionary agenda for the empowerment of women and girls. It contains a call for the removal of systematic and structural barriers that prevent women and girls from enjoying their human rights across social, economic, political and environmental domains, and policy actions to achieve the vision. 2020 was meant to be a perfect opportunity to celebrate the significant progress made in many areas and to follow up the existing and emerging challenges and remaining gaps.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the scenario unprecedentedly. With the spread of the coronavirus all around the World, even the gains made in the past decades are at risk of being rolled back. The outbreak poses a serious threat to health, safety, employment and livelihoods of women. It has also been deepening the already existing inequalities and vulnerabilities in social, political, and economic systems which are in turn amplifying the impacts of the pandemic on women and girls’ lives. Across every sphere from health to the economy, security to social protection, women and girls have been disproportionately affected by this outbreak.

Besides, since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak, emerging data and reports have shown that all types of violence against women and girls, particularly domestic violence, have intensified. Calls to national hotlines reporting domestic violence rose five-fold in some countries after people started working from home due to isolation policies implemented during the outbreak.

The restriction of movement, social isolation, lockdowns and economic insecurity caused more vulnerability and domestic violence against women, while most of them were also forced to be isolated in the same house with the perpetrator of the violence.

In this context, the virtual Side Event of Turkey seeks to further analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls and to highlight the important role of national authorities and international organizations in addressing the pandemic. Furthermore, it aims to;

  • Share the best practices among stakeholders and identify what is needed to better value the role of women to address the pandemic,
  • Review and highlight the role of SDG’s in the pandemic and identify the challenges to achieve them due to the outbreak. 
  • Identify new ways to accelerate the empowerment of women and girls in the post-pandemic era in light of the lessons learned.
  • Highlight the best practices in combating violence against women and girls in pandemic times,
  • Highlight the key roles and challenges of healthcare and social workers many of whom are women working at the frontline
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Violence against women: a barrier to meaningful and full participation of women in public life. From national policies to foreign policies. The pushbacks, challenges and the way forward
 
Organizer: Cyprus
 
Within the margins of the 65th session of the Commission for the Status of Women, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus will host a panel discussion aiming to examine the national and foreign policies addressing the main challenges faced by women in order to reach their full potential and their participation in public life. The event will seek to highlight gender-based violence and raise questions as to whether the issue has been adequately addressed on a legislative, policy level including practical measures to combat it. The speakers will be invited to discuss promising practices and examples both on national and foreign policy levels which address violence against women as a barrier to women's participation in public life and discuss the way forward.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
“Generating empowerment, empowering generations” – delivering on women’s economic empowerment and rights
 
Organizer: Sweden, Republic of Korea, OECD, World Bank
 
Breaking deep-rooted unequal gender power-relations and enhancing women’s economic participation and empowerment are key to strengthening their fundamental rights. The webinar will explore how governments, international organisations and the private sector work on transforming the public and private sectors to deliver on gender equality and women’s economic empowerment. It will also link to the work of the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:15
 
Women Participation in Land Governance in Tanzania
 
Organizer: The United Republic of Tanzania, LANDESA Tanzania
 
The side event will reflect on the space for women in land governance and SDGs in Tanzania.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:00 - 11:00
 
Gendered effects of the COVID-19 pandemic
 
Organizer: World Bank
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused widespread societal disruption and continues to disproportionately impact women’s lives, both at work and at home. During this session, The World Bank, UN Women, and UNDP will discuss the unprecedented challenges faced by women employees and entrepreneurs. The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law and Enterprise Analysis projects will present on the importance of closing the legal gender gap and will share specific findings on government responses to the pandemic related to childcare, access to court systems, and protecting women against violence, as well as the impact of crises on female-managed firms. UN Women and UNDP will then share insight on the COVID-19 Global Gender Response tracker.
 
Additional Information:
Women, Business and the Law https://wbl.worldbank.org,
Enterprise Analysis https://www.enterprisesurveys.org/en/covid-19,
COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker https://data.undp.org/gendertracker/
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
10:30 - 12:00
 
Making zero tolerance a reality: Peer to peer learning on prevention and elimination of sexual harassment
 
Organizer: Sierra Leone, the Group of Friends to Eliminate Sexual Harassment, CEB Task Force on Addressing Sexual Harassment, the UN Secretariat and UN Women
 
Join a peer-to-peer learning dialogue on the latest work of the Chief Executives Board (CEB) Task Force on Addressing, Preventing and Eliminating Sexual Harassment within the Organizations of the UN system, as well as of the Civil Society partners and UN Member States. The event will explore how we can collaborate to address, prevent and, ultimately, eradicate sexual harassment. It is jointly organized by the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, the Group of Friends to Eliminate Sexual Harassment, CEB Task Force on Addressing Sexual Harassment, the UN Secretariat and UN Women.

American Sign Language (ASL) and Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) will be provided during the event.

 

Wed 17 Mar
11:00 - 14:00
 
Establishment of the Organization for Women Development, affiliated with the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation
 
Organizer: Egypt
 
The entry into force of the Organization for Women Development statute which is a specialized organization affiliated with the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation. The event will present the development of the organization establishment and its current activities in order to promote women status in the Islamic Countries.
 
Additional Information: The statute of the organization https://www.oic-oci.org/docdown/?docID=417&refID=29, Speech of the Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) during the first regular session of the Organization https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=24836&ref=15179&lan=enSpeech of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt https://www.oic-oci.org/topic/?t_id=24884&ref=15195&lan=e

 

Wed 17 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
In Search of a Round Table: Gender, Religion and Decision-Making in Public Life
 
Organizer: Denmark, International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD)

Co-organizers: ACT Alliance, Global Interfaith Wash Alliance, Islamic Relief Worldwide, Joint Learning Initiative on Faith and Local Communities, Lutheran World Federation, Side by Side: Faith Movement for Gender Justice, United Society Partners in the Gospel

 

A round table discussion hosted by the International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (Gender Work stream), unpacks how Member States, intergovernmental organisations and civil society are contributing to the Beijing Platform for Action. Keynote speaker Dr. Musimbi Kanyoro, will be followed by interventions from government, inter-governmental and civil society members, who will share their experiences, journeys, challenges and potential solutions for working as / or with religious actors to progress the gender equality agenda. As each participant exchanges their contribution, we will begin to derive meaningful lessons for future engagement and learning.

 

Additional Information: https://www.partner-religion-development.org/work-streams/gender-equality-and-empowerment

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
11:15 - 12:45
 
Violence against girl children in armed conflicts and the role of the international criminal justice system
 
Organizer: Italy, in collaboration with Belgium, El Salvador, European Union, Office of the UN SRSG on CAAC, Save the Children
 

Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/violence-against-girl-children-in-armed-conflicts-and-the-role-of-the-international-criminal-justice-system-csw65-side-event/6241356293001/?term=CSW65&sort=date&page=2

Data concerning violence against girl children in armed conflict are alarming: their conditions are extremely fragile and they are more exposed to the risk of psychological and physical violence, including rape and other forms of sexual violence, sexual enslavement and forced marriage, which have become a method of warfare. Additionally, not all cases of sexual violence are reported and denounced: girl children have evident difficulties to access Courts and are often not supported (if not refused and expelled) by their families and communities in accessing competent instances to claim a remedy for the violence received. The event aims at tackling these issues in a comprehensive way, with contributions from Member States, the UN, the international justice system and civil society.

 
 
Wed 17 Mar
11:30 - 13:00
 
Gender Equality and Socio-Economic Consequences of the COVID-19 crisis. Building gender responsive emergency and recovery measures
 
Organizer: Portugal, European Union
 
Co-hosted by Portuguese Minister of State Mariana Vieira da Silva and EU Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, the side event aims to reflect on the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 and the need to create gender-responsive policies, based on a forward-looking agenda on gender equality at the EU and international level.
 
Wed 17 Mar
11:30 - 12:30
 
Supporting Vibrant Feminist Movements and Leadership: Keys to Gender Equality
 
Organizer: Canada, Canadian Women’s Foundation and Equality Fund
 
This event will feature a moderated panel discussion that will focus on the importance of supporting women’s movements and feminist leadership in Canada and around the world.
 
More information: www.canadianwomen.org; www.equalityfund.ca
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
12:00 - 13:15
 
Championing Women Leadership in Tech
 
Organizer: EQUALS Global Partnership for digital gender equality, International Trade Center, International Telecommunication Union, UN Women, GSMA, Oslo Metropolitan University
 
This joint panel session will examine the root causes of the persistent gender gap among leaders in the tech sector and will present new research findings from the recently published joint EQUALS report titled: ‘Perceptions of Power: Championing Female Leadership in Tech’. This session will also propose concrete actions that a range of stakeholders can undertake and are undertaking to promote women leadership in tech.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
12:00 - 13:15
 
Terror at Home - Fighting domestic violence with innovation and technology
 
Organizer: USA, Israel, Michal Sela Forum
 
The event, co-hosted by the Missions of Israel and the US to the UN, the Michal Sela Forum and UJA-Federation, will focus on how technology and innovation can be harnessed to fight against domestic violence. It will feature presentations of innovative initiatives developed as part of the Michal Sela Accelerator that help prevent domestic violence.

