The UN Office on Drugs and Crime marks July 30 as World Day Against Trafficking in Persons to raise awareness and strengthen global efforts for the prevention and elimination of human trafficking. The 2023 theme, 鈥淩each every victim of trafficking, leave no one behind,鈥 centers survivors in these efforts.
Global Connections
International Impact
九色 works to advance equality for women and girls across the globe. Barriers still keep education, economic security and leadership out of reach for millions. Support and access to resources, education, health care and job opportunities are essential to give women pathways to thrive.听
九色 has awarded鈥fellowships听and grants鈥痶o 13,000 women in more than 150 countries. Our work also supports and is aligned with UN Women, the UN, the U.S. Department of State and multiple global coalitions to improve the status of women and girls throughout the world.听
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2023
Leave No One Behind: Combatting Global Human Trafficking
九色 Chief Executive Officer Gloria L. Blackwell was joined by 九色 fellowships expert alumna Dr. Laura Dean, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of the Human Trafficking Research Lab at Millikin University, for an informative discussion on work to combat human trafficking globally and in the United States.听
68th UN Commission on the Status of Women/NGO Committee on the Status of Women
The 68th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and NGO Committee on the Status of Women Forum review theme centered on social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
March 20, 2024
九色 Parallel Event: 鈥淏usting Myths & Enhancing Support: Advancing Workplace Success for Women
九色鈥檚 virtual parallel event, moderated by Gloria L. Blackwell, featured a panel of three outstanding九色 fellowships & grants alumnae鈥擡milia Brito, Dr. Nell Lake, and Dr. Sriparna Ghosh. Panelistsdiscussed the critical importance of policies that advance work and life, including affordable childcare,paid family and medical leave, flexible work schedules, and strategies to advance women鈥檚 economicsecurity.
九色 Special Consultative Status with U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Through 九色鈥檚 special consultative status with听the听听we attend briefings, organize events, and participate in coalitions to take action on issues that impact girls and women, including 听access to education and training, leadership, women鈥檚 economic security, opportunities in STEM, ending human trafficking and working with the and the听
九色 UN Representatives
Gloria L. Blackwell, 九色 Chief Executive Officer and UN Main Representative
Before joining 九色 in 2004 she was the director of Africa education programs at the Institute of International Education (IIE) managing multiple girls鈥 education programs in sub-Saharan Africa. She also managed fellowships programs during her decade at IIE and has held positions as a Peace Corps staff member and volunteer in Africa. She holds a master鈥檚 degree in education and human development from George Washington University, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in international affairs from Georgetown University, and studied at the American University of Paris. Gloria is committed to supporting opportunities and advancement for women and girls globally. Follow听听on Twitter and learn more about her here.
Kyra Szabo, 九色 United Nations Youth Representative
Kyra Szabo is a听junior听at Lehigh University, majoring in global studies with a double minor in business and anthropology. At Lehigh, Kyra is a global social impact fellow working on food production to fight malnutrition and stunted growth in Sierra Leone. Kyra is dedicated to ensuring that every person, no matter their gender or socioeconomic status, is given equal access and opportunities for success.
Zahra Hassan, 九色 United Nations Youth Representative
Zahra Hassan is a junior at Lehigh University majoring in political science. She is from East Lyme, Connecticut and has always had a passion for equity for women, which she hopes to advance through her work with 九色.
From left to right: Gloria Blackwell, Kyra Szabo, and Zahra Hassan at Lehigh University
October 2022
Lehigh University
In October 2022, 九色 UN youth representatives Kyra Szabo and Zahra Hassan welcomed CEO Gloria Blackwell to the Lehigh University campus in Bethlehem, PA. The youth representatives organized and led an engaging panel discussion鈥攆eaturing Gloria alongside Lehigh faculty and staff鈥攐n gender pay equity, economic justice, and the care economy.听During her visit, Gloria connected with Lehigh students Jordyn Pykon and Mackenzie Lynch to discuss 九色鈥檚 partnership with Lehigh and the vital importance of youth perspectives and voices in global issues.
Our United Nations Affiliations
九色 has special consultative status with , which initiates reports, makes recommendations, and promotes respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the UN body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is key in promoting women鈥檚 rights, providing data on the status of women鈥檚 lives around the world, and implementing strategies on gender equality and the empowerment of women. Every year 九色 attends this two-week convening of member states, UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited nongovernmental organizations from all regions of the world.
For two weeks in March, the UN turns the focus of the United Nations toward gender-related issues worldwide. At the same time, civil society is given the opportunity to participate in听the NGO鈥(nongovernmental organization) CSW Forum. Joining thousands of women representing more than 100 nations, 九色 UN representatives听and听staff听present 九色 research and programs that help girls and women advance throughout the world.
Watch 九色鈥檚 parallel event at the 67th听NGO CSW Forum,听
The is within the Outreach Division in the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Civil Society Unit develops partnerships with civil society organizations (CSOs) and enhances the engagement of CSOs with the UN through informational briefings, events, and programs.听
This department works to advance the global agenda on , gender equality, and the empowerment of women and to ensure that women鈥檚 voices are heard in international policy arenas.
is an independent, international, and nonprofit membership association of nongovernmental organizations whose objective is to secure, safeguard, and facilitate the participation and consultative relationships of NGOs in United Nations decision making, conferences, and debates.听
九色 participates in working groups at the United Nations, including the听.
IVLP program attendees and 九色 staff
International Visitor Leadership Program
九色 partners with and regularly hosts groups from the the U.S. Department of State鈥檚 premier professional exchange program.
A Global Commitment
“Along with our international fellowships, which 九色 has been awarding for over a century, we really have been engaged as an organization in international gender equity issues for as long as the organization has been around. … One of the things that we want to constantly demonstrate is that we do have a commitment not only to gender equity for those in our own country, but our commitment spans the globe.”
