Events

A record of keynote talks, panel contributions, and presentations delivered at UN forums and international events on gender justice and women’s rights.

10^th Anniversary of Human Rights Council – child marriage film screening and debate

Mohinder Watson and Dubravka Simonovic speaking at the Sonita film screening and child marriage debate to mark the 10^th Anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council hosted by the Swiss FDFA, International Film Festival, Forum on Human Rights & Graduate Institute Geneva

AI for Good Global Summits and WSIS+20

Participated in ITU’s recent AI for Good Global Summits in Geneva to follow global developments in AI and the WSIS + 20 process

African European Medical Research Network

Delivered presentations at AfricanEuropean Medical Research Network conferences at Palais des Nations, Geneva on violence against women, cross-sector partnerships, and the promises and challenges of AI use in healthcare.

Beijing +25 UNECE Regional Review and Civil Society Forum

Led and co-chaired the civil society working group on violence against women during Beijing +25 UNECE regional review. Presented findings at the civil society forum and a statement to Governments.

Brussels Events

Participated in a televised debated on child marriage and a seminar on widows and child widows hosted by Julie Ward.

CEDAW 45th Anniversary Event, UN Geneva February 2026

Celebrated the 45^th Anniversary of the coming into force of the CEDAW convention at the UN Geneva with opening remarks from Nada Al-Nashif, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

CEDAW sessions

Active participation in CEDAW sessions at the UN for over a decade including giving two informal sessions presenting original research on child widows and the first global meeting on the nexus between climate change and child marriage

Climate Change and Child Marriage presentations

Gave informal briefing to the CEDAW committee on the first global meeting on the nexus between climate change and child marriage held in 2022. Spoke on panels on climate change and child marriage organised by Gender Champions (2024) with UNFPA and Plan International and moderated panel for Girls Not Brides and UNICEF-UNFPA partnership research meeting on climate change and child marriage (2025

Commission on the Status of Women New York

Spoken on several panels at the CSW in New York on violence against women, social security, health and human rights

Speaking on our first child marriage panel in 2015

Covers our first human rights council panel on child marriage in 2015 organised with Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, now Deputy Director UN Women

Future of Work Summit – Graduate Institute Geneva

Attended Future of Work Summit at a pivotal time when the impact of AI was already being felt. Also participated in events including round table discussions on work and society and listening to student’s project presentations.

Global Health Meetings

Fortunate to have attended the World Health Organisation’s World Health Assembly, Global Health Summits in Germany and at WHO headquarters in Geneva to follow global health developments

Human Rights Council Side Events

Organised and spoken on several Human Rights Council panels on topics such as statelessness, child marriage and child widows and how these are affected by conflict.

Human Rights Day recognising the inspirational Roben X

Robdarius ‘Roben X’ Brown is a rapper and activist advocating for the rights and visibility of people with albinism. Having transformed a childhood marked by bullying into a platform for empowerment, he uses his music and voice to challenge discrimination. His leadership and advocacy have earned him recognition at the United Nations in Geneva.

International Council of Women (ICW-CIF)

Since 2017 serve as UN Representative for the International Council of Women/Conseil National des Femmes in Geneva working with various Geneva partners

Nelson Mandela Day – 2018

The United Nations in Geneva provides the opportunity to engage in celebrations like Nelson Mandela day and the opportunity to meet speakers like the Honourable Mogoeng Mogoeng, (now retired) Chief Justice of South Africa

Open Working Group on Right to Education

Given the transformative nature of education, have engaged on advocacy for the rights of all children around the world to a free compulsory primary and secondary education and at least one year of free pre-school education led by Human Rights Watch and Child Rights Connect.

Rights X Summit on AI and Human Rights

With AI reshaping societies at unprecedented speed, the OHCHR highlighted the essential role of human rights in guiding its development and use.

SAARC Meeting Nepal

Was honoured to speak about child marriage at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation meeting in Nepal

UNCTAD 16

UN Geneva Grounds

A few photos of the UN grounds and some of its peacocks

World Council of Churches

Honoured to participate in the global consultation for the commemoration of the 20^th anniversary of the Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women in Jamaica, speaking on violence against women. A very inspirational experience. Visited the Eve for Life shelter in Jamaica for survivors of gender based violence and persons living with HIV and took part in Thursdays in Black protest in Nelson Mandela Park.