Azad Foundation at UNCSW-68: Advancing NTL for Women

Azad Foundation actively participated in UNCSW-68, contributing to discussions aligned with the theme of “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective.” Azad and its partners highlighted shared strategies to promote gender equality, economic inclusion, and social justice.

On March 12, 2024, Azad Foundation co-hosted two in-person parallel events in New York. The first event, “Eradicating Poverty Through Innovative Strategies of Ensuring Women’s Social and Economic Inclusion,” brought together the International Council of Social Welfare Taiwan, Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL) Network, and Gender at Work. The event focused on innovative approaches to empower women from marginalized communities, emphasizing the critical role of economic opportunities in eradicating poverty and advancing gender equality.

The second event, “Engaging Men in Challenging Social Norms/Systems for Gender Justice,” co-hosted with Breakthrough in partnership with MenEngage Alliance and Equimundo: Center for Masculinities and Social Justice, explored the role of men in challenging patriarchal systems and advancing gender justice. The discussion highlighted effective strategies for engaging men as allies in the fight for gender equality and creating an environment conducive to women’s empowerment.

On March 11, 2024, Azad Foundation also co-hosted a virtual side event titled “How Non-Traditional Livelihoods can advance Gender Equality: Insights from India,” in collaboration with EMpower, UNDP India, and Mahindra Group. This event showcased how empowering women to enter male-dominated professions through Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL) can challenge societal norms, reduce gender-based violence, and foster economic independence.