CSW 2010

Listen to the Speeches from Beijing +15

2010-09-12T15:09:00.000-07:00

You can hear some of the speeches - ISIS International was at the CSW and recorded many of the sessions - good to go back and listen again.

NGO's and the UN

2010-04-19T07:01:00.000-07:00

The following article supports the experience of the NGOs at this year's CSW -

U.N. Blasted for Sequestering NGOs & Media
Thalif Deen

UNITED NATIONS, Apr 18 (IPS) - A major structural renovation of the U.N. Secretariat is being used as a pretext to curb media access to delegates and Security Council members, and is also a veritable smokescreen to tighten restrictions on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) accredited to the world body, critics say.

"It's absolutely scandalous," says Jim Paul, executive director of the New York-based Global Policy Forum, which provides intense coverage of U.N. activities in its widely-accessed website. The Capital Master Plan (CMP), a five-year U.N. restructuring project costing about 1.9 billion dollars with a 2013 deadline, is apparently the primary excuse to restrict the physical movement of NGO representatives in the U.N. building, he said. "The United Nations appears to be getting progressively more hostile to NGOs - and member states appear to be behind this trend," Paul told IPS.

Former Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who had a love-hate relationship with NGOs, once described them as "indispensable partners of the United Nations" and "the conscience of the world". But his administration also had occasional battles with NGOs whose presence in the U.N. building, particularly during summit meetings and General Assembly sessions, was restricted on security grounds. But the current situation is the worst because "it is 10 times more difficult", complained Paul, who is a member of a new 'NGO Working Group on U.N. Access'.

The NGO complaint follows a strong protest by the U.N. Correspondents' Association (UNCA) which recently faulted the world body for new restrictions imposed on press access to delegates and members of the Security Council.

Asked for an update, U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky told reporters Friday: "I think you should ask the President of the Security Council what the arrangements (for press access) are."

"It is not for me to second guess what the Security Council is doing. I am not going to pre-judge," he added.

Meanwhile, in a hard-hitting letter to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, the Working Group says that NGOs "are amongst the closest partners of the United Nations - sharing the vision and promoting the goals and ideals on which the United Nations was established."

But "we (are) compelled to write to you at this time in light of a number of obstacles restricting NGO access to the United Nations at different levels."

"Some of the restrictions are structural and related to the renovations, while others, of greater concern, reflect the political mood prevalent today," the letter complains. "We are particularly concerned that the temporary arrangements, as part of the Capital Master Plan, are creating additional access problems and significantly reducing space for NGO participation."

Currently, over 3,000 NGOs are recognised and provided "consultative status" with the U.N.'s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Additionally, over 2,000 NGOs are recognised and accredited to the world body by the U.N.'s Department of Public Information.

The new NGO Working Group, which is fighting for the rights of NGOs, includes the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) in Consultative Relationship with the U.N., International Service for Human Rights, World Federalist Movement - Institute for Global Policy, Baha'i International Community and Global Policy Forum.

The NGO letter also said: "It is widely acknowledged that in today's increasingly interdependent world, deliberation on issues of global concern - development, security and human rights - requires a closer participation of NGOs than ever before."

"We therefore believe that it is imperative for the United Nations to explore ways and means to expand and render more meaningful the access of NGOs to the Organisation, and its negotiation and decision-making processes," the letter adds.

The Working Group has also asked the secretary-general to assign an individual at a senior level within the executive office to serve as a liaison to the NGO community.

Under Annan, the Assistant Secretary-General for External Relations Gillian Martin Sorensen was the coordinator of NGOs.

In this role, Sorensen "played a significant role in engaging with and assisting NGOs, by organising regular meetings to discuss matters of concern," the letter adds.

In his response, Ban sent a letter pointing out that despite careful planning, "significant challenges remain from the current stage of the implementation of the Capital Master Plan."

"Indeed, the situation is difficult, not only for NGOs but also for member states and the Secretariat," he wrote.

The secretary-general also said that he has directed all departments concerned "to seek sound and coordinated solutions to providing access to as many NGOs as possible, within the security and safety requirements."

Paul dismissed Ban's letter as an "empty, say-nothing" response.

Meanwhile, in a letter to the secretary-general and to the president of the Security Council, UNCA President Giampaolo Pioli expressed "serious concern" about proposed restrictions on press access to Council members outside their new meeting area.

Any attempt to use the move and/or safety concerns as a pretext to institute unprecedented and unnecessary limitations on press access to the delegations is unacceptable to UNCA members since it would further reduce the transparency of the most powerful body within the United Nations, Pioli said.

"It is ironic that the very Security Council whose members have jointly and individually criticised governments around the world for not allowing a free press to operate in their countries have suddenly gotten into the business of curtailing a free press at U.N. headquarters," he added.

Hillary Clinton's Remarks at the UN CSW (Friday)

2010-03-15T11:14:00.000-07:00

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Secretary of State

UN Headquarters

New York City

March 12, 2010

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you to Ambassador Alex Wolff and to our U.S. Mission here at the United Nations. And it's wonderful to be back at the United Nations for this occasion.

I want to thank the deputy secretary general for being with us. I'm very pleased that my friend and someone who once represented the United States here before becoming Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright, could join us; members of the diplomatic corps and representatives to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women; many of my friends, elected officials from New York, including Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, who has been recognized and who is a great champion of women's rights and responsibilities and to all of you. This final day of the 54th session of the UN Commission brings to a close a week of a lot of activity, and it reminds us of the work that still lies ahead.

Fifteen years ago, delegates from 189 countries met in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference on Women. It was a call to action - a call to the global community to work for the laws, reforms, and social changes necessary to ensure that women and girls everywhere finally have the opportunities they deserve to fulfill their own God-given potentials and contribute fully to the progress and prosperity of their societies.

For many of us in this room today, that was a call to action that we have heeded. I know some of you have made it the cause of your life.You have worked tirelessly, day in and day out, to translate those words into realities. And we have seen the evidence of such efforts everywhere.

In South Africa, women living in shanty towns came together to build a housing development outside Cape Town all on their own, brick by brick. And today, their community has grown to more than 50,000 homes for low income families, most of them female-headed.

In Liberia, a group of church women began a prayer movement to stop their country's brutal civil war. It grew to include thousands of women who helped force the two sides to negotiate a peace agreement.And then, those women helped elect Ellen Johnson Sirleaf president, the first woman to lead an African nation.

In the United States, a young woman had an idea for a website where anyone could help a small business on the other side of the world get off the ground. And today, the organization she co-founded, Kiva, has given more than $120 million in microloans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, 80 percent of them women.

So as we meet here in New York, women worldwide are working hard to do their part to improve the status of women and girls. And in so doing,they are also improving the status of families, communities, and countries. They are running domestic violence shelters and fighting human trafficking. They are rescuing girls from brothels in Cambodia and campaigning for public office in Kuwait. They are healing women injured in childbirth in Ethiopia, providing legal aid to women in China, and running schools for refugees from Burma. They are rebuilding homes and re-stitching communities in the aftermath of the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile. And they are literally leaving their marks on the world. For example, thanks to the environmental movement started by Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, 45 million trees are now standing tall across Kenya, most of them planted by women.

And even young girls have been empowered to stand up for their rights in ways that were once unthinkable. In Yemen, a 10-year-old girl forced to marry a much older man made headlines around the world by marching into court and demanding that she be granted a divorce, which she received. And her courage helped to shine a spotlight on the continuing practice of child marriage in that country and elsewhere.

Now, these are just a few of the stories, and everyone here could stand up and tell even more. These are the stories of what women around the world do every day to confront injustice, to solve crises,propel economies, improve living conditions, and promote peace. Women have shown time and again that they will seize opportunities to improve their own and their families lives. And even when it seems that no opportunity exists, they still find a way. And thanks to the hard work and persistence of women and men, we have made real gains toward meeting the goals set in Beijing.

Today, more girls are in school. More women hold jobs and serve in public office. And as women have gained the chance to work, learn, and participate in their societies, their economic, political, and social contributions have multiplied. In many countries, laws that once permitted the unequal treatment of women have been replaced by laws that recognize their equality, although for too many, laws that exist on the books are not yet borne out in their daily lives.

But the progress we have made in the past 15 years is by no means the end of the story. It is, maybe, if we're really lucky, the end of the beginning. There is still so much more to be done. We have to write the next chapter to fully realize the dreams and potential that we set forth in Beijing. Because for too many millions and millions of girl sand women, opportunity remains out of reach. Women are still the majority of the world's poor, the uneducated, the unhealthy, the unfed. In too many places, women are treated not as full and equal human beings with their own rights and aspirations, but as lesser creatures undeserving of the treatment and respect accorded to their husbands, their fathers, and their sons.

Women are the majority of the world's farmers, but are often forbidden from owning the land they tend to every day, or accessing the credit they need to invest in those farms and make them productive.

Women care for the world's sick, but women and girls are less likely to get treatment when they are sick.

Women raise the world's children, but too often receive inadequate care when they give birth. And as a result, childbirth remains a leading cause of death and injury to women worldwide.

Women rarely cause armed conflicts, but they always suffer their consequences. And when warring sides sit at one table to negotiate peace, women are often excluded, even though it is their future and their children's future that is being decided.

Though many countries have passed laws to deter violence against women, it remains a global pandemic. Women and girls are bought and sold to settle debts and resolve disputes. They are raped as both a tactic and a prize of armed conflict. They are beaten as punishment for disobedience and as a warning to other women who might assert their rights. And millions of women and girls are enslaved in brothels, forced to work as prostitutes, while police officers pocket bribes and look the other way.

Women may be particularly vulnerable to human rights violations like these. But we also know that in many places, women now are leading the fight to protect and promote human rights for everyone. With us today are several women I was proud to honor earlier this week at this year's United States State Department's International Women of Courage Awards. They have endured isolation and intimidation, violence and imprisonment, and even risked their lives to advance justice and freedom for others. And though they may work in lonely circumstances, these women, and those like them around the world, are not alone. Let them know that every one of us and the many others whom we represent are standing with them as they wage their lonely but essential efforts on behalf of us all.

The status of the world's women is not only a matter of morality and justice. It is also a political, economic, and social imperative. Put simply, the world cannot make lasting progress if women and girls in the 21st century are denied their rights and left behind.

The other day I heard The New York Times columnist Nick Kristof, who has done so much to bring to a wide audience the stories of individual women who are working and suffering because of conditions under which they are oppressed. And he said, you know, in the 19th century, the great moral imperative was the fight against slavery. And in the 20thcentury, it was the fight against totalitarianism. And in the 21st century, it is the fight for women's equality. He was right, and we must accept and promote that fundamental truth.

Now, I know there are those hard to believe but there are those who still dispute the importance of women to local, national, and global progress. But the evidence is irrefutable. When women are free to develop their talents, all people benefit: women and men, girls and boys. When women are free to vote and run for public office,governments are more effective and responsive to their people. When women are free to earn a living and start small businesses, the data is clear: they become key drivers of economic growth across regions and sectors. When women are given the opportunity of education and access to health care, their families and communities prosper. And when women have equal rights, nations are more stable, peaceful, and secure.

In 1995, in one voice, the world declared human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights. And for many, those words have translated into concrete actions. But for others they remain a distant aspiration. Change on a global scale cannot and does not

happen overnight. It takes time, patience, and persistence. And as hard as we have worked these past 15 years, we have more work to do.

So today, let us renew our commitment to finishing the job. And let us intensify our efforts because it is both the right thing to do and itis the smart thing as well. We must declare with one voice that women's progress is human progress, and human progress is women's progress once and for all.

This principle was enshrined 10 years ago in Millennium Development Goal Number 3, the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. And that goal is essential for the realization of every other goal. Today, this principle is also at the heart of the foreign policy of the United States. We believe that women are critical to solving virtually every challenge we face as individual nations and as a community of nations. Strategies that ignore the lives and contributions of women have little chance of succeeding. So in the Obama Administration, we are integrating women throughout our work around the world.

We are consulting with women as we design and implement our policies. We are taking into greater account how those policies will impact women and girls. And we are working to identify women leaders and potential leaders around the world to make them our partners and to help support their work. And we are measuring progress, in part, by how much we improve the conditions of the lives of women and girls.

This isn't window dressing, and it's not just good politics. President Obama and I believe that the subjugation of women is a threat to the national security of the United States. It is also a threat to the common security of our world, because the suffering and denial of the rights of women and the instability of nations go hand in hand.

The United States is implementing this approach in our strategy in Afghanistan. As I said in London in January at the International Conference on Afghanistan, the women of Afghanistan have to be involved at every step in securing and rebuilding their country. Our stabilization strategy for both Afghanistan and Pakistan includes a Women's Action Plan that promotes women's leadership in both the public and private sectors; increases their access to education, health, and justice; and generates jobs for women, especially in agriculture.

This focus on women has even been embraced by the United States Military. All-women teams of Marines will be meeting with Afghan women in their homes to assess their needs. Congress has joined this focus as well. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee, under Chairman John Kerry, empowered a subcommittee charged with global women's issues that recently held hearings on promoting opportunity for Afghan women and girls.

