Guardianship Risks: How to Prevent Abuse
| Date | 05/23/2025 |
| Location (City and Country) | Vienna |
| Name of BPW participants |
.Stella Kammitsi, BPW Cyprus, BPW Representative to UN Vienna .Rita Assogna, BPW Austria, BPW Representative to UN Vienna |
| Highlights of the event |
Guardianship for older persons is a legal mechanism designed to protect individuals who are unable to manage their personal or financial affairs and ensuring that vulnerable older
persons receive the necessary support and protection in managing finances and healthcare decisions. The guardianship system can have risks due to unethical practices by courts,
medical doctors and guardians and can cause older persons to lose control over their assets, personal decisions, and autonomy. Our event focused on how protect and prevent older persons from the possible risks associated with guardianship systems. |
| Major recommendations to BPW members |
.Learn guardianship laws and advocate for reforms to protect seniors’ rights. .Demand transparency and accountability in guardianship proceedings. .Identify and report exploitation by unethical guardians, doctors, or courts. .Push for policies prioritizing seniors’ independence and informed consent. Stay vigilant—guardianship should protect, not exploit. |
| Conclusion | Guardianship should safeguard the rights of older persons. By promoting education, legal alternatives, and systemic accountability, we can prevent exploitation and uphold seniors’ autonomy. Together, we must advocate for reforms that prioritize dignity, transparency, and protection. |
81st Session of the ECOSOC for Asia and the Pacific
| Date | 04/21/2025 |
| Location (City and Country) | Venue: UNESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Name of BPW participants |
• Neelima Basnet – 1st Vice President, BPW International • Dr. Narudee Kiangsiri – BPW Thailand • Chularat Israngkool Na Ayutthaya – BPW Thailand • Dr. M.L. Preeyapun Sridhavat – BPW Thailand • Penpitcha Pattanajakra – BPW Thailand • Pratimaya Pun – BPW Nepal • Yaba Iaxmi Shrestha – BPW Nepal • Lisa Fong – BPW Hong Kong • Fiyatri Widuri – BPW Indonesia |
| Highlights of the event | The BPW delegation participated in the 81st session of UNESCAP ECOSOC in Bangkok, contributing to Asia-Pacific’s sustainable development goals. Discussions focused on resilient recovery, gender equality, digital transformation, and cross-border cooperation aligned with SDGs. BPW delegates addressed gender-responsive urban planning, climate change, and social inequality, emphasizing the need for women’s roles in policymaking (SDG 5, 8, 11). Members also attended side events hosted by UN Women and UNICEF on disaster resilience, care systems, and climate finance. BPW’s presence extended to APFSD, CRVS, and the CoNGO Asia Regional Meeting, reinforcing its leadership in inclusive regional development. |
| Major recommendations to BPW members | BPW members are encouraged to deepen engagement with UN regional mechanisms, advocate for gender-responsive policies, and build multi-stakeholder partnerships. Promote visibility of grassroots voices and contribute to monitoring the SDGs at national and regional levels. Continue to represent women’s leadership across platforms influencing development and economic policy. |
| Conclusion | The 81st session reaffirmed BPW’s powerful role in shaping regional policy dialogues. With dynamic contributions from multiple countries its unwavering commitment to gender equality, sustainability, and transformative leadership and amplified women’s voices across the Asia-Pacific .BPW’s position as a driving force and trusted partner in advancing inclusive and equitable development. |
Inter-American Week for People of African Descent in the Americas (OAS) - Mar 24, 2025
| Date | 03/24/2025 |
| Location (City and Country) | Washington, DC USA |
| Name of participants |
First Vice President - United Nations, Neelima Basnet BPW International OAS Chair - Barbara Bozeman |
| Highlights of the event |
The VIII Inter-American Week for People of African Decent in the Americas was celebrated this year from Mar 24-28 - with the theme "I have a Dream: Recognition, Justice and
Development" - a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We attended the Opening Ceremony - which officially launched the week and was held in the Hall of the Americas at the OAS Headquarters. It featured artistic presentations centered on the history and culture of people of African descent through music, dance, poetry, an art exhibit, and spoken word. |
| Major recommendations to BPW members |
1) OAS has 34 member states. BPW is in at least 15 of those states. BPW Clubs in the member states should have a representative participate / advise the OAS
committee 2) Develop funding from BPW International for permit attendance to these vital conferences. |
| Conclusion |
BPW International is recognized by OAS and has a voice. This program is just one example of the ongoing powerful events and significant meetings at OAS reenforcing why active,
not passive participation by BPW International is important. For our regions (NAC and Latin America) the value of participation is immeasurable. |
CEDAW 90th session (3-21 February 2025)
| Date | 02/21/2025 |
| Location (City and Country) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Name of BPW participants |
Chularat Israngkool Na Ayutthaya - BPW Bangkok - Thailand , Asia & Pacific Representative : UN Geneva Switzerland , UNESCAP Bangkok Thailand Doris Gerber Cerrud Viquez - BPW Lake Geneva - Switzerland Geneva UN Main Representative, ECOSOC Representative |
| Highlights of the event | The 90th CEDAW Session convened in Geneva from 3–21 February 2025, reviewing State Party reports from Belarus, Belize, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo (including an exceptional report on conflict-related sexual violence), Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. A general discussion on gender stereotypes featured prominently, with participation from States parties and 17 NGOs. The Committee updated its working methods, advanced inquiry procedures, and collaborated informally with NGOs and UN entities, including WHO. BPW International observed the dialogues, underlining the importance of civil society in shaping gender-sensitive policies and ensuring accountability for women’s rights. |
| Major recommendations to BPW members | BPW members should monitor and support national-level follow‑up on CEDAW concluding observations, partner with local and regional NGOs in shadow reporting, engage with media to raise awareness on stereotypes and sexual violence, and contribute expertise to national dialogues, particularly on accelerated implementation of recommendations. |
| Conclusion | The Committee reviewed eight State reports, held discussions with NGOs and UN entities, advanced work on gender stereotypes and technology-facilitated violence, and progressed on inquiries and follow-ups. It emphasized improving working methods and highlighted cooperation with other UN bodies and national institutions despite reduced online access. |
International Day of Women in Science 11 february, 2025, UNESCO
| Date | 02/11/2025 |
| Location (City and Country) | Paris France UNESCO |
| Name of BPW participants |
Marie-Claude Machon-Honoré, BPW Main Representative to UNESCO Gina Vezinni, BPW Switzerland |
| Highlights of the event |
UNPACKING STEM CAREERS- Her Voice in Science : Opening remarks-facts & data- Women =1/3 of global science community (Students, employees, developers , researchers
etc. UNESCO Call for Action : Closing the gender gap in Science_ Initiative : Linkedin groups. Round Tables -Diversity & inclusion to shape the future ; Women’s voices in science : Inspiring change in the media with Founder & CEO- Women in Tech Tech Diplomacy Forum. No progress in the last two decades. Women’s pay in Science is 8%less fo what men are paid. Women scientists are more victims of violence &harassment than in any other field. GBV is driving away girls and women from science. |
| Major recommendations to BPW members |
Join the UNESCO conversation & LinkedIn groups Change narratives of Women in Science in social media with videos Dismantle gender stereotypes and biases in science Create empowering workplace environment Open educational pathways for girls in science Demistify women engineering role models Positive discrimination –create more jobs for women Equal learning environments |
| Conclusion |
The world is facing great challenges and we need to work together. UNESCO is worried about the status of women in science and asks all of us to join the campaign. How can we create new narratives of women in STEM - How can Women become a norm in Science ? |
