NEW YORK – According to the Rev. Dr. Nathanael Symeonides, Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations director, the Archdiocese was greatly involved in the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in March, continuing its decades-long work in promoting women’s rights.

The functional commission is held annually in New York City at U.N. headquarters, and is generally aimed at advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women worldwide, Fr. Symeonides noted in a press release.

During the two-week commission in mid-March, the Archdiocese co-sponsored three parallel events that focused on various topics related to women’s economic empowerment. The three events were: 

• Empowering Refugee Women and Children through Education and Employment
• HIV/AIDS and Property Rights: Overcoming Barriers to Women’s Economic Empowerment
• Defense of Land and Water: Economic Empowerment for Women

The Archdiocese has also submitted two policy interventions to the commission. The statements encourage the commission to act urgently to end violence against refugee women and girls and to ensure equal access to medical treatment and to property ownership, regardless of their HIV status.

The Archdiocese has been actively working at the U.N. for more than 35 years since it was first accredited in 1979. The pan-Orthodox effort is directed by the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

To stay informed about the work of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at the U.N., visit un.goarch.org and sign up for the mailing list.

Contact: The Rev. Dr. Nathanael Symeonides, [email protected]