CSW 2011

Final Report now available -

2011-06-14T18:05:00.000-06:00

Direct Link to Full 56-Page UN CSW 55 Report:

http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/2011/27

Signing Off

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Thanks everyone who followed this Blog on the 55th CSW 2011 - I've been amazed at how many viewers there are, and from all parts of the world.

This Blog will stay up, as a record of some the activities of the meetings, and news, and the highlights for me while in New York. Who can foreget the Judy Chicago display.

Do leave comments or questions - i'll respond.

I did want to leave with this strong message from the Women at the Social Forum in Dakar. It expresses very well what women are wanting, and working for -

In solidarity, and Peace,
Mary Scott

World Social Forum 2011 - Dakar

World Social Forum Letter of Solidarity with the Struggle of Women in the World

In this year, 2011, the World Social Forum joins with the peoples of Africa for the third time, following Mali in 2006 and Kenya in 2007. We, women from different parts of the world who have gathered in Dakar, recognizing that uniting our strengths will eventually bring change, confirm our solidarity and our admiration for the struggles of Senegalese women, African women, and women of the world. Their struggles, alongside the struggles of all men and women, strengthen resistance everywhere against the globalized capitalistic and patriarchal system.

Today, we are still experiencing the same world crises - economic, food, ecological and social - and we are concerned to observe that these crises are persisting and deepening. Here, we reiterate our analysis that these are not isolated crises, but that they represent a crisis of the model characterized by the overexploitation of labour and the environment, and by financial speculation on the economy. This is the reason why we as women continue to call for change of this model of society, this economic model, this production and consumption model, which generates increased poverty for our peoples, in particular for women.

We as women, who are attuned to respect and defence of the principles of justice, peace and solidarity, need to make progress in building alternatives in the face of these crises; however, we have no interest in palliative responses based on market logic.

We cannot accept that attempts to maintain the current system in place are made at the expense of women.

In this regard, we say no to intolerance, to the persecution of sexual diversity and to cultural practices that undermine the health, body and soul of women.

We condemn all kinds of violence against women, in particular, femicide, the trafficking of women, forced prostitution, physical violence, sexual harassment, genital mutilation, early marriage, forced marriage, rape, rape used as a systematic weapon of war, and impunity for those who commit these acts of horror against women.

We also say no to a society that scorns the rights of women by not allowing them access to resources, land, credit, and employment in dignified conditions, where women's jobs are rendered precarious in order for capital to grow.

We condemn the monopolization and colonization of the land of rural farmers, both men and women, whatever form it takes, by States or multinational corporations, and we condemn transgenic crops, which harm biodiversity and life.

We say no to the arms and nuclear race, which are carried out at the expense of state investment in social, health and educational programmes.

We condemn a society that excludes women from access to knowledge and education, and where women are marginalized and discriminated against in decision-making.

We say no to armed conflicts, wars and occupations. We say YES to a just peace for oppressed peoples.

In the face of all of this, we propose to strengthen our struggle so our countries will achieve economic, political and cultural sovereignty with respect to international financial institutions. We want the cancellation of odious and illegitimate debts, and a citizen's audit that would allow people to be compensated: women do not owe anything - they are the primary creditors of this odious debt. We also demand the effective implementation of the Tobin tax.

We demand food sovereignty for peoples and the consumption of local products, the use of our traditional seeds, and women's access to land and productive resources.

We want a world where men and women have the same rights, the same opportunities to access knowledge, primary and higher education, literacy and decision-making positions, and the same rights to work and fair salaries.

We want a world where States invest in the health of women and our children; in particular, maternal health.

We demand the ratification and effective implementation of all international agreements, in particular, International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions 156 and 183.

We want the democratization of communications and access to information.

We stand in solidarity with the Palestinian women for a democratic, independent and sovereign Palestinian State, with Jerusalem as its capital, and the return of refugees in compliance with United Nations Resolution 194.

We stand in solidarity with the women of Casamance for a return to peace.

We support the struggle of the Tunisian and Egyptian peoples for democracy, with the women of the Democratic Republic of Congo for an end to the conflict, and with the Kurdish women, for a society that is democratic, ecological and free, with equal status between women and men, and where there is the right to use their mother tongue in education.

We stand in solidarity with the right to self-determination for the Sarahoui women, in line with the United Nations Resolution, and to find a peaceful solution according to the Maghreb Social Forum.

We are with all women victims of natural disaster, such as Haiti, Brazil, Pakistan and Australia.

We stand in solidarity with the millions of women and children refugees and displaced persons.

We call for the return to their land and freedom of movement.

We propose the creation of alert and information networks on and for women in conflict or occupied areas. We propose 30 March as the day of international solidarity with the Palestinian people and call for a boycott of products from the Israeli occupier. We call for the creation in 2012 of an international forum for solidarity with the struggle of the Palestinian people.

We recognize all the struggles of all the women in the world and see their demands as ours: what happens to one of us happens to all of us. This is why we must fight all together.

