United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women

Specialized

Topic A

Political Influence of Women

Despite the ability of women to vote in most nations (excluding Vatican City), taking political office or actively pursuing activism outside of governance still holds challenges. Nations that allow the right to vote are nevertheless complacent about executing the right as countries like Afghanistan, Uganda, and Pakistan tie women closely to their male guardians.

This makes it difficult for women to leave the house and vote without express permission, at times being prohibited entirely by family. Women that do present themselves at voting stations risk harassment and violence.5 Domestic duties and household chores also act as obstacles to finding time to vote, where walking distances to stations could also impact a woman’s choice to vote or not

Backgrounder
—>

Topic B

Rights of LGBTQ Women

In the status quo, LGBTQ rights are heavily scrutinized by the international community and identifying individuals are violated on a daily basis. Despite progressive action in several Western liberal democracies and a handful of states overseas, including Taiwan, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina, non-heterosexual populations are at risk for punishments as serious as the death penalty in other nations.

This is especially prevalent for LGBTQ women, who tend to experience sexism and homophobia, transphobia, or biphobia in conjunction with one another. Currently, the world is seeing discrepancies in laws on a spectrum: while some nations outright ban LGBTQ relationships, others permit them to a certain degree or in the absence of marriage.

Backgrounder
—>

unwomen@pacificmun.org

Dais team

Stephanie Chang

Director

Eric Birzneck

Chair

Margaret Yan

Chair

About

UN Women

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, or UN Women, was founded in 2010 and seeks to empower female-identifying individuals throughout all UN Member States. The committee’s mandate is focused on providing economic, social, governmental, and humanitarian support to achieve gender equality across the globe. UN Women aims to give women the right to lead in government, access safe and fair workplaces, receive basic education, and live free of violence. Within the United Nations, this committee is primarily tasked with drafting policies alongside inter-governmental organizations including the Commission on the Status of Women, aiding in countries’ implementation of laws promoting women’s rights, and actively recording the UN’s progress in combating gender issues.

Delegates are encouraged to research and debate from a non-Eurocentric perspective, with consideration of the various environments that women face daily on a global scale. While the committee is unable to directly impose laws against the will of nations, delegates are advised to take into account the power of UN Women to protect and equip women in all stages of life, whether that be in a governmental position of authority, refugee camps, or conflict zones

Director

Stephanie Chang

Stephanie Chang is a junior at Richmond Christian Secondary School and ecstatic to serve as Director of UN Women. She attended her first conference in Grade 9 as a shy, yet intrigued, delegate where she spoke a grand total of two times. Since then, she has never stopped appreciating the fast-paced discussion and opportunities to engage with international relations. Stephanie is drawn specifically to the diplomatic aspects of Model UN. Outside of MUN, she tutors English, interns at a print literary magazine, cooks vegetarian recipes, writes contemporary poetry, and sits in coffee shops to convince herself she’s being productive. Additionally, she occasionally coaches at Vancouver Debate Academy. Whether you are a beginner delegate or seasoned expert, she hopes to provide an inclusive and thought-provoking atmosphere for everyone. Stephanie cannot wait to meet all the delegates and looks forward to an unforgettable weekend at PacificMUN 2019!

Chair

Eric Birzneck

Eric Birzneck is a junior in the IB Diploma Programme at Port Moody Secondary serving in his first staff position as a Chair for UN Women. Aside from MUN and stressing out about school, Eric can be found engaging in activities such as mindlessly swiping through his Instagram, texting friends in Korea at 3am, "reading" Dostoevsky, eating fried chicken, and being used as a human training dummy in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is ecstatic to meet all the delegates, and looks forward to a productive and exciting committee.

Chair

Margaret Yan

Margaret is currently a senior at Magee Secondary School and is ecstatic to serve as the Chair of UN Women 2019. Ever since participating in her first MUN in Grade 9, Margaret has developed a strong passion for debate which she hopes to further at PacificMUN 2019. Through MUN, she has met many amazing people and hopes to create more memories in this coming year. Outside of MUN, Margaret enjoys playing volleyball, traveling, watching YouTube, hanging out with friends, and having a good time. She is looking forward to what PacificMUN has in store and is thrilled to be a part of the team to make this an unforgettable experience!