Anglican Delegates to Lobby at UN Forum for Women's Lives

In response to the upcoming 49th session of the UN's Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW), 81 Anglican women from all over the world are going to gather in New York. For two weeks meetings will be held from 24th February to discuss a number of issues concerning women’s lives in support of the Anglican Observers to the UN meeting.

Based on the theme of the UNCSW this year, which will review the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of the special session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century", the meeting gives women the opportunity to act as delegates and lobby their governments for implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

Archdeacon Tai Tuatagaloa-Matalavea, introduced the Beijing Platform for Action, "The Beijing Platform lists twelve specific areas, such as poverty, education, health, violence and the environment, that need to be improved if the status of women is going to rise."

Through the gathering, the International Anglican Women's Network (IAWN) is looking forward to strengthening its efforts to ensure that poverty and other issues affecting women and families are given the highest priority by their respective governments, other national and international institutions, and the leaders of the Anglican Communion.

41 out of the 81 women attending this gathering come from 26 Anglican provinces around the world. The rest of them belong to the Episcopal Church (ECUSA) from 11 US states.

Even though these women are not directly attending the UN forum, the delegates will join with other non-governmental organisations, including the Mothers' Union, to lobby and learn at the United Nations.

Anglican Observers to the UN reported that after last year's meeting they returned to their countries inspired to give greater visibility and voice to women's issues, and felt supported knowing that there was a worldwide network of women sharing and encouraging their efforts.

Revd Margaret Rose, director of women's ministries at the Episcopal Church Centre said, "It's our commitment to the Gospel which propels us into the political arena. It's important for us to take an Anglican-based, faith-centred perspective to the United Nations. We need to offer a clear public voice advocating for women and children, and through them for all humanity, even all creation."

Violence; poverty; sexual stereotyping; and the lack of access to power, education and proper health care that keep women from reaching their full potential, are the common concerns.

Mugisa Isingoma from the Democratic Republic of Congo says the most important aspect of their work is "to train women to be messengers of peace. We must also help women break the silence so that they can speak openly about all sorts of violence of which they have been victims and how they can be reconciled and live a better life."

"Everyone has a role to undertake. You start where you are, speaking and acting in your own situation. Support other women in what they are doing," advised Janet Hesketh from New Zealand. "If you feel scared or worried about rejection and ridicule, remember that if we are doing His will, Jesus is with us and we need not fear."

Clair Ghais Malik of Egypt said, "Women can make a difference. Women need to stand up for their rights and have the confidence to say 'NO' to violence and discrimination. Women can accomplish great things if they set their minds to it. Women can encourage other women to be educated. There are many opportunities for women to be involved in non-governmental organisations to help change society."