Advocacy
International Advocacy and United Nations
GWI has maintained special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1947 (one of the first 10 organisations to gain such status) and maintains special relationships with the International Labour Organization and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. GWI actively participates in the United Nations Human Rights Councils, the Commission on the Status of Women, High-Level Political Forum, the Convention on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and seizes many more opportunities make regular oral statements and submit written statements advocating to eliminate the barriers girls face in education.
GWI advocacy work with the United Nations, its agencies and collaboration with other international organizations, plays critical role in supporting our National Federations and Associations with in-country governments action plans to develop and implement policies. We invite you to read our reports and join us as aim to remove the barriers to girls gaining education.
December 2021: GWI Commission on the Status of Women 66th session Agreed Conclusions recommendations
September 2021: GWI Intern Alex Taylor from Colgate University participates in the Geneva Peace Talks
September 2021: GWI Young Member Network Connection Across Generations webinar series summary submitted by GWI Young Member President, Sudha Srivastava
September 2021: GWI at the UNGA 76 Warm-Up Meeting
September 2021: GWI Congratulates UN Women Executive Director Bahous appointment
September 2021: GWI calls for United Nations and governments for the women and girls from Afghanistan
August 2021: Women and girls Afghanistan emergency call by GWI 19 August 2021
April 2021: GWI Policy Resolution Strategic Advocacy Plans
March 2021: Distance Learning: COVID-19 and the Digital Gap in Technology & Education
March 2021: Uganda Association of University Women – International Women’s Day Celebration Report
February 2021: Harmful Practices: GWI Actions on Sustainable Development Goal 5.3
February 2021: GWI 2021 International Day of Women and Girls in Science Infographic and Social Media Pack
January 2021: GWI 2021 International Day of Education Toolkit
November 2020:GWI 2020 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Toolkit October 2020: GWI 2020 International Day of the Girl Toolkit September 2020: GWI World Teachers’ Day Social Media Toolkit September 2020: GWI International Day of the Girl Advocacy Toolkit September 2020: Distance learning and digital technologies as a strategical and challenging turn towards inclusive access to education for women and girls: GWI written statement to the 45th session of the Human Rights Council September 2020: GWI International Literacy Day 2020 Infographic August 2020: GWI International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Infographic 2020 July 2020: COVID’S EFFECT ON EDUCATION UN REPS NYC July 2020: GWI World Day Against Trafficking in Persons Infographic 2020 July 2020: GWI World Youth Skills Day Infographic 2020 May 2020: GWI Menstrual Hygiene Day 2020 Advocacy Toolkit April 2020: GWI celebrates women authors on World Book and Copyright Day March 2020: International Women’s Day Facts and Figures Infographic February 2020: GWI CSW64 Official Delegates Handbook 2020 February 2020: Climate Crisis: GWI written statement to the 43rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council January 2020: International Day of Education Facts & Figures Infographic
November 2019: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Toolkit October 2019: International Day of Rural Women Toolkit October 2019: International Day of the Girl Toolkit September 2019: 42st session of the Human Rights Council Women in Trade Statement June 2019: 41st session of the Human Rights Council Women and Corruption Statement May 2019 : Menstrual Hygiene Day 2019 — Advocacy Toolkit March 2019 : World Water Day 2019 – NFA Contributions Report February 2019: GWI Impact on Women and Girls in Science: marking International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 2019: International Day for Zero Tolerance of FGM Policy Update February 2019: The Connection Between FGM and the Sustainable Development Goals is Irrefutable January 2019: International Day of Education Press Briefing January 2019: Official CSW63 Written Statement: English / French / Spanish
