GWI UPDATE – 13 March 2024

— Graduate Women International (GWI) News —GWI earns GlobalGiving 2024 Achievement Award badges
GlobalGiving is a platform that connects nonprofit organizations like GWI to donors in nearly
every country. The 2024 badges recognize GWI's tireless work advocating for women’s rights,equality, and empowerment through education. These badges signify GWI as an officiallyverified and vetted organization, suitable for advocating for 100% of girls and women
worldwide to attain education beyond primary school. Additionally, GWI has been awarded aTop-Ranked Organization badge for its exceptional performance in both actions andadvocacy. These recognitions from GlobalGiving mark a new chapter in GWI's journey,
motivating ongoing efforts to improve access to quality secondary and tertiary education for
women and also motivating our donors, whom we thank. Throughout 2024, GWI proudly
showcases its achievement badges on its website, underscoring its commitment toempowering women globally. See our badges here:

GWI Press Release: GWI’s Parallel Events at CSW68
On 10 March, a press release announcing GWI’s activities during CSW was published. Thispress release was delivered on all of GWI’s social media platforms and on all of GWI’scommunication networks. With CSW starting Monday, 11 March 2024, this press release
describes and promotes all three GWI-sponsored parallel events that will be taking placevirtually. We invite you all to read it HERE. Below, you can also find a summary of theseparallel events, and the flyers at the bottom of this Update.

Expert Mechanism on the Right To Development (EMRTD) calls for input by 26 April
On 19 February 2024, an invitation letter for the EMRTD study entitled “The Individual andCollective Dimensions of the Right to Development” with a thematic focus on “Women’sactive, free and meaningful participation in development, with emphasis on decision making”
was released. The study aims to identify and share the implementation of the right todevelopment provided by thematic expertise in the field. Lilian Valiña writes in the call forinputs guide, “From a general perspective, the study aims to contribute to the strengtheningof knowledge and awareness related to the Declaration on the Right to Development”. It is
crucial to have women's participation and be inclusive at all stages of the development
process, particularly in decision-making. EMRTD calls for international organizations, national
human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions toprovide input to the study. Your participation matters, and the EMRTD looks forward to yourinstructive submissions. Send your input before 26 April 2024 to OHCHR-emrtd@un.org;
check HERE for more instructions.

— GWI Member News —GWI’s Young Member Network (YMN) holds webinar for International Day of Women andGirls in Science
On 23 February 2024, GWI’s YMN hosted a conversation session featuring two young
members who work in STEM fields and celebrated their accomplishments in science:
Alukhanyo Xonti, from South Africa, and Soknhna M S Yakhine Siop, from Spain. All young
members from GWI National Federations Association and GWI Independent Membershipwere invited to join the conversation to hear and share their stories. During the session,
Alukhanyo Xonti presented her research on “Understanding Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 andits impact on a patient's daily life”. Through her investigation, she successfully identified
patients' social and emotional challenges and highlighted the caregiver’s burden among thepatients' families. Next, Soknhna M S Yakhine presented her research on the South African
landscape, focusing on the region's food insecurities as well as sharing her personaldevelopment. In her research, Diplotaxis tenuifolia is identified as one solution that can beadopted as a functional food for to enhance nutrition. Maintaining GWI's mission of fosteringfriendship and promoting cooperation, networking, support, and understanding amongwomen, the YMN conversation series launched last year aims to do just that. Furthermore,the “Growing Together” conversation series brings together GWI young members fromaround the world as changemakers to advance careers, breaking glass ceilings and foster
support for each other. GWI congratulates Yakhine and Xonti for their dedication andexceptional STEM careers. Watch the recording of the event HERE.
The Spanish Federation of University Women (SFUW) celebrates its 104th anniversary!
The origins of the SFUW date back to 7 March 1920, when Juventud Universitaria Femenina(JUF) was created in Madrid, Clara Campoamor and María de Maeztu served as presidents inthe early years. Thanks to the impetus of these visionary women, JUF was immediatelyintegrated into the International Federation of University Women (IFUW). Its president
attended the First International Conference, which took place that year in London, where she
presented a report entitled "University Education for Women". One hundred and four years
later, women and girls today benefit from the vision and are well supported by SFUW on theirpath to achieving academic success. GWI is extremely proud of SFUW for their 104 years ofdedication to supporting women and girls’ education rights and opportunities. Felicidades!
Click HERE to read the study in Spanish.

