Youth Advocacy and Gender Justice at CSW69

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/04/24

Mareyba Fawad, a federal health policy and data consultant at Acumen LLC, joined Scott Douglas Jacobsen to reflect on her experience as head delegate to CSW69 with the Young Diplomats of Canada. Fawad, with degrees from the University of Oklahoma and Columbia University, emphasized youth advocacy, gender justice, and public health. She discussed global backsliding in women’s rights, the importance of grassroots education on the Beijing Declaration, and the evolving role of Canada in international gender equity. Balancing federal consulting with activism, she highlighted mentorship, intergenerational responsibility, and hope in the next generations leadership as key to sustained progress.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we’re here with Mareyba Fawad. She is a health policy and data consultant at Acumen LLC. She supports various offices at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. She earned her B.S. in Psychology and B.A. in History of Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2020, where she founded the Minority Health Sciences Conference to empower high school students interested in health sciences. She received her Master of Public Health from Columbia University in 2022, where she was awarded the Bernard Challenor Prize and worked on writing behavioral health policies for UN Women. She also directed Oklahoma’s annual public health conference and was honoured by the University of Oklahoma as the 2024 Young Distinguished Alumni for her early-career success and contributions to public health.

Additionally, she serves on the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Alumni Board. Thank you for joining me. I appreciate it.

Mareyba Fawad: Thank you for having me.

Jacobsen: Today, we will focus on a post-CSW synopsis. What inspired you to attend CSW this year? Who did you go with, and what were you hoping to gain from the experience?

Fawad: Absolutely. I chose to attend because of my ongoing commitment to developing myself as a public health professional, advocating for women’s health, and exploring ways I can contribute meaningfully in those spaces. I always acknowledge the shoulders I stand on — the many women who have uplifted and supported me throughout my journey.

In public health, it becomes clear that the backbone of healthcare systems and social communities — especially the impact of social determinants on health — is deeply rooted in families and local communities. Women are often the driving force behind the changes happening in these spaces, constantly working to improve the well-being of others.

During graduate school, I also gained significant experience in international affairs. I conducted global health systems research with Chelsea Clinton and participated in a prestigious international affairs fellowship at Columbia University, housed within the School of International and Public Affairs.

About 25 of us were selected from various schools across Columbia, and through that fellowship, I was exposed to how different disciplines influence global systems and structures.

After graduating and moving into federal health policy and consulting, I felt called to return to my roots and advocate for Canadian voices. I grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, and much of my family still lives in Canada. I saw this opportunity as a way to represent those voices and use my platform to support others. I attended CSW with the Young Diplomats of Canada.

We are a national non-profit organization. We are also non-partisan. And so, with that, we advocate for the different voices of youth across Canada. So yes, I serve as the head delegate for our delegation of four outstanding individuals. We were chosen through quite a rigorous process, and I’m honoured to have had the chance to be a part of this experience. 

Jacobsen: What went against your expectations after you went, what matched them, and what was something surprising?

Fawad: Yes, what pleasantly surprised me, in some senses, was the access to rooms. I went into it expecting that we would not necessarily be allowed to enter certain spaces, have high-level discussions, or meet with certain people within the Canadian Mission or higher-up global leaders, even at the UN. We’re youth, so we’re inherently cognizant of that in the spaces we’re allowed to occupy.

The welcoming nature of so many individuals and their desire to talk with us, to bring us into spaces, and welcome us to different dinners, events, and other settings was eye-opening and humbling. There were instances where we would walk into a room, and people would say, “Oh, you’re with the Young Diplomats of Canada,” our reputation preceded us before we even had a chance to speak. They would have questions for us and wanted to seek out our perspective — to get our insights on how the issues discussed at CSW impact young women and girls, especially from a grassroots advocacy standpoint.

I’d say that pleasantly surprised me. Something that matched my expectations was understanding that many UN structures, and even international law more broadly, are horatory in nature—they do not necessarily have the teeth for change in the way we might hope.

As youth engaged in advocacy, we know how to build momentum, but understanding that many of these systems are deeply entrenched and often feel more conversation-heavy than action-oriented was expected. Many countries are making progress, but much of it depends on shifts in political will. When political conditions align, it seems there is prioritization of women’s rights and gender justice.

