UCLG, Metropolis, REFELA and C40 have mobilized locally elected women from every continent to visit New York during the 61st UN Commission on the Status of Women
The 61st UN Commission on the Status of Women focuses on women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work. UCLG has published a statement to the CSW on this issue, highlighting how local and regional governments can mainstream a gender perspective into the economy through their role as employers, purchasers and service providers. [UCLG’s statement to the CSW 61]
Beyond the official sessions, there will be a packed programme for women mayors and councilors in New York, focusing on the commitment of locally elected women to play their part in the localization of the SDGs and the achievement of the Paris Climate Agreement.
Locally elected women and the SDGs
The week will kick off on 13th of March with a side-event on ‘Women for sustainable development in Africa’, co-organized by UCLG and REFELA. The debate will bring together women mayors, civil society representatives and UN agencies to discuss gender violence, urban planning, political participation, care work and economic empowerment. [See programme]
Also on the 13th, UCLG and UN Women will co-organize a special event ‘Locally elected women, making the SDGs happen’. This event will include two roundtable discussions between mayors, councilors, UN Agencies, and civil society. The first roundtable on Localizing SDG 5 will present UCLG’s #BeCounted campaign for better global data on the proportion of women in local government. The second roundtable will focus on gender equality, SDG 11 and the New Urban Agenda. [See programme]
Women for Climate
On March 15, the Women4Climate conference, organized by C40 Cities, will provide a critical platform for a unique cross-section of powerful women to advance a shared agenda that spans education, innovation, and economic equality and will highlight the critical role of women and women leaders in the fight against climate change and air pollution.
Headlined by C40 Chair and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, the event will feature women mayors from the world’s largest and most influential cities; business leaders; prominent NGO leaders; and up-and-coming change-makers who represent the next generation of women leaders. [See programme]
UCLG’s statement to the CSW 61
Women for Sustainable Development in Africa
Locally elected women, making the SDGs happen
