History
The History of the NGO
NGO CSW Vienna was instrumental in the organization of a successful pre-conference consultation of NGOs to prepare for the 1985 3rd World Conference on Women in Nairobi, Kenya, and in the 1994 Regional NGO Forum leading up to the 1995 NGO Forum at the 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing, China.
A mechanism for informal meetings and consultations of NGOs attending the Commission on the Status of Women in Vienna and later in New York was established with colleagues from the NGO Committees on the Status of Women in Geneva and New York. In preparation for the 8th UN Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders in 1988, the issues of fair treatment of women prisoners, alternatives to imprisonment, violence in the family and repatriation of convicts were strongly supported by the Committee.
Seminars, conferences and publications by the Committee include:
- 1990 NGO Consultation “Making the Forward-Looking Strategies Work”
- 1993 brochure “Women’s Rights: A burning issue”
- 1996 seminar “Affirming Women’s Potential”
- 1998 seminar on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “Women’s Rights – Human Rights, Our Vision for the Future”
- 2000 Conference on the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
- 2001 seminar on “Racism and Xenophobia” in preparation for the UN Conference on Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance held in Durban, South Africa (in cooperation with CoNGO Vienna)
- 2002 conference on “Media, ICTs and Women”
NGO CSW Vienna provided input to the ECE NGO Regional Reviews and Preparatory Meetings in 2004 and 2014, and was involved in reviewing the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action for Beijing+20 in 2014-2015.
Chairs of NGO CSW Vienna (1982-2024)
Adelheid Schimak, International Federation of University Women
Marlene Parenzan, World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts
Ellen Kimmel-McDonnell, World YWCA
Dimitra Schoenegger, International Round Table for the Advancement of Counseling
Maria Jonas, Socialist International Women
Susi Shaked, Hadassah International
Rosy Weiss, International Association of Women
Marlene Parenzan, International Federation of Business and Professional Women
Ilona Graenitz, International Federation of University Women
Martina Gredler, Soroptimist International
Laurie Richardson, FAWCO (Federation of American Women’s Clubs Overseas)
Evelyn Duermayer, International Association of Democratic Lawyers
In Memoriam
A Tribute to Three Pillars of NGO CSW Vienna
The members of NGO CSW Vienna remember three former committee chairs with great fondness and respect. They were exemplary role models of lifelong dedication and commitment to upholding the rights and improving the lives of all women and children around the world.
International Federation of University Women (1943-2022)
International Federation of Business and Professional Women (1937-2022)
Recent CSW Sessions
For more information on the UN Commission on the Status of Women, see UN Women’s CSW webpage.
CSW 68
Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective. Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
CSW 67
Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.
Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls
CSW 66
Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes. Women´s economic empowerment in the changing world of work.
CSW 65
Women´s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Women´s empowerment and the link to sustainable development.
CSW 64
Review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the 23rd session of the General Assembly. Assessment of the current challenges that affect the implementation of the Platform for Action and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and its contribution towards the full realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development