Castiglione, R. and Waddell, L.*
As PhD students specialising in social policy, with a focus respectively on the evolution of gender inequalities within familial settings and on women’s understanding and experiences of reproductive coercion, our participation in the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) as UK Delegates provided a comprehensive platform for both informal delegate contribution and formal learning. The theme for this session, centred on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls within different contexts, aligned closely with our academic research.
In this post, we both reflect upon our journey as first-time UN Women UK Delegates, through the application and selection process, and the inclusive, informative, and engaging training and conference that followed.
Application and selection
The most striking part of the application process was how easy it was. From start to finish. We both found the application process very straightforward and relatively quick. So, for anyone reading this and interested in joining next year, you should definitely apply. We applied, and were likely selected, due to our personal and professional interest in gender equality. Lisa’s doctoral research considers how gender disparities emerge through mechanisms present in childhood family environments and the policy implications therein. Rosalba’s PhD project looks at how women across Italy and England understand and experience reproductive coercion and related prevention and intervention strategies; her aim is to contribute towards building a world where all women are empowered to make informed decisions in relation to their own body, including their own reproductive health (e.g., pregnancy, contraception use). Our burgeoning expertise in this field meant we felt able to contribute to the international dialogue on gender equality as well as learn from the world’s experts.
Before taking part in the CSW68, delegates had to undertake brief online training (recorded, and so accessible anytime and anywhere) at which Atonte Semira (Head of Community) and Tabitha Morton (Chief Operating Officer) talked about the history of the relatively young ‘UN Women’. As Tabitha said, ‘in 2010 the world remembered about women’. They also highlighted UN Women’s main aim, that is, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, and UN Women’s main strategies, such as humanitarian support, programme delivery, and global government.
CSW68
Following the training, delegates were required to fill in a brief and relatively easy questionnaire, before finally taking part in the actual CSW68, which consisted not only of the official Committee (held in New York, but in a hybrid format, to allow for remote connection), but also of side and parallel events organised by the UN Women UK, by delegates themselves, and/or by relevant NGOs. UK Delegates could also access a community platform (Circle), for networking and event updates.
Our main impression of the event was that it facilitated an interdisciplinary and international exchange of evidence and perspectives, which showcased the importance of a unified and multifaceted approach to dismantling systems perpetuating gender inequality. Key testimonies discussed evidence of the feminisation of poverty as well as the structural manifestations of racism that feed into intersecting forms of discrimination.
Delegates from Colombia, Indonesia, and Laos presented evidence of the need for a renewed and strengthened UN focus on gender equality. Ayan Said, a women’s rights activist, education advocate, business development consultant, and founder of the project ‘Voicing Voices’, delivered a powerful and inspirational speech at the closing UN Women UK Conference, which was held in London on March 28 2024. Ayan’s mission is to help businesses adopt intersectional perspectives within their policies and practices.
Many other inspirational and meaningful speeches were delivered during CSW68. Testimonies highlighted the state of international cooperation in this area as well as the tangible steps to take to improve women’s position worldwide. Notably, many speakers shared evidence of the importance of investing in education as a principal strategy for poverty reduction and the empowerment of women, especially in the Global South.
Takeaways
For Lisa, a key takeaway from the conference was the validation of her research findings of the importance of inclusive family support policies. By recognising all primary caregivers, such policies play a crucial role in redistributing the responsibility of unpaid labour whilst encouraging independent attainment of income. Such policies both dismantle entrenched gender norms and enhance personal autonomy within family units. This perspective was echoed in the discussions on enhancing community resilience through social support systems, underscoring the interconnectedness of gender equality, environmental sustainability, and social policy.
For Rosalba, one of the most relevant takeaways (mostly from group discussions) was the link between reproductive coercion and female economic empowerment. Women who are economically empowered are more likely to have also more empowerment from a reproductive point of view (e.g., less likely to receive financial abuse as a means to coerce them into abortion and/or pregnancy). Family/carer-friendly work policy (e.g., maternity and paternity leave) can help to tackle reproductive coercion and gender inequality within the workplace, and beyond.
An additional highlight was the dynamic and functional hybrid format of the conference. This format, developed during COVID-19, proved effective in facilitating an inclusive and comprehensive exchange of ideas. The platform’s management ensured that the sessions were accessible and conducive to meaningful participation, highlighting the potential for digital forums to extend the reach of international dialogues on gender equality.
Our experiences at CSW68 deepened our understanding of the complexities surrounding gender equality and have reinvigorated our commitment to advancing this cause within our field. The conference underscored the importance of collective action and informed, interdisciplinary strategies in overcoming the challenges faced by women and girls globally. The insights gained from the CSW68 will undoubtedly inform our future research and advocacy, as we and many others work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.
*Rosalba Castiglione has a BSc Childhood Studies and an MSc Policy Research from the University of Bristol, and she is currently writing up her PhD thesis, which is related to women’s understanding and experiences of reproductive coercion in the UK and in Italy. Passionate about gender equality, she hopes her research will contribute towards making this world a better place for all. She has been working as a Graduate Teacher and Guest Lecturer at the University of Bristol for three years.
Lisa Waddell is a Teaching and Research Associate at the University of Bristol, as she writes up her PhD. Her main research interests include harnessing large datasets to bring new life to investigations on the impact of family on children transitioning into adulthood, recently publishing in European Societies.