History has taught us that any peace not built by and for women is far less likely to deliver real and lasting benefits. As we have seen from Guatemala to Northern Ireland to Bosnia, women can be powerful peacemakers, willing to reach across deep divides to find common ground. United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 reflects this principle. Now, we must work together to render it into action and achieve the full participation of women as equal partners in peace.

And as women continue to advocate for peace, even risking their lives to achieve it, many are praying that we will keep the promise we made in Resolution 1888 to take significant steps to end sexual violence against women and children in conflict.

We have begun the process laid out in the resolution. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has appointed a special representative. Now we must press ahead to end forever the evil of rape in conflict, which has caused suffering beyond imagination for victims and their families.

For the United States, women are also central to our ongoing work to elevate development as a key pillar of our foreign policy alongside diplomacy and defense. As those who grow the world?s food, collect the water, gather the firewood, wash the clothes, and increasingly, work in the factories, run the shops, launch the businesses, and create jobs, women are powerful forces for any country's economic growth and social progress. So our development strategies must reflect their roles and the benefits they bring.

Three major foreign policy initiatives illustrate our commitment. The first is our Global Health Initiative, a $63 billion commitment to improve health and strengthen health systems worldwide. Improving global health is an enormous undertaking, so we are focusing first on those people whose health has the biggest impact on families and communities - women and girls. We aim to reduce maternal and child mortality and increase access to family planning. And we especially commend the commission and the UN' s adoption by consensus of the resolution on maternal mortality.

We also intend to further reduce the numbers of new HIV infections. AIDS has now become a woman's disease, passed from men to women and too often, to children. Through our Global Health Initiative and our continued work through PEPFAR, we hope to stop that deadly progression by giving women and girls the tools and knowledge they need to protect themselves, and by treating HIV-positive mothers so they are less likely to pass on the disease to their children.

Our global food security program, which I previewed here at the United Nations last September, is a $3.5 billion commitment to strengthen the world's food supply, so farmers can earn enough to support their families and food can be available more broadly. And women are integral to this mission. Most of the world's food is grown, harvested, stored, and prepared by women, often in extremely difficult conditions. They face droughts, floods, storms, pests without the fertilizers or enriched seeds that farmers in wealthy countries use. Many consider themselves lucky if they can scratch out a harvest sufficient to feed their children. Giving these women the tools and the training to grow more food and the opportunity to get that food to a market where it can be sold will have a transformative impact on their lives and it will grow the economies of so many countries.

I have to confess that when we started our Food Security Initiative, I did not know that most food was grown by women. I remember once driving through Africa with a group of distinguished experts. And I saw women working in the fields and I saw women working in the markets and I saw women with wood on their heads and water on their heads and children on their backs. And I remarked that women just seem to be working all the time. And one of the economists said, But it doesn't count. I said, How can you say that? He said, Well, it's not part of the formal economy. I said, Well, if every woman who did all that work stopped tomorrow, the formal economy would collapse.

A third initiative is our government's response to the challenge of climate change. In Copenhagen in December, I announced that the United States would work with other countries to mobilize $100 billion a year by 2020 to address the climate needs of developing countries.

The effects of climate change will be felt by us all, but women in developing countries will be particularly hard hit, because as all of the changes of weather go on to produce more drought conditions and more storms and more floods, the women will have to work even harder to produce food and walk even farther to find water safe for drinking. They are on the front lines of this crisis, which makes them key partners and problem solvers. So we believe we must increase women's access to adaptation and mitigation technologies and programs so they can protect their families and help us all meet this global challenge.

These initiatives amount to more than an assortment of programs designed with women in mind. They reflect a fundamental shift in U.S.policy, one that is taking place in offices across Washington and in our embassies around the globe. But we are still called to do more - every single one of us. The Obama Administration will continue to work for the ratification of CEDAW.

Now, I don't have to tell those of you who are Americans how hard this is. But we are determined, because we believe it is past time, to take this step for women in our country and in all countries. Here at the United Nations, a single, vibrant agency dedicated to women run by a strong leader with a seat at the secretary generals table, would help galvanize the greater levels of coordination and commitment that the women of the world deserve.

And as the United Nations strives to better support the world's women, it would benefit from having more women in more of its leadership positions. (Applause.) Just as there are talented women working unnoticed in every corner of the world, there are women with great talent and experience whose potential leadership is still largely untapped, and they deserve the chance to serve and lead.

The Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action was not only a pledge to help women in other lands, it was also a promise by all countries to do more to advance opportunity and equality for our own citizens. Because in every country on earth, talent is universal, but opportunity is not. In my travels across the United States, I've met women for whom higher education is a distant dream. They have the talent, they have the drive, but they don't have the money. I've met mothers trapped in abusive relationships desperate to escape with their children, but with no means of support. I've met too many women who cannot afford necessary healthcare for themselves and their children. And I've met girls who have heard their whole lives that they were less than - less talented, less worthy of respect - until they eventually came to believe it was true.

So whether we live in New York or New Delhi, Lagos or La Paz, women and girls share many of the same struggles and aspirations. The principle of women' s equality is a simple, self-evident truth, but the work of turning that principle into practice is rarely simple. It takes years and even generations of patient, persistent work, not only to change a country's laws, but to change its people's minds, to weave throughout culture and tradition in public discourse and private views the unassailable fact of women's worth and women's rights.

Some of you may have seen the cover of the most recent issue of The Economist. If you haven't, I commend it to you. And like me, you may do a double-take. Because I looked quickly at it and I thought it said genocide. And then I looked more carefully at it, and it said gendercide. Because it was pointing out the uncomfortable fact that there are approximately 100 million fewer girls than there should be, if one looked at all the population data. I was so struck by that. A word that I had never heard before, but which so tragically describes what has gone on, what we have let go on, in our world.

My daughter is here with me today and being the mother of a daughter is a great inspiration and motivation for caring about the girls of the world. And I would hope that we would want not only for our own daughters the opportunities that we know would give them the chance to make the most of their lives, to fulfill that God-given potential that resides within each of us, but that we would recognize doing the same for other daughters of mothers and fathers everywhere would make the world a safer and better place for our own children.

So we must measure our progress not by what we say in great venues like this, but in how well we are able to improve the condition of women's lives, some near at hand who deserve the opportunities many of us take for granted, some in far distant cities and remote villages - women we are not likely ever to meet but whose lives will be shaped by our actions.

Let us recommit ourselves, as individuals, as nations, as the United Nations, to build upon the progress of the past and achieve once and for all that principle that we all believe in, or we would not be here today. The rights and opportunities of all women and girls deserve our attention and our support because as they make progress, then the progress that should be the birthright of future generations will be more likely, and the 21st century will fulfill the promise that we hold out today. So let's go forth and be reenergized in the work that lies ahead.

Thank you all very much. (Applause.)

Resolutions adopted by the CSW

2010-03-15T07:23:00.000-07:00

The CSW on Friday, March 12th adopted 7 resolutions -

United Nations Gender Entity,
Assistance for Palestinian women,
Release of women and children during hostage taking,
Maternal mortality and morbidity,
Economic Empowerment,
Women, the Girl Child and HIV/AIDs,
Ending Female Genital Mutilation

The Commission on the Status of Women concluded its fifty-fourth session today with the adoption of six resolutions on a range of issues concerning gender equality and women’s empowerment, and the approval of one text, by recorded vote, on Palestinian women, to be sent to the Economic and Social Council for adoption.

The Commission also adopted the draft report of its current session, as well as the provisional agenda of its fifty-fifth session.By a recorded vote of 31 in favour to 2 against ( Israel, United States), with 10 abstentions ( Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Togo), the Commission approved the draft on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women. (See annex for details of the vote.)

By its terms, the Commission, deploring the economic and social conditions of Palestinian women and girls in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, would have the Economic and Social Council demand that Israel comply fully with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among other treaties. The Council would call on Israel to facilitate the return of all displaced Palestinian women to their homes, and on the global community to continue to provide urgently needed assistance. The Secretary-General would be requested to continue to review the situation and assist Palestinian women by all available means.Speaking after the vote, the representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine expressed her gratitude to all States that had supported the text. Resolutions remained necessary in light of Israel’s grave human rights violations in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. She looked forward to a day when Palestine did not have to put forward resolutions, but, until then, her delegation would look to the United Nations to help protect those most in need.

Speaking before the vote, Israel’s delegate expressed dismay at the resolution’s consideration. Rather than address the countless issues women faced, the Commission had been forced to consider a resolution of those who wished to impose their agenda. The text chose to politically scapegoat Israel and failed to mention the deteriorating situation of women as result of terrorist policies by Hamas. She urged standing firmly against consideration of such texts in future.Turning to women in armed conflict, the Commission, by a consensus text on the release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts, reaffirmed that hostage-taking was an illegal act aimed at destroying human rights, and condemned all violent acts committed against civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law, in situations of armed conflict.

In other terms, the Commission called for an effective response to such acts, particularly the immediate release of women and children hostages, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts, by strengthening international cooperation. Further, it requested the Secretary-General to ensure the widest possible dissemination of relevant material, particularly relating to Security Council resolution 1325 (2000), on women, peace and security.By an orally revised consensus text on eliminating maternal mortality and morbidity through the empowerment of women, the Commission urged global and national leaders to generate the political will, resources, commitment, cooperation and technical assistance urgently required to reduce that phenomenon, and improve maternal and newborn health. It called on States to address gender inequalities and harmful traditional practices, and further, to integrate HIV/AIDS interventions into programmes for primary health, sexual and reproductive health, and mother and child health.

Among other things, States were urged to strengthen health systems for women and girls through financing, as well as procurement and distribution of medicines, vaccines, commodities and equipment; implement comprehensive gender-sensitive poverty eradication strategies; and maximize resources for maternal health.By a consensus resolution on strengthening the institutional arrangements of the United Nations by consolidating the four existing offices into a composite gender entity, the Commission recognized the United Nations significant role in promoting those issues and welcomed General Assembly resolution 63/311 (2009), notably its provisions on strengthening the institutional arrangements for support of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The Commission also adopted by consensus an orally revised text on ending female genital mutilation, by which it welcomed the appointment of the Special Representative on violence against children, and stressed that the empowerment of women and girls was key to protecting all human rights, including that to the highest attainable standard of mental and physical health. Among other things, it called on States to mobilize girls and boys to help create programmes to prevent and eliminate harmful traditional practices, and to take all necessary measures -– including enacting and enforcing legislation -– to prohibit female genital mutilation. It urged States to complement punitive measures with education activities to promote consensus towards eradicating harmful practices like female genital mutilation, and take targeted measures for refugee women and women migrants.

Adopting an orally revised consensus text on women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS, the Commission urged Governments and other stakeholders to take all steps to empower women and girls to protect themselves against HIV infection. In that context, Governments were encouraged to address the challenges of older women and those with disabilities in accessing HIV treatment; ensure affordable access to and supply of condoms; and rapidly scale up programmes to prevent mother-to-child transmission, in accordance with the call by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) to eliminate such transmissions by 2015.By other terms, it urged Governments to enhance health-care services and step up efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls in relation to HIV/AIDS. Governments, donors and relevant United Nations entities were urged to prioritize HIV-response programmes and streamline funding processes towards that end.

By an orally revised consensus resolution on women’s economic empowerment, the Commission called on States to incorporate gender perspectives into social and economic policies and address the extent to which policies, programmes and activities actively dealt with the needs, priorities and contributions of women and men.Among its provisions, the Commission called on States to apply a systematic approach to accelerate women’s full participation in economic decision-making and ensure that a gender perspective was mainstreamed into economic and development policies and social safety net and poverty eradication programmes. States and other stakeholders were urged to strengthen policies to enhance the employability of women and ensure their access to full employment; promote women’s participation in high-level management; adopt measures to promote equal pay for equal work; and undertake legislative, administrative and financial measures to create a strong environment for all women entrepreneurs.

In other business, the Commission decided to transmit the moderator’s summary of the high-level round table discussion on “Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly and its contribution to shaping a gender perspective in the realization of the Millennium Development Goals” (document E/CN.6/2010/CRP.5) to the Economic and Social Council’s 2010 Annual Ministerial Review. Similarly, it decided to transmit the summaries of four panel discussions (documents E/CN.6/2010/CRP.6, E/CN.6/2010/CRP.7, E/CN.6/2010/CRP.8 and E/CN.6/2010/CRP.9) to the 2010 Review. It took note of other panels, entitled “Commemorating 30 years of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women”, “Unite to end violence against women”, and “The evolving status and role of national mechanisms for gender equality”.

The Commission also took note of three other documents under agenda item 3: the Secretary-General’s report on release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned, in armed conflicts (document E/CN.6/2010/5); the Secretary-General’s report on the joint work plan of the Division for the Advancement of Women and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (document A/HRC/13/70-E/CN.6/2010/7); and a note by the Secretary-General transmitting the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on the activities of the Fund to eliminate violence against women (A/HRC/13/71-E/CN.6/2010/8).Finally, Vice-Chair-cum-Rapporteur Leysa Sow ( Senegal) presented the Commission’s draft report on its fifty-fourth session (document E/CN.6/20010/L.10), which contained information on the organizational part of the session and which would be updated as required. Proceedings of today’s meetings would be reflected in a final report.

