CSW64 African Women's Position
António Guterres
United Nations Secretary General
405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017, USA
Mher Margaryan
Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women
Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia
119 E 36th St, New York, New York 10016
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
UN Women Executive Director
220 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States
Dear Excellencies,
Subject: There should be NO CSW64… until ALL women are present!
For the last 64 years, women across the globe have defied both natural and man-made pandemics to converge annually without fail at the UN Headquarters in New York for the annual pilgrimage for women – the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). Africa has stood tall and engaged throughout the CSW journey and still maintains her determination to mark CSW64 – alongside all the women in the world – even as the world grapples with containing the devastating COVID-19.
The decision to postpone the CSW64 by Member states is indeed critical and necessary. In the face of the adversity of the COVID-19 pandemic, protecting the lives of women and girls, just like all humanity must be the priority.
Nevertheless, the sustained spirit and focus of the CSW64 must be maintained and indeed re-imagined to uphold this year’s very crucial process of the review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted twenty-five years ago during the Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing in 1995.
To us women of Africa, as it is to all women globally the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was the pivotal revolution to the mandate of gender equality and women’s empowerment and hence 25 years after its inception it is extremely critical that we substantively unpack this process in platforms such as the CSW64.
In global solidarity therefore, as the world battles to contain the ravages of COVID-19, in our African resilience, tenacity and unwavering spirit to sustain the journey for gender equality, we reiterate the following to salvage the possible exclusion of a CSW64 by ensuring that it indeed occurs at a later date.
We the women of Africa:-
- Reiterate for the postponement of the CSW64 to a later date when the global COVID-19 health crisis has been managed and lives are not being put at risk NOT a cancellation or a reduction of the traditional 14 day CSW pilgrimage to a mere one-day procedural meeting as adopted by the informal CSW meeting held on 2nd of March 2020. The issues of gender discrimination, violence against women, sexisms, misogyny and a myriad of ills directed at women and girls because of their gender are too important to be reduced to a one-day discussion.
Postponing CSW is to uphold principles of ‘equitable participation’ and setting a precedence to stay true to our collective values and principles despite the circumstances. Reducing CSW to either a day session or to New York based delegates only is telling women’s rights organizations and activists across the world that you don’t matter. This is not the message the UN needs to send to millions of women and girls who continue to face structural exclusion and marginalization. African women in all our diversities are refusing to be excluded in our own space.
Therefore, the procedural CSW64 meeting set for next week will NOT be an indicator of the actual CSW process for this year but will seek clarity for a postponement of the CSW64 to a feasible later date in the year when health risks will be under control. As the resounding clarion call abound, there will be #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs! #LeaveNoOneBehind.
- Urge the UN to uphold her global stewardship role to support women’s rights organizations to fully recover costs incurred due to the unprecedented postponement of the CSW64 such as flight cancellations and hotel accommodation. The UN is very much aware of the resourcing strains and challenges of Women’s Rights Organizations in Africa and across the globe and thus should rise up to this eventuality and be the buffer support for flights and accommodation cancellations by issuing official directives to airlines, hotels and service providers to refund full costs already incurred.
Given the importance of this year’s CSW (review and appraisal of the Beijing +25), most women’s rights organizations invested their resources to participate and engage in a meaningful way. Ignoring the reality of the plight of Women’s Rights Organizations and Feminist groups especially from the global South is unethical and inconsiderate of governing bodies and resource partners such as the UN. We propose UN to setup a support system that can assist Women’s Rights Organizations in negotiating and recovering related costs.
Lastly, it should be noted that it is on the basis of local, regional and global processes and platforms for addressing gender equality and women’s rights that transformational change on equal rights and dignity continue to be realized.
The Women of Africa continue to be in the center of positive impact on women’s empowerment, rights and justice and reiterate their commitment to work in solidarity and close collaborations with the UN and Member States regardless of challenges and hurdles both foreseen and unforeseen.
