This year the NGO Office contributed to the Commission with individual and group statements and by co-sponsoring 4 parallel and side events. Our statements can be read here.
The two side events focused on Human Trafficking from different perspectives. One, with the Holy See Mission as chief sponsor, drew attention to the work of Religious sisters in the prevention of Human Trafficking and the rescue and empowerment of survivors. Another event with the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons focused on the use of technology. While the internet is used in the most despicable ways to traffic young girls and women for the sex trade, huge efforts are under way to prevent this happening and to address other aspects of human trafficking.
We co-sponsored an event on Rural Women as Change Makers with stories of empowerment from India and South East Asia. Sr Cynthia CJ was one of the panelists. Finally we initiated a discussion on the economic empowerment of rural women through innovative financing and effective partnerships with the NGO Committee on Financing for Development.
