On March 13, Venerable Miao Chu and Venerable Jue Rang from Fo Guang Shan New York Temple, and BLIA Long Island representative Tsay Bichun attended the 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69).
They participated in two parallel forums: “Empowering Women and Gender Equality through Technology” and “Educating Women & Girls: Advancing Their Empowerment & Equality.” They engaged in in-depth discussions with attendees, exchanging insights on collaborative efforts to promote women's empowerment and gender equality.
The “Empowering Women Through Technology and Promoting Gender Equality” forum was organized by the Women’s Federation for World Peace branches in Taiwan and Korea. The forum explored how technology can enhance women's autonomy in education and healthcare, showcasing examples from Taiwan and Korea on how technological advancements have improved women’s access to educational and medical resources, strengthened their presence in the tech industry, and contributed to global gender equality. However, participants noted that despite rapid advancements in technology and education, gender inequality remains a significant issue. Tsay Bichun in conversation with representatives from both regions emphasized that technological empowerment must focus on long-term effectiveness and continuous improvements to ensure meaningful progress.
Venerable Jue Rang and Venerable Miao Chu attended the “Women and Girls’ Education: Advancing Their Empowerment and Equality” forum, where discussions centered on how quality education can enhance women's leadership skills, critical thinking, and autonomy. Participants unanimously agreed that intergenerational dialogue is a key strategy for advancing gender equality and that collaboration is essential for implementing the Beijing Platform for Action and furthering women’s rights. The delegation shared the concept of Three Acts of Goodness, Four Givings, and Five Harmonies by BLIA founding president Venerable Master Hsing Yun emphasizing the importance of facing the world with respect and equality, thereby advancing women’s rights globally.
