United Nations

Addressing Gender Issues with the United Nations was the theme of the February 2007 NGO/DPI Communications Workshop. In the morning session, speakers from four UN agencies explained how their particular organizations worked and how NGOs could develop working relationships with them to move gender issues forward. The afternoon session included three concurrent meetings followed by concluding remarks to the entire group.

The panelists did an outstanding job of detailing their activities and giving concrete suggestions as to how NGOs could be more effective in partnering with them. Reports, such as the Cardoza Report, have been shelved by many governments and forgotten. All speakers agreed that it is imperative to move member states to ratify conventions and to hold governments accountable. NGOs are good at doing those tasks; they are in a position to advocate for legislation and pressure governments to reintroduce previously sidelined issues. The example of the success of the 16-Day Campaign for Human Rights was cited to show how women working collectively can make great strides.

The Q&A following the briefing was focused on ways to publicize women's rights. One of the panelists suggested that countries with the worst human rights records for women should be exposed through media attention. A member of the audience suggested that girls should be allowed to voice their human rights concerns in public forums. It was also proposed that NGOs seek to broaden their human rights efforts beyond the confines of the UN and develop proposals for local and regional policy makers.

The afternoon audience was divided into three concurrent discussion sessions. Each group was asked to develop recommendations that would be shared when the groups reassembled together to conclude the day. Three specialists-in promoting women's human rights, improving women's health, and protecting women in armed conflict-gave brief statements and then facilitated the ensuing audience discussions.

It was interesting to note that although the issues were different, many of the recommendations had similarities. NGOs should exert pressure on member states to make good on their resolutions and can be creative in getting their message heard by the media. NGOs at the local and national levels should urge gender advocacy at all levels of the UN and communicate on gender issues with one another local and national levels. Increasing funding for gender education was another common theme of the afternoon session.

Following the concluding remarks, the audience honored the work of the late Angela King, who was highly regarded for her advocacy of true equality between women and men. The audience pledged to carry on her vital task.

Muriel Hertan

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Women of the World United for Change

by Talia Whyte

www.globalwire.blogspot.com

Hundreds of passionate, dynamic women-and a few men-from around the world gathered at UN headquarters on February 27 for the start of the 50th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The event marks 60 years of working for gender equality, peace and development.

There are two themes to this year's two-week conference, which runs through March 10: women in development and women in the decision-making process. While some countries have adopted policy reforms and achieved legislative gender equality in many ways, the Secretary-General's recent report, "Enhanced Participation of Women in Development," shows a large gap between practice and policy. In a panel discussion on the subject, it was concluded that women's full enjoyment of the right to education, as well as good health and work outside of the home, are necessary for their full participation in development.

"Education is also found to positively influence an individual's attitude, which has social benefits in the longer term," said Dr. Bernadette Lahai, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Food Security in Sierra Leone. "For women, particularly, it widens their social networks, creates new reference groups and more role models, and fosters innovation, all of which improves on women's well being and those of their families." She went on to say that "education improves on women's self-perception, increases their confidence level, as well as independence of thought and judgment, social mobility and a broader outlook on life."

The Jamaica delegation dissented, stating that education alone will not improve women's lives, especially those women who live in patriarchal societies. Lahai and other panelists responded by saying that education is only a stepping stone.

"We need to move beyond being involved in development," said Akanksha Marphatia of Action/AID International. "But we also need to be involved in empowerment."

The second panel discussion on the commission's opening day, which was on women in the decision-making process, focused on progress made over the last several years. Today, there are 11 women heads of state or government in countries on every continent, including Liberia's new president, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf-the first female to be elected head of state in all of Africa. In addition, Chile, Sweden and Spain have now achieved gender parity in their respective governments. Despite this, another report from the Secretary-General, "Equal Participation of Women and Men in Decision-Making Processes at All Levels," shows that women are still lagging behind. The reasons given: women's continued exclusion from male-dominated policy domains; the absence of enabling environments in political institutions; persisting stereotypical attitudes; and the unequal distribution of family responsibilities between men and women. While the issue of quotas as a means of women's empowerment was debated during the conferences, it was generally agreed that women bring a certain understanding of policy to the table, especially on social issues.

"No government can be democratic without the participation of both men and women," said Nesreen Barwari, minister of municipalities and public works in Iraq. "The reason women should be in government is not to be on the same level as men, but to bring in a different perspective. If women are to be fully integrated into society, more work needs to be done. Women are excluded in most countries, but it's time to readdress this."

