• The question of establishing laws and regulations against forced marriages

• The question of enhancing mitigation efforts against women's exploitation in labor

• The question of reproductive rights

As a procedural chair of SDG 5, it was an honor to have an interview with Ms. Klein, who is an HS English teacher. We started interviewing by asking a few questions about her life story as an English teacher and her favorite moments.

Before coming to UNIS, she was working in Ukraine; however, due to the war, she had to evacuate from Ukraine, and to avoid the war, she had to be in Poland for a year, and came to UNIS. She had many favorite moments, but she especially liked working in the leadership team at the previous school. Ms. Klein and her colleague were working together to create a student diversity leadership council, where students from other schools come over to work together to present at the teacher’s conference in their region.

When I asked her about familiarity with UNISMUN or MUN, Ms. Klein explained that her husband (Mr. Best) was the mentor for the MUN program, and he ran a huge conference. Ms. Klein was a mentor for the middle school MUN program, but something fun was that, ironically, her first conference was the SDG 5 council. Therefore, she thinks MUN is a great program.

For advice on making the delegate feel comfortable, Ms. Klein recommended making sure other delegates are not dominating the conference by talking too fast or too much, or giving a chance to the delegate who wants to make a speech. Finally, if the delegate is too nervous to make a speech in public, we write a note to the delegate asking if they would like to make a speech, or “we haven’t heard from you, can we call out your country?” so it makes delegates feel less nervous. 

In conclusion, Ms. Klein highlighted that collaborating with the co-chairs is important to make the conference a success and run smoothly.

As the procedural chair of SDG 5, it was an honor to interview Ms. Kyerematen. She is from West Ghana. She has worked for over 20 years in an international school, and this is her 2nd year teaching at UNIS. Before she was teaching in an international school located in Ghana.

Her favorite moment was having 3 children and working on 2 different continents, experiencing two different schools. Not only experiencing two different schools, but also having an interest in the issues that Ghana, the UK, and Vietnam faced. 

When asked about how to talk with a person who is not friends with me, she mentioned “collaboration.” I got the role of the Chair, and I have to give myself courage to step up and try to help delegates and work with the co-chairs. In that order, the delegate will respect me, and I also respect the delegates as well.

For advice on internal division by the chairs, Ms. Kyerematen mentioned “agreement” on how each chair should work as a team and have a role. If that is not working, she noted I have to be ready to have hard conversations with my co-chairs. Moreover, each person has different ideas, so I have to be open-minded to accept the ideas. If I want to be successful or make a conference a success, I have to try some challenges.

To conclude, Ms. Kyerematen has mentioned “goals” several times while interviewing. Her advice was focusing on “collaboration,” where every person has a goal, and as a team, we are trying to achieve the goal. Therefore, throughout the conference, it will be useful to communicate with the delegates and the co-chairs.

Warm welcome to honorable directors, distinguished delegates, and esteemed guests,

My name is Yunji Lee, currently a senior at St. Paul American School Hanoi, and it marks my 12th conference, 6th as a chair. It is such an honor to serve as the head chair for SDG 5 at the 2026 March UNIS conference.

The theme of this conference, “Is our rules-based international system able to adapt to contemporary challenges to security and sovereignty?” poses a crucial question in balancing the involvement of international organizations and the protection of national sovereignty. Seeking a multilateral consensus for the shared goal of equality and respect would enable our community to adapt to the rules-based system for the maintenance of international peace and security and the protection of human rights.

Sustainable Development Goal 5 (SDG 5) is significant in protecting human rights, for it is responsible for achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. It aims to resolve the issue of gender bias that undermines the social fabric and devalues all global citizens. Rather than considering gender bias just as a human rights issue, it actively advocates for women’s equal rights in counter to the denial of women’s chance to live life to its fullest in political, economic, and social manners, eradicating prejudice for equal rights.

First topic “the question of establishing laws against forced marriages” exemplifies three aspects crucial to global security: violation of human rights, cultural and legal tensions, and the protection mechanisms of women. As forced marriage strips women and girls of their right to freely choose their life partner and future, taking away their human rights and individual autonomy over their own lives. As the root of the issue is deeply related to the traditional customs and patriarchal norms, effective international laws must balance the respect of culture and basic human rights to establish prevention and protection mechanisms effectively. 

Secondly, the “question of mitigating women’s exploitation in labor” deals with the gender pay gap, which lacked legal protections and enforcement historically, revealing the intersectional discrimination. Women have struggled with underpayment and overrepresentation in unregulated sectors, so efforts must be made on ensuring equal payment with strong legal protection covering domestic workers and agricultural laborers. Tackling such issues would also create an inclusive community where marginalized groups like migrants and ethnic minorities would be supported through international cooperation. 

