UN Commission charts progress, 30 years after Beijing Declaration
This week, Salvationist representatives from across the globe have gathered in New York for the 69th session of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69). The main focus of the event has been the reviewing and appraising of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995.
Amanda Brummell Lennestaal, General Manager for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at The Salvation Army Australia Territory, is a commission delegate.
The 1995 adoption of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action was a vital step in developing a comprehensive international policy framework on women's human rights. The Beijing Platform for Action included 12 critical areas of concern, including both women’s human rights and violence against women.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Platform for Action, and the commission’s focus is on evaluating progress made to date.
In his opening address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reminded those in attendance that the Beijing Platform for Action had promised “equality, development and peace for all women, everywhere”.
“We always knew that would never happen overnight – or even over years,” António said. “But three decades on, that promise feels more distant than we might ever have imagined.”
António also said that women’s rights were under siege, the poison of patriarchy was back, and back with a vengeance. He accused this system of slamming the brakes on action, tearing up progress and mutating into new and dangerous forms.
“But there is an antidote,” he said. “That antidote is action.”
Throughout this week, Salvation Army representatives from across the world will attend both in-person and virtual meetings to discuss moral and social issues of gender inequality. The Salvation Army International Social Justice Commission (ISJC) will host many of the in-person events.
The Salvation Army also participated in three parallel events, two of which can be viewed here. These events focused on issues of gender roles and equal opportunity, and modern slavery.
Grace Murray, Salvation Army Administration Assistant for Queensland Divisional Headquarters, has been attending online meetings for the Commission and its parallel events. She said it has meant a lot to her to be involved, as it had been amazing to see the work of women, girls and men around the world seeking to create healthy and encouraging spaces for women to be women.
"It has been very informative and encouraging hearing about the different contexts of women around the world, what challenges they face and how these challenges are being addressed for future women to be raised in cultures that promote equality between both genders and positive talk around what it means to be a woman," she said. "[And] that it isn't a 'lesser than' role, it is equal to a man."
The Salvation Army ISJC has requested prayer for all delegates as they continue to engage in dialogue and learning at this significant event.
This article was amended on 20 March to include comments from Grace Murray.
