Voices of Rural Women & Girls · United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Voices of Rural Women & Girls · United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

March 14, 2018 · by · in Global Challenges & Solutions

The worthwhile work isn’t easy!

That’s an old saying, but I was reminded today—while listening to a group of amazing people discuss the opportunities and the challenges of achieving gender equality—that there are many other things that aren’t easy either.

SDG Media Zone invited me to spend the day in forum discussions that focused on the empowerment of rural women and girls around the world, and I found the work so inspiring. Here’s a breakdown of what was discussed today at the UN ↓

For me it was an inspiring day, but I learned how hard it can be intellectually to understand the complicated issues, and how hard it can be emotionally to confront the reality of so many women suffering. The photo above is of notes we wrote for victims of abuse.

Above all, though, I learned how tireless the people on the frontlines are, who work day in and day out to improve that situation of women all over the world.

“From ‘MeToo’ to ‘Time’s Up’ and ‘The Time is Now’ women and girls are calling out abusive behaviour and discriminatory attitudes.”

— Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at CSW62 on rural women

A key part of that work is improving girls’ access to education, a fight that’s close to my heart! Education was the key to my own improvement, and is why I want everyone to have the same chance—an opportunity to feel safe, to learn and grow, to get better, and to be able to escape poverty. We live in a world of endless possibilities, but I want this to be a reality!

At the Church Center for the United Nations, I sat in a room with politicians, citizens, leaders and strong-hearted people—all passionate about seeing justice everywhere. The event was an amazing symposium on how we can work to empower rural women and girls, and how that action is a powerful tool for boosting local and global communities!

One of the most memorable stories shared over the day was an account of child ambassadors and the strong impact they had in their communities. Taking the lessons of the program to heart, the children interacted with each other in ways that set an example for their parents, who began implementing the same behavior. Peace. Equality. Gender Justice. These children lead the way, and in leading by example helped transform their communities and improve the world around them.

The issues are interconnected and can be incredibly complicated. And yet… some are still as simple as having the right to choose.

Today, I sat in a room full of people determined to make a change, and to spend their lives working to make this world better. That work—for equality, for justice, and for the welfare of all women—heals the world one breath at a time. And as we join them in that work, we need to be sure to recognize all they have done—the ones that have come, the ones still fighting, and the ones paving roads for other’s success.

We need to stand up, speak out, and continue acting for the betterment of women everywhere! Together we’re louder, stronger, and more united. It isn’t easy, but nothing good comes that way. Justice is coming because we believe in it, and equality is coming because We. Will. Work. For. It.

Learn more The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)

You can view all of the event interview videos here!

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