The event will include remarks By H.E. Gilad Erdan, Israel's Ambassador to the US and the UN, H.E. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, US Ambassador to the UN, Lili Ben Ami, Founder and Chairperson of the Michal Sela Forum, H.E. Åsa Regnér, Assistant Secretary General & Deputy Executive Director at UN Women, H.E. Ambassador Olof Skoog, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the UN, Eric Goldstein, the CEO of UJA-Federation, Jacquelline Fuller, VP of Google and President of Google.org, and a special message from Israeli actress Gal Gadot.

 

Wed 17 Mar
13:00 - 14:35
 
On the Path to Economic Justice and Rights: Working towards Women’s Economic Empowerment
 
Organizer: Germany, Spain, Mexico, Sweden, South Africa and civil society partners
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/on-the-path-to-economic-justice-and-rights-working-towards-womens-economic-empowerment-csw65-side-event/6241378871001/?term=CSW65&sort=date&page=2
 
In joint efforts with its partners of the Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights (AC EJR) in the Generation Equality Forum and as Chair of the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi), Germany together with Mexico, Spain and Sweden is organizing a high-level side event at the sixty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on the women’s economic rights agenda. In light of this year’s CSW priority theme on women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, the high-level side event seeks to discuss women’s participation and decision-making in economic life.
 
 
Wed 17 Mar
15:00 - 17:00
 
EDVAW platform (SRVAW, CEDAW, GREVIO, MESECVI, WGDAWG, African SRWHR, Inter-American SRWHR): human rights based implementation strategies and the CSW
 
Organizer: Switzerland, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, OHCHR
 

The EDVAW Platform will take stock of the joint work it has been involved in since its inception, and will also launch an e-booklet on how the EDVAW Platform and the CSW can work together to develop implementation strategies for the elimination of violence and discrimination against women.

Additional information: https://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/Women/SRWomen/Pages/CooperationGlobalRegionalMechanisms.aspx

 
 
Thu 18 Mar
7:30 - 8:30
 
Women in Politics: Overcoming the Gender Barriers
 
Organizer: Ireland
 
This side event will bring together policy experts and women politicians to discuss the particular barriers women face in political life, the consequences of unequal representation, and how these barriers can be overcome.  Panellists include UNSRSG and former Ghanaian cabinet minister, Hanna Tetteh, and Senator Eileen Flynn, the first Mincéir (member of the Traveller community) to serve in the Irish Parliament.
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:00 - 10:00
 
A side event on the social and economic situation of Palestinian women under Israeli occupation
 
Organizer: Palestine, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA)
 
Continued Israeli occupation and the failure of direct peace negotiations between the Palestinian Authority and Israel continue to claim the lives of many Palestinians and threaten their livelihood and security. The general humanitarian situation continues to pose many challenges and negatively affects the political, civil, social and economic rights of Palestinian women.

In this regard, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) prepares periodic reports on the status of women pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2003/42 on the economic and social status of Palestinian women. The latest report, covering the period 2018 - 2020, includes an analysis of the most recent available data on this subject, including the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the Ministry of Women's Affairs, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the United Nations Development Programme, among others

In this context, in order to launch the periodic report on the social and economic situation of Palestinian women and to highlight the reality of Palestinian women under Israeli occupation, ESCWA, in cooperation with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in the State of Palestine, is organizing a side event within the framework of the Sixty-Fourth Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 15-26 March 2020.

 

Thu 18 Mar
8:00 - 9:30
 
Connect2Include. Include2Connect.
 
Organizer: International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
 
Leaving no one behind in the digital world means ensuring that technology is people centered. This encompasses that no one is offline due to the lack of connectivity or due to the lack of accessibility of the digital information, products, and services. This session will bring attention to the importance of developing appropriate policies, strategies and actions that address the specific needs for the digital inclusion of women and girls, youth, children, persons with disabilities, the older persons, Indigenous peoples, and people living in remote areas to achieve true and meaningful universal connectivity, especially when it comes to designing accessible and affordable digital solutions that will impact everyone’s lives and the process of building inclusive digital societies.
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:00 - 9:30
 
Ensuring public participation, amplified voice and safe spaces for sex workers’ rights advocacy
 
Organizer: The Netherlands, New Zealand, Count Me In! Consortium, NSWP
 
This session will highlight sex workers’ full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, including laws and policies that either enhance or hinder such participation.  The session will also highlight the important role that feminist allies and politicians can play in supporting sex workers’ political engagement and amplifying sex workers’ voices.
 
Additional information: https://www.mamacash.org/en/count-me-in-consortium, https://www.nswp.org/
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:00 - 9:30
 
Women’s health and gender inequalities: Lessons and emerging priorities 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action
 
Organizer: WHO, United Nations University, The BMJ, Gender & Health Hub, TDR, HRP
 
*French and Spanish translation will be available for this event.
 
Flyer: Women’s health and gender inequalities - Lessons and emerging priorities 25 years after the Beijing Platform for Action, 18 March.jpg 
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:30 - 10:30
 
Intergenerational co-leadership and mutual accountability -A high level intergenerational dialogue between young people and policy makers during CSW 65
 
Organizer: Generation Equality Youth Task Force, UN Women and the Office of the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/intergenerational-co-leadership-and-mutual-accountability-%E2%80%93-a-high-level-intergenerational-dialogue-between-young-people-and-policy-makers-during-csw-65-csw65-side-event/6241617707001/?term=CSW65&sort=date
 
A discussion and shared understanding of meaningful intergenerational co-leadership and a joint advocacy opportunity for young women and non-binary people’s leadership as key to the COVID-19 response and building back better. 
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:30 - 10:00
 
Women, Peace and Security: Reflection on the Impact of NAPs on women’s leadership and participation: Success, Challenges and Lessons learned
 
Organizer: Jordan, Canada, Norway, Finland, Spain, UK, UN Women
 
Reflection on the Impact of NAPs on women’s leadership and participation: Success, Challenges and Lessons learned.
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
8:30 - 9:45
 
A World We Women Want: Gender-Just and Violence-Free
 
Organizer: India, All India Women's Education Fund Association (AIWEFA)
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/a-world-we-women-want-gender-just-violence-free-csw65-side-event/6241635463001/?term=CSW65&sort=date&page=2
 
In a year of lockdowns, isolation and movement restrictions, the issues of Lives, Livelihoods and Learning have been severely impacted. Further, the COVID-19 has spiked a ‘Shadow Pandemic’ of violence against women and girls. To accelerate women’s empowerment in the 2030 Agenda for Development, distinguished and eminent representatives from the United Nations and Permanent Missions discuss, deliberate and suggest best practices towards ensuring gender equality. This 75 minute Side Event, being held in the backdrop of the COVID-19, also points at a Way Forward in the context of gender violence.
 

Statement submitted by All India Women’s Education Fund Association (AIWEFA)

 
 
Thu 18 Mar
9:00 - 11:30
 
"Generation SRHR !" Ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights: a priority for the new alliances of the Generation Equality Forum
 
Organizer: France
 

The Generation Equality Forum's Action Coalition on Body Autonomy and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) will launch a new global momentum to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The side event at CSW65 is part of the dynamic launched during the Coalition's working group on SRHR and aims to foster exchanges between "Coalition champions", states, civil society organisations and international organisations.

Speakers will address in particular the priority areas of action to be taken within the Coalition and their implementation; they will call to join the SRHR Coalition and convince new members to commit to this global initiative.

 
 
Thu 18 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
The Liberian Experience: Women Sharing Experiences on Innovative Ways of Addressing Violence Against Women & Girls in Achieving Gender Equality
 
Organizer: Liberia
 
The side event will consist of women in politics, female legislators, women in public decision making and positions of trust. The event will be facilitated through panel discussions, and experience sharing by women in politics, and general discussions on leveraging and promoting women’s empowerment and participation in decision‐making in public life. The event will last for two hours with an opening and a closing ceremony that will be devoted to a comparative analysis of the situation in the country as it relates to women political participation and violence in comparison to other MRU countries.
 
