Minister Plenipotentiary Arrindell attended the opening of the seventieth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday. The two-week session, which runs through 19 March, brings together government representatives, international organizations and civil society to discuss progress and challenges in advancing gender equality worldwide.
This year’s session focuses on the priority theme “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls,” with discussions addressing the promotion of inclusive and equitable legal systems, the elimination of discriminatory laws, and the removal of structural barriers that affect women and girls globally. The opening coincided with the United Nations’ observance of International Women’s Day, held under the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls.”
The high-level event brought together global leaders, advocates and youth voices. Speakers included Anne Hathaway, UN Women Goodwill Ambassador; Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women; and Annalena Baerbock, President of the United Nations General Assembly. The programme also featured a musical performance by Grammy Award-winning artist Michelle Williams, while Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai joined the United Nations commemoration in New York.
In his message marking the occasion, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the need for continued global action, noting that women worldwide currently enjoy only 64 per cent of the legal rights held by men.
During the coming days, Minister Arrindell will continue to participate in a series of ministerial meetings, working groups, receptions and UN Women Parliamentary Meetings held in the margins of the Commission on the Status of Women. These engagements provide an opportunity to exchange perspectives, share experiences and highlight issues relevant to women’s rights and gender equality in Sint Maarten, while strengthening international cooperation on advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls.
Judith Tielen, State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands; Charetti America-Francisca, Minister of Social Development, Labour and Welfare of Curaçao; and Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell of Sint Maarten, during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.
From left to right: Charetti America-Francisca, Minister of Social Development, Labour and Welfare of Curaçao; Judith Tielen, State Secretary for Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands; Lise Gregoire-van Haaren, Permanent Representative to the United Nations; and Minister Plenipotentiary Drs. Gracita R. Arrindell of Sint Maarten, during the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.