Joint parallel event CSW60:
The role of women human rights defenders and feminist organizations in realizing Goal 16 15 March 2016, 10:30AM-12PM, Chapel of UN Church Center As the Sustainable Development Goals are a priority theme of the 60th Session on the Status of Women(CSW60), 27 Global South and international civil society organizations will co-host a parallel event to address the role of feminist organizations and women human rights defenders (WHRDs) in realizing Goal 16, which focuses on building peace, justice and strong Institutions. As a key partner in the new sustainable development agenda, feminist organizations and WHRDs will play an important role in the implementation of Goal 16, which is a universal commitment to: “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.� Fulfilling Goal 16 comes with its challenges, as civil society around the world face increasing threats in the areas of freedom of assembly, association and expression. Engaging feminist organisations and WHRDs in this agenda will also be difficult in certain communities, as they often face additional layers of restrictions such as gender based violence, discrimination, or denied access to justice. Youth and LGBTI groups are even further challenged. For this reason, highlighting the role of feminist organizations and WHRDs worldwide in realizing Goal 16 is particularly important. This side event will bring together dedicated WHRDs and feminist organizations from different parts of the Global South to discuss current challenges and the way forward. Moderator: Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda (CIVICUS Chair & World YWCA General Secretary) Speakers: Sanyu Awori (IWRAW Asia Pacific), Mozn Hassan (Coalition for WHRDs in Middle East and North Africa & Nazra for Feminist Studies), Sheena Magenya (Coalition for African Lesbians), Ghiwa Sayegh (FRIDA The Young Feminist Fund), Patricia Galvez and Emilie De Wolf (Latin American and Caribbean Network for Democracy & Oaxaca WHRD coalition) Please contact sara.brandt@civicus.org for any questions or inquiries on the event.