As we march on in power and confidence to make the world an equal, fair and just place for all women and girls, we say Aluta Continua! – The Struggle continues! #PostponeCSW
Signed by:
| Name | Organization or Individual | Country | |
| 1 | Abel Koka | Individual | Tanzania |
| 2 | Agatha Tanneh Thompson | Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism | Liberia |
| 3 | Aïssa Doumara Ngatansou | Association de lutte contre les violences faites aux femmes extrême nord cameroun (ALVF-EN) | Cameroun |
| 4 | Amel Samoud Khamari | L’association Tunisienne de la Gouvernance et de l’egalité des Chances Entre Les Femmes et les Hommes dans les Postes De Décision l’atgec | Tunisie |
| 5 | Araari Najet | Association Des Femmes Tunisienne Pour La Recherche Sur Le Développement | Tunisie |
| 6 | Arrey-echi Agbor-ndakaw | Individual | Cameroon |
| 7 | Asseny Muro | Individual | Tanzania |
| 8 | Astou Sillah | Individual | Sénégal |
| 9 | Atiqa Ouhajjou | Union De l’Action Féministe | Maroc |
| 10 | Baiye Frida | BAWAC Cameroon | Cameroon |
| 11 | Barbra Leone | Individual | Kenya |
| 12 | Barry Aminata Toure | AMASBIF /GCAP | Mali |
| 13 | Bibyshe Mundjo Takubusoga | Actions Pour La Réinsertion Sociale De La Femme (ARSF) | DRC |
| 14 | Caroline Othim | Global Alliance for Tax Justice (GATJ) | Kenya |
| 15 | Chantal Umuhoza | SPECTRA | Rwanda |
| 16 | Charlotte Inga Nsona Diantomi | Comité National Femme Et Développement (CONAFED) | DRC |
| 17 | Christina Kwangwari | Individual | Zimbabwe |
| 18 | Crispin Swedi Bilombele | Aube Nouvelle Pour La Femme Et Le Développement | DRC |
| 19 | Djire Fatoumata | Réseau ouest africain des jeunes femmes leader antenne du Mali | Mali |
| 20 | Djoukouo Félicité | Association Des Acteurs De Développement (ADEV) | Cameroun |
| 21 | Doo Aphane | Swaziland Women’s Rights Network | Eswatini |
| 22 | Dorothy Otieno | FEMNET | Kenya |
| 23 | Dr Juliet Kimemiah | Association of African Women for Research and Development | Kenya |
| 24 | Dr Mariam Kamunyu | Individual | Kenya |
| 25 | Dunstanette Macauley | Zonta, STSI, FEMNET member | USA |
| 26 | Ekaete Judith Umoh | FACICP DISABILITY PLUS | Nigeria |
| 27 | Elisa Comé | Organization- Movfemme | Mozambique |
| 28 | Elisah Mbiza | Femmes Africa Solidarite (FAS) | Senegal |
| 29 | Elsie Alexander | Putting Women First Trust | Botswana |
| 30 | Erastus Rotich | Individual | Kenya |
| 31 | Esther Kimani | Zamara Foundation | Kenya |
| 32 | Eunice Waweru | Workers Rights Watch | Kenya |
| 33 | Facia B. Harris | Paramount Young Women Initiative | Liberia |
| 34 | Fatou Diouf | CAEDHU/ COSAPERE | Senegal |
| 35 | Faustace Chirwa | National Women’s Lobby Group (NAWOL) | Malawi |
| 36 | Gabdibé Gab-Hingonné | Action Pour l’Education Et La Promotion Et De La Femme (AEPF-Tchad) | Tchad |
| 37 | GETRUDE DYABENE | Individual | Tanzania |
| 38 | Grizelda Grootboom | Survivor Exit Foundation | South Africa |
| 39 | Habonimana Pierre Claver | Organisation des Femmes | Burundi |
| 40 | Halima Zaid | Soroptimist International Club of Mombasa | Kenya |
| 41 | Hamisa Maalim Zaja | Coast Association for Persons with Disabilities | Kenya |
| 42 | Helen Kezie-Nwoha | Women’s International Peace Centre | Uganda |
| 43 | Hon. Amb. Ellen Attoh-Wreh | Liberia House Of Representatives | Liberia |
