UN WOMEN

UN Women is the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls worldwide. The topics of focus for this committee will be period poverty and the gender poverty gap. Delegates will examine the pervasive issue of period poverty, a global crisis which restricts access to menstrual hygiene products, education, and medical care, and sanitation services, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities and perpetuating gender-based inequality. Additionally, delegates will address the alarming factors that prevent women from attaining economic equality, factors which undermine the safety, autonomy, and basic rights of women across all regions of the world. These issues are deeply rooted in systemic inequality, cultural stigma, limited access to basic human rights, and socioeconomic disparities. While UN Women does not hold legislative authority, it plays a vital role in coordinating international advocacy, producing data-driven policy recommendations, and supporting grassroots initiatives in support of gender equality. This committee will serve as a crucial platform for collaborative problem-solving and for advancing comprehensive, inclusive solutions that aim to protect, uplift, and empower women around the globe.

A LETTER FROM THE DaiS:

Hello Delegates,

My name is Mikaela Robbins and I am so excited to be one of your UN Women co-directors this year! I am a junior here at the University of Michigan, double majoring in Biopsychology, Cognition, and Neuroscience and Cognitive Science, with a minor in French. Outside of all things MUNUM, I am a French tutor with Le Comité Francophone, I play clarinet in RC Chamber Music, and I do clinical science research in the Stigma Psychopathology Assessment Lab. In my downtime, I enjoy reading, cooking, watching sitcoms (especially Young Sheldon), and taking care of my many succulents. I am looking forward to meeting all of you in committee and hope you are excited for a great conference this year!

My name is Eli Jones and I am delighted to be one of your co-directors for UN Women. I am a third year student studying international studies and political science, and minoring in French. I love MUNUM, and I’ve been involved in Model UN since I was a freshman in high school. Outside of Model UN, I am a cellist in the University Campus Symphony Orchestra, and I participate in Residential College forums. In my free time, I love to play my instruments (I dabble in guitar in addition to cello) and knit. I am a strong believer that it is not possible to have too many sweaters. I also love to read and I am a huge, huge science fiction fan, especially star trek and star wars. I am super excited to meet you all in committee, and I hope we have a wonderful conference together!

Please feel welcome to contact us with any questions or concerns that may arise as you prepare for the conference in January! Our email addresses are robbinm@umich.edu and eeljones@umich.edu.

Best,

Mikaela and Eli