Rounding out the day, Rachel Mayanja, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, and Commission Chairperson Garen Nazarian ( Armenia) delivered closing remarks.After the conclusion of the fifty-fourth session, Chairperson Nazarian declared open the fifty-fifth session. Following the resignation of Roberto Storaci ( Italy), Takashi Ashiki ( Japan) and Julio Peralto ( Paraguay) from their positions as Vice-Chairs, delegates elected Filippo Cinto ( Italy) and Maria Luz Melon ( Argentina) as Vice-Chairs of the Commission.

The formal appointment to fill the post left vacant by Mr. Ashiki’s resignation would be made when the Commission held its next meeting, in 2011. The Committee decided, on the Chair’s proposal, that upon nomination by the Asian States Group, the nominee would be permitted to participate fully in the Bureau’s work.

Background

The Commission on the Status of Women met today to take action on several draft resolutions under its agenda item 3, entitled “Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women, and to the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, ‘Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century’”.

Action on Drafts

First, the Commission considered a resolution entitled Release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned in armed conflicts (document E/CN.6/2010/L.3).Speaking before action, Azerbaijan’s delegate, as a main sponsor of the text, said several open-ended informal consultations had been convened, which had created an opportunity for dialogue among all interested delegations. The draft included elements of General Assembly resolution 63/183 (2009) on missing persons. The text stressed the need for addressing those women and children as a part of peace processes. He hoped it would be adopted by consensus.

The Commission then adopted that resolution by consensus.
Next, the Commission turned its attention to a resolution on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (document E/CN.6/2010/L.4).

Speaking before the vote in a general statement, Israel’s delegate expressed dismay at the consideration of the present resolution. Rather than address the countless issues women faced, the Commission had been forced to consider a resolution of those who wished to impose their agenda on the Commission. That ignored the needs of countless other women, none of whom had blocs to lobby on their behalf.

The text singled out Israel, she said, while no other geographical resolution had been brought before the Commission. Such politicization was seen in the fact that the Beijing Platform for Action refrained from mentioning any regional conflicts. If the draft was truly intended to help Palestinian women, it would include all challenges confronting them. For example, the Secretary-General’s December 2009 report noted that some Palestinian women were killed as result of “honour killings”. A previous report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on forced prostitution of Palestinian women and girls had also raised alarming concerns.

She said the draft also failed to mention the deteriorating situation of women as result of terrorist policies imposed by Hamas. Palestinian women in Gaza were systematically being denied their inheritance rights, another report had found. The draft resolution chose to politically scapegoat Israel and, as such, her delegation suggested that the States that submitted it acknowledge the damage done to women when endorsing a one-sided narrative. Israel would vote against the resolution and called on the Commission to do so as well. In closing, she urged standing firmly against consideration of such resolutions in the future.

The representative of Jordan said the thrust of the resolution was that in any given conflict women and children were most affected. The purpose of the draft was not to just discuss the plight of Palestinian women. He hoped that the text would be viewed in that light and supported.Explaining his vote before the vote, the representative of the United States said his country supported Palestinian women in several ways to create environments that enabled them to lead. The United States strongly supported the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and was its largest donor. The United States had also called on Israel to open borders to enable Palestinians to live productive, healthy lives. Through good-faith negotiations, the parties could mutually agree on an outcome that ended the conflict. The current text, however, sought to insert the Commission into permanent status issues, such as refugees, which should be the purview of the two negotiating parties. For that reason, the United States would vote against it.

Next, by a recorded vote of 31 in favour to 2 against ( Israel, United States), with 10 abstentions ( Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Togo), the Commission approved that resolution. (See annex for details of the vote.)

Speaking after the vote, Japan’s delegate said she was concerned at the critical situation of Palestinian women and expressed hope that their situation would be significantly improved by international assistance. She had hoped to see a text accepted by various States, but, because the draft could have been more balanced, Japan had abstained from voting. Nonetheless, Japan would continue its strong support to improve the situation of Palestinian women.Egypt’s representative, speaking in general statement after the vote, said everyone would prefer not to differentiate between Palestinians and others, but that should not come at the expense of Palestinians’ rights. To the point made about Palestinian women’s inheritance, he said Palestinians had nothing left to inherit. Palestinian women had problems crossing lines to reach a doctor -- they waited at inspection points for hours. That compromised all human rights.

The representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations expressed her gratitude to all States that had supported the resolution. Resolutions remained necessary in light of the ongoing need for international services and the grave human rights violations by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Today’s resolution was especially important, as Palestinian women bore the brunt of Israel’s illegal policies. Adherence to international law could only promote peace efforts, and not undermine them. Such respect would truly bring about a change on the ground and in the negotiating environment. She would not respond to the “absurd” comments by Israel’s delegate, but rather point out that nothing effected Palestinian women more than a 43-year-old occupation by Israel. The Israeli representative should be more concerned about the actions of her Government to create conditions for peace.

In that context, she recalled that, just after the announcement to resume indirect talks, Israel had announced the construction of 1,600 new settlements in East Jerusalem. That was the real obstacle to peace. She looked forward to a day when Palestine did not have to put forward resolutions, but in light of Israeli activities, her delegation would look to the United Nations to help protect those most in need.Gabon’s representative said her delegation had backed the resolution, but her country’s vote had not been recorded.

The Commission’s Secretary said that comment would be reflected in the Commission’s report.The representative of the United States then introduced a text on eliminating maternal morality and morbidity through the empowerment of women (document E/CN.6/2010/L.6). She said it addressed a subject of grave concern. Millennium Development Goal 5, on maternal mortality, was the Goal least on track at the moment. The resolution called for increased political will to tackle maternal mortality. It underscored the importance of guaranteeing all of women’s human rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights. It also called for evidence-based interventions to eliminate the problem worldwide.

The representative of Jordan recommended that the resolution include the input of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which had a general comment on the right to health, including reproductive health, and maternal mortality.The representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations said that abortion was not a part of reproductive health-care rights and inclusion of it violated the language of the International Conference on Population and Development. She would continue to advocate for the life of mothers and unborn children.

Acknowledging the Jordanian representative’s request, the representative of the United States said it would be difficult to take on board a new suggestion at this time.The representative of Norway, also speaking on behalf of the United Kingdom, said that, despite progress in women’s rights in the past 15 years, more than half a million mothers still died annually from preventable causes. Bold, focused and coordinated health care was needed to achieve reproductive and maternal health-care targets. To eliminate preventable maternal mortality, full health-care access and reproductive health-care rights were needed, including family planning and prenatal and postnatal care, as well as reducing the recourse to abortion. Access was needed to family planning services and training for health-care providers to ensure that, in countries where abortion was legal, the procedure was safe and accessible.

The representative of New Zealand said preventable maternal mortality was a human rights issue. The International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action provided the most comprehensive blueprint for achieving the maternal mortality target, but Millennium Development Goal 5 had seen the least progress. Welcoming the text, she said political will was the answer to reducing maternal mortality. Progress must be made in that regard.

The representative of Cuba said the Beijing Platform was the path to address women’s rights. Cuba would continue to work for women’s full empowerment. She stressed the need to continue international cooperation to scale up resources and ensure implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

Ireland’s delegate expressed deep concern at the high global levels of maternal mortality, and especially that Millennium Development Goal 5 [on maternal mortality] was the least likely to be achieved. For its part, Ireland had held a high-level side event on the theme of maternal mortality and overcoming barriers to achieving Goal 5. Regarding the resolution’s preambular paragraph 14, it was Ireland’s understanding that the reference to sexual and reproductive health services be clearly understood in context of the World Health Organization (WHO) framework.Poland’s delegate said her Government understood the reference to reproductive and sexual rights and services in the resolution as not constituting an encouragement of abortion.

Malta’s representative said that while his delegation was not a Commission member, it had participated in good faith in negotiations on the draft. Malta was motivated mainly by the fact that maternal mortality affected all United Nations Member States. Malta had a reservation on the use of the terms in the resolution on reproductive health and rights, and any references related to them. Malta did not accept any recommendations by the Commission to consider abortion a legitimate form of family planning or other services.He said Malta reserved its position on “unsafe abortion”, as it implied that abortions could be free of any physical or psychological risks and ignored the rights of the unborn. Malta was committed to the overall goal of the text, but had reservations about various phrases contained therein.

Chile’s representative cited the high death rate among pregnant women around the world, mainly in developing countries. Chile supported help for mothers and children and had sponsored actions in that regard in 2008. Chile appreciated the resolution’s content, as long as that did not imply an endorsement of abortion.Saint Lucia’s delegate said mothers continued to die from preventable causes, and their health must be placed first in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. She reiterated that efforts should be placed on providing assistance to most affected regions. References to reproductive health services and rights did not refer to the promotion of abortion. She reserved her country’s position on the use of the term “safe abortion”.

Denmark’s representative, speaking also on behalf of Sweden and Finland, stressed that maternal mortality was a critical problem that must be addressed. He fully agreed that more political will and resources were needed to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, and he was pleased at references in the text to family planning and reproductive rights, and to a WHO report on unsafe abortions. His delegation would have wished to have seen a more comprehensive reference to reproductive rights and a fuller reflection of advancements in that area since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. He looked forward to further discussions on that issue.

The representative of Mali said her country had undertaken measures to reduce maternal mortality, including through programmes to fight malaria and HIV/AIDS. Her Government was assisted in efforts to combat maternal mortality by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). She endorsed the resolution as part-and-parcel of such programmes.Iran’s representative said his country had made significant progress in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity in the last three decades. He reiterated that all activities related to reproductive health, including education, should take into account the ethical and moral values of each country, and that the resolution did not establish any new rights beyond those that already existed.

The Commission then adopted the resolution by consensus, as orally revised.

The representative of Egypt than introduced a resolution entitled strengthening the institutional arrangements of the United Nations for support of gender equality and the empowerment of women by consolidating the four existing offices into a composite entity (document E/CN.6/2010/L.7). She said it was a political statement of the will of Member States to support system-wide coherence of all United Nations entities mandated to work towards gender equality. It reflected the United Nations important role to achieve that priority target of gender equality and women’s empowerment, as set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform. It reaffirmed Member States’ commitment to put women front and centre.The representative of Norway said that, in adopting the text, which had more than 181 co-sponsors, the Commission would confirm that strengthening United Nations institutions was a truly universal objective. That clear message from Member States should inspire and boost ongoing negotiations of the General Assembly to set up an entity by the end of the current Assembly session.

The Commission then adopted that text by consensus.

Afterwards, the representative of Yemen, speaking on behalf of the Joint Coordinating Committee of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, and the Non-Aligned Movement, the text’s main sponsor, said the text symbolized the sponsors’ commitment to gender equality and the role of the United Nations to better enable its system to help Member States achieve it by consolidating its gender entities into one composite body. The work of the entity should take into account national traditions and cultural and religious backgrounds, and be guided by the principle of universality. The United Nations response must be in accordance with national needs, and thus, priorities should be set by national focal points. The entity’s operational activities should be governed through a new executive board. He called on the Commission’s members to consider the suggestions put forth by the Joint Coordinating Committee.

Equatorial Guinea’s representative introduced, on behalf of the African Group, a resolution on ending female genital mutilation (document E/CN.6/2010/L.8), saying that female genital mutilation was an irreparable abuse that placed more than 3 million girls at risk. Numerous appeals to end that abuse had emerged from national, regional and international forums, and through various resolutions, including General Assembly resolution 60/141 (2005).He said there were also declarations, including the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as protocols, such as the 2003 Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, on the Rights of Women in Africa. There were also recommendations, including that adopted at the Second Pan-African Forum for Children, which urged a female-genital-mutilation-free Africa. Such appeals were more than sufficient to justify that a more specific resolution, such as today’s text, received significant backing. He urged all Member States to firmly support and co-sponsor the draft, so that it would be universally adopted.

The Secretary asked the representative of Equatorial Guinea to clarify whether he wished to add oral revisions to the text or read a list of additional co-sponsors.Equatorial Guinea’s delegate then deferred to the United Republic of Tanzania’s delegate, the facilitator, to introduce revisions to the draft.The United Republic of Tanzania’s delegate then read the series of oral revisions.

[The new draft was distributed in the room, with the changes to the text clearly marked, in both the preambular and operative sections.]The Secretary noted that the resolution might have programme budget implications.

The Commission then adopted the text by consensus, as orally revised.The representative of Namibia introduced a resolution on women, the girl child and HIV/AIDS (document E/CN.6/2010/L.2/Rev.1), saying it highlighted major factors, such as eliminating mother-to-child transmissions of HIV by 2015, as well as the need for commitments by Member States to reverse the spread of HIV by 2015, as outlined in the Millennium Summit outcome document. It referred to voluntary testing and counselling for HIV. But that was not enough to reverse the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Government health-care services must be improved.

The Commission then adopted that text, as orally revised.

After the action, the representative of Iran said he supported the resolution, but said it must be interpreted within the context of national law. Action concerning HIV/AIDS must be guided by moral values.Next, the representative of Colombia introduced the draft on women’s economic empowerment (document E/CN.6/2010/L.5). He said economic empowerment was a key factor in achieving all of women’s human rights. The lack of empowerment in the social field put women at risk for violence. He went on to detail the text’s references to a wide range of issues concerning women, such as their participation in all levels of decision-making, land and property rights, violence against women, their access to education and health, the plight of rural women, discrimination in the workplace, unequal access to economic and financial resources, and mechanisms to assist women during the economic crisis.