Thu 18 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
Women’s Political Participation in Africa: Old Barriers, New Frontiers
 
Organizer: International IDEA
 

The overarching objective of this event is to explore women’s political participation in Africa with a view to advancing the goal of gender equality in politics and governance. The fact of great concern is that the poor levels of women’s political participation has existed for a long time and, in consequence, experience has been built and work carried out over time by an array of institutions, actors, networks, and campaigners aimed at redressing the situation. Yet, the numbers of women in political participation remains low. The quest for improving greater participation of women in Africa has a rich history and this side event will bring together a diverse group of actors with rich lessons of experience in order to add strategic value to the issue of women in leadership in Africa. The side event aims to explore challenges and opportunities for women in political participation with the aim of:  

a) Contributing to an increase in the voice and presence of women in all domestic political processes and institutions in Africa at the different levels at which they exist.

b) Stepping up advocacy for and expand awareness towards increased demands for the inclusion of women at all levels of local/sub-national and national political participation and decision-making.

c) Enhancing the capacity of local and national women’s organisations, groupings, networks, mobilisers, community activists, elected female office holders, and others to engage, negotiate, forge alliances, advocate, and campaign for change in favour of women’s greater political participation.

d) Explore ways of working with key institutions of democratic governance such as political parties, parliaments, the media, etc. to build constituencies, alliances, norms, templates, and targets for reform and change towards greater women’s political participation.

e) Generating and share new research knowledge to serve the goals of policy and political reform, capacity enhancement, and advocacy that will be pursued.

Additional Information:

https://wpp-africa.net/

www.idea.int

 
 
Thu 18 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Barriers to the full and effective participation of women and girls with disabilities
 
Organizer: Poland
 
The event aims at promoting dialogue on the political participation of women and girls with disabilities and exchanging knowledge and good practices on ways to increase and strengthen their representation in political institutions and elected bodies at national and local level.  The discussion will provide the opportunity to take a closer look at the political participation of women and girls with disabilities through two lenses - the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
 
Thu 18 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Women Delivering Justice: Achieving Gender Parity In The Justice Sector
 
Organizer: International Development Law Organization (IDLO), International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ), American Bar Association (ABA), Institute for African Women in Law (IAWL), New Zealand, Italy
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/women-delivering-justice-achieving-gender-parity-in-the-justice-sector-csw65-side-event/6241720139001/?term=CSW65&sort=date
 
Event Link: https://www.idlo.int/news/events/csw65-women-delivering-justice-achieving-gender-parity-justice-sector
 
Despite progress in achieving gender parity in the justice sector, barriers continue to persist and in some cases, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, are further amplified.

This event will highlight the importance of investing in the equal and full representation of women in justice delivery. It will seek to: (a) identify challenges to and pathways for increased investment and action, especially within the current COVID-19 context; (b) discuss policy and programmatic directions for prioritizing gender balance in the justice sector; and (c) provide recommendations for better data, research and analysis in support of SDG 16.7.1.

Additional Information:

 
Thu 18 Mar
9:15 - 10:30
 
Beyond War and Pandemic: Voices from the Field
 
Organizer: Armenia
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/beyond-war-and-pandemic-voices-from-the-field-csw65-side-event/6241643402001/?term=CSW65&sort=date
 
20 years after the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, women continue to be disproportionately affected by conflicts and complex humanitarian emergencies. Held against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative security implications, the event will seek to address the disproportionate impact of the global crisis on women and girls affected by conflicts and humanitarian emergencies, who are at an increased risk of violence, injustice and inequality, including in terms of access to essential healthcare and social services, resilience and livelihood opportunities.
 
Thu 18 Mar
10:00 - 12:00
 
The Economic Empowerment of Women and Girls: a mechanism for their full and effective participation in public life and to end violence against them
 
Organizer: Morocco, UN Women
 
The Ministry of Solidarity, Social Development, Equality and the Family of the Kingdom of Morocco is organizing this side event with the objective to share its recent strategic developments in economically empowering women and fighting violence against women and girls, and to offer a platform for exchange on best practices from Member States and international and regional organizations in the field of the economic empowerment of women and girls. Another objective of the side-event is to identify progress and formulate recommendations to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs, in particular regarding the current challenges related to the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Thu 18 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
After COVID-19, Women First. Empowering Women through Trade: a driver of Inclusive Growth in West Africa
 
Organizer: World Bank, International Finance Corporation
 
Trade can support women’s livelihoods, promote inclusive growth, and ultimately contribute to women's empowerment. This session will provide a closer look at women's role in West African trade and how cross-border trade facilitation and gender mainstreaming into trade policy can strengthen and increase these opportunities. Distinguished speakers will unpack the topic and provide insights into gender's critical role in trade facilitation in West Africa.


Additional Information: TFWA Program Fact SheetSSCBT InfographicGender Assessment Report Executive Summarytfwa.projects.ecowas.int

 
 
Thu 18 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Changing norms, promoting rights. The power and impact of conventions.
 
Organizer: Sweden, Montenegro, Council of Europe and Promundo
 
The Istanbul Convention is widely recognised as the most far-reaching legally binding instrument to prevent and combat violence against women and domestic violence as a violation of human rights. The webinar will engage government representatives and civil society on the power of the convention as a comprehensive and harmonised response to ensure a life free of violence for all women. It will explore the practical implementation and impact of these norms and standards for greater protection and support, for improved legislation, policies, services and the discourse on the violence women and girls experience and how they are supported and empowered.
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Marginalized Women in Fragile and Conflict Settings – how to make their voices count
 
Organizer: Germany, United States, Women for Women International
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/marginalized-women-in-fragile-and-conflict-settings-csw65-side-event/6241789532001/?term=CSW65&sort=date
 
The event will consider key challenges and gaps that compound the exclusion of marginalized women in fragile and conflict settings. It will take a look at cross-regional policy developments and implementation that further meaningful inclusion, representation and visibility, intersectional and rights-based approaches and a focus on women as agents of change. It will highlight the voices and standpoints of marginalized women to be heard by the international community.
 
Thu 18 Mar
10:00 - 11:15
 
No girl left behind: safeguarding education financing in post-covid recovery to empower all children
 
Organizer: United Kingdom, Kenya, France, Senegal, The Global Partnership for Education
 
Ahead of the Global Education Summit: Financing GPE 2021-2025 (28-29 July 2021) and on the margins of CSW, the UK, Kenya, France and Senegal, with support from the Global Partnership for Education, will host a high-level virtual event on the importance of safeguarding education financing as a means of empowering girls in the post-COVID recovery. The session will feature keynote speeches from Government Ministers and Senior Officials from the UN, followed by an interactive discussion with a diverse range of panellists representing government, the private sector, and youth advocates.
 
Thu 18 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
Online Harassment and Abuse Against Women Journalists
 
Organizer: Canada, UNESCO, OSCE, Article 19
 
The side event will focus specifically on online harassment and abuse faced by women journalists.
 
Thu 18 Mar
11:30 - 13:00
 
Strengthening women’s role front and center of atrocity prevention
 
Organizer: United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect
 
Calling for gendered responses to the risk of atrocity crimes, the Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect will convene a mixed high-level and grassroot roundtable discussion to amplify and assess opportunities for promoting women’s leadership in conflict and atrocity prevention. Building on the 2020 report of the Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect: “Prioritizing prevention and strengthening response: women and the responsibility to protect”, the event will provide a space to discuss key challenges and opportunities to support the sustained leadership of women in atrocity prevention at the local, national and regional level, including young women.
 
 
Thu 18 Mar
12:00 - 13:15
 
Dialogues on the strategies of feminisms in progressive governments. Local experiences on the participation of women and diversities in the public sphere.
 
Organizer: Argentina, Mexico, Spain 

 

The objective of this event is to address the dialogues and tensions that feminisms bring closer to progressive governments, having as its main focus the political participation of women and diversities in the public sphere.

In that regard, high level authorities of the co-organizing countries will share concrete experiences in order to contribute to a constructive dialogue.

It should be noted that this conference is presented as a second edition of the one held in the framework of the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) during September 2020. In order to broaden the discussion, It is expected that representatives of other progressive governments committed to the gender and human rights agenda will join to this exchange.

 

Thu 18 Mar
13:30 - 14:30
 
Digitalization of Women and Girls in the Context of the Covid-19 Pandemic Recovery
 
Organizer: Chile, Finland
 
The event will focus on outlining the elements that foster a healthy environment to empower women to safely engage with, and to navigate the challenges brought upon by the digital revolution, particularly in the context of the COVID19 pandemic recovery. Issues like practical measures to increase the participation of women and girls in STEM fields, including ICT; bridging the digital gender gap in terms of use, literacy, and skills; developing gender sensitive technologies and innovations, especially those that are shaping the COVID-19 response; and ending violence facilitated by technology to create safe and inclusive digital spaces are to be addressed.
 
