Thursday 9th March 2023 at 9.00–10.15 am EST (New York), 16–17.15 pm EET (Helsinki)
at the Permanent Mission of Finland to the UN, 605 Third Avenue, 35 Floor, NY, and online
Register: https://tinyurl.com/HelviSipila
Watch the stream: https://tinyurl.com/HelviSipilaStream
Many countries limit or even deny their citizens’ access to internet, preventing women from enjoying their full human rights. This seminar focuses on two themes regarding girls’ and women’s rights online. Firstly, it will discuss girls’ and women’s equal and safe access to internet and technological innovations all over the world. Secondly, it brings forth insights across the globe on factors supporting women’s empowerment and generational equality, such as free platforms to learn IT skills and coding, which may ensure that internet is harnessed in support of women’s human rights.
Program
| 9.00 am | Welcome Pia-Lisa Sundell, Chair, the Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations NYTKIS |
| 9.05 am | Opening remarks Thomas Blomqvist, Minister for Nordic Cooperation and Equality of Finland |
| 9.15 am | Keynote speech Mona Sinha, Global Executive Director, Equality Now |
| 9.25 am | Video: Women and the internet in Afghanistan Bhishtah Mohammadi |
| 9.30 am | Comments Sumi Clara Dcosta, RiseUp! Youth Lead, Young Women’s Christian Association YWCA Nazneen Damji, Acting Chief of the Governance and Participation Section, UN Women |
| 9.45 am | Discussion Elina Kalkku, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations Saara-Sofia Sirén, Member of Parliament, President, the National Council of Women of Finland |
| 10.00 am | Questions |
| 10.10 am | Closing remarks Katri Viinikka, Ambassador for Gender Equality of Finland |
| 10.15 am | End of event |
| Moderator | Jutta Hartikainen, the Finnish Federation of Graduate Women |
The International Helvi Sipilä Seminar Series was inspired by a keynote speech held by Sipilä at the Special Session of the UN Assistant Secretary-Generals held at the CSW49 in 2005.
The first international Helvi Sipilä Seminar was organized at the CSW50 in 2006 to honor the work of Minister Helvi Sipilä. The Seminar Series addresses challenging issues that affect women and their lives locally and globally in the 21st century. This year’s event is the 17th seminar in this series.
The seminar is organized jointly by the Finnish Federation of Graduate Women, the National Council of Women of Finland, the Coalition of Finnish Women’s Associations – NYTKIS, UN Women Finland, and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Finland YWCA.
Read the concept note here.
For more information, contact: [email protected].