Commission on the Status of Women to take place in March
December 13, 2017
As the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) looks ahead to 2018, its ministry will include hosting delegates to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and other work at the U.N.
Seventy-two years ago, the newly formed United Nations approved a charter that has been the foundation of its work ever since.
“We were at the drafting table for the charter itself and have continued and maintained our relationship with the U.N. from 1945 until today and we will do so in the future,” said Ryan D. Smith, director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. “The U.N. is one of the few institutions on earth that’s won the Nobel Peace Prize numerous times. So, Presbyterians can look back and say we were a part of that.”
Ryan D. Smith, director of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, leads discussion with the Presbyterian representatives to the UN Commission on the Status of Women. Photo provided by Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations.
The U.N. role has expanded over the years to work for world peace as well as human rights initiatives, social and economic development, famine relief and the rights of women and girls.
In March, the Commission on the Status of Women will be held at the U.N. headquarters. The Presbyterian Ministry will play an active role in hosting delegates.
“The Commission on the Status of Women is the place where governments from around the world talk about women’s rights and talk about it together,” said Smith. “It’s the place where the global community asks what needs to be done to make women’s lives better around the world.”
The theme for the 2018 commission is “Challenges and opportunities in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural women and girls.”
“The Presbyterian church is in big and small towns and rural communities. This is an opportunity for folks from rural communities to come and speak about their experiences and their truth to the global system,” Smith said. “Other organizations, such as nonprofits, don’t really have the on-the-ground connections that the Presbyterian Church does.”
Rick Jones, Mission Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Today’s Focus: United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
Let us join in prayer for:
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Monty Anderson, PPC
Rachel Anderson, PMA
Let us pray:
God of justice, your Spirit continues to inspire each of us to contribute to a common good that is bigger than any of us can see. Help us to be cheerful in using your gifts to us for the common good of others, to your glory. Amen.
Daily Readings
Morning Psalms 50; 147:1-11
First Reading Amos 8:1-14
Second Reading Revelation 1:17-2:7
Gospel Reading Matthew 23:1-12
Evening Psalms 53; 17
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