(ANS – New York) – Between 27 February and  9 March at the at UN Headquarters in New York, there was the 56th Commission on the Status of Women. The Salesian Family participated in and contributed to the work of the Commission which ended on 15 March through interventions co-authored with other NY based NGOs and through the sponsoring of two side events.

This 56th Commission on the status women considered the subject "The empowerment of rural women and their role in eradicating poverty and hunger, development and challenges." Additionally, it examined progress made in the implementation of the agreed conclusions of the 52nd Commission on financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The FMAs and VIDES prepared a side event that was co-sponsored by Salesian Missions that focused on their commitment in defending and promoting the rights of women in Honduras and South Sudan. . Sr. Roxana Juarez, F.M.A and Ms. Gloria Maricela Aguilar represented Honduras, while Sr. Roberta Tomasi, F.M.A. the Provincial of South Sudan in collaboration with VIDES USA volunteers Natalie Fontenot and Mireya Carrillo presented the work in Sudan.

Three FMA representatives from Rome also contributed input to the event: Sr. Maria Luisa Miranda (Salesian Family Councillor), Sr. Leonor Salazar (Director General of International VIDES) and Sr. Glorina Rita James (Head of the Woman Issues Division). Fr. Tom Brennan, S.D.B., served as moderator of the panel discussion of this good practice.

Salesian Missions, representing the Salesians of Don Bosco, sponsored a side event entitled  HIV among Rural Women: Special Considerations in Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support. The presentations were made by experts in mental and physical health care, research and academia and had wide geographical representation from Jamaica to Armenia, as well as Parallel Challenges for Rural Women and Urban Women of Colour Living in Geographically Isolated Areas and Young Rural Women and the Impact of HIV. Fr. Tom Brennan, S.D.B., served as moderator of the panel.

Throughout the discussions, it was pointed out that the contributions of women in societies throughout the world is significant and often serves as the cornerstone for social progress. When women are included in decision making, are given access to education, funding and opportunities growth occurs in every dimension of a community’s life. The call to turn words into actions needs to be heeded.

Published 19/03/2012