Thu 18 Mar
15:30 - 17:30
 
Political Participation and Parity Democracy: Progress and Challenges in the Bolivian and Regional Context
 
Organizer: Bolivia, UN Women, Women’s Coordinator, Association of Mayors and Councilors of Bolivia (ACOBOL)
 
In the last decade, the Latin American and Caribbean region has presented important regulatory advances that have had an impact on the progressive increase in the presence and participation of women in the public sphere. Currently, different countries are going through electoral processes, hence, it is necessary to take stock of the state of women's political participation in violence-free spaces, as well as, to discuss the main challenges and actions to be taken to consolidate parity democracy in Bolivia and the regional context.
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
Girls’ activism: accomplishments, challenges and opportunities for social change
 
Organizer: OHCHR
 
The UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls would like to convene this event to highlight the importance of girls’ and young women’s participation, activism and collective action as an essential precondition for building sustainable, peaceful and just societies. The event will look at the contribution and transformative potential of girls’ and young women’s activism and collective action, as well as obstacles to participation. It will further provide an enabling space for girls and young women activists to share their thoughts on the support needed to meaningfully participate in formal and informal processes.
 
Additional Information: https://www.ohchr.org/en/issues/women/wgwomen/pages/wgwomenindex.aspx
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
The importance of ensuring migrant women’s effective participation and decision-making in public life in countries of destination, and the elimination of sexual and gender-based violence against them
 
Organizer: International Organization for Migration, UN Women
 
This side event will discuss the importance of enabling migrant women to participate in all areas of public life and participate in decision making processes that affect their lives. It will emphasize the heightened vulnerability of migrant women and girls to SGBV and the critical need to prevent and respond to SGBV in a gender-responsive, rights-based, victim-centred, multi-sectoral and cross-border approach.
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
International Support for Afghan Women’s Rights: Protecting and Promoting the Rights of Afghan Women
 
Organizer: Afghanistan, United Kingdom, United States, GIWPS
 
This side-event aims to highlight Afghan civil society’s critical work to promote and protect women’s rights in and beyond the current peace process, and the international community's support for their work. It further aims to empower women’s voices within the peace process and promote efforts to protect their lives from targeted attacks and killings.
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Reclaiming Gender Justice: Countering National, Regional and Global Backlashes
 
Organizer: Sweden, Argentina, UNFPA, ACT Alliance, Act Church of Sweden and Side by Side: Faith Movement for Gender Justice
 
Hard won achievements made for women’s rights and gender justice is under threat. The push back is deep, pervasive and relentless. Countering backlashes against progressing SRHR, tackling SGBV and reforming discriminatory family law, is critical. This event will reclaim narratives for gender justice. It will serve as a clarion call to all stakeholders to build alliances between secular and faith actors, challenge power structures and scale up action.
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Women’s leadership for climate-neutral and circular industries
 
Organizer: United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Finland
 
It is high time women’s voices as leaders of circular economy, climate technologies and the clean energy transition are recognized and amplified. The post-pandemic economic recovery measures represent a unique opportunity to harness women’s full potential to reshape industrial development towards environmentally sound production, consumption and waste management practices.
The event will feature and celebrate women entrepreneurs and their innovative products and projects that support more climate-neutral and circular industries. It will address how the public and private sectors can foster enabling environments for women to be agents for change towards more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future societies.
 
Additional information:
 
UNIDO's Contribution to Gender Equality Progress across Critical Areas of Concern - Beijing+25 (EN/FR/ES);

UNIDO website on Gender Equality and Empowerment of Women

 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:30 - 11:00
 
Shaping the new Nordic gender agenda – Ministers and young activists on exclusion & norms of power
 
Organizer: Finland, Nordic Council of Ministers
 
This panel gathers Nordic ministers and young activists. The agency of young people in all their diversity is crucial in shaping a new gender agenda and new norms for leadership. The pandemic has exposed a system that is not working for all. What are the innovative approaches we need to transform our societies and end gender inequality and exclusion? How can we ensure that young change-makers have an equal say in and access to decision-making?
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
9:30 - 11:00
Women and Poverty Eradication: the Promise of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
 
Organizer: China, European Union
 
The side event, co-hosted by China and the European Union, will assess progress and challenges in addressing the feminisation of poverty.
 
 
Fri 19 Mar
10:00 - 12:00
 
Driving Digital Gender Equality through Mobile Technology Across the Commonwealth
 
Organizer: Commonwealth Secretariat, Commonwealth Business Women’s Network, GSMA

 

 

The State of the Digital Economy in the Commonwealth Report 2020 highlights that the gender digital divide in the Commonwealth continues to present a significant challenge, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to reverse the progress made towards gender equality. Increasing women’s access to digital technologies and their leadership in ICT sectors is key to ensuring that they can benefit from the opportunities that ICTs bring to society and to advance progress towards the SDGs. This session brings together key stakeholders from across the Commonwealth, the mobile and tech industries to discuss the link between digital gender equality and women’s full participation and leadership in the digital future. 

Additional Information: https://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/businesswomen-urge-connectivity-agenda-prioritise-gender, https://thecommonwealth.org/media/news/gender-equality-through-trade, https://thecommonwealth.org/gender 

 
 
Fri 19 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
Generation Equality Forum - Curtain raiser Interactive Virtual Side Event at the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women
 
Organizer: Mexico, France, UN Women
 

View recorded webcast here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HgeO7jgTpw&t=4s

The interactive virtual side event will be a curtain-raiser to the Generation Equality Forum kick-off in Mexico City on 29 to 31 March 2021, intending to build momentum towards the multi-stakeholders' drive for commitments for gender equality.  With two weeks to go to the Forum in Mexico, the side event will be a unique opportunity to share exciting leadership and collaboration stories that showcase that the Forum and its Action Coalitions are born of the determination and aspiration of young people and activists and advocates from across the globe over the past two years to effect change.

 

Fri 19 Mar
10:00 - 11:15
 
Child, early and forced marriage – preventing forced marriages and empowering girls in an international context
 
Organizer: Austria, UNODC
 
Prevention work and awareness raising are essential in combating harmful traditional practices such as forced marriages. Besides those affected, the entire social environment must be considered and involved, including family members just as much as e.g. educational institutions. In the course of this side event, prevention work with all its dimensions and opportunities will be discussed on a national and international level. Featuring experts with diverse backgrounds, the event will offer new insights and can be a source of inspiration for future prevention work in the context of forced marriages.
 
Fri 19 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
Widowhood, Empowerment, and the Path to Public Life
 
Organizer: Sierra Leone

 

 

The invisibility of - and discrimination towards - widows in public life, and opportunities for addressing discrimination and violence against widows and their children.

 

Fri 19 Mar
12:00 - 13:15
 
Towards the conquest of the right to abortion. Synergies between feminist movements and progressive governments. The Argentine experience.
 
Organizer: Argentina, France, Canada, IPPFWRH, IWHC

 

 

The objective of this event is to include a space for discussion on sexual and reproductive rights in the framework of the 65th Session of the CSW with a special focus on the right to abortion.

Specifically, the event aims to provide information on the recent sanction of the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy Law No. 27,610 on December 30, 2020 in the Argentine Republic, which guarantees universal and free access to abortion and post-abortion care. Furthermore, through this experience, it seeks to account for the synergy between feminist and diversities movements, which fought for decades for the enactment of this law, and a government with the political will to advance in the effective expansion of rights.

With this new law, the Argentine State gives a clear and forceful response to the international commitments assumed in matters of public health and human rights of women and of people with other gender identities with the capacity to gestate, at the same time that it aims to contribute to the reduction of preventable maternal morbidity and mortality.

In effect, it seeks to open a space for the exchange of comparative experiences, in order to disseminate and promote the progressive recognition at the international and domestic level of sexual and reproductive rights, in particular the right to legal, safe and free abortion.

This event is held in line with the debates that take place in the framework of the Generation Equality Forum, in particular the Coalition on Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights France will also participate, in its capacity as leader of the aforementioned global initiative, among other relevant actors.

 

 
Mon 22 Mar
6:00 - 7:15
 
We Need Women Leaders in Politics: Better Society, Strong Democracy
 
Organizer: Japan, JAWW (Japan Women’s Watch), The National Women’s Committee of the United Nations NGOs, The International Women’s Year Liaison Group (IWYLG)
 

Women’s political leadership has a critical impact on the health and welfare of women as well as the quality of democracy. The importance of women’s leadership has never been as highlighted as in the current era of the pandemic. This session invites female political leaders and experts of the issue to discuss how women politicians contribute to making a better world for women and girls. It then explores strategies in various countries to accelerate women’s full and effective participation in decision-making.

 
 
Mon 22 Mar
8:30 - 9:45
 
Women's Economic Empowerment - A Holistic View of Women's Economic Participation
 
Organizer: Saudi Arabia
 
As part of the 65th session of the United Nations Commission of the Status of Women (CSW65) the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia proposes to host a panel event alongside other CSW member countries. This event, welcome to all, would provide an opportunity to share good practices around promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment. The event will seek to showcase the importance of considering Women’s Empowerment in all aspects to achieve economic progress.

Furthermore, it will discuss creating an ecosystem to ensure women’s progress. In addition to highlighting women’s access to opportunities, access to financial institutions, social protections, equal pay, informal work, unpaid-care work, and promoting women entrepreneurship and SME’s. The panel will also provide an opportunity for experience sharing with fellow CSW member states.

