UNCSW: Gender Equality & The Empowerment of Women
​By The Rev. Annalise Pasalo

“...may God open our eyes and our hearts as we aspire to a more equitable world.” 

[March 23, 2023] Over the past months, I have had the privilege of serving as part of the leadership team for the  Presiding Bishop’s Delegation to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) with people from around the church, including Ms. Lynnaia Main, the Episcopal UN Representative to the UN.  This experience culminated in participation in the 67th session of UNCSW. The theme of this session was “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.”  This event focuses on the goal of gender equality, the fifth Sustainable Development Goal of the United Nations. UNCSW offers a forum for conversation and advocacy to promote gender equality for women in all their diversity. 

In the five years since I got involved with this work, the pushback on women’s rights has been substantial.  At my first UNCSW, it was projected that gender equality would take almost 200 years to achieve. At this point, the projections are closer to 300 years. In the words of UN Secretary General, Antionio Guterriez, “…progress we’ve won over decades [for the rights of women and girls] is vanishing before our eyes.” 

​Technology is the new face of gender inequality.  Women are far less likely to have connectivity or access to technology. Only 15% of jobs in tech design are held by women. Algorithms are inherently biased. For example, autocorrect defaulting to male pronouns around leadership positions, which is accepted as normal. Online violence can, and often does, become offline violence. We must remember that gender equality is not a women’s issue. It’s a human issue. Men and boys need to be a part of the conversation and to be willing to learn and unlearn things so they can be effective allies. 

After all the information I shared, it may feel hopeless. I assure you it is not. We have the power to make a difference. You have the power to make a difference. Speak up for women’s rights. Strive for gender parity in leadership. Tell the girls in your life that they are capable of anything and encourage their interest in the STEM fields. Make sure the women in your circles feel safe and respected. Yes, there is a long road ahead, but I know that this is kingdom work and God will give strength for the journey. So, “Live without fear: your creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road...” and may God open our eyes and our hearts as we aspire to a more equitable world. 

​If you would like to learn more about how you can be involved with this work, please contact the Rev. Annalise Pasalo HERE. 

Related news articles:

• UN Commission on the Status of Women reaffirms the role of technology and innovation, and education in the digital age in accelerating gender equality (UN Women, March 19, 2023)
• ​Episcopal delegates to UN women’s conference see challenges, find hope in exploring a digital world for women and girls (Episcopal News Service, March 15, 2023)
• Episcopal delegates resume in-person presence at annual UN women’s commission (Episcopal News Service, March 6, 2023)

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Sybil Nishioka, Editor
Photos: Contributed, Emmanuel Facebook page; top photo of the full Episcopal delegation and worship team