Each year, around International
Women's Day (March 8), the United Nations holds its annual Commission on the
Status of Women (CSW) in New York City. CSW is "instrumental
in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives
throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the
empowerment of women."[1]
In addition to the commission's diplomatic members, invited
delegations and interested individuals gather in parallel and side events, with
focus on a priority and review theme. There is much emphasis on learning,
networking, advocacy, and collaboration.
The Anglican Communion is one of the
accredited non-governmental organisations invited to send a delegation of up to
20 persons. It was a privilege and honour to represent the Anglican Church of
Canada as part of this delegation in 2017. I attended numerous panels and
events whose predominant themes included climate change, human exploitation and
trafficking, indigenous rights, migration, and humanitarian zones. The
intersectionality of these issues with each other and within the framework of
women's rights is undeniable.
In addition to the learning and
advocacy opportunities, being a part of an international Anglican delegation
was profound. More than a delegation, we became a community; our experience
exemplifies the present and future strength of the Anglican Communion, living
the truth of being one in the body of Christ. The sisterhood, solidarity, and
hope from our 2 intense weeks together in New York continues via technology;
regular communications include prayers and celebrations of our home churches.
We are empowered, called to action, supported in prayer, and living in hope.
So this week I am preparing to
return to the UN: our beloved Primate has again entrusted to me the honour of
representing the Canadian Church. With a priority theme on rural women and
girls, and a review theme of media and technology, the discussions promise to
be informative and important as we strive to meet the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
My hopes for this year are high: that
worship with other women of faith (through Ecumenical Women) will be
spirit-led; that the sessions will be enlightening and inspiring, bolstering
ministries already begun and those waiting to commence; that the friends I will
meet in this year's delegation will have as positive an experience as I have
had; and that the glory of the Lord will shine through all we will do and
become.
So I ask your prayers for our
delegation: for traveling mercies, for confidence in the Spirit to lead us, for
alliances and friendships to be formed, for finding the face of Jesus in all we
encounter, for the work we do to build up the whole people of God, and
thanksgivings for the gospel call to seek justice through community.
The 2017 Anglican Delegation issued the following
statement to the Anglican Consultative Council,: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/media/289039/csw61-anglican-delegation-statement-to-acc.pdf
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