by Prachi Shah, AWC Berlin, FAUSA
Sisterhood Has No Borders
My initial reaction walking into the United Nations building on Day 1 of CSW69 was pure shock, excitement and joy. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it: thousands of women from around the world gathered in one place to have their voices heard, to advocate for meaningful, global change. Coming from a background in digital technology and business, I’m used to being one of the only women at the table, oftentimes the only one. It was amazing to be in a space where women were not afraid to have their voices heard.
During the opening remarks, Secretary-General António Guterres said something that struck me:
“Accountability and principled engagement go hand in hand.” He also highlighted a historic achievement, that the UN has reached gender parity across senior leadership and headquarters. He followed it up by saying, “We never compromised on competence. We simply leveled the playing field.” This is the kind of leadership we need globally.
Over the course of two weeks, I sat in rooms filled with incredible women – from grassroots activists to senior leaders –each one driving progress in their own corner of the world. I learned about organizations expanding access to technology and education for women and girls, fighting for the rights and safety of women in conflict zones, improving healthcare accessibility, developing inclusive workplaces, and designing innovative financing strategies to increase investment in women-led initiatives.
As uplifting as all of this sounds, I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I left each day inspired, frustrated and angry. When I heard about the real-world experiences of women in war-torn countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, it was hard not to feel angry and frustrated. I kept asking myself, are we doing enough? Are we speaking up for marginalized communities or letting our biases and fear stop us from speaking out? Will this be enough? Is real change even possible? How are we in a place advocating for women’s rights when there are so many women that were denied access due to visa and financial restrictions? It was clear early on that access to these kinds of spaces is a privilege.
At one event, someone said, “Sisterhood has no borders.” That phrase perfectly encapsulates what I experienced at CSW69. No matter where we were from, our shared commitment is to ensure every woman around the world has the same human rights. Even though current circumstances around the world may feel defeating, I believe that change doesn’t have to be a distant dream. Global change can sometimes feel overwhelming, so maybe we start small within our own communities and ensure that we are echoing the same solidarity and values we championed in the halls of the UN. We have a responsibility to amplify voices that are still being silenced, and to extend a hand so others can join us. Representation matters, and inclusion is not just a buzzword.
The fight for equal rights is far from over, but it’s equally important to recognize the progress being made.
Until next year.