Just halfway through the Commission on the Status of Women’s 69th session, I realize how important Women on the Move could be. This Standing Committee is about all of us, and about each of us helping those around us. Think about how long we, as women, have advocated for equality, including equal pay for equal work, and against violence against women, trafficking of women, and more. We have been organized and (somewhat) united for at least the 69 years of the Commission (and longer when you think of the roots of our movement). But it is a pilgrim’s progress – for every two steps forward we fall back a step.

Some of the best speakers I heard were the young women still in school or in college, who called out for a seat at the table, a voice for their future. They did not speak about what they had achieved as did many of the more seasoned representatives, but they spoke about what they sought. Some of their concerns are new to those who advocated in Beijing 30 years ago: e- bullying and e-body-shaming. Insidious, invisible, poisonous commentary via a range of platforms that deliver hate speech and promote doubt. Many of these girls seek an inclusive world in which they may thrive as women. They demand courses in civics, in financial literacy, in advocacy. They are very much on the move to secure a future they believe in.

We heard from numerous organizations who network their knowledge and actually shared it across the world through their membership, in projects for which to collect, provide or direct seed money. Their intent is to ensure that women who are on the move, because of poverty, violence, fear or climate change, have the tools they need to establish themselves elsewhere successfully. I was at events where women were rewarded with practical knowledge for conceptualizing projects that could change their livelihoods – in agriculture, in small businesses, and with the new refrain of artisanal work enhanced by AI.

Teaching a woman how to use her 2G or 3G phone to check real time market prices helps her negotiate a fair price with buyers. As she builds her phone skills, she learns more about her produce, what sells, what doesn’t, and she becomes able to make smart choices.

Similar stories exist for builders, for contractors, for architects and others who through technology can compete for better pay, contracts, and purchasing power.

In many cases, it was a sharing of knowledge rather than access to funding that made the difference. A seed project that invited curiosity, and from which other projects were born. I love the concept of women igniting opportunities for one another and being there in support of their continued growth.

There was also the acknowledgement that women are raising sons to be supportive of women, and that an increasing number of men can be recognized for eschewing toxic masculinity to favor the success of women. We need to thank them, and celebrate them, as willing allies for our various moves.

I will be writing up my notes from the meetings I attended, and I will pull out specific projects for us to consider – but I respectfully ask you to consider: what do you need to know to be a woman on the move, who is counted and who is respected for who you are. If you already are able to move with that respect, then I ask – how can you share what you know?

Nermin K. Ahmad
NFBPWC Women on the Move Committee Chair

Tracey MacDermott
Co-Chair