| 45 | Jackline Waweru | Safe County Youth Initiative | Kenya |
| 46 | Jade Maina | TICAH | Kenya |
| 47 | Jane Onyango | Soroptimist International Club Of Europe Member | Kenya |
| 48 | Janice Smallwood Malekebu | Sister “4” Sister International | Liberia |
| 49 | Jesica Tuhaise | Individual | Uganda |
| 50 | Joan Ching’amba | CISE Malawi | Malawi |
| 51 | Josephine Malimukono | Ligue pour la solidarite congolaise | DRC |
| 52 | Justine NDJOKO BASELE | Comité national femme et développement (CONAFED) | DRC |
| 53 | Kabera Mujijima Bora | Membre/ Chef De Division Provinciale Du Genre Famille Et Enfant | DRC |
| 54 | Kamin Tshiloz Kappongo Solange | Deogracias international ONGD | DRC |
| 55 | Kavinya Makau | Kem Consulting | Kenya |
| 56 | Kemigisha Patience | Individual | Uganda |
| 57 | Kenmogne Matchim Pauline | Association Femmes Et Enfants | Cameroun |
| 58 | Kennedy Odhiambo Otina | Individual | Kenya |
| 59 | Kinzi Hussien Kowden | Women Rehabilitation And Development Association | Somalia |
| 60 | Kirui Zephanaih | Individual | Kenya |
| 61 | Kouame Yvette | Leadafricaines | Côte d’Ivoire |
| 62 | Laeticia Mukurasi | Myself | Tanzania |
| 63 | Lakshmi Moore | Liberia Feminist Forum | Liberia |
| 64 | Lana Razafimanantsoa | Young Women-Led Organization Gasy Youth Up | Madagascar |
| 65 | Linda Rebecca Williams | Sierra Leone Association Of University Women | Sierra Leone |
| 66 | Lizzie Kiama | This Ability Trust | Kenya |
| 67 | Logbo | Femici | Cotedivoire |
| 68 | Louise W Mcmillan Siaway | Sehwah Liberia Incorporated | Liberia |
| 69 | Lucy Nyawira Wairimu | Individual | Kenya |
| 70 | Lum Ndeh Fon Liz | COMAGEND (Common Action For Gender Development) | Cameroon |
| 71 | Mabel | Sonke Gender Justice | Uganda |
| 72 | MACOSS | MACOSS | Mauritius |
| 73 | Madame Aissatou Barry | Association Guinéenne des Assistantes Sociales (AGUIAS) | Guinée Conakry |
| 74 | Mageda Esolyo | Women Global Network Reproductive Rights | Kenya |
| 75 | Mama Koite Doumbia | RESEAU MUSONET | Mali |
| 76 | Marche Mondiale Des Femmes/Mali | L’organisation | Mali |
| 77 | Margaret Taylor | Women Empowerment Network | Liberia |
| 78 | Margerite Zawadi | Aides Aux Personnes Démunies (APED) | DRC |
| 79 | Maria | Assocation For Women’s. Sanctuary and Developmemt | Ethiopia |
| 80 | Mariatou | PWYP | Niger |
| 81 | Martha Karua | Individual | Kenya |
| 82 | Marthe Chiwengo Mwanapati | Forwermint | DRC |
| 83 | Mbeinda Diop | Collectif Senegalais Des Africaines Pour La Promotion De l’Education Relative A l’Environnement (COSAPERE) | Senegal |
| 84 | Mingashanga Eugène | CONAFED | DRC |
| 85 | Mme Banata Tchale Sow | Forum International Des Femmes De l’Espace Francophone (FIFEF), Région Afrique Centrale | Tchad |
| 86 | Mme Illiassou Haoua Issoufou Presidente Ong Tanadi | Lutte Contre La Pauvrete Et La Defense Des Droits Des Femme Et Des Enfants En Difficultes. ONG TANADI | Niger |
| 87 | Mohamed Lamine Kaba | Youth Action Hub Guinea – CNUCED | Guinée |
| 88 | Msafiri Mwajuma | Shirika La Usawa Tanzania | Tanzania |
| 89 | Musenga Mafo Marie Louise | La Fondation Wetu Mama International | DRC |
| 90 | Mwanahamisi Singano | Individual | Tanzania |
| 91 | Nancy Gitonga | E.A. Women In Business Platform | Tanzania |
