TEHRAN – The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women held a specialized panel on women’s empowerment, family support, and social development at the initiative of Iran.

The 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is taking place in New York from March 11-22.

The panel was considerably welcomed by participants from all over the world as several experts delivered speeches, ILNA reported.

The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, Ensieh Khazali, chaired the panel, stating that active participation in the success of families and the progress of societies is significant due to the women’s distinct abilities, their profound influence on family members and their roles in fostering vitality and mobility in communities. Therefore, empowering women plays a crucial role in the advancement of societies.

Women, as key members of the family with multiple responsibilities, being empowered will not only achieve personal success, but will also make invaluable contributions to raising awareness among the younger generation and, as a result, to the holistic development of societies, she added.

Obviously, the societies that prioritize women’s empowerment are more dynamic and developed economically, socially, and culturally. It can be exemplified in Iranian women’s achievements in various fields such as technology, health, culture, and art.

In addition, the Qatari Social Development and Family Minister, Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad, referring to Qatar’s taken measures in the field of women and family, underscored the need for legal reforms, institutionalizing, and promoting the culture for empowering women and enhancing their participation.

Al Misand said housewives are the pillars of the family serving as mothers, wives, teachers, and coaches, so the government should support them to maintain the balance between family and social responsibilities.

Liu Zhenmin, Under-Secretary General for Economic and Social Affairs, in a video conference, said focusing on financial support and investment in women's poverty alleviation, we can take steps towards the realization of development goals.

Today, we should pay attention to women's education and define jobs in such a way that are family-oriented so that women can both manage their child-care responsibilities and earn money.

Lenny N.  Rosalin, the Deputy Minister for Gender Equality, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection of Indonesia, was the other speaker of the panel. Introducing the country’s progress in the field of women based on international profiles, she attributed part of Indonesia’s success to the utilization of the capacity of small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs) and the allocation of facilities to them.

In Indonesia, 5 main goals have been set to improve the well-being of women and families, which include improving women's entrepreneurship, enhancing women’s maternal role in families, reducing violence against women, and diminishing child labor and early marriage.

MT/MG