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Commission on the Status of Women

Today started with a useful meeting for charities attending this year’s Commission on the Status of Women. These happen daily to help to translate and disentangle the complex web of UN bureaucracy which we are all trying to navigate. Nearly 1,500 charity representatives are here from over 100 countries so the job of supporting them all is immense.

The highlight of today was the launch of the Nepal National Action Plan on Security Council Resolution 1325 – women, peace and security. Our partners, Women’s Human Rights – Single Women’s Group, from Nepal were part of a select group of non-governmental organisations who contributed and shaped the content of this National Action Plan. It is being hailed as a model of good practice – both for its breadth and depth including marginalised groups such as widows – and for the inclusive process which led to its creation.

I was also lucky enough to be invited to an evening meeting for the national Executive Boards of UN Women around the world. These are voluntary groups of women who raise funds for UN Women and work to raise awareness of its work in countries such as the UK, Japan and Australia. Tomorrow will mark the official launch of UN Women – so there was much anticipation in the room about the celebrations to come!