Yesterday marked the start of the 53rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. I have to say, I miss working in the international sphere, and CSW was one of my favorite events. (If you want a history of CSW, click here.)

This year, the priority theme being discussed is "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS."

From UN Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro's opening remarks yesterday:

Imbalances and inequalities in the sharing of responsibilities between women and men persist in both the private and public spheres, and in relation to both paid and unpaid work. Most domestic and care work, for example, is done by women and girls in developed and developing countries alike.

As a result, women face restrictions in employment, education and training, and in participation in public life. And men are constrained in playing an active part in the lives of their families. Families, communities and society as a whole suffer the consequences.

The HIV and AIDS pandemic has illustrated clearly that a range of stakeholders -- including the State, private sector and civil society -- must play a role in caring for people. This is an urgent task that requires a comprehensive approach.

If you're in New York and interested in CSW, you need not be working for a NGO or the UN to get involved. All week, parallel events are being held that are open to the public. For example, this Friday at Barnard College, the UNRISD Gender and Development Programme is holding a conference, "The Political & Social Economics of Care." (I'll def be there; it looks really interesting, plus a friend of mine organized it.)

If you're not in New York, you can follow along with CSW on the UN's Women Watch website.