This March Break, Abby Lambshead and I joined a delegation of women and went to New York City to attend the UN’s 69th Commission on the Status of Women. This year is the 30th anniversary of a landmark document that was unanimously adopted by 189 countries around the world: the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Today it is the key global policy document on gender equality that outlines critical areas for action. It remains a blueprint for achieving gender equality around the world. (I encourage you to read it!) This month, as an act of accountability, the world came together at the UN headquarters to review the commitments that were made and to discuss progress towards its goals.
This was my first CSW experience, and I was moved by so many things.
I was moved by the agreed upon and collective understanding of what equity for women and girls looks like, and the global commitment to achieving it. The Declaration gives a robust definition for equity and I find it deeply affirming for myself as a woman. It raises the bar high and it says this – yes, this – is how women should be treated! At the same time, the thought that plays through my mind is that we shouldn’t need this – it should be a given that to deny a woman rights in any form or fashion is to deny human rights.
But this is exactly what is happening way too much, so I was deeply moved by the widespread work of many civil agencies and the courageous women who lead them. I was moved by the political leaders who work diligently to enact the policies and fulfill the Beijing 30 commitments. I was moved by the terrified yet determined women who travelled thousands of miles for the chance to have their voices heard in this important gathering.
I was moved by the men who stand as allies, advocates and power brokers in these efforts. Denial of human rights is not a women’s issue – it’s a human issue, and we are in “all hands on deck” times.
I was moved by the layers and layers of deep injustices women and children are experiencing, even more so today due to the after math of COVID, political shifts, war, corrupt or extremist governments, and among other things, an alarming global anti-feminist movement that is on the rise. It is deeply disturbing to learn how many women around the world are treated as human chattels; who do not have agency over their lives or bodies; whose rights as human beings are denied based on their gender.
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me…” (Ps. 3:3a)
The words of Scripture carry extra weight today. So does God’s promise to one day wipe away every tear and his call on us now to work for justice.
I am more convinced than ever that we need every woman to bring ALL of who she is to the table with a ‘yes’ in her heart to whatever it is God has shaped her and called her to do.
Perhaps it’s a career in political leadership, policy writing, advocacy, business, health care, education, journalism, or theology. Or perhaps it’s joining others to love and care for the vulnerable and disadvantaged in her community, practicing generous hospitality towards her neighbours; or raising her sons and daughters who will grow up, as Abby so poignantly expressed in our March newsletter, to “contribute to the healing and flourishing of others.”
Sisters, we are all needed. We are called as God’s Beloved, first to let his love transform and shape us; to know we belong to Him and to each other. And then – as a response to His love for us – to offer our lives back to Him and to trust that He will do good things through us. It is not an easy road to take, but it will be more meaningful, rewarding and joyful than we can imagine. And here’s the thing: together we are stronger, and we can do so much more than we imagine, with God as our strength, help and hope. Of this, our mothers and grandmothers are proof.
Let’s link arms and make them proud.
With gratitude for you,
Helena