Chennai-based Working Women’s Forum (India) – Indian Cooperative Network for Women (WWF-ICNW) has been selected to host the only cooperative-focused side event at the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development (CSocD63). Dr Nandini Azad, the illustrious daughter of late Padma Awardee Jaya Arunachalam is at the helm of WWF-ICNF.
This virtual event, titled “UN Year of Cooperatives: Building Women’s Cooperative Leadership Networks through Capacity Building,” will take place on February 10, 2025, from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EST.
The session is a landmark moment for WWF-ICNW, which has held UN consultative status with UNECOSOC for 29 years. It marks the organization as the sole global cooperative network recognized for its contributions to women’s empowerment and grassroots cooperative movements.
Out of 45 side events scheduled for CSocD63, WWF-ICNW’s focus on women’s cooperatives has garnered international attention, solidifying its reputation as a leading force in the cooperative sector.
The panel will feature prominent stakeholders, including representatives from the World Farmers Organization (WFO) in Rome, the International Raiffeisen Union (IRU) in Germany, and the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
Additionally, women cooperative leaders, policymakers, and civil society participants from South Africa, Asia, Egypt, the Caribbean, and Latin America will join the discussion. Co-hosted by the New International Network for Women, the event will also welcome grassroots cooperators, with over 500 participants expected to attend virtually.
WWF-ICNW’s initiative will explore strategies to strengthen women’s leadership in cooperatives through capacity building, showcasing half a century of efforts in fostering economic and social empowerment among marginalized women.
The event reflects the UN’s recognition of grassroots movements as key drivers of sustainable development and gender equality. Interested participants from around the globe can join the event live by registering at the provided Zoom link: Registration Link.
For further inquiries, participants can reach out to the organization at wwforumindia@gmail.com or icprd96@gmail.com. Additional details about the event are available on the UN’s website.
This recognition by the UN underscores WWF-ICNW’s pivotal role in advocating for women’s rights and advancing cooperative models that uplift communities worldwide