The Secretary noted that the resolution might have programme budget implications.The Commission then adopted the resolution, as orally revised, by consensus.

After the action, the representative of Cuba lauded the fact that the revised text had incorporated language on the importance of sustainable economic development, poverty eradication and fulfilling the Beijing commitments as the necessary preconditions for economic empowerment of all women based on overall macroeconomic development. She was pleased that several of Cuba’s proposals had been included in the text, such as the reference to official development assistance (ODA). Despite those favourable aspects, she regretted that, owing to the opposition of two delegations, it had not been possible to include a reference to the obstacle to equal empowerment of women living under foreign occupation.

The representative of Venezuela regretted that it had taken so long to adopt the resolution. She lauded the fact that a comprehensive view of women’s empowerment had been included, but she regretted the insistence of many delegations to politicize the resolution. She too noted that two delegations had been opposed to including language on the situation of women living under foreign occupation or colonial domination. That was unfortunate; such language should have been taken into account.In closing remarks, RACHEL MAYANJA, Assistant Secretary-General and Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, said that, during the session, representatives of Member States, civil society and the United Nations had held lively discussions on a broad range of subjects within the framework of the Platform for Action. There had been high expectations for the Commission to make 2010 a year of accountability for gender equality and women’s empowerment. There had been calls to send a strong political message of recommitment to full and speedy implementation of the Beijing Platform and to shape gender perspectives for the upcoming high-level events of the Economic and Social Council and the General Assembly.

The resolution adopted earlier in the day on the composite gender equality entity sent a powerful message that should galvanize all Member States to take action to consolidate the four women-specific entities, so that the Organization could better support national achievement of gender equality and women’s empowerment, she said. Action was needed to give girls training and access to education, to empower women who risked death and disability in childbirth and those who worked long hours for little, unequal or no pay. “We must commit ourselves to ensuring a place for women at the peace table, on the village council and in national parliaments. By ensuring equal opportunities for women and men, we promote the progress of our entire society,” she said.She called on all Member States to carry the commitments from the Commission into forthcoming intergovernmental processes at the United Nations and in their respective ministries of finance, economic planning, education, health, environment and others. Local and municipal authorities, parliaments, the private sector and civil society must also be involved in turning commitments into concrete action.

Commission Chairperson GAREN NAZARIAN ( Armenia) thanked all participants and gave a recap of the session. He said the moderator’s summary on the session would be posted on the website of the Division for the Advancement of Women. He called on all to move from commitment to action. The time for action was now.

ANNEX

Vote on Situation of Palestinian Women

The draft resolution on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (document E/CN.6/2010/L.4) was approved by a recorded vote of 31 in favour to 2 against, with 10 abstentions, as follows:

In favour: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Eritrea, Guinea, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, Niger, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russian Federation, Senegal, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Zambia.

Against: Israel, United States.

Abstain: Belgium, Cameroon, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Togo.

Absent: Gabon, Rwanda.

* *** *

Session with the NGO's - ideas for next time

2010-03-11T18:26:00.000-08:00

Two of the younger members, from Rawanda and Togo

Rosy Weiss, International Alliance of Women, facilitated the meeting, looking at recommendations for next year.

Renee Gerard, France, and member of the International Alliance, and the International Federation of University Women

Elisabeth Newman, VP, and Cosima Schenk, President, International Council of Women

A few of us gathered to come up with a report on issues faced by NGOs at this session of the Commission on the Status of Women - basically long line ups, and access to delgates, and information. There were some recommendations, that were captured by Rosy Weiss. These will form a report, which will be sent to the appropriate authorities. We developed a list of e-mails, to stay informed for next years CSW.

The 55th session: the priority theme will be “Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work” and progress will be evaluated in the implementation of the agreed conclusions from the fifty-first session on “The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child."

Last Session - National Mechanisms for Gender Equality

2010-03-11T12:35:00.000-08:00

Suzanne Cooper, Status of Women Canada, and part of the official Canadian delegation. Thanks Suzanne for your work in support of the NGOs!

Jennifer Lynch, Chair of the Canadian Human Rights Commission presenting proposal that Human Rights Commissions have an independent role to the CSW.

This was the last session for me - it was in Conference Room 1, and included representatives from many countries, plus the NGOs. There were 3 panelists (experts), plus the chair, Mr. Takashi Ashiki, Vice-Chair of CSW (Japan)

The 3 panelists were Ms. Rounaq Jahan, Senator Margaret Mensah-Williams (she was a riot!) and Ms. Mary Rusimbi. Their papers are available at http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing15/ievents.html

Canada played a role in this session -

Jennifer Lynch, Canadian Chief Commissioner for Human Rights, spoke about support for independent status for Human Rights Commissions, rather than being part of a country's delegation. The would be strategic partners. Want independent status This would include many benefits. We all agree on importance of national human rights. Joint statement -Ms. Lynch presented this proposal on behalf of many countries, including Australia, and European countries.

The panel presented on the type of structure for national machineries, focal points at local, or national institutions. Mandate - generally gender mainstreaming. In Europe - incorporated - Financial and human resources. Both from top leadership and broad based support. Instruments, strategies - mainstreaming, programs, priorities, violence, Trafficking, women's health, Coordination very weak. No clear mandate. Budget constraints. Identified achievements - legal, women's representation. Growth of machinery, information exchange. Constraints, Donor reliance, limited collaboration. Lack of political will, social conservatives, first ladies. How we can sustain political will.

multiplicity of structures is positive.

coordination is weak.
resources do not match their mandate.
gender mainstreaming, but still no understanding
special measures has improved womens participation
legal - most used
research
accountability is weak
collaboration - strain national mechanism.
international - supports exchange
multiple actors influence what's going on on the ground.

Senator from Namimbia presented her personal experiences --she was well received. She has introduced important legislation - domestic and rape act. She learned from older women - today in parliament - women without women can't do much - role of institutional mechanizations - gender committee - gender sensitize all members of parliament. have votes with out women lose votes. Women coming thru war, assisting them. All elected women's forum. Didn't know how to preside. For a women to rule, can be intimidating.

Gender mainstreaming - well acknowledged strategy, need for assessing, programs, and policies. Need to see if whatever focusing on impacts on women and men.

Strategy to assess budgets, programs and policies, to deal with men and women's need.

Gender mainstreaming concept that enables us to make transformative changes. Gendermainstraming a great strategy, and gender responsive budgeting well used.

We need to support national machineries. Fact when setting - where do we place gender responsive budgeting. We are missing the boat, minister of women, not doing budgeting, minister of finance does it. But should take minister of budgeting, and finance - to be able to influence the ministers, Minister of Women becomes a resource. . Turned into fund raisers. How sustainable this approach is? Gathering information - sex aggregated data. or influencing gender relevant data - that supports budgeting. Need to have enabling environment.

Canada,
Jennifer Lynch, Canadian chief commissioner for human rights - support for independent status - strategic partners. Want independent status, not as part of government delegation. ICC would include many benefits. Agreed on importance of national human rights. Joint statement - HRC of Canada, Australia, etc. to recognize the formal role of independent HRCs. Consider independent status.

ACPD - gave a statement supporting strong national machineries to support women, and enforce legislation, and policies.

Lunch with Canadian Colleagues

2010-03-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Thursday lunch with Mira Hall (North West Territories) and Kate McInturff (FAFIA).

Eliminating Violence Against Women - Issues, challenges, and accomplishments

2010-03-11T07:32:00.000-08:00

Panel on Violence Against Women, and UNiTE Campaign. (issue paper)

The Secretary General attended the beginning of this Panel, to speak about the UNiTE campaign, particularly involving men.

Moderator: Mr. Robert Storaci, Vice Chair of CSW, Italy

Speaker from South Africa, Mr. Dean Peacock, increased violence stats - 27% of men in South Africa acknowledges violence against women.

Real and progressive language in declarations to commitments of including men and boys. Many countries now working with mean and boys. Work becoming sophisticated - in Rawanda, Chile, Equador - ground breaking work being done by men and boys.

Now have evidence based - does it bring about tangible gains? YES, out of Africa, Asia, South America - changes to decreasing levels of violence, HIV/AIDs, SG campaign - no longer can we allow impunity of perpetrators. Reality remains small in scale and limited in impact. Small scale - 4 steps that we can take bring about change -

Impact in National Plan - part of SA HIV/AIDs strategic plan - Commitment we need. Advances in Scandinavian countries - involving men in parenting, women reporting more satisfying relations
Gender Justice - What SA has done - many good policies, but implementation poor. Laws that men provide maintenance but not enough resources to enforce. Support for NGOs to make sure governments implement.
Clear principles - lots of questions asked - what really is this work about? Is it just the flavour of the day? Does it divert resources? Protecting men - putting men in charge. Work with men has to be accountable to women's rights organizations. Establish clear parameters
Work with men and boys- message is that they have a clear stake - why give up their power - SA highest rates of violence against women, but also highest rates of violence against men.

Speaker from Argentina, Ms. Susanna Chiaotta Effective measures - adoption of national laws, including international agreements.

Laws now include comprehensive laws, violation of human rights, not just in domestic setting, but community. These laws in 6 countries - entail new ways to approach VAW. SGs campaign, since 2006 - indepth study. Inter american system has an interamerican convention - follow up on convention. Gender observatory and monitors status of women. This control mechanism - deals with compliance Report in 2008 includes general and specific recommendations: Legal framework, access to justice, resources, budget. Consensus was sought - human rights, academe, women's groups. In Argentine, women came together. Law - media violence - publication of images and stereotypes - promote discrimination, humiliation, violence, women and young women - pornographic imgages. Media participated. Costa Rica and Guetamala - femicide, psychological violence - punishes forcing women into sexual rleations. 30 years for killing a woman, whether married or not. Human Rights framework. School violence - conducts that lowers self esteem of girls - physical limitations, class. Venezauala,- specific courts that hear violence - have all countries comprehensive violence laws, and effective enforcement. Regards to enforcement - national plans. Brazil - Violence observatory - own budget - be3ing promoted by civil society and the governments. Guarantee of strength - held hearings, for a whole year. Result incorporated social agencies. Alert in Brazilian law, emergency agencies, eradicate femicide, whether carried out by community or the individuals. Important to see a range of agencies working together to implement the law.

Issue is that some countries do not have national intervention plans, some lack important aspects. Limited to family and domestic violence. Clear determination to do away with gender violence in all it's forms. Proper budget - there the commitment is clear - Statistics compilation in the country. Very important. Additional effort to have gender specific stats.

Walter Fullemenn, IDRC, and Red Cross - in the absence of military structures, civilians are at the epicentre of the fighting. Specifically targeted in war fare. Displaced, separation from family, sexual violence, loss of employment.

Law protecting women- knowledge and compliance with international law. Must be made responsible - Women have to manage alone, head of households. Travel long distances to find food, water etc. As they move around face rape, land mines. increased by forced displacement. Many lack a trade - with missing husbands, and legal status unclear. Some countries many years, cannot access property, or even remarry. Women playing an active role - found women demonstrate their resilience. Women portrayed as victims of violence, but also women are politicians, leaders of NGOs, peace campaigns. Special skills. Women have initiated economic enterprises. Women involved in all aspects. Sexual violence one of the most traumatic - demoralizes the community. Rape as a deliberate tactic - result in the victim being abandoned. Acts of sexual violence - international tribunals of Bosnia, and Rawanda. Prohibitions must be included in countries. Rape is preventable, and realized. Victims of sexual violence - immediate care - appropriate environment - confidentially. Greater efforts increased in protection and prohibition at all times. Rules apply to peace forces. in International law, including Geneva conventions. Armed conflicts customary law - prohibited in international and natiional armed conflicts. ICC concerned with lack of implementation. Ensuring respect for existing rules. Mechanism for addre3ssing violations - prosecution a further step, ICC incorporating capacities of women in all aspects - programs to respond - urgency to end sexual violence.

International Soroptomists - part of UNiTE campign - many projects in different countries. Attention - concerned about trafficking of human beings, especially women and girls. Too wide for single country to address. Dealing in human beings, and 80% are girls, lot of money. Criminal activities. Root causes of trafficking and victims. implement proper legislation to protect and prevention measures. Close the legal and cultural loop holes, impunity that we still see today.

Acknowledging appointment of Ms. Margaret Walstrom, as Special Representative on ending Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Conflict Situations.

The Work at the CSW 54

2010-03-10T11:01:00.000-08:00

CSW is not just about going to different sessions on many interesting topics, relevant to women's lives. This is a very important part - the sharing, discussion, planning, and strategizing.

It is also about interacting with the official work of the official delegates as they go through their work. Generally there is a work plan on the theme of the CSW and the document, circulated prior to the meetings of the CSW, becomes the Outcomes Document. The draft includes consultations with NGOs.

This year is different - on Tuesday, March 2, the 2nd day of the CSW, there was a declaration that was unanimously adopted by all the countries present (including Canada) for confirmation of the Beijing Platform for Action. In some ways this was good - it did not "open" the document for debate, or going back. Yet it also did not give any new impetus to providing support, an action plan, or even give an opportunity to introduce new and emerging issues that are happening, such as rape as a weapon of war.