 
 
Mon 22 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Equal Pay for Women: Tools and Policies
 
Organizer: Czech Republic
 
The persisting difference in earnings between women and men (the so-called Gender Pay Gap - GPG) is 15% in the European Union. While the multiple causes of GPG are of very similar nature worldwide, some countries have started looking into the problem earlier and with a more effective approach. In our panel discussion, we will bring forward tools and policies that are in place to reduce GPG at the level of state and key stakeholders, in the EU countries as well as worldwide. Special focus will be given to gender-neutral job evaluation and experience with reporting and certification so far.

This side event can also be watched via You Tube stream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caBNdQc0e0Q

 
 
Mon 22 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Shifting masculine norms to promote women’s economic empowerment
 
Organizer: Austria, OECD Development Centre
 
Some masculinities stand in the way of women’s economic empowerment and must be urgently addressed. This event will launch the OECD Development Centre’s new publication, “Man Enough? Measuring Masculine Norms to Promote Women’s Empowerment” which reveals the ways restrictive masculinities hamper women’s empowerment and underscores the need for more data to support gender-transformative policy making. The event will include a brief presentation of the report’s contents and welcome a panel of experts to discuss the ways policy makers and grassroots organisations can promote gender-equitable masculine norms. 
 
Mon 22 Mar
10:00 - 11:45
 
Women in crisis settings – transforming gaps into synergies. Towards more gender equal, inclusive and sustainable local solutions
 
Organizer: Sweden, UN Women, UNDP, WFP, Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida)
 

Event Link: https://youtu.be/oSgjE3IM9jk 

The Decade of Action offers promises of transforming commitments into action for a more gender equal, inclusive and more sustainable future across the nexus of development-humanitarian-peace efforts. This high-level side-event will turn our attention to local solutions to reverse the negative trends in the most challenging crisis settings.  It will also share insights into how the Covid-19 crisis can be an opportunity for igniting change. The event contributes towards the global campaign Generation Equality and the global action coalitions.

 
 
Mon 22 Mar
10:00 - 11:15
 
Enhancing police and justice responses to gender-based violence against women: new tools and emerging challenges in times of the pandemic
 
Organizer: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Women
 
To end all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls by 2030, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 5.2, comprehensive and multi-sectoral solutions are required. The criminal justice sector plays a pivotal role in protecting survivors of violence and preventing future acts of violence. The event aims at sharing experiences, tools and good practices on criminal justice responses to gender-based violence against women, particularly in light of the impact of COVID-19 and in view of possible future emergencies. It will provide a space for learning and interaction among Member States, civil society and UN partners.

 

Additional Information: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/justice-and-prison-reform/new-gender-in-the-justice-system-vaw.html

 
 
Mon 22 Mar
16:30 - 17:45
 
Gender equality in the public sector: How and why Victoria, Australia is leading the way
 
Organizer: Australia
 
Inspired by the 2021 theme for the Commission on the Status of Women, this exciting webinar will bring together the people and organisations responsible for delivering ground-breaking State legislation to support women’s participation, decision-making and equality in public administration. Hear from government, community and union leaders as they reflect on the intent of the legislation, the progress made to date and their aspirations for the future.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
8:00 - 10:00
 
Gender Justice & The Law: Implications of inequality before the law for full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence
 
Organizer: Jordan, Morocco, UNDP, UN Women, UNFPA, ESCWA
 

This side event during CSW65 would build on the 2020 annual meeting of the Governmental Subcommittee on Gender Equality and the Sustainable Development Goals. The objective of the session would be to:

  • Advocate for the adoption of the tool by UN partners in other regions;   
  • Examine the implications of inequality before the law for gender equality and for the empowerment of woment and girls, and particularly women’s participation in public life;
  • Discuss strategies and interventions in the short, mid and long term to:
    • Accelerate the adoption of laws that advance women’s rights and address existing gender inequalities; and
    • Enhance the empowerment of present and future generations of women and girls in the region.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
8:00 - 10:00, 11:00 - 13:00
 
What will it take to reach parity in political participation in a post-Covid-19 world?
 
Organizer: Inter-Parliamentary Union and UN Women
 

Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/what-will-it-take-to-reach-parity-in-political-participation-in-a-post-covid-19-world-csw65-side-event/6243219918001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date

The impacts of crises are never gender neutral, and COVID-19 is no exception. Beyond the public health crisis, COVID-19 has become a full-fledged economic and social crisis. Rampant inequalities, including in the participation of women in political decision-making and leadership, have once again been revealed and further exacerbated. An effective response to and recovery from the pandemic and its social and economic consequences requires strong and sustained leadership, action and the participation of everyone affected. The international goal of achieving balanced power between women and men in decision-making is more crucial than ever and parliaments have a key role to play to scale up political will and transformative actions towards gender parity in political participation. The Parliamentary Meeting will offer a platform to take stock of recent developments in women’s participation in parliament, explore the impact of COVID-19 on women’s access to parliament in 2020 and identify priority parliamentary actions to further progress towards gender parity in political participation.

Additional Information: 

https://www.ipu.org/event/what-will-it-take-reach-gender-parity-in-political-participation-in-post-covid-19-world (English)

https://www.ipu.org/fr/event/que-faudra-t-il-faire-pour-atteindre-la-parite-en-politique-dans-le-monde-post-covid-19 (French)

 
 
Tue 23 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Combating violence against women and girls - Best practices to improve access to support systems in times of crisis
 
Organizer: Germany, Namibia, Belgium
 
Despite all efforts, women and girls still experience various forms of violence. Additionally, the risk of domestic violence has grown due to measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of this, the event will exchange on effective violence protection measures that help ensure women’s access to support services in times of crisis. This will include presenting best practices from different country-settings, discussing their possible implementation and transferring knowledge among relevant actors.
 
Tue 23 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Harnessing the SDGs to Secure Women’s Rights to Land
 
Organizer: FAO, UN-Habitat, International Land Coalition, Landesa
 
To foster countries’ interest and commitment in advancing women’s land rights by adopting policies and legal reforms and putting them into practice. The event will present the opportunities the SDG 2030 process offers to secure women’s land rights. It will present results from countries on the progress towards the achievement of SDG Indicator 5.a.2 on women’s land rights.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Transformative women’s leadership: enhancing women’s participation and decision-making in public life
 
Organizer: UN-Habitat, Concertation Montréal, Metropolis, Euronews, Huairou Commission, CILG-VNG International, City of Banjul-The Gambia
 
Opportunity to engage with and learn from some exceptional women leaders about practical ways to promote women’s participation in decision making within different settings. Participants will also get a chance to engage on how women in leadership can leverage the positions and access to drive efforts towards combating GBV in all its forms.
 
Tue 23 Mar
9:30 - 10:30
 
Women Parliamentarians as Peacebuilders: Displacing Hate Speech with the Discourse of Respect
 
Organizer: UNDP, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR)
 
Experience during the pandemic confirms that the deployment by political actors of hate speech in the digital space exponentially promotes real-time political violence, particularly in countries with populist or authoritarian leanings. It acts as a powerful gender-based disincentive to political participation, activism, and leadership at precisely the time when more diversity and inclusion is needed.  In response, women champions of peace and inclusion within parliaments - and their male allies - are creating their own modalities for online engagement, brokering new partnerships for inclusive public debate to displace hate speech with the discourse of respect.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Equality in Family Law: Committing to Reform
 
Organizer: Sweden, Maldives, UN Women, Global Campaign for Equality in Family Law
 
Equality in the family is crucial for gender equality. However, family law remains a difficult area of reform. Change seems to happen at glacier pace. This event will reflect the urgent need for commitments on repealing or amending all discriminatory family laws whether codified, religious or customary. Speakers will share inspiring examples of recent progress and successful strategies for family law reform, as well as highlight concrete commitments. Speakers include Ministers, UN Experts and civil society leaders.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Gender Equal Health and Care Workforce: Enabling Women to Lead
 
Organizer: France, WHO, Women in Global Health
 
In this session we present the state of women’s leadership in health and care sectors, including in response to the COVID19 pandemic. The low representation of women in leadership roles in health and care need not continue. There are feasible policy interventions to ensure a more gender equitable and representative leadership. In this session we outline what can be done to improve women’s leadership and participation in decision making in health and care. An interactive panel will discuss and explore opportunities to advance women’s leadership in the health and care workforce.

 

Additional Information: https://www.who.int/activities/value-gender-and-equity-in-the-global-health-workforce, https://www.who.int/initiatives/beijing25

 
 
Tue 23 Mar
10:00 - 11:00
 
Del no es no, al sí es sí: normas y políticas públicas para la erradicación de las violencias sexuales contra las mujeres" ("From "no means no" to "yes means yes": norms and public policies for the erradication of sexual violence against women")
 
Organizer: Spain
 
Executive summary and concept note will follow in due time.
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
10:00 - 11:00
 
The role of women's rights organizations in the response to and recovery from COVID-19
 
Organizer: UN Women, with participation of CEDAW Committee, IDEA and AWID
 
Presentation of Policy Brief No. 20 “COVID-19 and women’s rights organizations: bridging response gaps and demanding a more just future” - followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.
 
