Amid the hustle and bustle of events, dinners, and furthering the cause of women’s rights during the recent Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), members of the Every Woman Treaty coalition found time to come together to connect and celebrate. More than 50 members from 15+ countries gathered, some catching up with old friends and colleagues, others meeting fellow members for the first time.
It was an opportunity to talk, discuss strategy and network, but really the gathering was a celebration of each other and a new milestone towards a safer world: a new Optional Protocol to CEDAW dedicated to ending violence against women and girls.
Each person present does life-changing work in their nation while also traveling to events such as CSW to push for the rights of women and girls globally, including the right to life free from violence.
To the thousands of coalition members not in New York in person, please know you were with us in spirit!
Collectively, we are uniting the world — 4 Nations! 4 Special Rapporteurs! — to end violence against women and girls through global binding law.
We are so grateful to be connected. Thank you for coming together, thank you for this gathering. We are not just an online presence but activists with a heart pumped to end violence against women and girls.
We are proud and privileged to work with all of you.