Our Voice Makes a Difference: A Civil Society Guide to Advocacy on Women, Peace and Security

A publication of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, funded by Cordaid.

© 2018 Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
Printed in New York, New York, USA

Authors

Eleonore Veillet Chowdhury, Katrina Leclerc and Kelly Yzique Zea

Editor

Mavic Cabrera Balleza

Contributor

Dinah Lakehal

Publication Coordinator

Nyuon Susan Sebit William

Layout and Design

Jim Marpa

Description

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Member States, women’s rights organizations and other civil society groups as well as UN entities gather at the UN headquarters in New York every year to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action including emerging issues that impact on the attainment of gender equality and the empowerment of women.

After the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, the Commission also contributes to the follow-up to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in order to accelerate the realization of gender equality and women’s empowerment (ECOSOC resolution 2015/6).

The Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) considers the CSW session as one of the key advocacy platforms for the advancement of the women and peace ad security agenda. GNWP regularly organizes panel discussions, workshops and meetings during the CSW sessions featuring women’s rights and peace activists from different countries including especially local communities.. GNWP’s advocacy work is rooted in its mission, to amplify women’s voices for a more sustainable and inclusive peace.

This publication, “Our Voice Makes A Difference: Civil Society Advocacy Toolkit on Women, Peace and Security,” was developed by GNWP, with support from Cordaid, to aid women’s advocacy efforts during the CSW sessions. It provides women’s rights and peace activists with information and insights on how to navigate global policy spaces such as the CSW to effectively advocate on issues they care about.

The toolkit, provides practical tips and advice on how to formulate a cohesive and effective advocacy strategy during the CSW. It also presents checklists to help CSW participants prepare for panel discussions, workshops and meetings as well as evaluate their progress in their advocacy.