To view the policy brief, please visit: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2021/03/policy-brief-covid-19-and-womens-rights-organizations
 
 
Tue 23 Mar
10:30 - 11:35
 
Legislative advances and challenges in matters of autonomy and economic empowerment of women in Ibero-America
 
Organizer: Ecuador, UN Women, Secretaría General Iberoamericana (SEGIB) 

 

 

This CSW65 side event, organized by the Government of Ecuador in collaboration with UN Women and Secretaría General Iberoamericana (SEGIB), will look at legislative advances and challenges in matters of autonomy and economic empowerment of women in Ibero-America.

 
 
Tue 23 Mar
11:45 - 13:45
 
Enhancing gender equality and women's empowerment in the Covid-19 recovery
 
Organizer: European Parliament
 

The side event will present priorities and initiatives of the European Parliament as regards gender equality and the empowerment of women in crises such as the one triggered by COVID-19. It will also provide a forum to exchange good practices and discuss innovative approaches and possible ways forward.

 

Additional information can be found on the event page.

 
 
Tue 23 Mar
12:00 - 13:30
 
Political Leadership and Violence Against Women and Girls: Prevention First
 
Organizer: President of the General Assembly
 
View the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/political-leadership-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-prevention-first-special-event-of-the-president-of-the-general-assembly-csw65-side-event/6243167613001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
The Special Event reflects advice from the Advisory Group on Gender Equality, established by the President of the General Assembly in October 2020, as well as feedback from Member States.

This event will bring together experts and stakeholders to highlight the importance and urgency of action to prevent violence against women and girls, and promote women’s participation and leadership in all spheres with an aim of enhancing the relationships between the General Assembly and the Commission on the Status of Women. 

 
 
Wed 24 Mar
7:30 - 9:00
 
African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) National Chapters: Driving Women’s Leadership in Africa
 
Organizer: Democratic Republic of Congo, Germany, African Union, UN Women
 
Since the COVID-19 pandemic erupted in March 2020, African women have been at the forefront of the response to the complex health, socio-economic and security crisis at both national and local levels. Through the national chapters of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), women have joined forces to provide support to communities, advocate for women’s leadership and the consideration of their needs in COVID-19 responses and post-COVID actions, ensuring continuity of participation of women in national elections and responding to violence.  The side event will provide a platform for established AWLN national chapters to share the results achieved in 2020 both in response to, and despite the COVIDd-19 pandemic. By showcasing the realizations of six AWLN national chapters, the side event aims to facilitate understanding of the impact, the COVID-19 pandemic and its response, has had on women’s leadership in Africa, with a particular focus on the six AWLN pillars of governance and political participation, peace and security, women’s entrepreneurship, agriculture, social mobilization, and youth. Moreover, the event will offer an opportunity to build synergies between AWLN and the Generation Equality Actions Coalitions, namely the Action Coalition on Feminist Movements and Leadership, and the Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action Compact. 
 
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
8:00 - 10:00
 
Virtual Stakeholder Exchange on the Impact of COVID-19 on Violence Against Women (VAW) and the Civil Society Organisations on the frontlines of response – One Year On.
 
Organizer: Sweden, Canada, European Commission DG INTPA and UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women/UN Women
 

The event will examine the impact of COVID-19 on violence against women and civil society organisations on the front lines of response. Since the beginning of the pandemic, UN Women and the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women have been committed to highlighting the challenges and adaptive strategies that civil society, especially women-led and women's rights organizations, have employed to support women and girl survivors at the times of heightened risks of violence. This conversation is of particular relevance as we approach the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico where the commitments of the Action Coalitions will be agreed.

 

 
 
Wed 24 Mar
8:30 - 9:45
 
A Holistic Approach to Women’s Economic Empowerment: Findings from UN Joint Programming
 
Organizer: WFP, FAO, IFAD, UN Women
 

Presentation and discussion on emerging findings from the JP RWEE, showcasing how a holistic, partnership approach to women’s economic empowerment, encompassing social and political empowerment, can enable rural women to realise their rights and achieve empowerment.

Sharing of rural women’s stories relating to the  impact of the COVID-19 crisis, including their response and recovery efforts, and the ways in which the JP RWEE programme approach has enabled rural women and their households to build resilience and withstand potentially devastating shocks to their lives and livelihoods. Discussion on moving forward with women’s economic empowerment programming in the COVID-19 context.

 
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
Essential Services Provision during the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Works – Tools and Approaches
 
Organizer: UN Joint Programme on Essential Services, UN Women, Global Rights for Women
 
The event will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of essential services (health, justice and policing, social services and coordination of these services) for survivors of VAWG. The session will examine how countries have  adapted, used and continue to use the Essential Services Package and other guidance on multi-sectoral services provision during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of efforts to address the escalation of violence against women and girls. It will also showcase some promising practices in service delivery that have emerged during the crisis.
 
More information: https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2015/12/essential-services-package-for-women-and-girls-subject-to-violence
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Eliminating Discriminatory Laws: Achieving Gender Equality On Paper And In Practice During Challenging Times
 
Organizer: Philippines, International Development Law Organization (IDLO), World Bank Group, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/eliminating-discriminatory-laws-achieving-gender-equality-on-practice-and-in-practice-during-challenging-times-csw65-side-event/6243454187001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
Event Link: https://www.idlo.int/news/events/csw-65-eliminating-discriminatory-laws-achieving-gender-equality-paper-and-practice
 
Discrimination in law has severe repercussion to women’s lived realities – and more so now as the world is facing the impact of COVID-19. This event will highlight the urgent need to eliminate discriminatory laws across various areas of women’s lives – civil, political, economic, social and cultural, with heightened focus on gender-based violence, and identify promising approaches to expand political will and support for gender-equal legal reform. Furthermore, the panel will address discriminatory laws in the context of the pandemic, particularly areas where such laws exacerbated existing inequalities as well as opened opportunities for transformative legal and societal change.

Languages: English, French and Spanish.

Additional Information: https://www.idlo.int/news/highlights/csw65-idlo-commission-status-women 

 
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Girls and Women: Leading the Charge to Ensure #LearningNeverStops
 
Organizer: UNESCO, UN Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI), Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning, Plan International
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/girls-and-women-leading-the-charge-to-ensure-learningneverstops-csw65-side-event/6243592919001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
The event will offer an intergenerational space for dialogue, and profile the extraordinary steps taken by extraordinary girls and women of all ages and in all contexts to support girls’ continuity of learning during school closures and return to school. These leaders will aim to speak on behalf of the millions of at-risk girls whose voices are going unheard. They will highlight the essential need to build back equal through gender-transformative education systems that end harmful gender norms, free girls and boys from narrow aspirations and enable them to work together in classroom today for a more equal world tomorrow. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in English, French and Spanish.   
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Innovation and digital technology to enhance the participation of women and girls in cities
 
Organizer: UN-Habitat, Global Utmaning, Pangea Accelerator, Homeless People’s Federation Philippines, Inc. (HPFPI), Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ghana, SafetiPin, AGGI
 
Participants will learn more about practical and transformative innovations and digital technologies helping to deliver gender responsive cities. Participants will also learn about the principles and pre-conditions required to ensure the innovation and digital technologies deliver the gender responsive outcomes.

 

Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 10:15
 
Women’s Economic Empowerment: Sharing Good Practices of COVID-19 Response and Recovery
 
Organizer: Bangladesh
 

COVID -19 has had serious disruptions in women’s economic empowerment. Many women have lost their jobs with no prospect of reinstatement. Lockdowns have compelled women entrepreneurs close their small businesses. A large faction of women from informal sector are worst victims, with additional burdens of unpaid work. Studies reveal, the pandemic-induced poverty surge will also widen the gender poverty gap – meaning, more women will be pushed into extreme poverty than men. 

Overall, the economic and social fallouts of COVID 19 for women has been far more devastating than men. Many countries, while developing COVID-19 recovery plan, have taken this reality into consideration and included targeted measures to help women and women led organizations to recover better. In some countries, special stimulus packages have been announced to help small and medium enterprises which are owned largely by women. Some countries have provided direct cash support to women suffering from job losses. Private sector and other non-government stakeholders have also joined hands. 

The side event will showcase some case studies from across the regions where COVID 19 response plans have resulted in better recovery, especially in the women empowerment sector. 

 

Wed 24 Mar
9:00 - 10:00
 
 
Organizer: UNRWA
 
UNRWA will host a panel discussion with women in leadership positions in Gaza, who have all made a remarkable impact on empowering other women by forging an enabling and inclusive environment. The panelists will discuss how and why they became women leaders and role models. What is their motivation? What kind of support and opportunities have been instrumental? How have they overcome challenges? How can de international community support the empowerment of women in Gaza?
 
