The 65th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women will take place on March 15–26, 2021.

As a side event to the session, Blue Ridge Consulting and Virginia Tech will co-sponsor a virtual panel discussion, “Women’s Political Representation,” on March 15 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Sign up here to receive event details.

Maleeha Lodhi, a former permanent representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, will provide opening remarks, and Pedro A. G. dos Santos, an associate professor of political science at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University in Minnesota, will moderate the session.




Panelists and topics include:


  • Farida Jalalzai, associate dean for global Initiatives and engagement and a professor of political science in the Virginia Tech College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences — Topic: Heads of State and Government


  • Tiffany Barnes, an associate professor of political science, director of undergraduate studies in political science, and internship director for political science at the University of Kentucky — Topic: Cabinets



  • Ameena Zia, founder of Blue Ridge Consulting — Topic: Political Parties



  • Malliga Och, an assistant professor of Global Studies at Idaho State University — Topic: Women in Legislature



To learn more about Virginia Tech-sponsored events commemorating Women’s History Month, visit Women’s Month 2021: Trailblazers: Women Making History.