Soroptimist International signs joint statement for CSW 55

Soroptimist International has joined with other NGOs to submit a joint statement to be presented at CSW 55 which will be taking place 22 February - 4 March 2011.

The theme of CSW 55 is "Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work".

The statement argues that Governments have not gone far enough in ensuring adequate legal provisions regarding the inclusion of women and girls in education and training for science and technology.

Economic growth, economic recovery and development are driven by scientific and technological innovations and countries cannot afford to neglect the value of women's and girls' talents in these fields. Promoting inclusion in these fields can only be a 'win-win' strategy for national economies.

Important recommendations forwarded by the NGOs include:

• the need for support structures and policies to retain women as well as girls in education and training;
• safe transport to teaching institutions;
• appropriate sanitary facilities for both sexes as well as affordable and safe child and dependent care provisions;
• the importance of counteracting prevailing gender stereotypes through revising curricula and text books and adopting non-discriminatory teaching methods and practices;
• the importance of including women in shaping innovative policy.

The full statement can be found in the members section of the website. Visit:
www.soroptimistinternational.org

Keep checking the Blog for more information about CSW 55 over the coming weeks!