CSW67 Highlights by Adrianna Tarleton

As the world is constantly changing around us and technology being a necessity in today’s society there are rising challenges that are faced by many online. I am thankful to have been able to attend as a delegate for the 67th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) at the United Nation Headquarters Quarters in New York City. The priority theme was the innovation and technological changes and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.

In the panel, The Abusive Internet: Nordic and Baltic Ways to Prevent Gender Based Violence about the preventative measures for gender based violence on the internet, we discussed the ways in which gender based violence online is followed into real life and what solutions or measures to be used to prevent such attacks. The panelist pushed the issue regarding the disconnect concerning the violence women and young girls face online tracking into real life such as stalking and being attacked. This was highlighted by one of the panelists whose thesis covered the topic only to have it dismissed by her thesis professors. Some of the recent measures they have implemented was having stakeholders educated on Gender Based Violence and violence against women, those in education and academia need to take gender research more seriously, and trying to engage men in meetings concerning violence and harassment against women.

Another panel Side-Event: Achieving Digital Justice and Rights through Inclusive Policy Making addresses how technology plays a role in the evolution of education and health. One panelist described that she and her students spread awareness regarding the importance of technology in education especially for young females. Not only do they emphasize the necessity of technology but also the barriers they face when it comes to technological availability. And some of these issues are the global north-south divide, the cost of technology, the gender digital divide, equitable access to innovation and the STEM field patriarchal perpetuation.

The Town Hall meeting with Secretary-General António Guterres addressed the tech industry is male-dominated and therefore, the data was also male oriented. It is necessary for women participation in the technological and education sectors. Also, more data needs to be collected pertaining to who has access to technology, female participation online and what they face and regulations and policies to prevent online Gender Based Violence. CSW67 has forever changed me and I am so thankful to have met and made connections with such wonderful people.