However, when those issues are not of political interest, they are often pushed to the back burner by certain governments. That matched my expectations, especially when revisiting the Beijing+30 agenda and reflecting on the Platform for Action. It’s an incredible framework, and there has been movement toward its goals.

However, we’ve also seen a dangerous backslide in many countries — a regression in gender justice initiatives. So, while we talked about progress, I also went into this aware and wary that there are still significant gaps. Many countries have seen setbacks rather than gains in this initiative.

Also, generally speaking, outside these UN spaces, many youths do not know about the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. It seems idealistic—it exists in these higher-level spaces. Trying to bring that down to the grassroots level, educate peers about it, and make it a topic more commonly discussed in the media and among people our age is definitely needed.

Outside of these formal settings, I thought, “Okay, we know this is a bit of an ideal — but how do we actually apply it and move forward?” That matched my expectations regarding realizing that we should not just pat ourselves on the back but also focus on making tangible progress. But yes.

Jacobsen: What was your favourite session?

Fawad: So hard.

Jacobsen: It can be more than one. Also, who was in it?

Fawad: It was the session titled “National Women’s Machineries: Accelerating BPfA Implementation Beyond Three Decades” the ambassador to the UN from the Philippines was in attendance. I believe the Minister for Women from New Zealand was  there. 

There was also the UN Women Director of Policy Programme and Intergovernmental Division and someone from the EU Commission who specialized in gender equity. There was a lot of great representation—New Zealand, Egypt, the Philippines, an EU Commissioner, and then a policy director from UN Women.

That panel was incredible. It focused on becoming advocates and agents of change within the larger global framework. The panellists shared successes from programs in their countries—what worked and what did not. I found that incredibly insightful because they were honest about the wins and the gaps.

I especially respected the ambassador from the Philippines. His statements were so heartfelt that you could tell that he truly understood the issues. Sometimes, when male allies speak, it can feel like they are just repeating talking points. But with him, it was different. He seemed to genuinely get it.

Jacobsen: I was just talking to a family member today about that — the political, and I use this term advisedly, manship, of that type of advocacy, versus truly integrating it and having a realistic view of people as people advocating for change. Because there are men and women, younger and older, and people from many backgrounds who do not agree with the aspirations of the Beijing Declaration, UN Women, or even the UN.

So, gender pay equity and similar efforts have to be integrated. It is not just about saying the right things but about embodying a real sentiment and sensibility.

Fawad: Yes, it felt like he truly got it. The ambassador also brought the Chairperson for the Philippines Commission on Women .

It spoke to his priorities and demonstrated that by having someone sit beside him and say, “This is how we show up in the Philippines. This is how we do the work.” She was candid. When your boss is sitting to your right, and you’re being honest about what is going well, what is not, and how to move the needle forward, it hits differently.

I loved that session and just seeing everyone come together. A representative from Egypt also talked about their national action plan and the new one they’re releasing this year. Then, New Zealand joined in, talking about the importance of civil society and how they are working to weave it in much more moving forward. Overall, it was an incredible session. 

Jacobsen: What do you think Canada’s role is in advancing gender equity globally?

Fawad: Yes, good question. In terms of what I see as Canada’s role, it continues to serve as a role model in many senses. Of course, gender equity gaps persist in Canada, as they do in every country.

However, Canada’s initiatives and missions show that these issues are a clear priority. For example, the GBA Plus model—Gender-Based Analysis Plus—provides a framework for applying six elements within organizations and thinking critically about whether we are centering these conversations in work being done across Canada.

Canada’s role is also to amplify and support the work of other countries. As a nation that seeks to be a leader in this space, it is important to hold ourselves internally accountable and use our tools and resources to support countries seeking guidance and insights. The question becomes: “What has worked for you, and how can we apply some of those strategies in our setting?”

Canada must be candid about areas that need improvement. Human psychology often leads us to focus on the positives and amplify success stories, but it would be more realistic and helpful to acknowledge the gaps and challenges as well.

We need to address the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis. We need to talk about the fact that 75% of Canada’s healthcare workforce is women — many of whom are burnt out and underpaid.

