A parish councillor is heading across the pond to represent a worldwide volunteer service for women at the United Nations next month.

Councillor Sylvia Watson, who represents Buckhurst Hill, will be a delegate for Soroptimist International at the 63rd Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) held in New York.

Members of Soroptimist International will work together aiming to improve the lives of women and girls across the world through social and economic empowerment programmes.

Councillor Watson said: "The priority theme of this year’s CSW session is social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

"With just a few weeks to go the paperwork has really started. Everything from the Secretary General’s report on social protection to timetables of briefing sessions morning and evening and details of caucus groups.

"It promises to be an interesting if frenetic event ending with the publication of Agreed Conclusions of CSW63 for implementation by member states."

The CSW is exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality, whilst enhancing and empowering women’s rights through documenting the reality of lives across the world.

Cllr Watson added: "In some ways it will be very different from the parish council although the CSW63 reference to access to public services and sustainable infrastructure is timely.

"Ultimately it’s about doing my best to help others. Whether the world’s women and girls or Buckhurst Hill residents or in other parts of the world.”