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:30 - 11:00
 
High-Level Event: Block. Report. Repeat: Are there better solutions to online violence against women in public life?
 
Organizer: United Kingdom
 
The event will be chaired by Wendy Morton MP , UK Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). It event will bring together expert panellists from women-led civil society, research, media, and tech to discuss the challenges of and solutions to online violence against women and girls in public life and its negative impact on women’s participation, democracy and open societies
 
Wed 24 Mar
9:30 - 11:00
 
Women Leaders as Advocates for Equality and Inclusion of LGBTI Persons
 
Organizer: Denmark, Parliamentarians for Global Action

Co-organizers: Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Netherlands, Copenhagen 2021, Outright Action International, LGBT+ Danmark

This side event will bring together women parliamentarians and civil society leaders in a lively conversation to share best practices, successes and challenges to further scale up concrete initiatives and legislative actions to address deeply rooted, multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and achieve equality and inclusion of LGBTI people. It will serve as a precursor to the global LGBTI Interparliamentary Plenary Assembly that will take place in Copenhagen, Denmark on August 20, 2021.

 

Wed 24 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation: a call for international standards
 
Organizer: Australia
 
Interactive panel event on the gendered and multi-jurisdictional nature of online sexual exploitation and abuse, with Equality Now, member states, civil society and technology representatives.
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
Ensuring Gender Equality in the COVID-19 Vaccine Roll Out, Therapeutics and Care
 
Organizer: Canada, UN Foundation, IFRC
 
Panelists will discuss the crucial impact on gender equality that equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and care will mean for global health and reflect upon the complexities of gender inequalities within the health sector. They will propose solutions on women’s leadership and meaningful participation at all levels of health and care work for situating gender equality centrally within vaccine and therapeutic delivery policies and programmes. The discussion will underscore the role all nations can play to ensure that women have equal access to vaccines, therapeutics and care, in order to recover better and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
10:30 - 12:00
 
“We have your back” - Breaking the cycle from online harassment to threats to violence against women and girl leaders
 
Organizer: Inter-Parliamentary Union, The League of Women Voters of United States, Albania, Australia, Canada, UN Women, ADIN, FAWCO, IAWRT, ICJW, PPSEAWA
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/“we-have-your-back”-breaking-the-cycle-from-online-harassment-to-threats-to-violence-against-women-and-girl-leaders-csw65-side-event/6243522785001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
CSW65 side event on ideas to break the impact of online violence, including harassment and threats against women and girl leaders.  Participants  will discuss available research on this topic, preventive actions and good practices – including legal, grassroots, professional and academic perspectives – for breaking the cycle from online harassment to threats to violence against women and girl leaders. This event will seek to address how States, information and communication technology (ICT) companies, and other stakeholders can urgently eradicate online violence against women and girl leaders. 
 

 

Additional Information:

https://www.ipu.org/event/we-have-your-back-breaking-cycle-online-harassment-threats-violence-against-women-and-girl-leaders (English) 

https://www.ipu.org/fr/event/nous-vous-couvrons-briser-le-cycle-de-la-violence-en-ligne-du-harcelement-aux-menaces-lencontre-des-femmes-et-filles-leaders (French)

 
 
Wed 24 Mar
11:00 - 12:00
 
Women Leading Economic Recovery through Entrepreneurship
 
Organizer: ITC, ILO, UNDP, UNGC, UN Women and Mary Kay Inc.
 
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) is a commitment between five UN agencies and corporate partners to empower 10 million women entrepreneurs by 2030. The panel discussion will be held between the founding partners of the initiative to discuss the critical importance of women’s entrepreneurship for the economic recovery, highlight the need for public private partnerships to support the entrepreneurship ecosystem and invite the private sector partners to jumpstart change for women around the world by joining the Accelerator and growing the initiative over the next decade.
 
More information: https://www.we-accelerate.com/
 
 
Wed 24 Mar
12:30 - 13:30
 
The Hypatia Debate: Women Scientists in the fight against COVID-19
 
Organizer: Greece, Lebanon, United Kingdom, UNWomen
 
The Permanent Missions of Greece and Lebanon to the United Nations together with UNWomen and with the support of the UK are hosting a lively debate inspired by Hypatia of Alexandria, one of the earliest recorded female scientists, on “Women Scientists in the fight against COVID-19” on Wednesday, 24th March, 12.30 pm EST.


The aim of this side event is to explore the contribution of women scientists and their role in the fight against COVID-19. Speakers: 

Professor Dame Sally Davies, Master of Trinity College, Cambridge University, UK Special Envoy on Antimicrobial Resistance

Dr. Hana El Sahly, Associate Professor of molecular virology and microbiology in the Vaccine and Treatment and Evaluation Unit at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, chairperson of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee and lead investigator for the phase III trial for the ModernaCOVID-19 vaccine

Dr. Elina Vatzia, DVM, Postdoctoral Scientist, The PirbrightInstitute, UK

The event will be moderated by: Laura Turquet, Policy Advisor and Deputy Chief of Research and Data, UN WOMEN Opening Remarks: Princess Dr. Nisreen El Hashemite, Executive Director of the Royal Academy of Science International Trust (RASIT) and President of the Women in Science International League.

 

Wed 24 Mar
18:00 - 19:00
 
Respect@Work: International perspectives on workplace sexual harassment
 
Organizer: Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission
 
In conversation’ event with Kate Jenkins, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner, and Purna Sen, former UN Women Executive Coordinator and Spokesperson on Sexual Harassment and Other Forms of Discrimination.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
8:00 - 11:00
 
CSW65 Youth Forum
 
Organizer: National Gender Youth Activists, Generation Equality Youth Task Force, UN Women
 
The National Gender Youth Activists with the support of UN Women and the Generation Equality Youth Task Force including adolescents will convene the CSW65 Youth Forum. The Forum will mobilize young people for the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico. It will provide a space for intergenerational and intersectional conversations, sharing of best practices and information, and networking for all young gender advocates including adolescents.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
8:00 - 10:00
 
Working Together to End Violence Against Women in the Arab States Region
 
Organizer: League of Arab States, UN Women, UNHCR, UNFPA
 
LAS, together with UN Women, UNFPA and UNHCR, aim to organize a regional side event to reinforce the commitment by the LAS member states to eliminate gender-based violence in the Arab States region and take stock of the efforts being made towards achieving this especially during the pandemic. The meeting will be an opportunity to discuss challenges posed because of the pandemic, and the potential and opportunities opening up in the Arab States region through the newly drafted resolution, as well the how to ensure that women’s participation is ensured throughout the process.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
8:00 - 9:15
 
Telling the gender data story: highlighting women's economic empowerment through data collection and visualization
 
Organizer: World Bank, UN Women, Data2X
 
Data systems that provide disaggregated gender statistics are crucial for creating evidence-based policies to achieve gender equality. This side event, moderated by Data2X,  will provide insights on how Data2X, UN Women, World Bank, and national statistical systems ensure that country-level data on the status of women, men, girls, and boys are being collected and brought into the hands of researchers, advocates, policymakers and the public alike. Speakers will share examples of the innovative tools and systems they’ve created that make disaggregated gender data more available, accessible, and digestible to better understand countries’ progress in women’s economic empowerment.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
8:30 - 10:00
 
Examining the Implementation and Efficacy of National Strategies to Combat Violence and Ensure the Advancement of Women
 
Organizer: Jordan, Palestine, UN-ESCWA
 
The side event is designed to:
  • Create a forum to show case and discuss good practices in developing national strategies for the advancement of women and addressing their particular needs.
  • Discuss the pros and cons for separate strategies vs. comprehensive national strategies (look into areas of financing, duplication etc.).
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
9:00 - 10:30
 
Gender Impacts of Covid-19 and fighting gender based violence – Panel discussion in Iceland
 
Organizer: Iceland
 
View the event on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8s-neLuxdKM
 
Welcome to a panel discussion in Iceland, held by the Icelandic Government and opened by the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir. We wish to provide a frank and open discussion where people both working within the government and outside of it have a chance to reflect on their role in supporting the goal of gender equality during this pandemic and talk about the challenges they have faced.
 
Thu 25 Mar
9:00 - 10:00
 
Feminist leadership: Steering a course for gender equality in and through education
 
Organizer: UN Girls' Education Initiative (UNGEI), Gender@Work (G@W)
 
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing inequalities within our societies. The need for inclusive and intersectional feminist leadership is more urgent than ever. When quality, safe, gender-responsive and inclusive education is available to all, it has the potential to transform our societies and reverse inequalities.