For the duration of the session's first week, delegates from nongovernmental organizations attended dozens of panel discussions, workshops and film viewings and held open discussions on topics relating to the conference's two themes. From media images of South African women to foreign brides in Taiwan to lesbian rights in the Muslim world, the state of women in the world in 2006 is diverse and dynamic.

One of the biggest topics among delegates was the critical issue of human trafficking. With the end of the Cold War and the advent of globalization and the Internet, trafficking affects every aspect of the global economy today, even women in the United States.

"There is a perception in the US that trafficking only happens over there in Thailand, Cambodia and other underdeveloped countries," said CNN investigative reporter Christine Dolan during a panel discussion on the topic. "But that is not true. It is really underrepresented in our media. There is a level of education that is needed in the US. The US is not above trafficking."

Another topic of interest was the plight of indigenous women. "[They] face the worst of discrimination for both their gender and ethnic background," said Mirian Masaquiza, social affairs associate for indigenous affairs in Ecuador. "It is important to adopt multicultural services to overcome this."

Discrimination is even more common place when violence is involved. For indigenous women, violence occurs in a context of ongoing rights violations against communities as a whole.

"Violence against indigenous women continues to be higher than violence against other groups of women," explained Christine Brautigam of the Division for the Advancement of Women, part of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. "We want to identify ways states can prevent violence against women."

As the conference continues through March 10, delegates also will be reviewing the situation of Afghan and Palestinian girls and women, women in the labor market, women and children taken hostage, and the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on laws that discriminate against women. There is a satisfaction by attendees that it is bringing women and their issues to the table. For many of them, this is a sign of good things to come.

"An active women's movement should be recognized," said Toral Begim, an NGO representative from Lebanon. "The UN must stay in the forefront to make progress happen. Women make a difference."

Ms. Whyte is a freelance journalist based in Boston and chair of the UNA-USA Young Professionals for International Cooperation in Greater Boston. Her work can be found at www.globalwire.blogspot.com.

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TRAFFICKING IN WOMEN FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND GOOD PRACTICES FOR ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM

The paper discusses initiatives to combat trafficking in women which qualify as 'good practices' examples in combating trafficking in women for sexual exploitation. They include policies, programmes and legislation aimed at combating and eliminating trafficking in women for sexual exploitation, focusing on Nigerian examples. The paper ultimately highlights that successful programmes for ending trafficking must involve both countries of origin as well as transit and destination countries, for genuine international cooperation.

The paper is divided into five sections:

* section one is an introduction

* section two of this paper discusses the concept of 'good practices'

* section three discusses some good practice initiatives for combating trafficking in women in Nigeria

* section four discusses why they should be regarded as good practices

* section five concludes the paper

Author(s): Okojie, C. E. E.

Produced by: United Nations (UN) Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) (2005)

Available online at:
http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/rdr.cfm?doc=DOC18976

* Eldis
Source: Eldis - www.eldis.org

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CEDAW: Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

For background information about the Committee on CEDAW visit: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/29sess.htm

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:

* to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;
* to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and
* to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.

The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women.

Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.

For more informationa see: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/

On record:

Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press Sigeds On To CEDAW Letter to the President

May 11, 2003
The Honorable George W. Bush
The President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Bush,

On May 11th America will celebrate Mother's Day, a tribute to the essential role mothers play in building a stable, safe, and productive society. While we celebrate the many contributions that mothers make to our children, families, cities and country, we must be mindful of the fundamental human rights that not only enable, but ultimately empower them to make these vital contributions. In view of this, we the undersigned organizations are writing you and First Lady Laura Bush in honor of Mother's Day, and to ask for your support in promoting the most basic human rights of women and mothers worldwide by ratifying the United Nations Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

Around the world, at least 4 million women and girls are sold into sexual slavery each year. Two-thirds of the world's 875 million illiterate adults are women. More than 510,000 women die annually from pregnancy-related complications. Women are four times more vulnerable than men to HIV/AIDS, with 1.3 million dying each year. An estimated 25 to 39 percent of all women experience domestic violence. Given these facts, one must examine the process by which mothers, who live in these conditions and constitute these statistics, contribute to the well being of their families and societies.