That has meant that the Resolutions, introduced at the CSW by member states, has attracted interest, and scrutiny by the NGOs. Some of these resolutions have been introduced at previous CSWs. Wednesday, at 6:00 pm was the deadline for introducing resolutions. The country that introduces the resolution chairs the Committee that will put the final resolution together. Canada's input to the process has been helpful, and the negotiating team has been open for input from the NGOs present here.

Here are the 7 resolutions being debated, and expected to come forward Friday afternoon for final approval:

Women, the Girl Child and HIV/AIDs (introduced by several African Countries)
Female Genital Mutilation (introduced by the African Group)
Women and Children taken Hostage (introduced by Azerbyghan)
Economic Empowerment of Women (introduced by Colombia)
Palestine (introduced by China)
Maternal Mortality (introduced by the US)
Strengthening the UN Gender Architecture/Mechanisms (introduced by a number of countries, including Canada)

Women in Post Conflict Situations - Iraq

2010-03-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

Women subjected to violence in so many ways - special rapporteur on Violence against Women - says every day lives also inludes violence, sometimes this is overlooked. Tend to see the gross abuses and violations.

Iraq - subjected to violations - situation, has become more difficult, because of internal conflicts. Break down of social structures. Happens in all areas where war - impacts women and children. In case of Iraq diring civl regime, civil society was repressed. Women's organizations didn't get together. Now they are trying - it takes time. For this blossoming society - need contact with global women's movement. Need contact with women in other parts of the world. When women are isolated, even more vulnerable to violence. Aim of session - have voices of women from Iraq heard. Moderator worked to get women from Iraq heard.

Woman's - conflict in Iraq has left serious impact on women - Violence against women spread in families, physical and sexual and honour crimes. Women who are subject to abuse in families, also political attacks - Iraqi society tends to deny violence against women. Established organization in 2004. worked in different districts - Established relations with other women NGOs in Iraq.Work on Violence against women - We have indicators as to the extent of the phenomena. Eg. honour crimes - considered very serious, discrimination in employment, rep0orductive rights violated. Many of poor areas, and thru cases in the centre, we have noticed the main figures in the family - father, brother, make decision about marriage - even young girls. Maternal mortality is high. Increase in divorce for young women. Among cases, young women and girls sexually abused in the family. Very small living quarters. Bagdad - high drop out for girls - parents fear sending girls to schooling, because of security and poverty. Hi unemployment especially for women. Preference for male employees. Women in Iraq have achieved a bit. Colleague will speak about it. Still women in Iraq suffer especially when it comes to Violence Against Women.

2003 - started women's NGOs. Before no NGOs in Iraq before. But before women were in many fields of work. Many women well educated. Nature of history - history of wars and violence. Women history of participating in government - in politics. Wasn't a gift of government. Strong Iraqi women. Built their country. Take responsibility for economic - protect society and family. Women more tough to face all these problems. Because of dealing with the difficulties, makes us strong. We have to talk about our problems. For the new generations.

Numbers not only way to give information - need energy from other - give Iraqi women more strength. Solidarity with Iraqi women. It means a lot to us not to feel alone. Someone from Pakistan, Brazil thinking of us - give us more energy to keep working. Solidarity is most important thing we need. Sharing information important. Work in Iraq - where is strategy, statistics, Don't have capacity to give data. Should always be busy with data? or trying to help women - have to keep energy to help women in your country. They will help you, get the datga day to day. one of the challenges we face. We are a rich cou7ntry, have resources. Many families headed by women - because they are widows. Working to rebuild society, have women in government - quota to have women not our goal. Increases to participatgion in parliament and government not our goal.

History of violence in Iraqi women. But women still working to protect their families.

Shelter - not accepted, by society, need to raise awareness in society, and need to protect women.

Reflections - Norwegian Church NGO - challenges we face working with NGO from Iraq. One of major challenges is management - have office in Aman - hindrances with meeting - have to get visas - if in another country - Think about process, may get stuck - kept at the border for 2 or 3 hours, just because Iraqi. You as the organziation - are you safe, did you get out? All the risks that women take when travelling. Think women travelling from the south, flights not dependable. Then flight to the other country. Need much support - restricted by the family. We have partners in south - when they say can't travel, know travel restricgted by family. Donor community - in order to contribute to build, tend to overlook the reality inside - program oriented. Not sensitive to the women. Need coordination - As donors, we have our agenda, and it has to be compatible with their agenda. Listen to their priorities and needs. Should not be so demanding. Ask for status reports - we have to understand they are emerging organizations. these organizations also understaffed. In Iraq very competive market - support them strucutallly. Gettining them into dialogue with their government. Clear gap, and lack of trust. Being westernized - overlapping roles- lack of sharing information. Need some help in analyzing situation. Appreciating how difficult it is for NGOs coming together.

Someone from Al Hakim there - role of women in reconciliation in Iraq, and fighting corruption, queston - someone spoke about importance of statistics. In 1940's women had national machinery in Iraq - Role of women in reconstruction and facing corruption, and 1325. According to constitution, women has right to be 25% in parliament. only in parliament - women want to be in local councils. Women absent from dialogue in reconciliation - doesn't make sense to 78 or 79 in parilaiment and can't participate in dialogue. We should take place in this. They refused to start meeting, when a woman tried to participate. Deal with men,not women. 2008 very bad with corruption. women in local councils - no corruption- Some of members involved in militia, but no women ae involved. No action plan for 1325, but are working on it. Worked with Africa, and got good ideas. Are working on it - and put one together, and embarrass country.

Want to raise awareness amoung women of the issue - Most women NGOs don't know about 1325 - young emerging NGOs, don't have knowledge about international treaties or conventions. So raising awareness of 1325 among society.

Program, strengthening organizing in Iraq, and especially organizations dealing with violence against women. Worked initially in the south. People more vulnerable there - also isolated - importance to connect women from south with other women in the north - providing safe places forf women to meet. Norway NGO has consulted with 5 countries - including with Iraq.

Woman from Sweden spoke out about need for statistics, also problem for visas - Nigerian - making flyers, also sessions at markets. Getting the word out to women. Armenians - in Iraq - protection for Armenian and minority women? Traveling with permission of male member of family. When it comes to travel, have to have male permission. Getting passport, under 40, have to have male member to get passport. By law, not forbidden to travel, family norms - obstacle. In that connection do cooperate with media to hghlight these issues. Widows - have a fund for care taking widows. Not enough. Women NGOs who work with widows. Numbers have increased. Ministery of NGOs. Christians were attached and killed. Many churches burned. Minority of Armenians, and Christians not protected. Killing on ethnic basis. Christian women obligated to wear hijab.

Iraqi constituent, women's participation not below 25%. Face dilemma of women following traditional role. Women NGOs supporting women representatives. Media, NGOs don't have training to work and use media, In 2006 received threat of death. We're alone, no body had mechanism to protect us. Iraqi laws, and constitution, put it in a nice way - by laws, and articles. women have full right to travel - but to get passport - permission from male member of family.

Some of the sights and sounds of New York

2010-03-09T21:23:00.000-08:00

The weather has been fantastic these last few days -Nayyar Javid and I have walked and walked - and even went to two shows! Times Square was amazing - and we got cheap tickets to the Broadway Show, Rock of Ages. The music was excellent! Loud mind you, but that's the way it should be played. The theatre was packed.

The second play we saw was an off Broadway one, called Palestine, written and performed by Najla Said - it was a very gripping story, told through the eyes of a Palestinian - American - Her father was Edward Said.

New York is an amazing city - the buildings, the people, the activity - always something to do and look at. And good to have a break from the work at the UN.

No Woman Needs to Die Giving Life

2010-03-09T11:06:00.000-08:00

Startling facts - not a health problem - a social and political problem. 3 UN documents - Beijing, Population and Health, and MDGs are UN work. 1/3 of maternal deaths can be avoided by birth control and access to abortion. More than half a million women die needlessly each year from complications related to pregnancy and child birth - one every minute. Most of these deaths could have been prevented by high quality accessible, affordable and timely medical care. See Amnesty International Report - Dying Too Young.

MDG 5 stands as the slowest of all the MDGs. Accelerate funding by SG. not translated into effective actions. Absolute number of deaths in sub Sahara actually increased.

Critical in September, review of MDGs, and ensure meaningful progress proceeds. Alicia Yamin - more than technical - Human Rights approach means preventable maternal morbidity - UN treaty monitoring bodies increase accountability. June meeting of HR council - addressing challenges -

Over 500,000 women die every year. Funding dropped for family planning. Stagnation - comprehensive and affordable health services needed. Amnesty International, ACPD, Human Rights Watch, Center for Reproductive Rights, International Initiative on Maternal Mortality and Human Rights, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, Ipas, and the Women's Global Network for Reproductive Rights.

Aboiola Akiyode Afolabi - Nigeria - Very little progress - Nigeria 10% of maternal deaths in Nigeria, spoke about Malawi, and Rawanda. Policies being developed. Laws not implemented. Set goals, but not realized. Lack of resource allocation. Dont have a gender mainstreaming policy. Lack of information and transparency regarding budget allocation. Issues - patient can't pay for hospital care. Broken Promises Need for Nigeria to establish a blood bank. Hold government to account. Call for action -

Ana Cristina Gonzalez Velez - experience in Haiti - one word - empathy. Feel connected, and to help, to make a change. Seen lots of documents - setting goals, but never achieved. Empathy - created a common language for the elite, not building the empathy needed to prevent the deaths.

4 challenges - result of an understanding of applying human rights perspective to public health.

Avoid affect of religion to public health. 4 aspects to make a difference - power issue, not part of public issue. No journalist or politician have takeen it on. Maternal death - not visible. More campaigns against death sentence than maternal mortality. Accountability - Social mobilization - visible from human rights perspective. 2. political will - lack of women's empowerment, lack of politcal will, lack of resources. Political will emerges from empathy. 3. Human rights perspective - definition of framework - establish coherent legal framework - health education and finance. Services available, and hight quality. Physical and economic accessibility. Go beyond entitlement. 4. Responsiveness to Human Rights framework - need information. From the national and local levels. Stimulate good practices. Avoid unnecessary death. Make maternal deaths visible, and responsibilty and accountability. Empathy and Action -

Carmen Barroso - Speaking about Equador - woman can't take treatment for cancer, because it will put fetus at risk. Linkage between human rights and maternal health.

At top of agenda - die every minute of every day - totally unacceptable. MDGs likely to fail. Universal access - very far from being obtained. How cheap and easy to prevent maternal death. Causes well understood - 4 pillars family planning etc well understood. Violation of women's human rights - 1/3 couldbe prevented by access to safe abortions. Women don't have control over sex - education still a dream.

UN can do a lot - critically important to use these mechanisms. Most women who die - are young women. What can we do now? As civil society organizations to advance the political will. Now is the time for the development arm to systematically apply human rights. CSW and human rightgs opportunity to integrate human rights into development practise.

Three steps - adopt a resolution - a bold resolutions, that incorporates universal access to birth control, empowered to make decisions. 2. Use MDGs summit in sept. to strengthen strategies and policies. and be accountable. 3. Further integration in the HR work. HR Council reviews progress - should require states to report on this at the review. Universal periodic review - information measures that couple can access emergency contraception - Access to safe abortion.

Integrate Human Rights into development. Role of Civil Society - provide information, and participation is essential for sexual and reproductive rights. No woman has to die by giving life.

Donors have to be accountable - how the money is spent - family planning.

Rights of child - ethical implications - potential life, and life. Life should be protected always, but life of women have to be considered as a priority - decision of Supreme Court. Women's life considered essential. On going debate.

Class action for women and maternal health.

Woman from Mozambique - legalizing abortion - Spoke about resolution - amnesty following resolution - been developed by diverse number of countries. Including Human Rights into Maternal Mortality and Health language. State accountability, human rights, and women's empowerment. Reinforces in the human rights initiative from Geneva.

Experience in Columbia - accountability - need social mobilization - basis of the participation. Create spaces - but need accountability measures. Mechanisms to monitor were the corner stone. Right to health under international law, not to be implemented over night, but immediate - plan of action required, evidence based and participatory - plan of action in reducing maternal mortality needs to have steps, efffective monitoring that state is making progress. Indicators - look at financial transparency. disaggregated to see that women most marginalized are getting help. mechanisms for redress - human rights - Circle need to continually build.

Have financial incentives to go to facilities - doesn't make sure facility has resources. Cynical response - not a human rights response.

Women and the Economic Crises in the United States

2010-03-09T08:45:00.000-08:00

Radhika Balakrishnan from Women's Global Leadedrship one of the presenters - with a handout on Human Rights and the Economy - 8 page hand out.

Crises - human rights - how do we use human rights - comes from master guidelines. Use obligations to protect - enormity of regulation change that caused it to happen - allowed for crises to happen - violation of state's obligation to protect. Minimum wage is horrible. Asset pricing went really up. Hold state responsible.