A joint learning event from the UN Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI) and Gender at Work (G@W), this intergenerational panel discussion will offer a space for learning and exchange around implementing feminist practices and principles, lessons learned through feminist leadership in the context of COVID-19, and identifying priority areas and recommendations to steer a course, through feminist leadership, towards gender equality in and through education.
Feminist and education activists representing UNGEI's Transform Education Network, Education International, ActionAid, and more will be invited to speak about their experiences of feminist leadership through the COVID-19 pandemic, the opportunities for feminist leadership to catalyse transformative change in this moment, and the implications for education.

 

Thu 25 Mar
10:00 - 11:30
 
The Role of the United Nations in the Struggle against Racism: Past, Present and Future
 
Organizer: UN Women
 
In the summer of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was fully exposing the fault lines of global inequality, the eruption of global protests against unrelenting, deadly structural anti-black racial inequality in the U.S. resounded across the world.  Similarly, deep-rooted anti-Asian racism and racialized sexual violence has escalated dramatically during the year-long politicization of anti-Asian hate and hate speech.  In the face of these and other escalations, there is now a resurgence of the global struggle to battle the original pandemics of supremacy and inequality. 

 UN Women is responding to this moment in history and is taking advantage of the momentum around addressing anti-Black, anti-Asian and other forms of racial inequality globally, including in the United States, particularly in the context of gender inequality.  This includes the development of deeper programmatic and collaborative relationships with movements and organizations focused on racial justice.

 As one element of this new direction, UN Women will host discussions with organizations and individuals that will inform and advance this effort.

The first external event in this series, taking place during the Commission on the Status of Women, commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and Women’s History Month.  It will explore ways in which UN Women and the United Nations system at large can work internally and with civil society and other partners to become more “fit for purpose” to support the global movement for racial justice.  The discussion will:

  • Examine retrospectively the United Nation’s role in promoting racial justice, using South Africa and the U.S. as case studies.  
  • Explore ways in which the United Nations combats racial injustice today, looking at current structures that specifically were created to address racial injustice, and assessing successes and shortfalls. 
  • Look ahead to suggest how lessons from the past, combined with new contexts and a new generation of young activists, can inform new opportunities, approaches, strategies or mechanisms that the United Nations might engage in going forward. 

 

Thu 25 Mar
10:00 - 11:15
 
Role of Women Leaders: How to increase Women’s Participation in the Military and Peacekeeping?
 
Organizer: Latvia, Canada, Liberia, Maldives and Norway
 

This side event will be live streamed on Facebook, Twitter and YOUTUBE account of the ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia:

https://www.youtube.com/user/LatvianMFA

https://www.mfa.gov.lv/en/

https://www.facebook.com/LatvianMFA

Women’s effective and full participation in public life and decision making is a priority theme of the 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Equal participation of women in decision making applies also to the military sector, aiming to strengthen a sustainable and peaceful world. Women in leadership positions in the military serve as role models for younger women and girls. Though the number of women in senior leadership position in the military has increased in the last years, equality is still a shared challenge to be addressed.

 

Thu 25 Mar
10:00 - 11:00
 
Gendered Measurements of Modern Slavery
 
Organizer: Delta 8.7, Alliance 8.7 Knowledge Platform, United Nations University Centre for Policy Research
 
While anti-slavery actors recognize that forced labour, human trafficking and child labour disproportionately affect girls and women, gender is a sometimes unrecognized factor in how these forms of exploitation are counted and estimated. This in turn affects our perceptions of modern slavery, including how we design enforcement and remediation measures. This is the topic of an upcoming Delta 8.7-hosted virtual symposium exploring how gender dynamics affect the ways in which modern slavery is identified, and how measurement and survey techniques may themselves reflect assumptions about men and women’s work and exploitation.
 
Join symposium contributors from Walk Free, Repórter Brasil, Conservation International, and survivor community leadership for this virtual symposium event to discuss how unrecognized gender dynamics affect the measurements of modern slavery and the effect of this issue on men, women, boys and girls vulnerable to or experiencing these forms of exploitation.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
11:00 - 12:30
 
Equal and resilient economies and societies
 
Organizer: Sweden, The Swedish Chairpersonship of the OSCE, UN Women
 
In light of this year’s CSW priority theme on women's full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, Sweden as the chair of the OSCE and UN Women Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia, will bring together stakeholders to discuss women’s participation and decision-making in economic life and the labour market, governments critical role in incorporating a gender perspective in economic recovery plans as well as women’s full and equal participation in peace processes. Participants will explore how to build more resilient, gender equal, inclusive and sustainable economies and societies through bridging the Women, Peace and Security Agenda”
 
Thu 25 Mar
13:15 - 14:45
 
2030 Agenda: Women, Power and International Leadership
 
Organizer: Chile
 
Event will be in Spanish. Translation to English will be available.
 
Greater participation and leadership by women in all spheres has emerged as an essential roadmap to ensure an adequate response to the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic and social crisis stemming from it. The international arena -a field that has traditionally been male-dominated- is no exception. This panel seeks to explore the contributions of women's leadership in diplomacy, international organizations, and in processes linked to international peace and security, by further analyzing the obstacles and challenges faced by women in achieving leadership positions, as well as discuss good practices to address them.
 
 
Thu 25 Mar
15:00 - 17:30
 
Violence against women in politics: Latin American national experiences towards its eradication
 
Organizer: Bolivia, UN Women, UNDP, International IDEA
 
The increase in women's participation in political and public spheres has been accompanied by deepening of violence, which constitutes a mechanism for prevent the advancement of political agendas towards equality. In the last year, these acts of violence against women in politics have increased due to the differentiated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in those countries that have gone and are going through electoral processes.

In this framework, we present the publication "Violence against women in politics: Roadmap to prevent, monitor, sanction and eradicate it", which systematizes the various strategies implemented in the region to eradicate violence against women in politics as a contribution that seeks to deepen national and regional actions to guarantee a public and political life free of violence for women.

 

Thu 25 Mar
15:00 - 16:30
 
Accelerating efforts towards the achievement of SDG 5.5 in the Americas
 
Organizer: Canada and the members of the Inter-American Taskforce on Women’s Leadership
 
Watch the archived webcast here: http://webtv.un.org/search/accelerating-efforts-towards-the-achievement-of-sdg-5.5-in-the-americas%C2%A0-csw65-side-event/6244049170001/?term=%22CSW65%22&sort=date
 
The Americas region has made great strides, with many women pioneers and important initiatives to promote women’s empowerment. However, many women continue to face obstacles in gaining access to power and decision-making spaces. In fact, the Global Gender Gap Report 2020 estimates that it will take 95 years to close the gender gap in political representation and 257, years in terms of economic participation. This event is an opportunity to further high-level political dialogue on existing efforts and challenges and how to accelerate efforts of promoting women’s participation, empowerment, and greater leadership in all areas of power and decision-making in order to reduce inequality gaps and achieve the SDG 5.5 in the Americas.
 
 
 
Fri 26 Mar
8:30 - 10:00
 
The UNU Gender and Health Hub: a nexus to people, knowledge, policy, and action for gender equality
 
Organizer: United Nations University - International Institute for Global Health (UNU-IIGH), UN Women, SDG 3 GAP
 
The diagnosis is clear: gender inequality continues to undermine health outcomes, and health systems often fail to do their part to promote intersectional gender equity. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated multiple and intersecting vulnerabilities. As the ongoing pandemic risks eroding the fragile gender equality gains accrued over decades, there is an urgent need to draw on the evidence base that has been built through practice, success and failure over time.

The global community is better equipped than ever to use the political strategies and technical solutions that have worked in the past and translate that evidence and practice-based learning into collective action. This session launches the UNU Gender & Health Hub and brings together policymakers, researchers, and thought leaders to look back at the evidence and articulate the way forward by identifying transferable lessons, technical solutions and political strategies for the effective integration of gender in global health.

Additional Information:

https://iigh.unu.edu/about/unu-iigh/pillar-two/gender-health-hub,

Gender & Health Hub Coming Soon - https://www.genderhealthhub.org/

 
 
Fri 26 Mar
9:00 - 11:00
 
Women and Girls: Resilience and Strength for Gender Equality
 
Organizer: United Nations Department of Global Communication
 
The Civil Society Unit, Department of Global Communication, is organizing an event aligned with CSW65 on Friday 26 March, from 9 to 11am, EDT, entitled, Women and Girls: Resilience and Strength for Gender Equality. This briefing is organized in collaboration with the South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, Women on Film and Audiovisual Media of Spain, CIMA, NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, ManUp Campaign & Global Family.
 
More information: https://www.un.org/en/civil-society/women-and-girls-resilience-and-strength-gender-equality

 

Event Scenario: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hi6fTwA_BQ4EhpOk-DWkazgCs_tmmO5M/view

 
 
Fri 26 Mar
10:30 - 11:30
 
Bringing CSW65 to Iceland – Regional platform in Icelandic
 
Organizer: Iceland
 
At this event, Iceland intends to bring CSW65 home with a regional event in Icelandic.