Ukrainian NGO representatives participate in session of U.N. women's commission (04/21/02)

Ukrainian NGO representatives participate in session of U.N. women's commission

by Daria Dykyj

UNITED NATIONS - The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), convenes each March at the United Nations. The purpose of the CSW is "to prepare recommendations and reports to the council on promoting women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields."

As a non-governmental organization (NGO) in consultative status at ECOSOC since 1993, the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations (WFUWO) has been an active participant in the annual CSW conferences.

This year, the 46th session of the CSW, which took place March 4-15, considered two broad issues: eradicating poverty, including through the empowerment of women throughout their life cycle in a globalizing world; and environmental management and mitigation of natural disasters: a gender perspective.

The WFUWO representatives to the U.N. were joined last month by the organization's president, Oksana Sokolyk. Based in Toronto, Mrs. Sokolyk is a frequent traveler to conferences around the world, where she draws attention to women's issues within a Ukrainian context. A special guest from Ukraine, Zoriana Bilyk, head of the Lviv Oblast branch of Soyuz Ukrainok (Ukrainian National Women's League), also participated in the CSW session.

CSW sessions culminate in documented recommendations that are submitted to ECOSOC. This year they will include proposals to "ensure the full participation of women in sustainable development decision-making and disaster reduction management at all levels." As well, CSW proposals note "that in order to eradicate poverty and promote gender equality and democracy, and strengthen the rule of law, both women and men are involved in decision-making, political agenda-setting and in allocation of resources."

Owing to the current violence in the Middle East and Asia, much of the focus at the 46th Session was justifiably diverted to the plight of Afghan and Palestinian women and girls. Statements drafted at the conclusion of the session called on the international community to show responsibility in protecting the human rights of Afghan and Palestinian women and girls, and invited greater involvement of Afghan and Palestinian women in the international community.

The WFUWO has taken strong positions over the years at the United Nations with respect to issues that directly affect Ukrainian women such as the AIDS/HIV pandemic and the global trafficking of women and girls. Of paramount importance to the WFUWO also are the long-term demographic and health effects of Chornobyl with a special emphasis on women's health. More information about the WFUWO and its work at the United Nations is available on the website www.WFUWO.org.

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