SallyDunbar
Mrs.Dunbar
GWNZ
14/3/25 -Educating Women and Girls: Advancing their Empowerment and Equality
Parallel event.
Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) and Women Graduates-USA
Women and the environment, Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Women and poverty, Women and health
SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
Harassment (2016), Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019), Women and STEM (2019), Securing increased Domestic Funding for Education to include equal and safe access to Digital Learning (2022), Promoting and defending human rights of women in universities and other post-secondary forms of education (2022), A Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment is a Human Right (2022)
This session aligns closely with GWNZ’s advocacy work in promoting education, leadership, and gender equality for women and girls. The discussion reinforced the importance of ensuring equitable access to quality education, a core focus for GWNZ, particularly in supporting women’s academic and professional advancement. The emphasis on mentorship and intergenerational learning reflects GWNZ’s commitment to fostering strong networks that empower women through shared knowledge and support. The innovative solutions presented, such as digital learning tools for marginalised girls, highlight the need for bold, practical approaches—an area where GWNZ continues to advocate for systemic change to close educational gaps and increase opportunities for all women.
Additionally, the session’s focus on leadership development and critical thinking aligns with GWNZ’s work in encouraging women’s participation in governance, decision-making, and policy advocacy. The discussion on media’s role in shaping public perceptions and driving change echoes GWNZ’s efforts to influence conversations around gender equality at a national level. The call to bring CEDAW back into CSW discussions also supports GWNZ’s broader advocacy goals of strengthening legal protections and holding governments accountable for their commitments to women’s rights. This session reinforced the need for continued advocacy, collaboration, and action—values that remain at the heart of GWNZ’s mission.
Attending this NGO CSW69 parallel event, co-hosted by the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) and Women Graduates-USA, was inspiring and thought-provoking. The discussion explored how education drives gender equality and leadership, emphasising the need for innovation, collaboration, and action.
Key Takeaways:
1. Education as a Pathway to Leadership
Joan-Marie Aylward highlighted that leadership is shaped by education, empathy, confidence, and strong communication. She stressed the value of intergenerational learning and mentorship from both men and women. Safe spaces like The Reading Room allow women to connect and uplift each other.
2. Ensuring Access to Quality Education
Wanda Bedard noted that education reduces poverty and fosters stability, but displacement and marginalisation still hinder girls’ learning. Innovation is key—tools like the ‘Rachel’ server provide free, self-directed education in local languages, increasing literacy, confidence, and school attendance without requiring Wi-Fi.
3. Developing Critical Thinking in Women and Girls
Geeta Desai emphasised the changing global landscape, requiring women to strengthen critical thinking, adaptability, and emotional intelligence. Encouraging debate, questioning biases, and fostering multi-perspective problem-solving are crucial for the next generation of female leaders.
4. Addressing Barriers to the Beijing Platform for Action
Soon-Young Yoon highlighted the gap between commitments on paper and real action. Governments must be held accountable. Media plays a major role in educating society and driving change. Gender equality is interconnected with social and ecological systems, demanding global collaboration.
5. The Role of CEDAW and Collective Action
There was a strong call to bring CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women) back into CSW discussions. The session closed with a reminder:
Raise women up, keep the conversation going, and never forget the path that led us here. Power comes through the vote—use it.
This session reinforced the urgency of education, innovation, and collective action in advancing gender equality. The conversation was uplifting and informative.
{How can the session serve GWI members on local. national and/or international levels?:15}
The session highlighted key opportunities for GWI and GWNZ to strengthen their advocacy efforts and drive meaningful change in education and gender equality. One significant opportunity is leveraging and supporting digital education solutions to bridge learning gaps for marginalised girls. The discussion around the Rachel server and self-directed digital learning presents a model that GWI and GWNZ could explore for advocacy, funding, or partnerships to enhance education accessibility. By promoting the use of free, open-source educational tools, both organisations can help ensure that girls, particularly in remote and underserved communities. This aligns with GWI’s global mission to advance lifelong education for women and girls, and GWNZ’s ongoing support for scholarships, mentoring, and academic advancement.
Another critical opportunity is reinforcing leadership development and policy influence. The session underscored the need for critical thinking, adaptability, and strategic decision-making as essential skills for women leaders, which directly ties into GWI and GWNZ’s efforts to empower women in governance and advocacy. The discussion on CEDAW’s role in CSW and the broader policy landscape provides a pathway for GWI and GWNZ to engage more actively in international discussions, ensuring that gender equality remains at the forefront of policy agendas. Strengthening collaborations with government agencies, media, and education providers can amplify advocacy efforts and drive greater accountability for commitments under the Beijing Platform for Action. By taking a proactive role in policy discussions and leadership training initiatives, GWI and GWNZ can continue shaping a future where women’s voices are central to decision-making at all levels.