The last question of  “reproductive rights” would allow access to safe and legal healthcare services by ensuring reproductive rights as human rights for women. Through the provision of contraception, parental care, and comprehensive sex education, women can be empowered with knowledge and proper access to services that directly enhance maternal mortality and economic hardship. Recognizing reproductive choice as a part of basic human rights would ensure gender equality, affirming women’s right to control. 

Recognizing the importance of our topic, I truly hope to see a fruitful debate that will take place in our committee. Wishing everyone a fun experience at the conference, rather than solely stressing out about the debate. Take care and see you there!

Honorable delegates, esteemed guests,

My name is Pham Nguyen Hoang Nguyen, and I am a junior at NTT lower and upper high school. This conference marks my fourth MUN and first time chairing. I am honored to be your deputy chair for SDG 5 for the UNISMUN 2026 March conference.

The theme of this UNISMUN conference is “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibilities” provides an important key to analyzing the challenges faced by SDG 5. Gender equality is an issue rooted deeply in cultural, political and social structure, solving such problems needs the balance between their sovereignty authority and their global responsibilities to uphold universal human rights. As a committee aiming to promote safety, dignity, and opportunity for women and girls, SDG 5 serves as a critical platform for examining how states can align national policies with international commitments.

For this UNISMUN conference, our committee will examine 3 key topics. First is “the question of establishing laws and regulations against forced marriages” addresses a persistence violation of fundamental human rights. Strengthening legal protections and implementing effective prevention mechanisms are essential to safeguarding vulnerable populations and promoting long-term quality.

The second topic, “The question of enhancing mitigation efforts against women’s exploitations in labor” highlights the structural inequalities embedded within global economic systems. Realising the toxic and dangerous working environment faced along with wage discriminations and exploitative labor practices. Addressing this problem needs international cooperation to strengthen labor regulations, close enforcement gaps and promote fair and inclusive economic participation.

The last topic is “The question of reproductive rights” aligns at the heart of women’s autonomy and well being. Reproductive health is inseparable from gender equality as it remains highly contested across national contexts. As delegates of the SDG 5, you will discuss how reproductive rights can be protected while acknowledging the complex relationship between national sovereignty, cultural norms and international human right standards.

As I finish this introduction, I would like to encourage all delegates to approach debates with openness, cooperation, and a willingness to think beyond boundaries. I am confident that together we can create a constructive and inspiring committee experience. Thank you and see you in the conference!

Thank you,

Nguyen P.

Honorable delegate, fellow chairs, and most esteemed guest

My name is Yoonwoo (Aiden) Lee, and I am a junior at United Nations International School Hanoi. This is my first conference as a chair for MUN, and my 6th conference overall. I am honored to be the procedural chair for SDG 5 for the UNISMUN 2026 March conference.

The theme of this UNISMUN conference is “The role of sovereignty in diplomacy towards international responsibility.” This theme gained my interest due to the way it appeals to me so strongly and making me create questions of understanding how diplomacy can lead to respecting their nation’s sovereignty while making a connection with SDG 5 solving the issue of eliminating discrimination, violence, and harmful practices.

SDG 5 is one of 17 Sustainable Development Goals created by the UN. SDG 5 is a committee focused on gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls. Eliminating discrimination, violence, and harmful practices. Confirming that all the women and girls have economic and peaceful lives without having any discrimination and violence, but with equal opportunity.

The three topics we will be debating as a committee are “the question of establishing laws and regulations against forced marriages,” “The question of enhancing mitigation efforts against women's exploitation in labor,” and “ The question of reproductive rights.”

The first topic of “establishing laws and regulations against forced marriages” focuses on concerns of human rights and gender equality for women and girls in forced marriages. This topic is important because it is primarily rooted in the safeguarding of autonomy and well-being.

The second topic of “enhancing mitigation efforts against women's exploitation in labor,” addressing economic fairness around the world. Moreover, countries are facing an issue within the labor sector. This is important because economics should provide for the exploitation of the workspace.

Lastly, the last topic of  “reproductive rights” addresses the individual rights, especially women and girls, to have the freedom to decide on their own bodies. This is important because when women and girls do not have any decision, then more women and girls will experience violence and suffer.

I hope that I can help all the delegates throughout the conference. I will do my best to give all delegates feedback and to ensure they feel comfortable at this conference. I am excited to make some good memories with you guys

Thank you,

Aiden. L