| 92 | Naomi Solanke | Community Healthcare Initiative | Liberia |
| 93 | Ndefon Beatrice | WfAC | Cameroon |
| 94 | Nelly-Françoise Comte | CERPAC | DRC |
| 95 | Nene Odette Nzaje | Association of Actors of Development (ADEV) | Cameroon |
| 96 | Nicole Nyangolo | COCAFEM/Great Lakes | Burundi |
| 97 | Nina Wambiji | Soroptimist International Mombasa Club | Kenya |
| 98 | Nuong Faalong | Individual | Ghana |
| 99 | Nyambura Gathumbi | Individual | Kenya |
| 100 | Nzigamasabo Léonidas | World Merit Burundi | Burundi |
| 101 | Nzuzi Nsamba Jeanne | CONAFED | DRC |
| 102 | Okeke Ngozi | WIPGG Nigeria | Nigeria |
| 103 | Patricia Blankson Akakpo | NETRIGHT | Ghana |
| 104 | Patricia Ndhlovu | Young Women’s Christian Association Zambia | Zambia |
| 105 | PRO-FEMMES/TWESE HAMWE | PRO-FEMMES/TWESE HAMWE | RWANDA |
| 106 | Rachel Kagoiya | Individual | Kenya |
| 107 | Rafa Valente Machava | Women, Law and Development, MULEIDE) | Mozambique |
| 108 | Rebecca Bakare | Ashoka | United States |
| 109 | Rita Atukwasa | Institute for Social Transformation | Uganda |
| 110 | Rogaya Hamza Osman | PASED | Sudan |
| 111 | Rose Achieng Ongondo | Rachounyo North Women For Development | Kenya |
| 112 | Rose Reuben | Tanzania Media Women’s Association | Tanzania |
| 113 | Ruth Muganzi | Kuchutimes Media Uganda | Uganda |
| 114 | Saizonou Ghislaine | Individual | Togo |
| 115 | Salome Sonie Tulay | Women and Children Initiatives Inc | Liberia |
| 116 | Samson Orao | Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (FIDA-Kenya) | Kenya |
| 117 | Samuel Norgah | Individual | Ethiopia |
| 118 | Sangeetah Seetulparsad | Individual | Mauritius |
| 119 | Sarah M Mulbah | Ministry of Finance and Development Planning | Liberia |
| 120 | Sesilia Shirima | Young and Alive Initiative | Tanzania |
| 121 | Severina Lemachokoti | Naretu Girls and Women Empowerment Programme | Kenya |
| 122 | Sitabile Dewa | Women’s Academy for Leadership and Political Excellence | Zimbabwe |
| 123 | Sorie Dambeley | Nasscorp | Liberia |
| 124 | Tafadzwa Muropa | Individual | Zimbabwe |
| 125 | Tamba. Forkpah Jedidiah Johnson | He For She Crusaders Liberia | Liberia |
| 126 | Teresa Omondi Adeitan | Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) | Kenya |
| 127 | Toko Virginie | Association Des Femmes Handicapée | Cameroun |
| 128 | Toure Keita | Individual | Mali |
| 129 | Ulrike Neubert | PRODEV Ltd | Kenya |
| 130 | Vanisa Njimanu Njong | Association Des Acteurs Du Développement (ADEV) | Cameroon |
| 131 | Vetty Agala | Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria, Rivers State | Nigeria |
| 132 | Vicensia Shule | Individual | Tanzania |
| 133 | Wagubi Moureen | Institute for Social Transformation | Uganda |
| 134 | WILDAF/Mali | WILDAF/Mali | Mali |
| 135 | Wilson Ajuoga | Individual | Kenya |
| 136 | Wilson Ajuoga | Individual | Kenya |
| 137 | Wivine Ngandu | Individual | DRC |
| 138 | Yvette Nyinawumuntu | Save Generations Organization | Rwanda |
| 139 | Yvonne Dembo Okito | Comite National Femme et Developpement | DRC |
| 140 | Zamuda Jeanne Sabiti | Commission Nationale Des Femmes Entrepreneures,Membres De La Federation Des Entreprises Du Congo | DRC |
| 141 | Zoneziwoh Mbondgulo-Wondieh | Women for A Change / Beijing25 CAR Working Group | Cameroon |