March 8 2020 – International Women’s Day – was marked and commemorated in ICJW Affiliate Organizations world-over. Unfortunately, as a result of the widening Coronavirus, the UN NY based Commission on the Status of Women was cancelled. The many thousands of intending participants included sixteen ICJW members, of which several had been organizers of sessions.

We are happy to share a potent and deeply thoughtful speech “Women and Power” recently presented by Antonio Guterres, Secretary–General of the United Nations, at the New School NY. The speech is linked below and is very worthwhile reading. The following statements from his speech sum up what we women of ICJW are very aware of and work to influence for the better:

• Everywhere, women are worse off than men, simply because they are women.
• Patriarchy – a social system founded on inheritance through the male line – continues to affect every area of our lives.
• Gender equality is the prerequisite for a better world.
• Inequality and discrimination are the norm, everywhere. 
• Progress has slowed to a standstill – and in some cases, been reversed.
• There is a strong and relentless push-back against women’s rights.
• Violence against women, including femicide, is at epidemic levels.
• Women leaders and public figures face harassment, threats and abuse, online and off. The policing of personal freedom and dress are a daily reality for millions of women and girls.
• From governments to corporate boards to awards ceremonies, women are still excluded from the top table.
• Only through the equal participation of women can we benefit from the intelligence, experience and insights of all of humanity. Women’s equal participation is vital to stability, helps prevent conflict, and promotes sustainable, inclusive development.

Click on the link below for the complete speech:

https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2020-02-27/remarks-new-school-women-and-power

Video-maker Wendy Bookatz from the National Council of Jewish Women in Australia has made this artistic video that speaks out against global violence to women. 

Robyn Lenn, ICJW Chair of Status of Women Committee