Last month at the UN Headquarters in New York, and under the auspices of UN Women at CSW68, the event Launching Of The First Global Network Of Women Of Film And Audiovisual Media marks the initiation of a collaborative platform for all stakeholders involved in the film and audiovisual sectors to accelerate gender equality and financing with a gender perspective. Co-organized by the Permanent Mission of Spain at United Nations, CIMA Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y Medios Audiovisuales, UN Women National Committee of Spain, UN Women National Committee of Australia, and Spain Film Commission, the event set the stage for an international collaboration aimed at accelerating gender equality and integrating a gender perspective in financing within the film and audiovisual sectors. The primary focus is on fostering exchanges and sharing best practices among media and audiovisual institutions and organisations to combat gender-based inequalities.
This event builds upon the commitment made by 29 global organisations at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris, France, in July 2021. The coalition pledged to work collectively toward women’s leadership, equal representation, economic justice, gender-responsive education, ending gender-based violence, and advocating for gender perspectives in international festivals. CIMA, a driving force behind this initiative, now leads the organisation of this CSW68 side event.
The event lays the groundwork for an international network, bringing together governments, institutions, private and public organisations, and civil society. This collaborative effort seeks to exchange data, promote best practices, and compile reports on global advances in achieving gender equality in film and audiovisual media.
OBJECTIVES:
- Strengthening Women’s Leadership: Explore measures to enhance women’s leadership and equal representation in the audiovisual and media industries.
- Economic Justice: Advocate for equal pay for equal work and increased financial support for audiovisual projects led by women.
- Policy Advocacy: Demand measures from institutions, governments, and private companies to accelerate gender equality in the audiovisual and media industries.
MAJOR ISSUES DISCUSSED:
Aligned with the CSW68 Main Priority Theme, the session will address the following:
- Measures for Women’s Leadership: Strategies to strengthen women’s leadership and equal representation in the audiovisual and media industries.
- Economic Justice: Advocacy for equal pay and increased financial support for projects led by women.
- Policy Advocacy: Calls for measures to accelerate gender equality and empowerment in the audiovisual and media industries.
UN Women National Committees play an essential role in supporting UN Women’s mission on a national level; advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. These independent committees serve as key advocates for women’s rights, working closely with UN Women and other stakeholders to implement policies and programs that address gender inequalities and promote women’s participation in decision-making processes. Through advocacy, fundraising, and awareness-raising activities, UN Women National Committees mobilise support for initiatives that aim to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all. At CSW68, emphasis is placed on strengthening the collaboration between UN Women National Committees and governments, civil society, and the private sector to accelerate progress towards achieving gender equality and the Sustainable Development Goals.
CIMA (Asociación de Mujeres Cineastas y de Medios Audiovisuales) is a professional association in Spain representing over 1,100 women from the audiovisual industry united by a common goal: to promote equal presence of women filmmakers and audiovisual professionals and contribute to a balanced and realistic representation of women in audiovisual content. Founded in 2006, CIMA carries out its mission through research, advocacy, and programs that support women professionals as well as activities for the general public that promote gender parity in the media, among other initiatives. CIMA has consultative status at ECOSOC and is associated with the UN Department of Global Communication.