Dear friends,
In July 2020, UN Women commemorates its 10th year, and the United Nations reaches its 75th anniversary. 2020 is also the 25th anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing) as well as other important events, including the 20th anniversary of Security Resolution 1325 which recognized the important role of women in peacekeeping and security. This is an important moment for civil society and for the feminist and women’s movements to stake a claim in the history of the UN. We remind the UN that it is being held accountable to the feminist and women’s movements, civil rights, and other social movements.
To mark these milestones, civil society is leading the development of an online book for UN@75, titled Thank You, United Nations. We are expanding the book and adding a section for UN Women, titled: “Women Changed the UN – and the UN helped Women Change the World.” The section will reflect on the history of UN Women, recount its impact on the lives of women and families, and provide a look to the future. https://bit.ly/2ZR7BG9
We are seeking a variety of entries – stories, testimonials, video, photos – to recognize the achievements of UN Women by women and their families who have been helped by its support. We also welcome contributions of young people to share their hopes and dreams for the future of UN Women, and seek stories from volunteers who have helped develop and support UN Women in different countries.
• Submissions will be accepted between July 2 and August 30. Contributors will be able to make their entries directly by going to the online book to register and open the tab that takes you directly to UN Women@10.
The UN Women@10 special section of the online book will be composed so that it can serve as a stand-alone online “canon” for Beijing +25 and Generation Equality events and official meetings. It will serve as testimony on the impact of UN Women as a newly formed UN entity on the overall results of the UN in pursuit of gender equity worldwide. We hope that the final book will be presented at a Special Session of the 75th General Assembly (UNGA 75) in September 2020.
UN Women USA is proud to co-sponsor the UN Women@10 section with The Feminist and Women’s Movement Action Plan, in collaboration with partners UN2020 and the NGO CSW/NY.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your participation. Please reach out to us if you have questions.
Mary M. Luke
Board of Directors, UN Women USA
Senior Advisor and Past President,
UN Women USA NY
Co- chair, Steering Committee
NYC4CEDAW Act
Mluke@unwomen-metrony.org
Soon-Young Yoon
Co-driver, the Feminist and Women’s Movement Action Plan (fwMAP)
Chair of the Board, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
UN Representative to the International Alliance of Women
Syngo1@aol.com
For more information on Beijing+25, see www.ngocsw.org
email: mluke@unwomen-metrony.org
