Solano Soroptimist Join 70th CSW70!

Soroptimist International members from Fairfield and Vallejo will be participating in the 70th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70). They were selected as representatives of the NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) on the United Nations Committee on Sustainable Development in Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), of which Soroptimist International is a member.

Soroptimist members Jennifer Barton (Fairfield) and Erin Hannigan Andrews (Vallejo) will participate in the UN Session from March 9th-March 20th at United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Suzanne Ng (Fairfield), also chosen to represent Solano County Soroptimists, will participate remotely. These local Soroptimist members will join in various session activities and discussions in support of the 70th anniversary Priority Theme of “Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including by promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.”

Soroptimist International has General Consultative Status with the United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and is accredited with several UN departments and programs. The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is instrumental in promoting women’s and girls' rights, documenting the reality of their lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

The CSW is the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, the rights and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by ECOSOC resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.

“Participating in this UN Session is a wonderful full circle for me,” said Jennifer Barton. “As Chair of the committee that formed the Solano Commission for Women and Girls in 2018, I am thrilled to participate in discussions and actions that benefit women and girls at the international level.”

"This has been a lifelong dream of mine. To represent Soroptimist International and SI Central Solano County is such an honor. At the United Nations we have a voice, supporting women and girls around the world," said Suzanne Ng

“It’s an honor to represent my Vallejo Soroptimist club at the UN Session. We are focusing our advocacy to support women and girls around the world by strengthening access to legal systems that are equitable and inclusive and eliminating barriers for women and girls,” said Erin Hannigan Andrews.

The Soroptimist representatives look forward to bringing back to the local clubs proposed policies and ideas that will further the Soroptimist mission: “To provide women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, specifically those facing significant obstacles.”