CEDAW provides a universal standard for women's human rights. It addresses discrimination in areas such as education, employment, marriage and family relations, health care, politics, finance and law. The treaty celebrates motherhood by creating stronger families, communities and economies. Only when women are fully and equally involved in decision-making can we achieve sustainable communities that build the foundation for a better environmental future. To date, 173 countries have ratified the Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW). The United States is the only industrialized nation that has failed to do so, putting us in the company of countries like Iran, North Korea and Sudan. Without U.S. ratification, other governments feel free to ignore CEDAW's mandate and their obligations under it.

As you noted last year, "A thriving nation will respect the rights of women, because no society can prosper while denying opportunity to half its citizens." U.S. commitment to women's rights must go beyond words. Ratification of CEDAW is a decisive act that will send a strong message to the world that we are indeed a champion of human rights and the rule of law and that women's rights are critical to the establishment of democracies and civil societies.

During the last several months, the world has seen an even greater struggle for freedom and the promotion of fundamental human rights. The success of these efforts is contingent upon the protection and promotion of women's most basic human rights. What better way to celebrate Mother's Day in the United States and throughout the world than by sending a strong message that the United States supports the universally agreed upon rights for women to live free from violence, have the right to a basic education, the right to vote, access to health care, and the right to own and inherit property.

We urge you to work to ensure immediate ratification of the Treaty for the Rights of Women (CEDAW).

Sincerely,

Alaska Pro-Choice America; Albany Regional Community; American Association of University Women; American Federation of Teachers; American Friends Service Committee; American Humanist Association; Americans for Democratic Action; Amnesty International USA; Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs; Association of Reproductive Health Professionals: Business and Professional Women/USA: Campaign for U.N. Reform; Catholics for a Free Choice; Center for Ethics in Action; Center for Reproductive Rights; Center for Women's Policy Studies; Chicago Women; Church Choice USA; Church Women United; Congregation of the Humility of Mary; Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc.; A Critical Mass: Women Celebrating Eucharist; 8th Day Center for Justice; Elizabeth Seton Federation; Episcopal Church USA; Equality Now; Family Violence Prevention Fund; Feminist Majority Foundation; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Friends of the National Hook-up of Black Women, Inc.; Gaia Women; GenderWatchers; The General Federation of Women's Clubs; Global Plan Initiative; Gray Panthers; Hadassah; The Hunger Project; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute Justice Team; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Mercy Justice Committee Regional Community of Connecticut; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of Dallas, PA; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Regional Community of North Carolina Justice Team; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Regional Community of St. Louis; Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Institute; Region 2 New Hampshire; International Association of Schools of Social Work; International Center for Research on Women; International Eye Foundation; International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA); International Women's Health Coalition; Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Jewish Council for Public Affairs; Jewish Women's Coalition; Kodiak Women's Resource and Crisis Center: Leadership Team Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of New Jersey; League of Women Voters of the U.S.; Lourdes; Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Men Can Stop Rape; Mercy Center Bronx; Mercy Collaborative Ministries; Mercy Professional Services; Montgomery County Commission for Women; Ms. Foundation for Women; NA'AMAT USA; National Abortion Federation; National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum; National Association of Commissions for Women; National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health (NPWH); National Association of Social Workers; National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence; National Center on Poverty Law; National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; National Coalition of American Nuns; National Committee on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women; National Council of Jewish Women; National Council of Women's Organizations; National Education Association; National Organization for Women; National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís of the US;l National Women's Conference; Nebraska Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Coalition; NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby; New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Northwest Women's Law Center; NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund; Open Society Policy Center; Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Planned Parenthood of New York City; Population Connection; The Population Institute; Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office; Project Irene; Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; Sierra Club; Sinsinawa Dominicans Peace and Justice Office Sinsinawa Women's Network; Sisters of Mercy; Sisters of Mercy Mercy International Justice Network; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Brooklyn Regional Community; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Regional Community of Buffalo: Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Regional Community of Merion; Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Rochester Regional Community; Sisters of Mercy Pittsburgh Regional Community; Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Baltimore; Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of Connecticut; Sisters of Mercy Regional Community of New Jersey Justice Circle; Soroptimist International of the Americas; SSSF Pax Area Community; Statewide California Coalition of Battered Women; Tahirih Justice Center; Texas Association Against Sexual Assault; Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; United Methodist Church, General Board of Church and Society; United Nations Association of the United States of America; The U.S. Committee for UNIFEM; Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs; Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Inc.; Women and Philanthropy; Women Employed; Women's Action for New Directions (WAND)/Women's Legislators' Lobby (WILL); Women's Bar Association of the State of New York; Women's Business Development Center; Women's Edge; Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO); Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press; Women's International League for Peace and Freedom U.S. Section; The Women's Office Sisters of Charity, B.V.M.; Women's Ordination Conference; Women Sports International; Women's Sports Foundation; Women of Reform Judaism; World Federalist Association; World Learning; World Vision; YWCA of McKeesport

