Youth Representatives

REPORT FROM CWSI YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE AT LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA

Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) engages with young women and men serving as youth Representatives at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, in the United States. The Youth Representatives attend United Nations conferences and forums on behalf of the Centre. They also play a pivotal role in disseminating information about CWSI’s initiatives and the challenges faced by women and girls through campus activism.

Activities

Side Event at the 67th Session Of The UN’s Commission on the Status of Women

In March 2023, from the 6th to the 17th, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW67) conducted its sixty-seventh session, marking a significant moment in the global agenda for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. This session, characterized by its focus on “Innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age,” was convened to address and harness the transformative potential of digital advancements for the betterment of women’s and girls’ lives globally. Representatives from Member States, United Nations entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from various regions worldwide were in attendance, underscoring the session’s global significance and inclusive approach.
In alignment with the objectives of the CSW67, Centre for Women Studies and Intervention, (CWSI) hosted a virtual side event titled “Social Media Activism and Female Participation in The Nigerian Electoral Process.” This event, conducted via Zoom, had 52 participants and aimed to explore the impact of social media activism on enhancing female political engagement in Nigeria. The session was inaugurated with a presentation by Emma Hartman and Rolake, Youth Representatives from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, USA, who provided an analysis titled “Statistics on the Level of Female Representation in Governance in Nigeria.” This presentation served as a precursor to a panel discussion on the efficacy and challenges of social media activism.
The panelists includes Precious Uwubiti, the Gender Officer for CWSI, and Abraham Solomon, a Social Media Influencer, who addressed several pertinent questions. These encompassed the unique advantages of social media activism in engaging young women and girls, the misconceptions held by Nigerian girls regarding the electoral process, and the strategies for utilizing social media platforms to alter outreach effectively.
Precious Uwubiti, emphasized social media’s critical role in mobilizing attention towards women’s rights and the importance of young women’s participation in the democratic process. She highlighted how social media extends the reach and influence of advocacy efforts, facilitating community building, increasing visibility of women’s and girls’ challenges, and fostering collaborations across networks on a national and global scale.
The session also provided a platform for interaction with participants, allowing for an enriching exchange of ideas and perspectives. Omolola Mamedu, CAFOD’s program officer for peace building and governance, raised a critical point regarding the challenges of quantifying the impact of social media campaigns, highlighting the necessity of moving beyond traditional metrics to assess engagement and influence accurately.
The event concluded with a statement from the Executive Director on the imperative of integrating women and girls into technology and the digital age. This integration was presented not merely as beneficial but as essential for their inclusive development and empowerment.
This side event at the CSW67 underscores the pivotal role of digital education and technological innovation in advancing the agenda for women’s and girls’ empowerment. It reaffirms the commitment of the global community and organizations like CWSI to leveraging digital platforms for social change, advocating for gender equality, and empowering women and girls in all spheres of life.

United Nations Day, 2023

To commemorate United Nations Day, the CWSI Youth Representatives organized an awareness campaign in Lehigh University’s campus, dedicated to raising awareness on the mission of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI). They skillfully engaged with students passing by, providing insightful explanations about CWSI’s strategic goals and the significant role university students can play in furthering these goals. Additionally, they distributed buttons emblazoned with the CWSI logo, a symbolic gesture of solidarity and a call to action for the student body.
The centerpiece of this event was a meticulously crafted tabloid, purposefully designed to shed light on the pressing issue of gender-based violence. Through a powerful collection of images, it vividly portrayed the grim realities faced by women and girls in Nigeria, thereby advocating for urgent action against such injustices. This visual narrative not only informed but also evoked a deep sense of empathy and responsibility among the viewers.
Furthermore, the CWSI Youth Representatives fostered a spirit of collaboration by engaging with other Youth Representatives on campus. This synergy led to a brainstorming session that was both productive and inspiring, culminating in the generation of innovative ideas for upcoming events. These future initiatives aim to not only continue raising awareness about gender violence but also to explore effective ways to mobilize the student community towards meaningful action.
In line with the CWSI’s vision, this UN Day celebration served as a pivotal moment in engaging the youth, highlighting the power of informed activism and community involvement in addressing and combating gender-based violence. Through educational outreach and creative advocacy, CWSI Youth Representatives have set the stage for a series of impactful, student-led initiatives that promise to contribute significantly to the global fight against gender inequality and violence.

International Education Week, 2023

During International Education Week, the Youth Representatives of the Centre for Women Studies and Intervention (CWSI) took a significant step forward in raising awareness about CWSI’s mission and its steadfast commitment to combating gender based violence and other harmful practices against women and girls . This week-long event served as a prime platform for advocacy against the deeply entrenched malpractices that perpetuate gender-based violence, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change.
A highlight of the event was the opportunity for the CWSI Youth Representatives to engage in a meaningful dialogue with Lehigh University’s esteemed president, Joseph J. Helble, Class of ‘82. This conversation was not just a ceremonial exchange but a profound moment to discuss the pressing issues of gender equity, particularly in the context of Nigeria. They outlined the multifaceted approach of the CWSI in addressing these challenges, from grassroots activism to influencing policy changes, underscoring the organization’s role as a critical force for social reform and women’s empowerment.
Moreover, this interaction provided a unique chance to explore potential collaborations between the university and CWSI, envisioning a partnership that could leverage academic resources and student activism in support of gender equity initiatives. The dialogue with President Helble was a step toward bridging the gap between academic institutions and NGOs, recognizing the powerful synergy that can emerge from such alliances.
In addition to this impactful conversation, the Youth Representatives utilized various channels and activities throughout International Education Week to educate and mobilize the student body. Through workshops, informational booths, and engaging presentations, they effectively conveyed the gravity of gender violence and the critical role that education and advocacy play in eradicating such injustices.
This week’s efforts were a testament to the CWSI’s unwavering dedication to fostering an informed and compassionate global community, ready to stand against gender violence and advocate for a more just and equitable world.

Commission on the Status of Women 2024 (CSW’68)

On March 21, 2024, CWSI’s youth representatives at Lehigh University, Pennsylvania, organized a hybrid parallel event in commemoration of the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The event was held at Salvation Army, 221 E. 52nd St., New York, NY, under the theme ‘Empowering Women: Uniting Social Policies for Financial Equality and Sustainable Development in Pursuit of Agenda 2030.
The event featured panel discussions and a Q&A session, focusing on:
- Global Perspectives on Women’s Empowerment and Financial Equality
- Policy Frameworks and Advocacy for Sustainable Development
The panel discussions emphasized the need to:
- Invest in women-led enterprises to drive economic growth.
- Restructure aid delivery to target grassroots initiatives.
- Promote financial literacy among young girls to enhance economic resilience.
CWSI’s Executive Director, Sister Ngozi Frances Uti, attended in person and delivered the closing remarks, appreciating the contributions of both online and in-person participants.
Outcome:
- Raised awareness on the importance of financial equality and women’s empowerment at the global level.
- In-depth discussions on policy frameworks to support sustainable development in line with Agenda 2030.
- Increased engagement with youth and participants on the role of women in driving economic resilience and sustainable development.
- Enhanced visibility of CWSI’s advocacy for financial equality and women’s empowerment in international spaces.