The United Methodist-owned Church Center for the United Nations, across First Avenue from the U.N., was a hub of activity during the 59th session of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women. Nichea Ver Veer Guy is in the front row as part of the UMW delegation. Nichea, a member of Trinity UMC in Grand Rapids, is the Finance Chair for the Global UMW organization.  ~umns photo/Linda Bloom

KAY DeMOSS
Senior Editor-Writer, Michigan Area

“I would never want our people to think our church is not alive and well and influencing decisions around the globe.” That’s Nichea Ver Veer Guy’s biggest “take-away” from a very big event that she participated in last week.
Nichea, a lay woman who has served as a leader in the West Michigan Conference for many years, had the opportunity to become a leader on the world stage at the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in New York, March 9-20.

With a strong background in social justice and the chair of the global UMW Finance Committee, Nichea was a natural to be chosen by the United Methodist Women as their only officer participating in this event. The focus was the progress in women’s rights and lives since the Beijing Conference on Women’s Rights held 20 years ago. This was Nichea’s second opportunity to be part of a UN-related international delegation. She also shared in a Human Rights and Migration conference held in Geneva in 2012.

So what has happened over the past two decades? “Unfortunately,” Nichea comments, “not a lot. The United Nations has a 50-50 goal for women’s capabilities and participation in society by 2050.” In the sessions Nichea attended, she learned of mixed progress. “In some nations, like Bolivia, there has been a 40% increase of women in Parliament. There have been gains in women’s participation in government in Africa,” she says. “However,” Nichea continues, “it is quite interesting that most of the measures of progress have not been attained in the U.S.

Why was her participation important? Nichea underscores that United Methodist Women have a big role to play in policy-shaping investments and support of programs around the world. “But we rarely get a chance to be in community with women on the ground who can offer significant help in the development of program and policy,” she explains. “We must get to know our partners better through this kind of grassroots networking,” she continues.

And so she celebrates new relationships made during the course of the event. “I met powerful women. Like the wonderful farmer from Honduras,” Nichea recalls. “She was gutsy. She came to us wanting the world to take notice of her few hectares of land and we were able to offer her a voice and give her a forum. Awesome!”

Celebrating the broad scope of the session, Nichea added, “Then you sit down with first ladies of countries and hear what they are trying to do for women. It was a huge spectrum of women in leadership.” Then she remarks, “I really felt small. There was no one else there from Michigan. Hardly anyone there from the United States. But it is good to be reminded that we Americans are not always the big kahuna.”

Information sharing covered a broad range of issues and concerns: maternal care, human trafficking, fair trade, land use, childhood immunization, climate issues, and water scarcity. The role of agricultural and pharmaceutical corporations in the lives of women and children was also examined.

Of course, HIV-AIDS, Ebola and Malaria were among health concerns on the agenda. Nichea says, “African women from numerous countries talked about how the eradication of malaria is an attainable goal. Accomplishments in this effort were spoken loud and clear.”   Nichea calls the task ahead, “Huge.” She will have various opportunities to share in the months to come. “Information about the worldwide status and role of women needs to be both clear and enticing. I want people to know more and then to act.” And she believes their arena for action is both global and local. “As I communicate with the United Methodist Women of Michigan, I want to emphasize that we also have concerns right here in our state about climate justice, health care, racial justice, maternal care, and equity in pay.” She intends to encourage dialogue that will result in making peace and doing justice at home and abroad.
“I want people to understand and appreciate the influence the church has in the world,” Nichea concludes. “Fifteen million United Methodists around the globe have the resources and the networking that truly make a difference.”   Note: for more information about the 50-50 UN session, see articles by Linda Bloom, multimedia reporter for the United Methodist News Service. Seeing Sacred Worth in Women and Girls and Defining Women’s Progress on the Grassroots Level.  

Last Updated on February 2, 2024