One of the things you have to do to participate at the CSW, as an NGO observer, is to have a UN pass. You go with your initial letter of introduction, and then you wait, and wait. We've been standing for 2 and a half hours now, and the first part is over - i've got the official OK, but now i need a photo. So another line up. I doubt that we will make it to any of today's NGO Forum, which is too bad.
But, I did get to meet with the minister, and the staff from SWC - Suzanne Cooper and Nancy Jean Waugh. The Hon. Helena Guergis listened to the issues I raised, which were child care, the upcoming budget, women and HIV/AIDs (The point being that HIV/AIDs is the number one killer of women of reproductive age)- related this to access to male and female condoms; and research - such as the Centres of Excelence on Women's Health, important for the Government to make informed decisions. A numnber of NGOs were also meeting with the Minister, and we talked briefly about the issues, and we reinforced many of the points raised. CFUW, Teachers Society, and Labour were there.
NGOs that are part of the official delegation: Lorraine Kaminsky, from WECONNECT; Patrcia Vargas, from Women's Shelters; and Jeannette Corbiere Lavell, President of Native Women's Association. I did understand from the Minister by the way that there should be an announcement about support for SIS, plus a number of other departments that will be involved.
The Government delegation includes Suzanne and Nancy Jean of course, and also representatives from Manitoba, Nunuvat, the Yukon, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. There are reps too from DFAIT, HRDC, CIC and CEDA.
More later - time for my photo!!
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