— GWI at the United Nations —GWI participates in exchanges with the United Nations 78th session General Assembly
President and Director General of the United Nations Office in Geneva during this 55th
session of the Human Rights Council (HRC55)
During HRC55 taking place 26 February - 5 April 2024, GWI was honored to participate in an
exchange with H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis, President of the 78th session of the United Nations
General Assembly, on 27 February 2024. During this exchange, civil society organizations,such as GWI, got a chance to give input into the theme of this General Assembly: ‘Peace,Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability’. H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis addressed all of our concerns
before emphasizing the importance of civil society contributions in devising solutions totoday’s increasingly complex and interconnected challenges threatening human rights
globally.
Additionally, on 4 March 2024, GWI participated in the annual meeting of the Director Generalof the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, with civil society,where United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) accredited Non-GovernmentalOrganizations (NGOs) had the opportunity to discuss the office’s activities and priorities, alongwith further consolidating the role of civil society participation in the work of the UnitedNations. At this meeting, Ms Valovaya, the first female Director General of UNOG, happily
announced that UNOG has reached gender parity at all levels of decision-making. With that,
we would like to congratulate UNOG on this achievement and hope it can stand as anexample of, not only equality, but also efficiency for organizations everywhere.

— Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 68th Session—Let’s Go Virtual!
Over the last few years, the CSW has offered an annual environment that allows everyone toparticipate in the various sessions. The CSW68 is a treasure trove of information. GWI
encourages women’s and girls’ advocates around the world to register today andparticipate. There are two ways to participate in the CSW68: the CSW68 Forum offers theopportunity to explore hundreds of events and connect with thousands of participants, inperson and virtually, and through the United Nations CSW, the principal global
intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and theempowerment of women, the sessions can be watched via the UN Web TV. We urge all GWImembers to stay up to date on GWI at CSW on our webpage HERE. You can find our CSW
handbook with all the important practical information HERE.

GWI Written Statement for CSW68
NGO statements provide valuable insights, data, and perspectives in support of the CSW
priority theme, they contribute to informed policy discussions and decision-making processes
during CSW sessions. NGO written and oral statements shed light on the lived experiences
and challenges women and girls face worldwide to amplify women’s voices and collectively
influence CSW deliberations. NGO statements serve as advocacy tools and play a crucial rolein shaping the discussions, priorities, and outcomes of CSW sessions, ultimately contributing
to the advancement of gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide.
GWI written statement title: Education is the cornerstone on which a more equitable andprosperous future can be built for women and girls, and it is through financing of educationthat we can address poverty, narrow the gender gap, and strengthen institutions.
Below, is a summary of this statement:
1. Education, especially for women and girls, is pivotal for achieving gender equality andreducing poverty.
2. Graduate Women International (GWI) advocates for universal access to quality
education and lifelong learning.
3. GWI urges states to prioritize education financing as a means to eradicate poverty andnarrow the gender gap.
4. Strengthening institutions is crucial alongside education to ensure sustainable progress.
5. Gender-responsive financing is essential to dismantle systemic biases and promote
gender equality in education.
Please read the full statement HERE.
GWI Breakfast Briefing (14 March) and Social Dinner (13 March)
GWI members and delegates attending CSW in New York are encouraged to join the breakfast
briefing and social dinner that week. These events promise to be very insightful and engaging
networking platforms for the GWI family present at CSW. Mark your calendars for the last
Breakfast Briefing to take place at the Ambassador Grill NYC, inside the Millenium Hilton
Hotel on Thursday, 14 March, from 7 to 8 a.m. (EST). During this briefing, you will have theopportunity to hear from GWI’s President, Patrice Wellesley-Cole, and from GWI’s United
Nations Representatives, Maureen Byrne and Maryella Hannum.
Additionally, the Social Dinner is taking place on Wednesday, 13 March, from 7 to 9 p.m.
(EST) at Ali Baba Mediterranean and Turkish Cuisine. Please note that the space is limited to40 attendees. Find the flyers at the bottom of this Update. The dinner is almost to capacityof 40, so GWI members urgently RSVP today if you plan to participate. GWI members only.
GWI to host two more Parallel Events for this CSW68, find more information HERE:
Financial Institutions and Infrastructure Perpetuating Poverty – Gender Bias in EconomicPolicy
This parallel event will consider financial institutions and infrastructures intended topromote economic growth and alleviate poverty, which systematically contribute toperpetuating and widening gender bias.