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News

See UN News Service for the lastest new from the UN

See Division for the Advancement of Women for lastest women focued UN news and updates

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Special Rapporteurs
These individuals are part of the structure established by the Commission on Human Rights, and appointed by the Chairperson of the Commission. They are created to examine and annually report on either a specific country's status and situation or look at a single theme like Violence Against Women (VAW) or Torture across countries. Through out the year, the Special Rapporteurs will also lodge complains and voice concerns about human rights situations and rights violations on behalf of individuals or groups.

Special Rapporteurs will engage in country visits as well as receive reports for other UN bodies, NGOs and governments. Fact-finding missions can take place at the request of the Special Rapporteur or at the invitation of the country in question.

All activities and limitations on Special Rapporteurs are set out in their specific mandate whether they are thematically or country oriented. All Special Rapportuers are required to report their findings to the Commission on Human Rights during their spring session.

Information on Thematic Special Rapporteurs

Information on Country Mandated Special Rapporteurs

Fact Sheet: Commission on Human Rights

Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education

Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression

Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief

Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences

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International Documents

Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) Platform for Action - Women and the Media

Beijing, China - September 1995 - Action for Equality, Development and Peace

Beijing +5:CSW Agreed conclusions on the 12 critical areas of concern

CEDAW: Full Text [English]

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UN and Information Technologies

UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

"UNITAR has been working on capacity building and training projects and programmes in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT) since 1986 and has developed a strong and stable network of partnerships with experts and specialized institutions from all over the world. Partner institutions include UN Agencies, Inter- and Governmental bodies, NGOs, Technical institutions, Universities, engineering, as well as business companies."

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International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

"The International Telecommunication Union <http://www.itu.int/home/index.html> is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for telecommunications. ITU's membership includes 189 Member States and more than 650 private companies and other organizations. Through its conferences, assemblies and other meetings, ITU provides a multilateral forum where governments and the private sector can meet to broker agreements in areas of mutual interest. This form of public-private partnership is virtually unique among the organizations of the UN family. New technologies, like the Internet and mobile telephony, have grown at a breathtaking rate during the last decade or so. Internet access and mobile phone ownership have become the norm for some. Many developed countries are now seeing mobile phones with the capacity to receive and display Internet content, video images and e-mail messages. Other countries however, still lack the wherewithal to extend basic telecommunication access to their peoples. Unless they can overcome some of the major obstacles to communications development, the global divide between the information-rich and information-poor is likely to grow still further. By working to develop international standards that ensure the functioning and interoperability of communication systems, such as the IMT-2000 standard for third-generation telephone systems, for example, ITU's Standardization Sector (ITU-T) provides an essential framework for the deployment of communication technologies. The Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) is responsible for managing the radio-frequency spectrum, a valuable and finite resource, so that radio-based systems continue to function smoothly and provide reliable wireless services to the world's inhabitants. While governments have long been involved in spectrum management, the private sector is increasingly involved in its exploitation. The Development Sector (ITU-D) works to facilitate connectivity and access, foster policy, regulatory and network readiness, expand human capacity through training programmes, formulate financing strategies and e-enable enterprises in developing countries. ITU is also active in identifying emerging trends in telecommunications, producing regular statistics, studies on Internet-related issues, country case studies and publications and reports, as well as holding workshops on topics of current interest. These activities are partly to guide internal strategic orientations, but also to assist governments, policy-makers, regulators and private enterprises in establishing priorities for the optimum development of their own telecommunication policies. Under the auspices of the UN Secretary General, ITU is taking the lead managerial role in the preparation of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), in cooperation with relevant UN and other international agencies and the host countries Switzerland and Tunisia."

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Resources

PeaceWomen: Sheri Gibbings, Ann Kaiser, Kara Piccirilli, Sarah Shteir
Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
United Nations Office
777 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA
Ph: 1 212 682 1265 Fax: 1 212 286 8211
email: info@peacewomen.org
web: http://www.peacewomen.org

World Health Organization (WHO): Women's Health

Women Health Organization (WHO): Women's Rights

United Nations Human Rights Documents

UNIFEM: United Nations Development Fund for Women

Amnesty International: Stop Violence Against Women Campaign

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Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press
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phone: 202-265-6707
www.wifp.org