Leann Wilson selected as an Australian Delegate at the UN Commission on the Status of Women event in New York

Leann, who was one of two First Nation women selected to join the official Australian Government delegation to the 61st Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) being held in New York from 13 to 24 March 2017.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action recognises the differential discrimination and barriers Indigenous women face. On 16 March 2017, the Commission welcomed the focus on the empowerment of Indigenous women. This was an important milestone for the Commission in advancing the rights of indigenous peoples and recognition of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Participants called for further attention to this topic at the Commission, including as a future priority theme. The focus on Indigenous women’s empowerment is important to advancing the pledge in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind.

A report of the proceedings on the focus area can be found at:
E/CN.6/2017/12 – E – E/CN.6/2017/12 -Desktop (undocs.org)

“It is a great honour to be selected to represent Australia at the Commission on the Status of Women 61 (CSW61). This was a great opportunity to help improve the status of women globally and to continue to raise awareness internationally and nationally of not only the issues but the strengths and grit of Indigenous women in Australia,” said Leann.

The agreed outcome for First Nations people read as follows:

The Commission recognises that the economic empowerment, inclusion and development of Indigenous women, including through the establishment of Indigenous-owned businesses, can enable them to improve their social, cultural and civil and political engagement, achieve greater economic independence and build more sustainable and resilient communities, and noting the contribution of Indigenous peoples to the broader economy.