The highly anticipated Women Deliver 2023 Conference (WD2023) is just around the corner, and before the main event kicks off, a series of engaging and insightful pre-conferences are taking place. These pre-conferences offer delegates attending WD2023 an opportunity to delve deeper into specific topics, foster connections, and collaborate on shared priorities. ALSO READ: Meet the inspiring voices at Women Deliver 2023 Here is a detailed overview of the pre-conferences: You(r) voices, you(r) power: You(th) pre-conference The Youth Pre-Conference serves as a fitting prologue to WD2023, as it is dedicated to the youth, by the youth, and with the youth leading critical conversations. Designed to be dynamic, engaging, and interactive, this pre-conference welcomes youth attendees with open arms, providing a platform for them to connect, build solidarity, and mobilise collective action. The Youth Pre-Conference also facilitates the creation of advocacy action plans and intentional relationship building, empowering youth to leverage WD2023 for advancing their causes. The power of choice: Fostering partnerships to realise bodily autonomy Recognising the importance of women’s bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), this pre-conference emphasises the need for investment and action in these areas. It highlights the crucial role of women-led organisations (WLOs) and explores how the international community can better support them. The session includes high-level advocacy and discussions to develop recommendations for the conference and beyond. ALSO READ: Six key things to know about Women Deliver Conference Scaling up actions to end preventable maternal deaths: Linkages with family planning, bodily autonomy, and the health workforce This pre-conference addresses the urgent need to accelerate progress in reducing maternal mortality. It focuses on strategies such as family planning, comprehensive abortion care, and healthcare worker training. Stakeholders from civil society, policymakers, professional associations, and UN organisations gather to discuss challenges, successful interventions, and solutions to achieve global maternal mortality reduction goals. Girls deliver: Pre-conference on adolescent girls Adolescents and youths, especially girls, face significant challenges globally. This pre-conference aims to support and empower adolescents and youths by convening stakeholders from various perspectives. It provides a dedicated space for interactive conversations, co-creation of solutions, and action planning. The event focuses on fostering well-being, building an integrated feminist ecosystem, and advancing gender equality. ALSO READ: All set for Women Deliver Conference, expectations high Gender and the climate crisis The pre-conference on gender and the climate crisis recognises the unequal impact of climate change, particularly on girls and women. It brings together diverse climate actors to share research, policy priorities, frontline experiences, and solutions. Discussions include climate finance, policy pathways, gender just transition, and transformative solutions. Catalysing global action to end Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting (FGM/C) n This pre-conference serves as a platform for activists and organisations dedicated to ending FGM/C worldwide. It aims to promote knowledge exchange, interregional collaboration, and global cooperation. Through shared solidarity, actionable commitments, and structural change, participants work towards ending this harmful practice. IN PHOTOS: Enthusiastic delegates descend on Kigali for Women Deliver Conference Strengthening care policies and intersectional movements for care justice Acknowledging the urgency of resilient care economies, this pre-conference focuses on the challenges faced in childcare, eldercare, and disability care infrastructures. It addresses the disproportionate burden on women, particularly during crises. The session aims to elevate regional perspectives, foster change, and promote care justice through intersectional movements. Preventing and responding to violence against women: From evidence to action This pre-conference workshop emphasises the prevention of violence against women through evidence-based approaches. Panel discussions, presentations, and participatory activities showcase policy options, successful interventions, and data-driven advocacy for programme implementation and monitoring. ALSO READ: Gender equality: Activists on Rwanda’s progress, lingering challenges FEM the future: Philanthropy for gender justice Philanthropists from around the world come together to explore intersectional feminist activism’s transformative potential in philanthropic policy and practice. The forum focuses on building solidarity and partnerships with feminist movements, young leaders, and women’s funds to drive positive change Ministerial Forum The Ministerial Forum, hosted by the Government of Rwanda, brings together ministers from various sectors to generate concrete actions and political commitment towards gender equality and equity outcomes. The forum fosters an exchange of experiences and aims to implement transformative programmes that positively impact the lives of girls and women. VOX-POP: International students on being a woman in Rwanda Global Parliamentary Alliance (GPA) Forum The GPA Forum, hosted by the European Parliamentary Forum for Sexual and Reproductive Rights (EPF), gathers parliamentarians working on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) from around the world. The forum focuses on developing strategies, programmes, and political will to improve access to SRHR, empowering women and girls, and enhancing well-being.