Being honest and upfront about those realities allows other countries to look at Canada and say, “They are not getting it right in every area either, and neither are we — but we are all committed to progress.” Together, we can move toward a deeper understanding of how to improve. And yes, I’d say that is our role in a nutshell. There is more to say, of course.

Jacobsen: What made CSW69 particularly important or emotionally resonant in the current geopolitical context?

Fawad: Yes. As a Canadian living abroad in the U.S., it felt incredibly timely and important to me. When you live in the West—or just observe globally—you see the backsliding of democracies and many rights that were previously enshrined in law.

These rights were agreed upon, with extensive legal precedent behind them, and yet we are now seeing various countries renege on long-standing commitments.

This reconvening of everyone at CSW and the opportunity to talk about what is happening in our countries and how youth are feeling was powerful. It also raised the question: Where do we go from here?

Unfortunately, many individuals in positions of power seem detached from the perspectives of young women or youth more broadly. So it was valuable to have space for youth dialogue — both with peers and in wider discussions.

Many people expressed concern about what CSW will look like next year, especially given what is currently happening.Will it still be held in New York? 

There is real uncertainty about CSW’s future. How are things changing? Some people even asked whether we might be meeting in Geneva in the future—maybe even in Canada or another country.

The community that has been so strongly built in New York — including many foundational NGOs that show up and offer support — is deeply rooted there. There was this sense of, “Will it look the same in the future as it does this year?”

So yes, that stood out — this question of continuity and change.

Jacobsen: It was a sense of uncertainty and foreboding.

Fawad: Exactly.

Jacobsen: How do you balance federal policy consulting with your public service and leadership commitments?

Fawad: Yes, good question. In my day job, the root of it is ensuring people have access to healthcare — and that whatever the country says in terms of, “These are the social supports and services available to you,” those supports show up for them.

Logistically, it is about ensuring that what is promised is delivered. It is not just performative. When someone tries to access healthcare within their network or region, they should not be faced with the “Oh wait, I do not have providers who will see me” or similar obstacles.

The core of my work is rooted in social justice and in supporting individuals from historically marginalized backgrounds. When I think about the work I do outside of that—youth advocacy and gender justice—there is so much overlap.

Public health is inherently political, as is gender justice and youth advocacy. Everything is political. Every single thing impacts health — whether we are talking about the MMIWG crisis and gender-based violence or housing insecurity and its impact on the mental health of women and girls. It is all cyclical and interconnected.

In that sense, it feels relatively easy to balance because it all flows. It is a single train of thought connected between everything I do and am a part of.

We are all busy with our day jobs and have a lot going on, but when I feel passionate about something, I take time to support it through my volunteer work. Using the tools, wisdom, and resources I have is important.

As I mentioned, so many people have poured into me. I have had incredible mentors. I have had access to rooms that no one in my lineage could have imagined. Being a first-generation professional — someone who can work and live independently — is something no other woman in my family has been able to do.

I do not take that lightly. I carry that weight and want to pay it forward by advocating and showing up in spaces like CSW with mindfulness and thoughtfulness. So yes, that balance comes because I understand the weight and gravity of these situations — and the privilege I have been given. I want to pass it forward.

Jacobsen: Do you have any final thoughts before we close down for today?

Fawad: I am excited to see the next generation of youth. I am Gen Z, and I am looking toward Gen Alpha — seeing how they are already watching what we are doing, already knowing so much, and starting ahead of where we even began.

That gives me much hope and excitement for the future because they look up to us. It is beautiful to know we need to show up in these spaces and advocate for them, and it is also exciting to think about where they will take all of the efforts we have begun and move them forward.

I am looking forward to that and am excited to mentor those who come after us as well. As a lot of people mentored me, so we have to pass that on.

There’s a concept called Sankofa—an Akan word often referenced in Swahili, too. It means reaching back into your own community and giving back. So, I hope to do that, and I hope they will do that, too.

Jacobsen: Excellent. Thank you for your time today. 

Fawad: Thanks, Scott.

Jacobsen: You’re welcome. Take care. Bye.

Fawad: Bye.

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