The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main intergovernmental body of the UN that is exclusively dedicated to the promotion of women’s rights and empowerment, and gender equality. Drawing from the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995), the CSW meets annually in New-York, at the UN Headquarters, to review particular themes and to take measures on a priority theme. In March 2016, during its 60th session, the CSW had discussed about the role of women’s empowerment in achieving sustainable development, and the elimination of sexual violence against women and girls. The CSW reports to the Economic and Social Council by formulating recommendations.
CSW Background Guide 2017 | Position Paper Guide & Instructions | Delegate Resources The committee staff can be reached at
Topics:
The link between women’s empowerment and sustainable development
The adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2015 shed light on many global issues, including the achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment throughout the world (Goal 5). Despite the establishment of targets to meet this goal, women are still underrepresented in political and public institutions, generally have a lower income than their male counterparts, and have less access to education and health resources. By addressing the three main dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic, and environmental), delegates will reflect on the link between achieving sustainable development (and the subsequent SDGs) and empower women throughout the world. Through their work in committee, they will come up with concrete policy recommendations to fulfill the SDGs objectives.
Improving women’s health as a means to achieve gender equality
Women and girls throughout the world can face many obstacles when it comes to access to healthcare resources, such as sexual violence, unequal gender relations, and lack of education. Delegates will come up with solutions and recommendations on how women’s access to healthcare resources could be improve in order to achieve gender equality. The topic covers a broad range of issues ranging from sexual violence, access to healthcare services, sexual-transmitted diseases, and mental health.
Committee Staff:
FEODORA CHOUAKRI | DIRECTOR
Feodora, born and raised in Montreal, is a student in History and International Development Studies at McGill University. She became involved with Model UN in 2014 at Dawson College and soon made her way to the Dawson College Model United Nations Executive Committee for the 2015-2016 school year. In 2015, Feodora was the Vice-Chair of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Montréal United Nations Conference and is returning in 2016 as the Vice-Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women. She is the Deputy Director of Social Events for the Montreal Organizing Committee of Harvard WorldMUN 2017. She is passionate about women’s rights and hopes to work for an organization such as Oxfam Canada. As the Director of the CSW for CANIMUN 2017, she will ensure that the committee runs smoothly and that the delegates have an enjoyable experience.
SARA AUBÉ | CHAIR
Sara is originally from Ottawa, Ontario. She moved to Montreal when she was 18, and is currently completing her fourth year studying Political Science at Concordia University. Her interest in politics inspired her to inspired her to study the United Nations, and eventually participate in Model United Nations roughly two years ago. She has held various delegate positions at the McGill Model United Nations Assembly (McMUN) and CANIMUN 2016 in the International Press Forum. With a passion for international affairs, and a central focus of interest on gender equality, Sara is the Chair on the Commission of the Status of Women for CANIMUN 2017 and is very excited to help organize a high-quality and great MUN experience for all delegates and staff members!