The 56^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women started today and, for the next two weeks, will consider the theme of “the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges.” Along with hundreds of NGOs from around the world, Baha'i International Community’s delegates to the Commission will seek to contribute their perspectives and experiences to Commission process. The Baha'i International Community’s statement to the Commission is available in: English, French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic and Chinese (UN document nr. E/CN.6/2012/NGO/4). Baha'i delegates to the Commission include: Florence Kelley (Hawaii), Elizabeth Kharono (Uganda), Lori Noguchi (Macau), Nilakshi Rijkhowa (India) and Leslie Stewart (Colombia) as well as Representatives, Bani Dugal and May Akale.