Advocates Lead Gender Equality and Education Efforts at CSW
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/04/14
Aisha Imana is a youth delegate with the United Nations Association in Canada, advocating for diversity, equity, inclusion, and gender equality, with a strong focus on youth participation. Ayat Ibrahim is a master’s student at the University of Ottawa researching educational access in post-conflict regions, migration policies, and nation-building efforts in the Global South. Mabintou Ouattara is an engineering professional and delegate with the Young Diplomats of Canada, advocating for women in STEM, inclusive education, and gender equity in marginalized communities. Imana, Ibrahim, and Ouattara discuss advocacy at CSW, focusing on gender equality, youth inclusion, education, women in STEM, and overcoming systemic and cultural barriers.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Names and titles.
Aisha Imana: My name is Aisha Imana. I am based in Canada and am a youth delegate with the United Nations Association in Canada.
Ayat Ibrahim: Hello, my name is Ayat Ibrahim. I am from Ottawa, Ontario, a delegate with the United Nations Association in Canada.
Mabintou Ouattara: Hello, my name is Mabin Ouattara. I live in Calgary and am a delegate with the Young Diplomats of Canada.
Jacobsen: What brings you here today?
Imana: I attended CSW 68 last year and knew that my advocacy work was incomplete. I was determined to return and continue my efforts. My focus includes diversity, equity, inclusion, and, in particular, youth participation, with gender equality at the core of my work. I am privileged and grateful to be with the United Nations Association in Canada. I aim to build upon my previous efforts, attend discussions on the Beijing+30 review process, and analyze critical developments concerning SDG 5 and its intersection with all 17 SDGs. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here, and I have actively worked to promote youth inclusion at decision-making tables.
Ibrahim: I am a master’s student at the University of Ottawa. My studies focus on equitable access to education in the Global South, particularly in post-conflict regions. I also examine nation-building efforts after armed conflicts and the impact of migration. Women and children face heightened risks as global border policies become increasingly restrictive. Attending an international conference like this allows me to connect with like-minded individuals and gain a broader perspective on these global issues. What brings you here today?
Ouattara: I came to CSW because I am passionate about women in STEM and promoting inclusive education, especially in marginalized communities. I currently work in engineering, and it is not often that people from my industry are represented in these spaces, so our issues often get overlooked, particularly the lack of female representation in these fields. I could help amplify the voices of my community. I also originally come from Ivory Coast, where women face significant challenges, such as female genital mutilation and numerous barriers to education. I was fortunate to study in Canada and to be here in this space, and it is a great opportunity for me to raise awareness, connect with others doing similar work, and bring back ideas and solutions that can make a real impact.
Jacobsen: How long have you been here? What is your biggest takeaway or moment?
Imana: That is such a great question. I have been here since last Sunday, and I am leaving tomorrow. I think my biggest takeaway is that women are not vulnerable—we are placed in vulnerable situations. There is a common misconception that women are weak or that we do not know how to be part of the global community, but I do not believe that. What reaffirmed this for me was being at CSW this week and witnessing women’s strength, resilience, community, and inclusion in all their diversities within these spaces. My biggest takeaway is that we are not weak or vulnerable. The people, perpetrators, and institutions place us in these situations. That realization is a call to action for us to be included more meaningfully in decision-making spaces, and I believe that is one of my most significant takeaways.
Ibrahim: I have been here for about a week, and my biggest takeaway is that despite the world we live in and how pessimistic it can sometimes feel—especially at a higher level, where large political forces make decisions without much input from individuals—change is still possible. Hearing from different organizations, advocacy groups, and activists has shown me that meaningful change can happen at the individual level. We should not always focus on the big picture alone; instead, we should zoom in on a closer perspective and recognize that radical change can begin with a simple act.
Ouattara: My biggest takeaway is that women are often over-mentored but under-sponsored. We frequently receive advice and guidance but lack tangible opportunities to advance and climb the ladder. I also had the opportunity to be a panellist at an event titled Pathways to Gender Equity for Women in the Workplace, which was incredibly insightful. It provided me with a great opportunity to meet people, share my experiences, and express my perspectives.
Jacobsen: Who was someone that made you feel starstruck while here?
Imana: Wow, that is an amazing question because so many incredible people have touched me. The one person who left me truly starstruck was someone I encountered at a parallel event. I attended a session organized by a group called Straight From the Heart International. However, it featured a woman who shared her experiences of raising a son with autism. The event was deeply focused on how mothers navigate the challenges of parenting a child with autism, and it left a profound impact on me.
Listening to her story about the struggles she shared—opening up for the first time in a UN space about her challenges with her son—brought me to tears. As someone who is neurodiverse and has struggled with my own identity, I deeply relate to her experiences. This was her first time in this environment, her first time speaking openly about the difficulties she faced.
She was from Nigeria and spoke about how mothers like her often do not receive the support and resources they need within their cultural context. Additionally, she faced cultural backlash from her community, not because they did not care but because they were unaware of the barriers, stigmatized perceptions, and misunderstandings surrounding autism and the care it requires.
She left me truly starstruck. For being so open and vulnerable in sharing her story, she is a beautiful person and a strong mother. That was a great question. Thank you.
Ibrahim: It was actually at a session I attended this morning. The event focused on Sierra Leone and its gender equality initiatives and national policy efforts. A minister of gender and youth rights was present, and the way she spoke—with such passion, without reading from notes—felt truly authentic, as if it came straight from the heart.
I learned so much. I had no idea that Sierra Leone was a leader among African nations in implementing progressive policies. They have developed a national action plan that not many countries in the region have.
Her words resonated with me because, as an African myself, I know how strong cultural barriers, social stigma, and taboos can be. Seeing a leader speak so openly and advocate for real change made me feel that similar changes can be applied more broadly if progress is happening in Sierra Leone.
Ouattara: One person who touched me was Jessica Vonderbeek. She was one of the speakers at our parallel event, Indigenous People of the USA and Canada. It was a virtual event, and hearing her story was incredibly moving.
She is a Sixties Scoop survivor from Alberta, and despite everything she has endured—being taken from her family, given another name, and losing her connection to her Indigenous identity—she remains resilient. She does not even have an Indigenous name right now, but she is looking forward to reclaiming one, and it will happen. I cannot wait for that moment because her story resonated deeply. I cannot imagine going through what she has and still moving forward with the strength she does.
She struck me by saying, “I lived an incredible life.” That made me tear up because I cannot begin to understand what that feels like—to endure so much and still find the strength to say those words. Seeing people who have experienced such hardship yet remain strong and resilient is incredibly inspiring. She is a role model; her strength and positivity will stay with me.
Jacobsen: Thank you for the opportunity and your time, Aisha, Ayat, and Mabintou.
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