What is at stake for women’s rights, refugee rights, and gender equality as world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly?

In this episode of Women’s Refugee Commission Live, WRC President and CEO Dr. Xanthe Scharff speaks with Senior Policy Advocate Sadia Kidwai about some of the major debates unfolding at the United Nations and what they could mean for women, girls, refugees, and displaced people.

Sadia breaks down proposed reforms to the UN system, including concerns raised by feminist civil society about a potential merger of UN Women and UNFPA. She also discusses the selection of the next UN Secretary-General, efforts to protect progress on gender equality and refugee rights, and the role civil society can play in influencing decisions that may otherwise feel far removed from everyday life.

The conversation also explores how WRC is bringing research from humanitarian settings into global policy discussions, connecting evidence about the consequences of funding cuts with advocacy for women-led organizations, gender-based violence services, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Tune in for an informed look at the decisions taking shape at the UN, why they matter beyond New York, and the people working to ensure that women’s and refugee rights remain part of the conversation.

In This Episode

• Why UN reform matters for women, girls, refugees, and displaced people
• Concerns surrounding the proposed merger of UN Women and UNFPA
• What civil society is seeking from the next UN Secretary-General
• How people can engage with conversations surrounding the UN General Assembly
• Efforts to defend gender equality, women’s rights, and refugee rights
• Why decisions made at the UN can have real consequences in humanitarian settings
• How WRC research is being used to inform advocacy and policy discussions
• Why the 75th anniversary of the Refugee Convention is a significant moment for refugee protection

About Sadia Kidwai

Sadia Kidwai is Senior Policy Advocate at the Women’s Refugee Commission, where her work focuses on centering the stories, voices, and leadership of refugee women and bringing those perspectives into global policy spaces, including the United Nations.

Connect with Sadia Kidwai:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sadia-kidwai-378b1483/

About Dr. Xanthe Scharff

Dr. Xanthe Scharff is President and CEO of the Women’s Refugee Commission and host of Women’s Refugee Commission Live.

Connect with Dr. Xanthe Scharff:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanthescharff/

Connect with the Women’s Refugee Commission

The Women’s Refugee Commission works to improve the lives and protect the rights of women, children, and youth displaced by conflict and crisis. WRC researches their needs, identifies solutions, and advocates for programs and policies that strengthen resilience and drive change in humanitarian practice.

Website: https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensrefugeecommission/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wrcommission
X: https://x.com/wrcommission

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