The sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 12 to 23 March 2018. Representatives of Member States, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world attended the session

Themes Priority theme: Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls; Review theme: Participation in and access of women to the media, and information and communications technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the advancement and empowerment of women (agreed conclusions of the forty- seventh session);

Advocacy Workshop This session made use of the NGO CSW Advocacy Guide available on the NGOCSW website ngocsw.org NGO CSW/NY App An excellent resource not only in preparation for CSW but also for general information about advocacy and links to the UN

Key Chapters Chapter 4- SDG’s and Gender Equality Chapter 5 – Women’s Human Rights at the UN Key treaty bodies Key treaties Chapter 6- Quiz-Women’s Human Rights and SDG’s 7- Key international Agreements Links key articles of the Beijing Platform for action and the articles of CEDAW to the SDGS Key treaties-These are what can one of panellists said that if we don’t accelerate our efforts it will take 100 years to meet SDG, gender equality won’t be reached for 200ybe used by advocacy groups- Civil Society in holding their governments accountable

Language P 24- ‘Language is not just semantics. It has political power. And, ultimately, language agreed within the UN by governments can influence and often lead to programs and policies on the ground. Key language apps - W’sHR app- agreed text, WPS-Women, Peace, NGO CSW/NY and Security app ‘Women and girls living in rural areas’ not rural women and girls ‘Diversity’, ‘all women’, ‘all areas’, ‘family’ Discussed leaving girls out as in some countries they can’t make decisions until of legal age ‘Living with’, ‘in all their diversity’, ‘such as’ ‘life course’ instead of life cycle

Advocacy Advocacy skill mapping Advocacy on the ground Advocacy skills- deliver the message Your turn Advocacy tips and tricks Chapters 11-13 look at NGO influence

Advocacy Skill Mapping Map the current situation Political climate and content Non-state actors in space Leaders in the process Map the delegates (Local-MP, Mayor etc) In your region Delegations you may be able to approach Delegations to watch Shared issues/priorities Observe what different delegations are saying Group/individually These are what can be used by advocacy groups in holding their governments accountable

Advocacy on the ground Use your fact sheets (statements etc. coffee) Set up your meetings Attend events to gain knowledge on issues- background Use your allies Follow what others have said, what has been submitted Talk to - colleagues, government contacts, nationally/regionally

Advocacy skills- message delivery Create KEY message Concrete and persuasive around your goal Overall declaration or statement Supported by facts/rationale Include call for action/recommendation TOOLS to support advocating key messages Issues brief Fact sheet ELEVATOR SPEECH Specific language recommendations

Your Turn Where are you working? Area/issue National Regional/State/Local Other spaces Who do you need to influence? Why do you prioritise this space? Link to Programme Women’s rights at risk Local issue What are you going to bring to this space?

Advocacy Tips and Tricks Look at your strengths/skills Language Look at verbs- how strong are they Ae there qualifiers in the language? Listen to what people are saying or NOT saying, who are they conferring with, partnering with If you are working with a specific group/organisation What are your focal pints on specific topics Plan for time to meet, debrief, strategize Use Social Media – SDGs in Action Be persistent but allow time for self care These are what can be used by advocacy groups in holding their governments accountable

QUIZ Goal 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Investing in education programmes for girls can return $5 for every dollar spent. True/false   Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls Disasters such as droughts, floods and storms kill more men than women due to gender differences Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries The FAO estimates that fewer 20% of landowners globally are women. Closing this gender gap would reduce the number of hungry people by: 5-10% 10-15% Over 15%