Disproportion affect on women, especially in the informal sector. Speaker does media research - immigration and economic recovery - puts out tools to deal with it,.Look at values - shared with state - interests of some parties, not investing in those that already face barriers. After 2000 women were making 77 % of what men were making. For black men - 67%, Black women 54%; Since collapse - haven't contd leadership - important to think of informal economy. Domestic workers, sex workers, peop0le paying lower wages, trying to get more work for less money. more wage violations. Fears of workers - will be deported.

Human Rights - there are very few legal protections communities of colour - have been in crises for quite awhile. has been a crises for quite some time - why is this? hi ratges of poverty, and unemployment - not enough jobs. politicians says that problem is that people don't want to work. Dec. 2009, 15.3 unemployed people, competing for 2.3 million jobs.

When in economic boom, still not enough jobs. Don't have direct job creation. Focus on intersections of race, class and gender.

Assumptions that race, class, and gender plays. Not enough employment - This is now a crises. Look at policies, and how do we evaluate. Obligatgion by the state right to work. Huge amounts of money go to the banks. kept 29 billion dollars in vaults of banks, 729 billion in bank now - we need to tell government we know that. Are they looking for jobs for women.

Fundamental assumption - how have jobs in sex agregagted data- women in service, child care - serious affect. Have been talking about living wage jobs. 2/3 women in sex work said they had otgher jobs, but they didn't pay enough. number 1 was waitress, or security officer job - long term issue. Economic policies - lack of bold leadership. So much disparity for so long - also lack of training. No long term investment. Opportunity statement - Agencies who are recipients of stimulation fund not required about gender and race. Where can we make biggest impact. Enormous amount went into TARP, no requirement for reporting - investment into communities, onerous reporting requirements, and don't really tell us what we need.

Sex aggregated data - Current policy -need a program that affects everyone. by helping everyone, will help those those at lower level. Why they didn't require data - no need to keep track of who benefits because supposed to help everyone. Yet in human rights law, there is a requirement about paying attention to those that are over represented in the disadvantaged. Can't find out who is benefiting. Most people think we need to simulate private sector to create jobs. Doesn't provide jobs in short term. Don't hire more staff immediately. Who gets the jobs?

Fundamental question - Background of situation. Disproportionate impact. Intersectionality. Background - Human Rights lens - Where jobs, and where Recovery Act going. Hold Govt accountable. Have signed on to the convention of Elimination of Racial Discrimination - ratified a convention. Have ratified it. When recovering money doesn't go to State - Getting food stamps, huge - we need to take back the economy. last supreme court decision - plutocracy. Now people getting angry about the deficit.

Activists doing their job - research at opportunities fund - people support human rights approach - split among policy makers - real concern - protect justice for example, but rights that state provide health care.

Recent economic crisis, seeds of crises have been sowed previous years. impact on people of colour, lack of transparency.

Public participation, transparency build into recovery plan. how do we build more robust safety nets?

How do we build more robust safety nets -destygmatize them. Welfare entitlement - reduced to 5 years. Way to measure success - how fast to reduce welfare rolls. Mayor Guiliana administration - food stamps, treating poeple poorly, Social security, everyone has access - not just the poor, stygmatize the poor. Have it there not only for the poor. Targeted programs vs universal progrqams. favour universal programs. Neoliberal - market left on its own doesn't work, Ideology - social safety nets - Assumption, be lazy for 5 years - not appreciating there are no jobs. Whole world wants us to recover so we can buy their stuff.

Safety net issue - talking about safety net - sense thqt state is in crisis - how you deal with the crisis - cut the saftey net. Question about extending employment support - We didn't have enough safety net even when times were good.

Impact on Y - impact on women's organizations who are providing services. Accessing Stimualtion money - those at community level. Support Women's Fund - Women didn't create the crises, but are the victims. Those from immigrant communities - The training that is provided - have to get the training in a field that you are already in.

Questions - how direct service providers affected. Where has the money gone. Role of women's funds. Jobs training fund - match where jobs are. Models of economy? build on greater justice, transparency, human rights records of countries.

Services have been cut - Organizations laying off staff. Urban Fund - money had to go out to existing programs. Green jobs - pathways out of poverty - most of money already distributed. are.org (green economy) applied research - www.arc.org/greenjobs

What model should we look for - new deal - under Roosevelt - but it did leave out women. Didn't assume private sector could create all the jobs. how we learn aboutg what worked.

Model - question what works - hard to answer, know what doesn't work. Try to evaluate government policy based on government agreements on human rights. Why did we agree to live in this system, when we know it doesn't work.

We have a hard time - speaking about our human rights record - history of partnering with horrible countries. Lack of women's voice in economic models -

Question about justice - where can we go as a society and using justice

public discourse - intereted in impact on women - but in mainstream - seeing higher levels of unemployment for men. Need to look at details, and who is poor. in terms of unemployment - male jobs were lost. need to look at informal sector - easier to take corporations to court. after loans crisis, law that says if a certain level of - law - take banks into receivership. Full employment act - require to take steps towards full employment - 2 to 4% unemployment.

www.ncrw.org.
opportunityagenda.org
cwgl.rutgers.edu
urbanjustice.org

Women at the Flash Point -2: Security and Governance Concerns

2010-03-09T04:40:00.000-08:00

CSW 54: Women at the Flash Point: Security and Governance Concerns. UNSCR 1325 and the Good Practices from Afghanistan

The aim of this session was to highlight the impact of recent international security and governance strategies and the challenges posed to Afghan organizations. It was a follow up to meetings held at conferences on Jan 14, and the Kabul Conference in July.

It was sponsored by Gender Concerns International, and included the head of the Gender Division with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dijksterhuis, the head of the Dutch Delegation to the CSW. Holland was one of the first countries to develop an Action Plan for 1325, and he spoke briefly about it. I have contact information, plus a contact from Norway, who has also made progress and have developed Action Plans on 1325.

Sara Taylor spoke - she is the executive coordinator for NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security in New York.

But the real highlight was to hear Afifa Azim, from the Afghan Women's Network. She spoke of their work, studying the laws, and changing them to reflect the rights of women. True that there has been some progress - girls in schools, some women elected. But remaining challenges. Assassination for example. Often seen as women working on women's affairs. Lesser seats now for women. Yes a negotiated peace is needed, but not at the price of human rights for women. Women MUST be involved in the peace negotiations.

Need the international community to take action. This is the 10th anniversary of SC1325. This has been good to build on too - SC 1880, 1888, and 1889. Why are we not seeing more impact??

Major disconnect in accountability. Enforcing accountability needed. Without empowerment of women, can't get to core problems. At the London Conference,they had to advocate to get a mere 3 minutes at the London Conference. Won't be involved in May. Do governments understand, we can't sacrifice women's rights for peace. International community must understand that women's voices must be heard, that they are protected in order to participate.

Afghanistan is one of the worst countries in the world to live in for a woman - 1 in 8 die in pregnancy. Easy to paint women as victims - but can be empowered and participate equally. Easy to focus on the guys and the guns.

"I thought once we had peace, we would have gender equality, but then I discovered without gender equality, there will be no peace".

Robert Dijksterhuis spoke about the Dutch approach - DDD - Defence, Diplomacy and Development.

16 countries to date have Action Plans. Need accountability - and resources. UK and the Netherlands were the first countries to have Action Plans (for 1325)

Moving towards how to live with the Taliban.

Need to be concerned for women if have to return to living under Sharia law. Will it be a sustainable peace. Need to talk to women too about the guns - they know where they are.

Need to ensure that the UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) is being fed all the information - and have an expert in women's human rights doing the briefing.

The final words from Afifa Azim - "Don't forget us again."

Mental Health in Times of Crises

2010-03-09T04:04:00.000-08:00

This was an excellent panel presentation sponsored by the American Psychological Association. Dr. Chipia moderated.

The first speaker, Dr. Soysa spoke about the 2004 Tsunami in Sri Lanka - the "normal" anxieties 0ver food and water. But found the vulnerable populations, including women were more at risk in terms of mental health issues. The problem was too the impact of the war, which heightened the impact of the disaster. There were 516,000 people displaced because of the Tsunami, which added to the 500,000 affected by the war.

There was minimal gender analysis - yet know that female deaths were 3 times that of male deaths. One of the reasons was that many had their clothes caught in the hi security fences set up in the hi security zones. The disaster did not affect all women equally. Northern women for example knew how to apply for relief.

Spoke about the dialectic between distress and resilance. Basically, only so much anyone can take, or do in response to a crisis. Discussion as to what is a normal response to an abnormal situation.

Responses - best to have community involved - trained psychologists come in and train community members to provide the service.

Another speaker (psychologist) spoke of her experiences in the Congo. Had taught in the Congo in the 80's. Had been a witness to the slaughter by the military. The government changed the records after the event.

Spoke of the Bridge of Peace ceremony. Recognize how difficult it is to forgive. Need to understand the anatomy of peace. Sometimes self deception blinds us to the true cause of the problems.

The last speaker presented on his experience in Sierre Leonne and the experience of refugees. Women and girls disproportionately affected at times of conflict. Multiple traumatic experiences, and multiple losses. Female civilians more likely to be killed than soldiers.

Displacement - after disaster/war. 15.2 million refugees as of 2008 - 161,000 refugees settled in the US - so the effects and trauma continue in their new country.

Sexual violence - as a tactic of war - target young girls. Consequences physical and psychological. Sierra Leonne and Liberia. There are barriers to seeking service - language, fear, lack of resources.

Help is going into conflict and disaster areas. The Standing Committee guidelines from the Psychological Association are used. They do not provide direct services, but concentrate on training local people. Can make the situation worse.

Nayyar Javid from Canada spoke of the earthquake in Pakistan, and the many who are disabled after the crisies. In Pakistan, it is 26%. This has a different effect on men and women. If a woman, she has no support - abandoned by her family. If a man, the wife takes care of him.

Important to take it way from the individual - that it is a shared experience.

Manitoba's Golden Boy gets C+ on commitment to women's equality

2010-03-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Manitoba's first-ever Equality Report Card was released on International Women's Day on Monday, March 8, 2010. The province received a cumulative grade of C+ on its commitment to women's equality. “While much progress has been made, much more remains to be done,” comments Jennifer deGroot, executive director of UNPAC, who coordinated the report. “It's been 40 years since the Royal Commmission on the Status of Women yet we still earn only 69 cents for every dollar earned by a man and don't have access to a child care system that meets our needs.”

Dr. Lorna Turnbull, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Manitoba says, “We're not there yet. Women's inequality has a major impact on their daily lives. This inequality increases when they have children and as they age. The Manitoba Government needs to do more to acknowledge and address the barriers and challenges faced by Manitoba women, for example the more than 55,000 women who live in inadequate housing.”

Manitoba's grade is slightly higher than grades recently assigned to other provinces. Prince Edward Island received a C in 2009 and British Columbia a D. “We've been encouraged by the work that has been done yet we are still frustrated that the W-word [Woman] is so absent in the halls of power,” says Jennifer deGroot. “We want to dispel the myth that women have made it.”

The report was a collaboration between several women's organizations and coordinated by UNPAC – an organization committed to women's equality and empowerment.

Happy International Women's Day from the United Nations!

2010-03-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

Greetings from the UN - by the Middle East Art Exhibit on the main floor - Happy International Women's Day - i'm with Marilou McPhedran, Mira Hall, and Diana Duarate (MADRE) and we're blogging together! Will upload the photo shortly.

Just came from the main session of the UN, and heard many countries bringing their Happy International Women's Day message - the one from Rawanda was special. I know many back in Canada are having IWD events - there is so much more that needs to be done, in terms of our local, provincial and national programs and polices, but being here at the UN, you really put the International into International Women's Day! As i sit here and blog, a woman from India comes up and speaks to me about her work in India, for women who are"exploited, oppressed and treated inhumanely".

There is still an enormous amount of frustration by many of the NGOs, they are especially frustrated with not being able to get to sessions, and also not being able to access the documents that are being discussed in the main sessions. There is a growing divide amongst those that are connected by the internet and those that aren't. One woman said she could have stayed home and participated by e-mail from home.

It is true, the use of computers, especially the smaller net books is valuable. Those on twitter and facebook also are able to keep in touch quickly and are connected most of the time.

Baha'i Reception

2010-03-08T08:34:00.000-08:00

Above photo is photo with women from the National Council of Women of Malaysia and a woman from Iraq.

Photos taken at the Bahai Reception - Michael Karlberg (below) gave a wonderful talk about governenace, and how important it is to turn around the current competitive systems in place. I have a copy of the paper for those that would like to see it.

A Vision for Women's Rights - Post Beijing +15

2010-03-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

UN INDEPENDENT EXPERTS ARTICULATE A VISION

FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS: POST BEIJING + 15

Statement on the Occasion of International Women's Day (8 March)

5 March 2010

GENEVA - The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, together with the other UN independent experts mentioned herewith, called today for a new vision of women's rights informed by the lessons learnt from the 15 year review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

Today International Women,s Day, has a special meaning while governments, civil societies, and UN agencies are gathered in New York at the Commission on the Status of Women to assess the progress made since the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted in 1995 at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

"At this juncture in time, understanding where and why we may have failed in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action is as important as understanding where and why we have succeeded," stated Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women. This review process provides a historic opportunity to develop solid evidence-based approaches and policies for women's advancement and the protection of their rights.

