Members of Ecumenical Women follow processes relating to gender equality at the United Nations, particularly the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as well as at the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). We use a number of resources, ecumenical and otherwise, to help us learn and research about Financing for Gender Equality, preparing ourselves for this year’s theme at the CSW.

For CSW-52 in 2008, the members of Ecumenical Women have submitted a statement to the UN. The statement asks that government and multilateral bodies prioritize spending on gender equality, as well as gather better data in order to understand how development financing impacts the lives of women.

The statement makes policy suggestions while lifting up the principles of the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action. It also connects gender justice to the six themes of the 2002 Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development. It is rooted in the legacy of economic justice developed by the ecumenical community, which has been involved in UN conferences on the status of women since the First World Conference on Women in 1975. On many occasions churches have taken the lead from UN initiatives, such as launching the Ecumenical Decade Churches in Solidarity with Women, which was held from 1988-1998 and catalyzed gender equality work in thousands of churches.

For more ideas about how YOU can get involved, click here!