We identify effective policies for the inclusion of women, particularly the unbanked women,and diversity as critical steps to redress these exclusionary, gender-biased differentiating
practices and predatory individuals. Date and Time: Monday, 18 March 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Central European Time (CET) / 2:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Register for this event
HERE.
Sustainable Financing for Gender Equality: Young Women’s Perspective
As the world is moving towards a sustainable future, we cannot imagine gender equality
without sustainable financing especially for young women. This interactive event will
explore gender disparities due to financial factors with examples from various regions of theworld. Date and Time: Tuesday, 19 March 2024, 1:30 p.m. Central European Time (CET) /8:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). Register for this event HERE.
GWI’s National Federations and Associations (NFAs) are also sponsoring various parallel
events during CSW, including some virtual:#1. Women’s Multidimensional Poverty Challenges and Grassroots Responses: Insights fromJapan, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, Friday, 15 March – 8:00 a.m. EST / 9:00 p.m. JST, register
HERE.
#2. Improving Infrastructure and Financing to Support Global Women in Midlife (40+) andBeyond, Sunday, 17 March – 2:30 p.m. EST.
Presenters: Dr. Nirshila Chand and Dr. Rajasree Nambron#3. Challenge To Empowerment: “Experience and Replicable Strategies of Refugee Women”,
Tuesday, 19 March – 2:30 p.m. EST, join HERE.
Sponsored by CAMEUS, this event will feature 3 refugee women explaining their pathway toprofessional success as they traveled from their home countries through Canada, Mexico
and/or the United States.
#4. Poverty Impacting Women’s Healthcare Access: Gender Biased Artificial Intelligence andInfrastructure Creating Barriers, Wednesday, 20 March – 12:30 p.m. EST, join HERE.
Organizer: Shaila Rao Misty— Give the Gift of Membership —The GWI Independent Member network is growing, with many new members joining fromaround the world over the past few months. A thoughtful gift for the graduate woman in yourlife is a GWI membership. There are many benefits of being a member of GWI, including
belonging to an influential international NGO composed of graduate women influencing
policy and legislation on women’s issues at the international level and gaining an international
perspective on women’s issues through networking activities. Click HERE to find out how tojoin GWI a GWI NFA or as an Independent Member.

— Did you know? —GWI welcomes new intern, Xinyang Sun, this February
Originally from Beijing, China, I am studying atSmith College in Massachusetts, USA, majoring in
Political Science and the Study of Women andGender. During my academic journey, I havebeen alerted to global problems and learned
about the system oppressions that prevent girls
from flourishing through textbooks and theories.
I am thrilled to be interning at GWI! It is aninvaluable
experience
withhands-on
opportunities to further my knowledge, develop
practical skills, contribute to meaningful globalchange in women's lives, and contribute to GWI’s
mission of empowering women and girls througheducation. I am excited to work with the brilliant
GWI team and amazing graduate women
worldwide; the international NGO experience will provide valuable opportunities to learn
from women’s rights experts and education specialists for a more comprehensive
understanding of real-world challenges. After my internship at GWI, I will return to Smith tocomplete my Bachelor's degree. Passionate about women’s rights and the fight against
gender-based violence, I hope to pursue a master's program specializing in gender, race, anddiversity to explore the interlinkages and strengthen my analytical skills to combat theinequalities on gender.

— Dates and events —11-22 March
13 March
14 March
15 March
17 March
18 March
19 March
19 March
20 March
21 March
26 AprilCommission for the Status of Women 68 (CSW68), New YorkCSW - Social Dinner
CSW - Breakfast Briefing
JAUW Parallel Event: Women’s Multidimensional Poverty Challenges
and Grassroot Responses
WG - USA Parallel Event: Improving Infrastructure and Financing toSupport Global WomenGWI Parallel Event on Gender Bias in Economic Policy
GWI Parallel Event on Sustainable Financing for Gender Equality
CAMEUS Parallel Event - Challenge To Empowerment
WG - USA Parallel Event: Poverty Impacting Women’s access toHealthcare
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Deadline EMRTDGWI CSW68 PARALLEL EVENTS:

GWI’S NFA-SPONSORED PARALLEL EVENTS:

Follow us on social media!

2024 Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Empowering women and girls through lifelong education for leadership, decision-makingand peace.
GWI, formerly IFUW, is in special consultative status with ECOSOC since 1947
and is an NGO maintaining official relations with UNESCO and ILO.
Graduate Women International
7-9, Chemin de Balexert, CH-1291, Châtelaine, Geneva, Switzerland
E-mail: gwi@graduatewomen.org Website: www.graduatewomen.org