“Support us and include us in intergovernmental processes,” said Ema Meçaj, a medical student and member of Albania’s youth steering committee, who was among young men and women panellists from around the world at an interactive dialogue at the 69th session of world’s largest annual conference on women (CSW69), which runs from 10 to 21 March.
Young people at the UN Headquarters, in New York, attending the Commission on the Status of Women.
Leading and inspiring change
Joining the dialogue, Sima Bahous, head of UN Women, applauded participants and encouraged their efforts to advance gender equality at a time when rights are being trampled.
“You are leading and inspiring change,” she said.
Young feminists are not just participants in change, but are mobilising online and off to work towards a future free of violence, inequality and poverty.
“We cannot build a just future without those who will inherit it,” she said. “Let this be our call to action.”
Focus on Afghan women and girls
In a parallel side event, conference participants gathered to raise international support for and take stock of the rights of Afghan women and girls in light of a bevy of restrictive laws passed since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in the country.
Upholding the Rights of Afghan Women and Girls Women, Peace, and Security is one of dozens of side events being held during CSW69. Check the full side events schedule here.
Watch the full event on UN Web TV here