November 2018: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Impactful and Easy-to-Use Toolkit October 2018: Gender Equity Toolkit October 2018: GWI International Day of Girl Impactful and Easy-to-Use Toolkit July 2018: 70th session of CEDAW Australia Outcomes July 2018: 70th session of CEDAW Mexico Outcomes July 2018: 70th session of CEDAW New Zealand Outcomes June 2018: Canadian Federation of University Women (Ottawa) Brief on Human Trafficking June 2018: U.S. Separation of Children from Families June 2018: U.S. Withdrawal from the Human Rights Council April 2018: Advocacy Report: Menstrual Hygiene Matters – submitted by Clémence Mathiaud, GWI Intern, Sciences Po Lyon March 2018: Turning Promises into Action: Australia and New Zealand Facts February 2018: Canadian Federation of University Women Rural Women Survey 2018 – Executive Summary submitted by Cheryl Hayles, CFUW Vice President International Relations
November 2017: Canadian Federation of University Women International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women press release November 2017: Canadian Federation of University Women 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence toolkit November 2017: 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign November 2017: University Women’s Club of Montreal Launches First-Ever North America Olympes de la Parole project November 2017: Run With Us to Support Girls’ Education October 2017: International Day of the Girl Child submitted by Cheryl Hayles, CFUW Vice President International Relations September 2017: GWI Written Statement to the 36th session of the Human Rights Council September 2017: International Literacy Day submitted by Cheryl Hayles CFUW Vice President International Relations May 2017: GWI Written Statement to the 35th Session of the Human Rights Council April 2017: CSW61 Analysis of the Agreed Conclusions by Lakshmi Puri April 2017: CSW61 GWI Delegate Summary Report by Topic by Louise McLeod March 2017: CSW61 Official Agreed Conclusions
March 2017: CSW61 Summary Report by Hally Siddons March 2017: GWI Written Statement to the 61st Commission on the Status of Women March 2017: GWI Written Statement to the 34th Session of the Human Rights Council
September 2016: UN Women Consultation on sex work, the sex trade and prostitution September 2016: GWI Oral Statement to the HRC 33 on the Annual half-day discussion on the rights of indigenous people. June 2016: GWI Oral Statement to the ILC on Gender Equality for Sustainable Development May 2016: GWI Written Statement to the 32nd Human Rights Council April 2016: Graduate Women International CSW60 Report March 2016: Report from the Helvi Sipilä session at the 60th Commission on the Status of Women, New York March 2016: Summary of 60th Commission on the Status of Women by Louise McLeod March 2016: GWI delivers joint statement from NGO working group on Human Rights Education and Learning (NGO HREL)
September 2015: GWI oral statement for HRC30 September 2015: GWI written statement for HRC 30 July 2015: GWI Oral Statement presented at the ECOSOC High-Level Segment in New York on July 9, 2015 GWI Written Statement presented at the ECOSOC High-Level Segment in New York on July 9, 2015 June 2015:GWI Written statement to HRC29 May 2015: GWI official delegate at International Conference on ICT May 2015: World Education Forum 2015 May 2015: GWI Guest Panel Speaker at Girls in ICT Day April 2015: Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2000-2015 April 2015: GWI and UN Women Partner for Regional Seminar April 2015: Summary of the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council March 2015: Beginning of the 28th Session of the Human Rights Council March 2015: International Women’s Day and CSW59 March 2015 IFUW Written Statement to CSW59 March 2015 IFUW Oral Statement to CSW59 February 2015: New Background Paper on Attacks Against Girls Seeking to Access Education February 2015: International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation January 2015: IFUW Manifesto Launch January 2015: Cities for CEDAW: Virtual National Conference January 2015: Countdown is On for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
- The International Federation of University Women (IFUW) calls for Human Rights Education for all secondary and tertiary students and those in continuing education.
