Opening Session UNCSW

Opening Session of the UNCSW55

22 February 2011

The opening session of the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place in the General Assembly Hall from 10:00 am - 1:00 pm, with H.E Mr. Garem Nazarian of Armenia, Chair of the Commission, presiding. With him were the Deputy Secretary-General of the UN and the Secretary.

Ambassador Nazarian gave welcoming remarks, including thanks to the large numbers of NGOs in attendance. He spoke of his high hopes for the achievement of the themes of the Session. The Deputy Secretary-General's remarks included first and foremost a welcome to Undersecretary-General Michelle Bachelet - to the accompaniment of applause from all - and a special welcome to the NGOs.

The President of ECOSOC (the Economic and Social Council) spoke at the front podium, calling for enhanced support of UN Women at the country level, needed in particularly for developing countries. He said that "political will" is needed in developing nations to provide support. His concluding remarks included the statement, "To plan for a lifetime, educate a girl."

The address by US-G Bachelet included a warm welcome to the NGOs including a thank you for what we have done and are doing on the topic of her speech, "Gender Equality and the Employment of Women."



She mentioned the need for improving access to education, eliminating domestic and other violence against women and girls and the necessity of legal reforms. Even though progress is being made, she stated that too many women and girls are trafficked, too many lack services like health and legal aid, too few have access to decision-making bodies and too few are present at peace tables.

"The lack of equality between men and women and discrimination against women is the problem. Women are the solution," she declared. "I encourage you to work together at national and regional levels to achieve progress. Political will is needed to achieve the mandate of UN Women."

She went on to pledge that UN Women will work on its five themed priorities:

1. Expanding women's voice, leadership and participation
2. Ending violence against women
3. Strengthening the implementation of the women, peace and security agendas and women's participation in peace processes
4. Enhancing women's economic empowerment
5. Making gender equality priorities central to planning and budgeting

Holding UN Women accountable to the Priority Theme of CSW 55 "could not be more timely," said Bachelet.

In elaborating on the Priority Theme she said that it is crucial not just to provide increased access to education but to improve the quality and relevance of education and to expand curricula. Proactive measures must be taken to ensure equal access to labour markets. There must by gender sensitivity applied in getting women into science and technology.

She challenged us to ask, when the Agreed Conclusions on the Priority Theme are released, "What measures have been taken on these conclusions?" and "How can continuing challenges be met?"
Drawing particular attention to Millennium Development Goal # 5 she spoke on the need to eliminate Maternal Mortality and achieve this MDG by 2015.

"There is a unique opportunity to achieve gender equality. Equal participation of women is needed in the UN system."

US-G Bachelet promised to work to help reach the goals set in the two weeks of the Commission.

The remainder of the session welcomed the national statements of various UN Member States who described the progress in their countries on the Priority Theme and the areas still needing attention.  Many gave sympathy to New Zealand on the devastation caused by the earthquake, and congratulations to Michelle Bachelet on her appointment as head of UN Women.