An impressive 186 States have ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The near universal ratification of this key international instrument for women's rights is a reason for celebration on the occasion of its 30th Anniversary. Violence against women, a critical area in the Beijing Platform for Action, has been increasingly recognised as a key priority in all regions of the world. Many countries have adopted or strengthened legislation on domestic violence, and initiated programmes, policies and awareness raising activities addressing both old and new forms of exploitation and violence against women and girls.

Yet old challenges in the protection of women's rights remain, such as multiple forms of discrimination. In addition, new challenges have emerged in conjunction with phenomena like the global financial crisis, political violence, displacement and migration, and the acceleration in environmental degradation. The continued use of brutal violence against women, including sexual violence, as a weapon of war in conflict situations also remains a pressing concern. At the domestic level, lack of implementation of laws and other commitments to secure women’s rights, and the lack of gender sensitive budgetary policies, remain chronic problems.

The areas of critical concern for women identified in Beijing such as the economy, the environment, armed conflict, poverty, decision-making and political participation, as well as violence against women, to give only a few examples, appear more pressing than ever in our current economic and political context.

“The lessons learnt from this stock-taking exercise must guide us towards a new framework that provides for more accountability and a fresh vision on women’s rights, and provides the space for negotiating a new social and gender contract,” affirmed the independent experts.

'15 years after Beijing we would like to project a new vision where creative measures ensure the full participation of women from all walks of life. A vision where the participation of women in all contexts, be it in peacetime, conflict or post conflict situations, or during other types of crisis such as natural disasters or financial crises, is a requisite element for the protection of their rights, but also to achieve peace, security and sustainable human development,' concluded the experts.

Learn more about the Beijing +15 review process currently underway at: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing15/regional_review.html

The experts are:

Ms. Rashida Manjoo, Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences;
Ms. Catarina de Albuquerque, Independent Expert on the issue of human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation;
Mr. Shamsul Bari, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Somalia;
Mr. Jorge Bustamante, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants;
Ms. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children;
Mr. Michel Forst, Independent Expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti;
Mr. Anand Grover, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
Mr. Okechukwu Ibeanu, Special Rapporteur on the adverse effects of the movement and dumping of toxic and dangerous products and wastes on the enjoyment of human rights;
Ms. Gabriela Carina Knaul de Alburquerque e Silva, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers;
Mr. Frank La Rue, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression;
Ms. Gay McDougall, Independent Expert on minority issues;
Mr. Richard Falk, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967;
Ms. Asma Jahangir, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief;
Mr. Walter Kälin, Representative of the Secretary-General on the human rights of internally displaced persons;
Ms. M’jid Najat Maalla, Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography;
Mr. Githu Muigai, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance;
Mr. Vitit Muntarbhorn, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea;
Mr. Vernor Muñoz, Special Rapporteur on the right to education;
Ms. Mirjana Najcevska, Chair of the Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent;
Mr Manfred Nowak, Special Rapporteur on torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment;
Mr. Rudi Muhammad Rizki, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity;
Mr. Jeremy Sarkin, Chairperson of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances;
Mr. Martin Scheinin Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism;
Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders;
Ms. Magdalena Sepulveda, Independent Expert on the question of human rights and extreme poverty;
Ms. Farida Shaheed, Independent Expert in the field of cultural rights;
Ms. Gulnara Shahinian, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of slavery, its causes and consequences; and
Mr. Surya Prasad Subedi, Special Rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia.

From Social Media to Social Action

2010-03-08T07:31:00.000-08:00

An interesting session at the Church Centre - the discussion was around the "how to", and examples - the One Million signatures in Iran is one. The points I took away - you start with a picture and brief headline, then you follow up with more details, and finally you end with a conversation with many others on what ever topic you are covering. The concerns raised were the filters that are being used in many countries. Like parental controls that some families use on their computer for their children, countries put controls on the internet in their country. China and Iran are doing this - the One Million Signature campaign has been closed down 21 times in Iran.

The session concluded with the appreciation of the work going on, which is tremendous, but also what we as women must be concerned about - who is out there and how the social media is being used. A concern about the increasing use of gaming was raised. We agreed some of these topics will be most appropriate to raise at the 55th session of the CSW which will have the theme of technology.

Mira Hall told us about the plan to meet on Monday, International Women's Day, at the Information Centre of the UN to do a blog/facebook message. Watch for it!!

Saturday evening

2010-03-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

After the Symposium - at Hunter College - Nayyar Javid and I walked over to Times Square to check out tickets, and then went on to The Dance Party, which was a tribute to Charlotte Bunche. It was lots of fun - excellent food, and wine, and company! A Human Rights Strategic Opportunities Fund was launched. Many spoke about the contribution of Charlotte. Mallika Dutt and Joanna Kerr were the emcees - there were special songs written for the occasion and everyone participated.

Saturday's Symposium

2010-03-07T09:14:00.001-08:00

What a wonderful day yesterday, at the Center for Women's Global Leadership 20th Anniversary Symposium. Many from the women's movement were there, including Gita Sen, and Peggy Antrobus. And of course, Charlotte Bunch! Charlotte is retiring - although she will continue as a senior scholar and as a professor at Rutgers University.

Radhika Balakrishnan is the new director of the Center. Her background is Ph D in Economics, and she has been teaching economics and international studies at Marymount Manhattan College. One of her priorities is to work on integrating macro ecnomics and human righgts. Another area of work currently is the possibility of a 2010 16 Days Campaign theme related to structures of violence and/or the intersections between militarism and gender violence.

During the day, panelists explored three main themes - panel 1 looked at The Body - reproductive health - Panel 2 was on The Economy and Panel three was looking at the Women's Movement.

The session ended with tribute to Charlotte Bunch - a short DVD, Passionate Politics: The Life and Work of Charlotte Bunch. There was a standing ovation for Charlotte, and she gave a speech acknowledging the contribution of many at the gathering to her work, including Mary Hartman, who i really enjoyed - she was a founder and director of the Institute for Women's Leadership and Dean of Douglass College.

Catching up - Thursday and Friday

2010-03-05T19:28:00.000-08:00

A minor problem happened on Wednesday - I lost my camera. Not good news. So of course, as soon as I purchased another one, having been told that no, it had not been turned in, my old one showed up! Actually a security person recognized a person that i had taken a picture of, and told her - so it has all worked out, and I now have a second camera - not nearly as good as my first one though. So i can get caught up, and share pictures, taken with two cameras!

Thursday and Friday have been busy days for everyone. Some of the highlights for me:

Indigenous Women and Girls - hearing the real stories of women from Guatamela; Bolivia, and Equador. The Silesian Sisters have provide the supports for single mothers to become independent. The mothers become involved in the schooling of their children, and begin to develop their own skills. What was impressive was the way the women were organized so that language was not a problem. Each told their story in their own language, but it was shown on an overhead in English.
Gender and Climate Change: The Untold Story - a panel spoke about the the process leading up to Copenhagen and the actual meetings in Copenhagen as well. Although there were no limits put on NGOs to attend Copenhagen, the NGOs with money to send many delegates, were from business. The session started with a presnetation by Cate Owen, from WEDO, who gave a good history of the women's network in preparation to Copenhagen. She also talked about the real work that went on, where women were engaged in the process, and worked constructively to come up with the best document. Dr. Peju Olukaoya, from WHO was also on the panel, and Govind Kelkar, from UNIFEM. The panel ended with Monique Essed-Fernandes, interim ex. director of WEDO speaking about what must happen at COP 16 - in Mexico. All panelists emphasized that this issue of climate change is going to require a major paradigm shift. Everyone has to be engaged. The stats show that women will die in more numbers in these disasters. It is a complex issue - but women will need to advocate at the national level. We will need Green Economic Development plans. We can integrate CEDAW into the climate change process. Some countries stating do away with Copenhagen accord. Do away with work already done. But if there is agreement to conduct bi lateral agreements, that will exclude civil society.
Indigenous women will be most affected by climate change. We must consider what kind of development we want. Mainstream development has resulted in loss of land, and decimation of women's traditional knowledge. In the current economic crises, we see the privatization of food and energy. We must have women as equal participants in community affairs, and access to affordable credit.
The final panel of the day was with wonderful women from Iran. I had heard from some of these women last year, so was very interested to hear more. Shirin Ebadi, the Iranian woman who won the nobel peace prize in 2003 was one of the panelists. It was a most interesting session, with a review of the history of the women's movement. Private space can be violated at any time in Iran for a woman. Polygamy and early marriage are the norm. Political power controls the media. These women are very brave - They are using street theatre - and they gave us a demonstration of what that might look like - to show the terrible unfairness, and human rights abuses with the current practices - whereby a mother can't even make decisions for her child, or for herself - like medical care, or travelling. Why do women keep silent in the face of such violence? These brave women who are trying to use the one million signature campaign to break the taboo, were remarkable in their thoroughness of describing the current situation. It was obvious too, that in the audience, were other women from Iran, who were wanting to discredit these women - saying that they were working from outside of Iran. But it was obvious too, that if they were in Iran, their lives would be very much in danger. The one million signature campaign is making headway - using street theatre and small group meetings, and all hearing the presentation gave them support.

Peaceabilities - Teaching Peace

2010-03-03T19:40:00.000-08:00

One of the most critical needs for the 21st century is teaching children at a young age how to get along with each other, so that they will be peaceful adults.

This workshop, given by Bonnie Ballif-Spanvill, from Bringhan Young University was very well done - she spoke about how the total number of conflicts may be down, but there are now many more within states. There is a pandemic of violence - depleting social capital. More women have died than from the major wars.

She spoke about the many ways that females are dying - honour killing, trafficking. There is gender violence throughout a woman's life.

After setting the context for the need for an intervention, she went on to talk about what approaches work effectively. She has actually studied many of the peace education programs in the world, and this one - peaceability - is the best. You have to be taught to be peaceful - try to create a positive attitude - teach specific skills - like forgiveness, to be kind. Done thru a collection of stories - to care for each other. Developed through stories and music - a combination of activities. Develops internal strengths rather than relying on external controls. Teaches children to appreciate the difference between fact and assumption.

To find out more, click here.

GEAR - Building a United Nations that Really Works for All Women

2010-03-03T19:31:00.000-08:00

What are the elements of the demands?

The new entity will be the driver in the UN system for women's empowerment and gender equality with strong, country-level operational capacity.

The resolution would give the new women's agency responsibility for leadership and coordination of the UN system's actions on gender equality and women's empowerment both in the policy arena and at the operational levle.

There would be a clear programmatic mandate and substantial operational capacity are crucial for the entity to be effective in delivering for women at the national level.

Member states would pledge core, predictable, and multi year voluntary funds now.

An Under Secretary Generl would be appointed to head the agency and provided with delegated authoritty on financial matters.

For more information, join the GEAR campaign.

Today, March the 3rd, was International Women's Day at the UN

2010-03-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Today was International Women's Day at the UN, with a special program. The Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon attended for some of it, but the real story was how the NGOs, wanting to get the message about the need for a stronger women's entity at the UN (the GEAR campaign) were organized. There were to be special labels with GEAR on them for us to wear. We were to congregate at 9:00 - and many of us did. But we could not get into the rooms - the doors were locked. It is obvious that the NGOs are not welcome as the official UN business is trying to get done. There is no accommodation for some of the older women, or women with disabilities. But the women persevere, and when the doors finally open, after many had been standing for over an hour, we were prepared. We had our GEAR labels, and found seats in the balcony. It was full.

Fortunately, the Secretary General said good things about the need for more resources for a women's agency, and advised the diplomats to approve the resolution that would be coming forward. We applauded his speech.

The interactive panel that followed basically reviewed the Platform for Action - and what remains to be done. The theme was Beijing at 15 - the Unfinished Agenda. I was impressed with an speech by H.E. Ms. Meng Xiaosi, Minister and Vice-Chairperson of the National Committee on Women and Children, People’s Republic of China.

We knew that Mary Robinson was speaking at an event - but it was a ticketed event, and we were out of luck. One of the real frustrations with this year's CSW is that events that are taking place in the temporary building are ticketed - under higher security and it is very difficult to find out where and when to get the tickets.

Beautiful Art in the UN

2010-03-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

I had to share these two pictures with you - the wall hanging was one of the most beautiful i've ever seen. It is a gift to the UN from China. The other is a lovely gold statue - from Kazakstan - "The Golden Man", a replica of a gold treasure - from the 4 to 5 century BC. I had to take a picture for Zulfiya.

Women from Afghanistan

2010-03-02T21:02:00.001-08:00

Always the best part of the CSW meetings are the opportunities to meet face to face with women that you would not normally meet at all. This happened today - I met Shoukria Hiadar from Afghanistan - "Urgent Support for Women of Afghanistan" dated February 19, 2010. I told her about my friend back in Canada, Ariana Yaftali. She said she knew the Yaftali family - may not be the same.

Basically, the appeal states that the group, Support for Women of Afghanistan, expresses anger and concern in a resolution unanimously voted on Jan. 25 by associations including political parties and unions.

Further, it states that the Loya Jirga has no reason to be held other than to modify the Afghan Constitution in order to eliminate the articles that guarantee the rights of women. It must be known that the suppression of women's rights and the return to Sharia are still the ground rules for the Taliban in any negotiations.

