Presbyterians attend U.N. town hall on plight of women and girls
Secretary-General urges women and young people to mobilize for change
NEW YORK — Some Presbyterian delegates attending the Commission on the Status of Women got a chance to experience what it’s like to be in ‘the room where it happens’ Tuesday when they made it into the annual town hall meeting with United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
Several of the women from a joint delegation hosted by the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. and Presbyterian Women watched the action from General Assembly Hall, with its iconic gold backdrop gleaming behind the U.N. emblem as Guterres issued a “red alert” and pledged his solidarity.
“A surge in misogyny and a furious kickback against equality threaten to slam on the brakes and push progress into reverse,” Guterres said during opening remarks. “Let me be clear: This is unacceptable, immoral and self-defeating. We must stop it — and we must stop it together.”
The town hall, moderated by UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous, was an opportunity for select CSW participants to pepper Guterres with questions and to make suggestions about issues related to the well-being, challenges and advancement of women and girls around the world. (Watch it here.)
It also was a time for Guterres to encourage women and young people to continue pushing for a better future.
“We need to do everything we can to mobilize societies against those that are trying to push back on gender equality, and young people can play a very important role,” said Guterres, adding, “Young people, you need to mobilize and you need to fight for your ideals.”
Bahous also spoke to the urgent need for change, noting, “This session takes place in a world on fire. Wars rage. Women’s rights are under attack. Civic space for feminist activism is shrinking and in some cases hard-fought gains are slipping away, but we are fighting back. You, civil society, in all your diversity are leading the charge and are our inspiration.”
The town hall was one of a number of activities Presbyterians had the opportunity to take part in on a busy day that also included Presbyterians co-leading a multilingual worship service with the Lutheran World Federation (Watch worship here), visiting the Cuban delegation and attending a Presbyterian Women gathering.
In the service with the Lutherans, the Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency, did the Call to Worship. Attendees also heard from young people such as Grace Kromke, a 20-year-old delegate who attends the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and helped to lead prayers.
“What gives me hope is that many women validate each other’s experiences with injustice all over the world,” Kromke expressed during the service. “May we continue to hold each other in our pains. Our courage is strengthened by joy and watered with the tears and pain of the people of the world who seek justice.”
She continued, “We pray for the love and light we possess from the divine to shine through our broken and sinful world. We know that love prevails above all hatred and vitriol, and we hope for a time when we can flourish in peace on our earthly home.”
The Rev. Dionne P. Boissière, the Chaplain of the Church Center for the United Nations, affirmed the joint worship, saying, “When we can come together, it makes the world a better place.”
The 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is a two-week gathering focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment. UN News reported this week that Member States agreed by consensus to adopt a Political Declaration reaffirming their commitment to advancing the rights, equality and empowerment of women and girls.
“At a time when hard-fought gains for gender equality are under attack, the global community has come together in a show of unity for all women and girls, everywhere,” Bahous said.
Along with attending meetings and worshiping with partner organizations, such as Ecumenical Women, the Presbyterian delegates are learning about everything from gender-based violence to climate change.
“I’m super-thrilled to learn about a bunch of topics I usually don’t have access to and to hear personal accounts of issues as well,” said Presbyterian delegate Ada Ritchie, 19, who attends Central Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Virginia, within Abingdon Presbytery.
During the town hall Q&A, one of the comments that drew the loudest applause was from a woman who called for more attention to be placed on missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“We are doing a horrific job of drawing attention to the ecocide and femicide globally,” the woman said. “We don't have a future without our children.
Guterres noted that Indigenous communities are under increasing pressure and need to be given “much more political power.”
Other topics raised included the need for full access to education at all levels, especially in science, technology and math; the plight of intersex persons; and how to fight modern slavery.
Regarding the latter, Guterres expressed frustration that governments don’t give as much attention and collaborative work on human trafficking as they do drug trafficking. He also noted that “we all need to unite” to address it.
Later, in a humorous exchange, Guterres was asked when the UN would have its first female Secretary-General. Guterres said he would not apologize for not being a woman but that he has taken steps to bring the U.N. closer to gender parity.
Ritchie, who attended the town hall, said she was impressed with Guterres’ detailing of his efforts on that front.
Linda Jackson, a delegate from Melina Presbyterian Church in Gable, South Carolina, within the Presbytery of New Harmony, was impressed that Guterres took the time to address each question, answering them to “the best of his ability.”
Kristen Gaydos contributed to this report. The Presbyterian News Service is following Presbyterian happenings at CSW, so check back regularly. Also, follow these social media channels for blog, photo and multimedia posts: PC(USA), PMUN, Compassion, Peace and Justice. Instagram: PCUSA, PMUN
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