Day 1: "Talk About Human Rights Violation!"

Written by Joshua James, intern at UFI After arriving at the much-anticipated UN’s Commission on the Status of Women in New York City, the first day was, well…a little slow. The United Families team spent almost 9 hours (!!!) waiting to register for the event. Our joints screamed and muscles ached, only relieved by moments of leaning on walls and sitting on ANYTHING that resembled a chair (or a bump). The situation was rightly explained when our new friend from India complained, “Talk about human rights violation, this is slavery!” As we neared the end of the line, some women walked past us celebrating, holding their gleaming new badge in hand, raised like Olympic medals—the rest of us cheered—jealously. Once I got my badge, I felt like how I imagine climbers feel after conquering Everest. But, I had to remind myself, "this is just the beginning."