Gunnedah's Keli McDonald has returned from the Big Apple ready to tackle a new year in the National Rural Women's Coalition (NRWC).
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Ms McDonald was one of four coalition directors who travelled to New York in March for the United Nations (UN) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the UN's headquarters.
This year's theme was social protection systems and access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for the empowerment of women and girls.
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In the first week, Ms McDonald said NRWC delivered presentations on "empowering rural women through leadership programs" and results of its National Conversation Survey on "what rural women want".
"Both of those were really well attended by international delegations and there was really good interest in our programs and data," she said.
Ms McDonald said the event enabled NRWC to "share our knowledge with women internationally".
"I think what we really do is bring the rural lens to government policy .. [We] ensure there's going to be rural infrastructure and rural women have access to the same public services and protection systems as urban women," she said.
"[CSW] helps us focus our work and it adds to the value of what we're doing. When we're working on different projects, we make sure it's with those projects in mind," she said.
The invaluable event also provided countless chances to learn and network, and contribute to a report making recommendations to governments and other stakeholders.
"Sharing knowledge - it's the women weaving. We're creating strength within our words and the partnership and the trust because we have a common cause to empower all women and girls to equality," Ms McDonald said.
"I feel so lucky and honoured to be a part of the [zero report], something that makes a difference to not only women in Gunnedah but potentially all over the world."