In 2019, ICUUW was granted special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). NGOs in general and special consultative status with ECOSOC must submit to the Committee on NGOs a brief report of their activities, every 4 years, known as the quadrennial report. This report includes information about contributions of the NGO to the work of the United Nations (UN). Below you will find ICUUW's first quadrennial report, submitted on 1 June 2023.
A short introduction to your organization:
The NGO is a global alliance of Unitarians and Unitarian Universalists and people of liberal values who work for women’s empowerment in partnership with grassroots organizations around the world, with a focus on indigenous and marginalized women.
The aims and purposes of your organization in brief:
Partnering with women’s groups and other community organizations, the NGO advances equity for women and girls worldwide through leadership development, economic empowerment, violence awareness and prevention, advocacy, and resources.
Significant changes in your organization (e.g. an amendment to the constitution or by-laws; a change of name of your organization; an increase or significant change in the geographical distribution of the membership of funding.)
New Bylaws ended the “Global Sisters Leadership Council” and now provide for a Board with members from at least four nations to ensure international leadership. The general mode of operation has become much more collaborative among individuals and organizations in Romania, Kenya, India, Bolivia, the Philippines, the United States, and elsewhere.
The contribution of your organization to the work of the United Nations:
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The NGO provided educational sessions for the public about the workings of the United Nations. Recordings of the workshops are available on its YouTube channel.
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The NGO developed an international network of young adult women from 11 countries, who learned about the United Nations and presented a parallel event at CSW67.
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The NGO established a permanent United Nations Advocacy Committee and has two designated representatives to the United Nations residing in New York City.
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Each year the NGO helps raise awareness of International Women’s Day by providing a packet of information for use by churches and other groups in their celebrations.
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The NGO's programs to empower women and girls furthers the work of the United Nations to achieve gender equality.
The participation of your organization in meetings of the United Nations:
The NGO presented parallel events at the annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in March: three in 2021, two in 2022, two in 2023.
NGO members participated in the Commission on the Status of Women from 2021-2023. A special CSW65 report is on its website. Eleven attended CSW67 in person after COVID. The NGO signed on to a statement by Soroptimist International in support of the Priority Theme on digital innovation and education for achieving gender equality.
A board member and a member-at-large from Bolivia attended the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 27) in Sharm-El-Sheik, Egypt, 6-18 November 2022.
Several United Nations Advocacy Committee members participated in the Generation Equality Forum in Mexico City (29-31 March 2021) and the Forum in Paris (30 June-2 July 2021).
Cooperation of your organization with United Nations bodies:
The NGO has participated in Civil Society’s Women’s Major Group on Gender Equality and Women’s Major Group on the Environment. A representative has attended several environmental conferences including those on water, plastics and climate change, and has made statements on behalf of the Women’s Major Group.
The NGO does ongoing work with UN Women in promoting and contributing to the annual Commission on the Status of Women.
The NGO also actively participates in the NGO CSW/NY and its North America/Europe Regional Caucus.
Initiatives taken by your organization in support of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
As an international women’s organization, the NGO has focused on SDG 5 (gender equality). The NGO has helped local women organize and support leadership workshops in Romania, Hungary, India, the Philippines, and Kenya. These women-led classes developed skills for economic growth and leadership in civil society. The NGO has helped communities develop workshops on domestic violence in India and the Philippines, in which women learn self-protection, and both women and men learn techniques for nonviolent relationships.
SDG 3 (health and well-being). The NGO supported a project in western Kenya to help women and girls survive during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SDG 4 (inclusive and equitable education). The NGO has supported a project in Romania which offers education to child refugees from Ukraine. Local organizations opened a preschool and also provide after-school activities for Ukrainian adolescents.
SDG 8 (Economic growth and decent work). The NGO helped local women in Bolivia to organize and support workshops for women on work skills and entrepreneurial possibilities.
SDG 15 (sustainable forests). The NGO supported tree planting projects in Guatemala. A member of the NGO is active on issues of forest sustainability in Bolivia.
SDG 16 (effective, accountable, inclusive institutions). The NGO works with faith-based coalitions of women in several countries, encouraging them to develop projects and act social justice activity.