The event, between 11 and 22 March in New York, is one of the world’s largest global gatherings specifically focussing on gender equality. Hannah, Team Leader at 1st Windy Nook, is one of 10 Girls’ Brigade members from around the world attending the event as the Girls’ Brigade Delegation of Hope.
Hannah says ‘I’m really looking forward to meeting up with the women on the team from Girls’ Brigade around the world; it’s such a blessing to be able to serve with such a diverse team who each bring different experiences of what it means to be a woman.
‘It’s great to have Girls’ Brigade bring us together and give us an opportunity to advocate for women and girls in our communities. The Commission on the Status of Women provides Girls’ Brigade with the chance to be part of conversations thinking about what faith-based organisations can, and should be, doing in the area of gender equality.’
During the week, the team will be attending different sessions at the United Nations (UN) building, meeting their own country’s UN permanent representatives to advocate on gender justice issues as well as speaking at different events organised by other faith-based organisations. With the aim of amplifying the voices of younger women of faith, the Delegation of Hope is also leading its own event on Friday 15 March featuring two panel discussions and a spoken word piece.
Hannah adds ‘As well as speaking on topics that are underlying issues of the impact of poverty on girls and women, we’ll be recognising the helpful role Girls’ Brigade has in development leadership skills and confidence that ultimately support the challenging of inequality and raising voices of women and girls.’
The team have been meeting regularly online since September 2023 and are excited to now meet in person. Please pray for the team and for the transformational impact of the trip, as well as for two members of the team who weren’t able to obtain a visa, through no fault of their own, and who will participate in events virtually.
