ICW Newsletter No.75 April 2022

The April 2022 ICW newsletter has now been released. Content in this issue includes CW-CIF Elected Officials 2018-2022, Virtual Board Meeting Report, UN CSW66 Report, Reports from UN Representatives, Message of Board Coordinator of Standing Committees, Reports from Standing Committees, News from Member Councils (NCWs), Condolences and Upcoming Events.. The following is the president’s welcome.

Greetings,
I dearly hope this message finds each of you in good health and high spirits in these difficult times, yet we continue our struggle for equality without pause. It is hard to believe that 7 years have passed since I assumed the honorable position of president of the International Council of Women (ICW). How quickly time flies!

Facing the unprecedented challenges brought on by COVID-19 and the Ukraine war, I am entirely grateful to ICW member councils and sisters for their continued strong support to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. The difficulties imposed by current situations would certainly seem much more formidable were it not for that we all recognize the worthiness of our goals.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the 66th session of the commission on the status of women (CSW66) was held from March 14th to 25th virtually for the most parts including all side and parallel events with a few exceptions. As in years past, we ICW, also held a virtual parallel event on March 17th with the theme of ‘Women’s Empowerment in a Future World of Work Impacted by Climate Change’. The event was very successful with fruitful discussions and 90 participants from around the world. I give my sincere thanks to all the distinguished speakers and participants who shared their important views and expertise to make the event a grand success.

The 36th ICW General Assembly (GA) is just around the corner on the 16th of May. I am so excited to see all of you in person at the GA in Avignon, France. At the upcoming GA, we will evaluate women’s status in relation to development around the world. We will also assess the work and consequent progress of ICW affiliates in the promotion of the current triennial theme, “Social Protection for All Women and Girls: Sustainable Development for the World”. Likewise, we will establish the next triennial theme for 2022-2025. As an added major benefit, we will also strengthen our global network of women through reinforcing solidarity and friendship among members.

NCW France has worked so hard for the meeting so that all of us could enjoy the charm of French people and their culture. The ICW board would like to express its profound gratitude to NCW France for its dedicated contribution to make the 36th GA successful.

I look forward to meeting all of you soon in the beautiful and historic city of Avignon

Jungsook Kim (Ed.D)
President of ICW