Report on Week 1, by Jeannette Logan

Hello everyone from Jeannette Logan in New York – very intense, stimulating week, meeting amazing women!

Consultation day highlights

UN Under-Secretary and Exec Director of UNWomen, Phumzile Mlabo-Ngcuka introduced the 17 Sustainable Development Goals where 13 have direct effect on Women.

She emphasized SDG 17 on economics – critical to revisit fiscal plans and budgets. (Here's hoping for Canada's Mar 22 budget!)

Other points: new Youth CSW Conference on Mar 12-3; Ministerial talks on Gender Equality and Civil Rights; alliances of civil society (us) and private sector; Peace and Security; lower military budgets; Leave No One Behind program; and data to demonstrate the impact of investing in women.

Women of Distinction Awardee Bandana Rana spoke of her journey to activist in Nepal since 1991. In 2009 the 1st World Conference for Women's Shelters was convened in Canada! She wants to see women working together to strengthen UNWomen.

Lakshmi Puri, UN Assistant -Secretary and Deputy Exec Dir, UNWomen calls this a moment of unprecedented opportunity so let's capitalize! Time to integrate gender equality, innovate, invest in women for impact that is irreversible!

Because I am VP, Environment I chose Water and Climate Change discussion group.

Human Right to Safe Water, and to Sanitation were agreed in Dec /15. Canada has not yet ratified.

Mar 14

Issues in Gender and WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

The SDG goals refer to “unique needs of girls and women”. For the fist time we were discussing MENSTRUATION and how this normal function is keeping girls away from school where private toilets, wash basins and disposal is unavailable. The subject of safe waste disposal from human defecation is largely unaddressed, ie. safe for human collectors and the environment. We need “human dignity for all”.

Nov 19 is World Toilet Day!

YOUNG WOMEN IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY took centre stage that evening, sponsored by UKAid and Plan International UK.

UK Minister for International Development spoke:

A recent McKinsey report on gender parity concluded: If every country was as good as the best country in the region, GDP would rise by 11%; if we had global gender parity, GDP up 24%! The panel included:

Fiza Farhan of Pakistan, 1st women CEO, economist, entrepreneur etc. When you face a problem, is it a “stepping stone” or a “speed bump”?

Yamikani of Malawi started a youth advocacy group which changed the marriage law to 18 yr!

Youth need mentors and helpers. We the elders need to step up.

Dr. Ligiero – Labour force participation has risen only 2% in last 20yrs! “Women's participation is not only a right, but the SMART thing to do.” Need to measure 'unpaid work”.

Youth delegates from Kenya and UK with WAGGGS – World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Youth needs financial literacy, and mentoring in Maths and Sciences.