Our Side Event at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) - Highlight #3

Women in the 21st century are likely the most decisive drivers for development and global prosperity. But as a group they are - still - subjected to tremendous human rights violations, inequalities, health threats and extreme poverty.

HIV/ Aids, Non-communicable diseases and all forms of violence against women are the three epidemics largely causing the disproportionate burden on women and girls, their human rights and their opportunities to be equal and free:
- One in three women will be subjected to gender-based violence during their lifetime.
- Non-communicable diseases are today the leading cause of death and disability in the world and thus a major obstacle to development. NCDs are the single biggest threat to women's health and development today.
- HIV/ Aids affects, like NCDs and VAW, all generations of women: from the unborn and newly born, via children and youth, to adults and grand mothers.

Given this evidence and the fact that never before have these three issues been addressed together - our Side Event attempts this innovative approach where decision-makers, researchers, UN agencies and Civil Society come together to address cross-cutting risk factors and offer creative solutions.

To do that, we've brought together an impressive line-up of speakers:
- H.E. Mirsada Colakovic, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Bosnia and Herzevonina to the UN,
- Prof. Monica Swahn, Georgia State University,
- Ariella Rojhani, NCD Alliance,
- Clifton Cortez, UNDP and WHO,
- Hon. John Mututho, Chairman of the Board, NACADA, Kenya,
- Adis Arnautovic, CEM Bosnia and Herzegovina,
- Moderator: Kristina Sperkova, President IOGT International

Date: March 18, 10.00-11.15 AM, Conference Room E, GA Building, UN Headquarters, NY