IRU Participates in Global Event on Women’s Cooperatives at UNCSW69
The International Raiffeisen Union (IRU) was honored to participate in a high-level virtual event on women’s leadership in cooperatives, held as part of the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW69). The event, organized by the Working Women’s Forum (WWF) & the Indian Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW), highlighted inspiring success stories of women cooperative leaders worldwide.
IRU was represented through a video speech by Secretary General Andreas Kappes, who underlined the crucial role of cooperatives in empowering women economically and socially. He emphasized the contribution of cooperative networks in fostering gender equality, financial inclusion, and community development.
A Platform for Women Leaders in Cooperatives
The event, titled “Global Leadership of Grassroots Women Co-operators in the U.N. Year of Cooperatives: Poor Women’s Cooperative in Global Action”, showcased real-world narratives of micro-entrepreneurs who have transformed their communities through cooperative initiatives.
Dr. Nandini Azad
Dr. Nandini Azad, President of WWF-ICNW and IRU Board Member, highlighted the recognition of WWF as a cooperative network as a major milestone for the women’s cooperative movement. She shared insights on how WWF-ICNW has played a transformative role in uplifting underprivileged women and developing them into cooperative leaders.
With nearly 400 participants from 13 locations across India, as well as representatives from 15 countries, the event reinforced the global impact of women-led cooperative networks.
A Collective Effort for a More Inclusive Future
Other notable speakers included Maria Giulia De Castro, Board Member of the International Secretariat of the World Farmers Organisation, who emphasized the intersection between agriculture, women’s empowerment, and cooperatives.
The IRU commends the Working Women’s Forum and ICNW for their leadership in advocating for women’s economic empowerment through cooperative structures. Events like these reaffirm the cooperative movement’s role in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly gender equality (SDG 5) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8).
A news clip has been released on the event:
🔗 Learn more:
- Working Women’s Forum (WWF-ICNW): www.workingwomensforum.org
- International Cooperative Network for Women (ICNW): www.icnw.in
- United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW): www.unwomen.org/en/csw
