UN Commission on the Status of Women will discuss social protection

The 63rd session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women CSW will take place in New York from 11 to 22 March. Permanent Secretary Päivi Sillanaukee from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health will head Finland's delegation.

The session's priority theme will be the importance of social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and for the empowerment of women and girls. This is the first time CSW's priority themes concern the gender dimension of social protection and the development of social security systems.

Finland's priorities at the session are how to promote comprehensive social protection systems and basic services based on human rights as well as women's and girl's opportunities to participate in decision-making in their households, in the labour market and in public decision-making.

The broad-based Finnish delegation headed by Permanent Secretary Sillanaukee consists of ministries' public officials and NGO representatives. In the session, Permanent Secretary Sillanaukee will deliver Finland’s address, participate in joint Nordic and EU events and meet UN leaders and other ministers responsible for equality issues.

Sillanaukee will also speak at a side event organised by Finland on the themes of sexism, sexual harassment and violence against women. The side event focuses in particular on harassment against female politicians. Finland is organising the side event together with the Council of Europe. Finland holds the Presidency of the Council of Europe until May 2019. Gender equality and women's rights are among the priorities of Finland's Presidency.

The Nordic event of ministers will focus on men giving care and on family leaves. Family leaves are a central equality issue.

"From the viewpoint of gender equality, developing family leaves is a key question. It is important to develop family leaves by lengthening the leaves earmarked for fathers", says Permanent Secretary Sillanaukee.

Session website:  http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw/csw63-2019

Twitter: #FinlandCSW, #CSW63 #nordicequality

Inquiries: 
Hanna Onwen-Huma, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, tel. +358 295 163 233
Sofie Sandström, Attaché, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. + 358 295 351 995