I will be bringing this information and contact back for Ariana.

Canada at the UN

2010-03-02T20:58:00.001-08:00

There was a TV, and a listing of all the Olympic Events that members could watch on a TV provided by Canada! Nice touch.

Say NO Event

2010-03-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

photo of Urjasi Rudra

UNIFEM sponsored an event on Day 2 - over in the new building - It was related to the global call for actions on ending violence against women and girls. The message Say NO was used in very creative ways. We heard about the Girl Guides organizing a Poster Campaign - which will be widely promoted. The poster must be displayed - and entered into the contest. There will be some prize awarded by UNIFEM. I know Kirsten Ramsey will be interested in this, and maybe our UNIFEM chapter can be helpful in some way.

Urjasi Rudra, from UNIFEM is very supportive, and our Winnipeg Chapter has used the site. We spoke about our upcoming Local to Global event, and possible ways we could make more use of the site (www.saynotoviolence.org)

There have been over 180,000 "actions" on the site to date.

In side the UN today - Day 2

2010-03-02T20:08:00.000-08:00

A long day today - ending with a wonderful reception this evening in the Delegates Dining Room hosted by the Canadian Delegation. The Minister, Hon. Helena Guergis was there - she had spoken to the Commission this afternoon. See above link to her speech. There were lots of photos taken, and should have some to share shortly.

I was in another session, so missed the Minister's speech, but was there earlier and heard many countries - my favourite was from Sweden. If i can find it on the Net, i will share it. It was interesting - these speeches are given by the member states in a very formal setting. There are some NGOs in the room, and then, because of the number of NGOs, there is an overflow room and that was where i was. There is a live hook up, with a big screen, and sound. Well, when the woman from Sweden spoke, all the NGOs clapped their approval. Quite extraordinary. She spoke about how culture and religion has justified the suppression of women. She identified 2 areas of immediate concern by the UN - 1 is the fact that zero tolerance of abuse by UN personnel in the field is not enough - there must be better training, and also enforcement, with punishment. 2 is the recognition of women's control over their own bodies, in terms of accessing a range of family planning services and birth control, as well as primary health care for girls and women.

NGOa Get Together

2010-03-02T04:40:00.000-08:00

Irene Matheson, MP; Anita Neville, MP; Senator Nancy Ruth; Nicole Desmers, MP a reception of NGOs.

More on Day One

2010-03-01T19:53:00.001-08:00

Today all the Canadian NGOs, and there are lots of us, met with the Canadian delegation - The usual location for this meeting, "under the stairs", was in an area under construction so we met in the general hall way - it was noisy, and difficult to hear the speakers. The delegates were all introduced, including Yvonne Spyropoulos from Manitoba. We will meet on Tuesday in our old spot, under the stairs, in spite of the construction, as the noise at least should not be as much of a problem.

For the afternoon, I attended a very worthwhile session on maternal mortality, put on by a number of UN agencies - including UNFPA, and UNICEF. It was moderated by Ambassador Anwarul Chowdury from Pakistan. Zonta was the organizer of this panel, and they have done a lot of work in Liberia on obstetrical Fistula. Yves Bergevin, from UNFPA spoke about prevention of pregnancy and a key part of the strategy of reducing maternal mortality. 37 countries have unmet needs in accessing family planning resources.

Richard Morgan from UNICEF spoke about the fact that the maternal mortalities happens in 2 areas of the world, Africa and Asia. About 2/3rds happen in just a few countries. We need to look at it as a continuum of care for women.

Day One

2010-03-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

Things officially started today, but because of construction, there was limited access for the NGOs. And many NGOs had to get their badges - I spoke to one woman who stood in line for over 5 hours. It is true that many of the NGOs here are not happy with the way the UN has handled the arrangements. There has been no attempt by the UN to have additional staff. There are only 2 cameras to take the photos for the badges - and they know the on line registration was close to 8,000. It's too bad they don't let the women organize things for the registration process - it would definitely go a lot smoother. Someone said that if it were men in the line ups, it would be changed very quickly!

Although there was an over flow room, for the official opening, the arrangements were not good. Some couldn't hear. I made the decision to go to an event that was taking place in temporary building, which is actually quite pleasant. The building is called the North Lawn Temporary Building They even had coffee! And the event was on Trafficking - During the 1990's, before the term human trafficking was coined, and international awareness of this phenomenon grew slowly. Now it is part of the daily news. We do recognize it as a complex issue, and a growth industry. What we learned from the session was indeed the complexity of human trafficking, we need to have more resources for police (in some countries, police are so poor, they sleep in the police station). We also heard we need to put government back in charge of training - the privatization of training produces poor and incorrect results. We also need to inject a humanitarian approach into governments. The US for example should stop deporting victims of trafficking.

Christine Dolan spoke - what an amazing woman - she is a journalist, and has investigated the exploitation of children emanating from the Balkans Crises. She has co founded the Children in Slavery - a campaign to focus on expanding the NGO world because we need business leaders in the room to gain traction to eradicate human trafficking. But her main point was about how stories can be manipulated for political or personal gain. She told the story about a Catholic Priest, who did a documentary on "The Price of Sugar", which is totally unfounded - yet he continues to play it at film festivals and is making money from it. Christine did a very thorough job on presenting the situation of what can happen - how the media can manipulate the viewer. Her experience is a lesson for any journalist covering human trafficking, any human rights activist claiming to be an expert, or any politician. You must sift thru the shadows of the evidence to bring forth the truth.

Fulfilling the Promises

2010-02-28T20:17:00.000-08:00

Final end of the day - back to the NGO Forum - and sooo glad we did. Great energy, and diversity of women who came forward and spoke. Regional caucuses had been working during the day - Canada had good representation in the prepatory work with Nayyar Javed. The final document "Call to Action" was released, and i'll get the link to it as soon as i can.

We heard from the final panel about the need for the different sectors working for peace to come together, from a human rights approach, from a security approach, a development agenda, an international framework, violence prevention - all these different domains have to be better coordinated. Women must be at the centre for Human Rights development and peace making.

Interesting presentation on the economic crises. Reviewed the past economic policy of the US the last 3 years. Growth was the only mandate. Inequality has grown. Need to use Human Rights norms and standards to analyze economic policy. Using a human rights lens. Statement that the US failed as a state to protect. The economic crises was manufactured because of the state's failure to protect. Commented on the amount of money to politicians in the U S from high risk institutions. Changed rules, and didn't keep the banks and financial institutions seperate.
Governments did nothing to stop the predatory behavior of banks.

Relationship between the MDGs and the Beijing Platform for Action - With full implementation of the PfA, we will see the implementation of the MDGs. Achievement of one, will see the achievement of the other.Need to have agreed roles of national and local level of governements, and civil society.Need for disagragated data - this was mentioned by several speakers - to move forward. To implent the MDGs, must move away from business as usual.Need small scale stragegies and local initiatives. Need to build capacity at the local level. and clear divsion of labour.

Idea - to get behind the GEAR campaign, and a new entity for women at the UN, we need to set up a Global Fund for Women - every woman put in $1. - and maybe some put in $2 for a sister that can't put in even $1.

Idea - how to mainstream men into the women's movement.

Something special - to hear Lynn Nottage, who is a playwright from Brooklyn. She did a reading from her new play "Ruined". It was so moving - many, including me, gave her a standing ovation. She spent time in the Congo, interviewing women. I wondered about getting the play done in Winnipeg - something to explore

Long Line Ups

2010-02-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

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!!

Dr. Sima Samar

2010-02-27T16:03:00.000-08:00

Sima Samar is the Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, and was the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Sudan. She is very highly thought of back home in Canada.

She spoke very well, as the key note speaker at the opening of the NGO Forum. Commented that Afghan women were not allowed to attend the 4th World Conference. Weren't allowed to attend the Nairobi Conference. Anything to do with reproductive rights forbidden. Comes from a country and experiences in other countries like the Sudan where women don't have rights. Women not allowed to have access to education or health care. Government does formally support the Beijing Platform for Action. Some are out of Afghanistan, like Sima. Yes, there are some girls now, 2 million, that are in schools now, but not quality education. Limited access to higher education. Many taking flights to India for health care - war lords and their families, those involved in the drug trade. Access to justice for women is taboo. Don't go to police. Need women police officers, women medical staff, teachers, judges.

Laws supportive of women should be known and applied. There were NO women at the recent London conference on Afghanistan - no one even raised it as a comment. Have to push - get women into higher positions at the UN. Concerned about reconstruction talk, with those who were violent towards women - who were oppressive, without even including women.

Culture and Religion are no excuse for not upholding women's human rights - other speakers made that statement today too.

Mary and Aridith Toodgood, my room mate, @ the NGO Forum

2010-02-27T16:02:00.000-08:00

The first panel at the Forum had the topic of Advancing Women's Rights, 1975-2010 - What the World Conference on Women Accomplished. Jan Peterson, who is the chair of the Sectretariat of the Huairou Commission was the Moderator, had a great sense of humour which was appreciated. The 4 panelists, who all gave personal observations about the topic were varied, and interesting. All agreed we have advanced - women are no longer invitees. I appreciated hearing Gertrude Mongella, President of the Pan African Parliament. She commented on Rawanda - where the highest percentage of parliament are women - 57%. Sees many more girls now in schools. The panel spoke of the many crisis that the world has faced - women are affected. Also how the world has changed because of the computer - it doesn't know if you are a man or woman! Haven't moved much in peace though. There we must take action, or all is useless. The panel spoke of the networks that have developed - NGOs, Government partnerships. Even the preparations for Beijing, and I can attest to that - we had a wonderful network in Manitoba that started a good year before the Conference. Muriel Smith was a key to building that network, before, during and after.

Charlotte Bunch, (Founding Director and Senior Scholar, CWGL), Patricia Licuanan, President of Miriam College in the Phillipines, and there was a replacement for Virginia Vargas, from Peru. All presenters spoke of the work that has been done, and the challenges that ahead. Interesting to note all the world conferences came about because of the pressure from the women's movement. Commented about the situation in Haiti, how groups immediately came together to plan how to help the women.

NGO Forum - Day One

2010-02-27T14:33:00.000-08:00

Yes, I got to New York, inspite of flight cancellations and major storms down east. Many didn't make it for the start of the NGO Forum this morning (Saturday).

There were 1,700 women registered for the NGO Forum! It was held at the Salvation Army, a different place then where other NGO Forums have been held. The facility was very comfortable, and there were many students as volunteers to help with the flow. The Salvation Army is providing space for many of the events during the week - all at no cost.

The opening group was a youth steel band - shown here in the photo. They were wonderful - full of energy and rhythm. Following, we had an amazing group from Southern Phillipines - reflecting the Melayu heritage. The audience were excited and enthusiastic as the welcoming remarks were made by Vivian Pender, Chair of the NGO CSW. But the best part of the day was the key note speech by Dr. Sima Samar.

Getting Ready!

2010-02-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

Getting ready is a challenge. What to take, with only 1 bag allowed now on flights to the US. And of course there's the electronics - with cords! Paper to bring too - with copies on a memory stick.

I'm leaving Friday and have registered for the NGO Forum starting on Saturday morning with Dr. Sima Samar as the keynote speaker. There will be 2 full days of panel presentation, and discussion - Advancing Women's Rights - The State of the World's Women: Patriarchy, Violence Against Women and Girls, Women's Health and Climate Change; Voices from Around the World: Regional Priorities and Actions; Fulfilling the Promise of Gender Equality, Peace and Development: Women, Peace and Security, Strengthening Institutional Mechanisms, World Economic Crisis, Building Women's Leadership, & the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Presenters will represent many women from many countries. It will be interesting to hear about women and the world economic crises, and also progress with the MDGs.

There is major construction going on at the UN we've heard, so already we're getting reports about limiting the numbers to the sessions. They stopped taking preregistrations early. I'm not looking forward to the long line ups for registration to get the security card needed for the UN.

I have received an invitation, along with other Canadian NGOs, to meet with the Hon. Helena Guergis (Minister Status of Women) on Sunday, for 20 minutes. However, I don't know who is on the "official" delegation, representing Canada, but we will find out soon, i'm sure.

Today a report was released by FAFIA (Feminist Alliance for International Action) on Women in Canada and the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action Fifteen Years On -

More next time....

Photo of the UN

2010-02-17T10:24:00.000-08:00

CSW - 2010

2010-02-17T06:52:00.000-08:00

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is meeting in New York - official meetings start on Monday, March 1, til Friday, March 12 - but the NGOs (Non governmental organizations) will be meeting on the Saturday, Feb. 27, and Sunday Feb. 28 - to discuss, and hear from others the issues that are affecting their lives. The theme this year, the 54th session of the CSW, is Beijing plus 15 - yes it is 15 years since that incredible coming together in Beijing, China, and the Fourth World Conference on Women. I was there, plus many from Winnipeg, and Manitoba, and Canada - so i'm really interested in this session of the CSW. What progress has there been for women? How has Canada done? What are the new issues?

One way I thought i could share all this was to do a Blog - not sure how it will work out, but what i will try to do is to capture what I experience, possibly a few photos too, and put it all here for you to read. It will be my personal story though, not anything official. So stay tuned! - by Mary Scott