Aucklander Aych McArdle has been invited to represent New Zealand’s Non-Binary community at the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) — the global body established by the United Nations, dedicated to the promotion of gender equality.

Once a year the Commission meets at UN Headquarters in New York to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of key global policies and emerging issues which affect gender equality. This year the United Nations Association of New Zealand will host a panel discussion entitled “Non-Binary Gender Identities and Social Security Systems: Challenges and Opportunities”.

Aych McArdle is the only non-binary person from New Zealand who has been invited to speak on this panel, conducted on Thursday, March 14.

Also while at the UN, Aych will have the opportunity to address the main assembly of the CSW. This will be the first time a non-binary person has spoken on the issues of legal gender recognition for non-binary people to the main assembly.

Aych McArdle

“This is an incredible opportunity to represent the issues facing our non binary community on the international stage. I am incredible humbled to be part of this global work towards gender equality for all of our communities,” Aych says.

Aych is one of the most qualified New Zealand voices to speak to the UN about gender-related matters: In 2016 they were the first New Zealander to take part in the Human Rights Defenders Advocacy Programme, and has supported several NGOs to make submissions to the UN Treaty Bodies, resulting in various recommendations to the New Zealand Government.

Because of the short notice, Aych is conducting urgent fundraising to find the $8,000 required to get them to New York, including accommodation, and other related costs. To assist Aych, donations and koha can be sent via Paypal to getmetotheUN@gmail.com. #GetAychToTheUN

If there are not enough funds to get Aych to the UN, the donations will be split between Gender Minorities Aotearoa and the Intersex Trust of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Aych is available for interviews.