This event, organized by the International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), Women’s Major Group, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) and Fundación para Estudio e Investigación de la Mujer (FEIM), focused on a gender-equitable recovery to the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically in the North American region. It brought together civil society and government officials to discuss a range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), all closely tied to the human rights dimensions of COVID-19 response and recovery.
Here are the three main takeaways from Meghan Doherty, Action Canada's Director of Global Policy & Advocacy:
- The realization of the Sustainable Development Goals including sexual and reproductive health and rights are a shared responsibility of all countries in the world, including Canada, at local, national and international levels.
- COVID 19 exposed and intensified the barriers to accessing sexual and reproductive health services in Canada and around the world.
- Canada must align its political commitments to gender equality, SRHR and human rights to its funding and policy practices and processes domestically and internationally.
Speakers:
- Spogmay Ahmed, Global Policy Advocate, International Center for Research on Women (ICRW); North America Organizing Partner, Women’s Major Group (moderator)
- Penny Abeywardena, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
- Meghan Doherty, Director of Global Policy and Advocacy, Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
- Mara Dolan, Program and Advocacy Associate, Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO)
- Beth Woroniuk, Policy Lead, Equality Fund
- Varina Winder, Senior Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State