UN CSW65 Parallel Event: First Ladies and Emerging Leaders: An Intergenerational Dialogue « The Journey of 1325 and Women’s Leadership »

Written by: Carolyn Handschin

The 65th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW65) in March of 2020 was held for the first time as a virtual event. While the many benefits of daily personal contact and unplanned and exciting opportunities that always arose in New York City had to be sacrificed, it did provide a broader outreach to new participants and normally unreachable speakers. The theme of this session’s government debates revolved around women’s effective participation and decision-making in public life. Thousands of concerned citizens, mostly women, weighed in through a vast virtual platform with their expertise, lived experience, challenges and proposals.

Each year, Women’s Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI) would bring nearly one hundred members and guests from around the world to experience the UN debates and civil society forum, providing advocacy and networking opportunities. Each year statements would be submitted according to the theme, and events organized so that governments could benefit from local expertise and insight in making their recommendations. The presence of civil society also ensured that envoys would be sent home with knowledge and enthusiasm for implementation.

“The Journey of 1325 and Women’s Leadership: An Intergenerational Dialogue Between First Ladies and Emerging Leaders” was the theme decided for the WFWPI parallel event to the CSW65. There has been a growing disappointment in what seemed to be a widening gap between civil society access and influence in the working methods of government at the United Nations (UN). With good will, solutions can be worked out, but COVID-19 cannot take the entire blame. WFWPI decided to bring together two elements that could influence better understanding and partnership: young aspiring leaders and a rather untapped and effective category of leadership and soft diplomacy, First Ladies. Their role in protecting the well being of the nation and creating platforms for youth has been a significant model in implementing the UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1325 with an intergenerational approach.

WFWPI had the great honor of co-hosting the inaugural assembly of the International Association of First Ladies for Peace (IAFLP) in Korea in January 2020, together with its founding organization, the Universal Peace Federation. It was a remarkable event to hear the stories and issues of these women who shared a common position and concern for their nations, and to learn how they influenced nation-building, and how it influenced them. This played an important role in developing the theme and finding speakers for this CSW event.

The CSW event opened with a welcome from the moderator, Ms. Merly Barlaan, Deputy Director of WFWPI UN Office, who explained that the interactive dialogue will focus on the Journey of 1325 and the impact of women’s leadership for protecting rights and delivering justice through mutual cooperation and securing sustainable peace. Opening remarks were given by Mme. ‘Mammusa ‘Masekoalane Majoro, Spouse of Prime Minister, Kingdom of Lesotho, who touched the hearts of all when she said, “Raising such a generation of women who possess confidence to make it on their own, without subjecting themselves to abuse, is a mission worth dying to give birth to.”

An Opening Address followed, delivered by Dr. Sun Jin Moon, Senior Vice President of WFWPI and Founder of Giving for Good International. Citing alarming statistics caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, she reminded the audience that all must be aware of the challenges, yet also be able to reach for the higher consciousness where the seeds of hope can flourish and where women’s input is essential.

Ms. Blessie Dhakal, Chair of IAFLP, introduced the First Ladies and the program continued with brief introductory personal remarks from them: Mme. Fionnuala Kenny, spouse of former Prime Minister of Ireland; Mme. Callista Mutharika, First Lady of Malawi and member of Parliament; and Hon. Maria Flores de Aleman, former First Lady and National Assembly member in Nicaragua. The three young leaders were also introduced; Ms. Srruthi Lekha, UN Representative for Peacebuilding and Youth Leadership at WFWPI UN Office Geneva; Ms. Amanda Bradley, Legal Service Team Assistant at Davis Polk Wardwell; and Ms. Jungsoo Moon, Master of Public Policy and International Relations, University of Tokyo.

Hoping to balance spontaneity, knowledge and experience, the second part of the session was a round table discussion among the women leaders and the younger participants. All were asked several guiding questions that gave opportunity for profound and personal sights that could have continued for hours: What are the challenges to women’s empowerment and what is needed to encourage more women to public leadership in your nations? How could education influence the implementation of UNSCR 1325? How has this resolution influenced women and girls in your country, and what is still needed so that women and girls can contribute to ending discrimination and aid in preventing violence and abuse? The interactive discussions were so engaging that it was extended for 20 minutes.

Director of the WFWPI Office for UN Relations, Ms. Carolyn Handschin, closed the session with a reminder, “Like the experience of the women who came from all over the world to Beijing 26 years ago, their lives were changed by listening to one another, and realizing that they share similar dreams and goals that they would retell to their daughters, friends and colleagues. This meeting today brings in that additional factor, a critical and potentially very enjoyable one of intergenerational listening, trust building and partnership on the path of peace.”