Youth worker returns from women's conference in New York

Emma Johnston of YouthAction is a key advocate for work with young women. She was recently asked by Northern Ireland Women's European Platform (NIWEP) to join a seven women delegation to the conference.

Her role at the event was to ensure the voices of young women were on the agenda.

"Attending the conference was a really powerful experience," said Emma. "It gave me the opportunity to meet and listen to the stories of women from all over the world and the struggles they face every day in achieving equality."

This conference takes place annually and is hosted by the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) in the United Nations buildings in New York.

This year was particularly significant as it marked the 15th anniversary of The Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing +15). The platform for action is a set of promises made by 189 member governments from all around the world, and describes the changes which governments and women's groups should implement to ensure equality is achieved for women.

The conference provides an opportunity for women to listen to what these governments have done to achieve equality for women and also to meet other women from all over the world and exchange stories and life experiences.

The Northern Ireland women also hosted their own event where women from around the world came along to hear about how the conflict had impacted on their lives;

"Our own event gave us the opportunity to share with others the situation in Northern Ireland and there was a big interest in women's contribution to the peace process," said Emma.

Emma works with young women from all over the North West and will pass on details of the measures which exist globally for women's equality that were outlined at the conference.

The group from Northern Ireland are also hosting a range of events to raise awareness of matters arising from the conference.

For further information you can contact Emma on 02871318854 or email [email protected] Emma's work is supported by Department of Education through YouthNet