Civil Society Perspectives

A RESOURCE GUIDE FOR ACTIVISTS, RESEARCHERS, AND LEADERS

[download report here]

The purpose of this report is to share progress, challenges, opportunities, and resources in NYC and NYS as it relates to UN Women’s Beijing+25 commemoration and proposes recommendations to support progress in the Generation Equality campaign and Feminist and Women’s Movement Action Plans.

As a recognized hub of globalization and innovation, NYC is looked to as an example of justice, equality, and social support. The multiple racial, ethnic, cultural and language groups, large immigrant, LGBTQ, transgender and gender nonconforming populations make the city one of the most diverse worldwide. With one of the lowest overall crime rates for a city of its size (population 8.623 million), it has the second lowest rate for gun violence in the United States, and cities around the world look to NYC as a beacon of possibility.1 While there has been push back against women’s rights by other states and the federal government, NYC has forged ahead in many areas with progressive policies, laws, and programs to support human rights.

NYC is not without its shortcomings, and while this report seeks to highlight the progress made toward the Call to Action for Beijing +25 and Generation Equality, it also sheds light on the challenges, especially regarding implementation of laws where patriarchy, traditional cultural barriers, and racial discrimination hold progress back. By emphasizing the progress since 2015, this report highlights the recent impact made by current political leaders and advocates for gender equality and social justice.

Our goal is to demonstrate the results of civil society and advocates working together with the government in New York, and to share resources for expanding rights and protecting freedoms through advocacy, legal, programmatic, and cultural change. Ultimately, we hope this report will contribute to the Generation Equality campaign and Action Coalitions with recommendations to make gender equality a reality by protecting and expanding women’s human rights and the rights of gender diverse persons.

[download report here]