Ahead of the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69), the UCLG Standing Committee on Gender Equality called a meeting online on February 11, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of the Beijing+30 agenda. The session’s objectives were to allow youth leaders and local governments to showcase their efforts and suggest measures toward achieving gender equality.
The representatives who participated in the online meeting from the MEWA region included Elif Köse, Mayor of Safranbolu, Hanan Kaoud, Ramallah City Councilor, and Burak Ergelen, İzmit Municipality Foreign Relations Officer.
During the meeting, Ms. Kaoud pointed out the responsibility of protecting women during armed conflicts, especially in Palestine, calling for accountability, aid, and the involvement of women in the efforts of establishing peace.
She further urged the international community to uphold its commitments under the Beijing Declaration and other global frameworks, ensuring that no woman—whether in Palestine, Syria, Yemen, or any other conflict zone—is left to suffer in silence. Concluding her intervention, she reaffirmed the MEWA Region’s unwavering commitment to advancing women’s protection, stating that it is not an option but a moral and legal imperative.
The discussion captured most deliberations aimed toward formulating key priorities for CSW69, such as municipal feminist movements, youth leadership, and regional collaboration. Participants expressed their willingness to achieve gender equality through local and global advocacy.