- Human Rights Day commemorations at UN Geneva
- Human Rights Day – UWAC
- Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs meets
- Qualified women still opting out of career in science, says study
- Violence against women is so endemic it impacts every issue relating to women
- UN Security Council resolution urges women’s full inclusion in peace talks and transitional justice
- Australia: AFGW – Mentoring with momentum
- UN Declaration on Human Rights Education and Training
- 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women, Children and People with Disabilities: 25 November – 10 December 2011
- IFUW Report from the Afghan Conference in Bonn
- Mexican Federation Presents Preliminary Report to CEDAW
- IFUW Writes to German Minister of Foreign Affairs in Support of Afghan Women
- 2011 Global Gender Gap Report Shows Largest Gaps in Political and Economic Participation
- Afghan Women Ask for Urgent Help by IFUW and NFAs
- Observance of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- Australia: Parental Leave Best Practice Guide
- Canada: CFUW Advocates for Afghan Women at the Bonn Negotiating Table
- High-Level Meeting on Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) – IFUW UN Reps Report
- Human Rights Council Panel on the Right to Health of Older Persons – IFUW UN Reps Report
- UN General Assembly President Meets with NGOs – IFUW UN Reps Report
- Outcomes of the 18th Session of the Human Rights Council – IFUW UN Reps Report
- Australia: New Guide to Using the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and other international complaint mechanisms
- United Nations Launches Seven Billion Actions – IFUW UN Reps Report
- AFWG Action on UN SCR Resolution 1325
- 18th Session of Human Rights Council Opens – IFUW UN Reps Report
- International Day of Peace, 21 September
- Global Campaign for Prevention of Violence against Children & Youth
- IFUW Advocacy Report: ILO Conference and Gender
- UN Working Group on Ageing: Gaps in Protection of Older Persons
- ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review
- IFUW Statement to ECOSOC
- Universal Periodic Review – 11th session
- UN Secretary General Publishes Report on Access and Participation of Women and Girls in Education, Training, Science and Technology
- CSW 55th Session 2011
- IFUW Statement to the Commission on Population and Development 44th session
- CEDAW Committee Adopts Recommendation on Ageing Women
- Expert Group Meeting on Gender, Science and Technology
- UN Women: the new UN Framework for Gender Equality
- IFUW Statement at the International Labour Conference
- Report on 2010 Commission on the Status of Women
- IFUW Parallel event at the Commission on the Status of Women
- Dutch Federation participates in CEDAW Shadow Report
- World bank presentation on the Global Economic Crisis and the Power of Women
- IFUW Representative wins prestigious prize
- UNESCO General Conference
- 2009 International Labour Conference
- UNESCO Appoints First Woman Director-General
- Highlights from the 2009 World Conference on Higher Education
- UN Security Council passes new Resolution 1888 to end sexual violence against women in conflict-affected countries
- 2008 Advocacy Action Reports
- Human Rights Council Advisory Meeting
- Protecting Children in Cyberspace
- Cyberhate: Danger in Cyberspace
- The Global Downturn: Are Women Disproportionately Affected?
- IFUW Promotes Gender Equality at the Human Rights Council
- Durban Review Outcome Document looks to the Future
- Combating Violence Against Girls
- A Record High For Women in Parliament
- Strengthening the Contribution of Higher Education & NGOs in EFA
- Armenian Association Prepares Alternative CEDAW Report
- IFUW Statements at the 53rd Session on the Commission of the Status of Women
- IFUW Representatives to International Organizations: 2008 Annual Reports
GWI at the United Nations
September 2021: UNICEF Board session part 2 submitted by Maureen Byrne, PhD, GWI UN Representative, New York
August 2021: GWI Human Rights Council Co-sponsored written statement on the emergency situation for women and girls in Afghanistan
August 2021: Human Rights Council 48 session written statement: Education is the most valuable weapon to tackle the climate crisis
July 2021: High Level Political Forum Report submitted by Louise McLeod, GWI VP Advocacy and Education
June 2021: Human Rights Council 47 session written statement: Shrinking Civil Society Space
June 2021: ECOSOC Youth Forum 10th Anniversary statement by Sudha Srivastava
May 2021: GWI United Nations Representative Vienna – Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice
April 2021: High-Level Political Forum Written Statement: Interconnection of poverty, corruption and education
March 2021: Virtual Town Hall meeting of Civil Society and UN Secretary General
March 2021: GWI Commission on the Status of Women 65 session written statement
January 2021: GWI calls for the increase in domestic funding for education in its Human Rights Council 46th session written statement
2013 Advocacy Reports
2012 Advocacy Reports