CSW Concluding Statements - Michelle Bachelet Speaks.

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Vice-Chair Says Agreement Required ‘Extensive, Intense Negotiations’; UN Women,

As First-time Secretariat, Deems Outcome Initial Step Requiring National Follow-Up

Noting that quality education and women’s full access to and participation in science and technology were imperative for achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, the Commission on the Status of Women today urged Governments and relevant United Nations agencies to take appropriate actions to bolster women’s access to education and to specifically strengthen capacities to ensure that science education policies and curricula were relevant to their needs.

Those were among the key observations and recommendations at the core of the Commission’s agreed conclusions (document E/CN.6/2011/L.6), reflecting the overall theme of the 45-member body’s fifty-fifth session, “access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work”. The Commission’s 2011 session, which opened at Headquarters on 22 February, had been originally scheduled to close on 4 March, but protracted negotiations on the agreed conclusions forced it to suspend its work until its closing today.

Among a host of vital priorities identified in the agreed conclusions, the Commission stressed that access to and participation in quality education, including in the science and technology fields, by women and girls of all ages, was an economic necessity and provided them with the skills, knowledge and aptitude necessary for life-long learning, employment, better physical and mental health, and full participation in social, economic and political development.

The agreed conclusions called for action on behalf of women and girls by Governments, United Nations agencies, and human rights and civil society groups, among others, in six key areas, including strengthening national legislation, policies and programmes; expanding access and participation in education; strengthening gender-sensitive education and training, including in the field of science and technology; supporting the transition from education to full employment and decent work; increasing retention and progression of women in science and technology employment; and making science and technology responsive to women.

Before the Commission adopted the text, Commission Vice-Chair Filippo Cinti (Italy) said it had been the result of “extensive and intense negotiations”. Unfortunately, those talks had not been concluded by the deadline for the session’s final scheduled meeting, but agreement late that Friday night was a testament to the willingness of delegations to reach consensus.

In closing remarks, Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of the United Nations Entity for General Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), said that while the agreed conclusions indeed reflected the commitment of Member States, they were only a “first step” and must be implemented and followed up at the national level. She called on all Member States to spare no effort to ensure that their aims and objectives were fully addressed, especially in the six key areas of ongoing concern, such as violence against women and the situation of rural women and girls.

Giving a brief overview of the session, she said that the Commission had convened to share innovations, best practices and successful experiences in the global effort to ensure gender equality and women’s empowerment. Delegations had also used the opportunity to discuss traditional obstacles and new and emerging ones that were hampering gains. She congratulated the Commission on the interesting discussions, pleased to note that access to quality education, with emphasis on science and technology, had been the overall theme.

Several overriding concerns had emerged during the two-week session, she said, including the negative impact of the ongoing global crises, lingering barriers that prevented women’s equal access to quality education and the fact that women’s transition from education to full employment and decent work “remained fraught with challenges”. She also recalled that ending violence against women was a priority area for action and that the Commission had held an important panel discussion on the relevant theme: “The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child”. Another important discussion had focused on “gender equality and sustainable development,” she added.

In his remarks, Commission Chair Garen Nazarian ( Armenia) thanked all participants, noting that this was the first session in which UN Women had served as Secretariat of the Commission. He said that the agreed conclusions provided a solid basis for accelerated and focused action in priority areas.

Noting the attention to the welfare of girls, he said that “Girls are the women of tomorrow, but we need to hear their voices today.” Ending discrimination against them must become a priority for all stakeholders, he said, adding his hope that all were leaving the session ready to act for gender equality and the empowerment of women at all levels.

In other action, the Commission adopted the draft report of its session (document/E.N.6/2011/L.4), which was presented by Rapporteur Leysa Sow (Senegal). Also, Noa Furman (Israel) and Li Xiaomei (China) were appointed to the Working Group on Communications for the Commission’s fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions.

The Commission also briefly opened its fifty-sixth session to elect its Presidents and two Vice-Presidents. Marjon V. Kamara ( Liberia) was elected by acclamation to Chair the Commission for the next two years. Also elected by acclamation were Vice-Presidents Irina Velichko (Belarus), and Carlos Enrique García González (El Salvador).

Making statements following the adoption of the agreed conclusions were the representatives of Hungary (on behalf of the European Union) and Venezuela. The representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations also made a statement.

Theme for CSW 56 -

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The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication development and current challenge

The review theme is the agreed conclusions from the 2008 session on "Financing for gender equality and empowerment of women."

Resolution on gender and climate change adopted at CSW

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March 2011 - The Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York reported that the 55^th Session of the United Nations' Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) adopted by consensus a Philippine-initiated ground-breaking resolution on gender and climate change last March 4.

The Philippine resolution entitled, "Mainstreaming Gender Equality and Promoting Empowerment of Women in Climate Policies and Strategies", stressed the need to ensure women's full enjoyment of all human rights and their effective participation in environmental decision-making at all levels.

It also highlights the need to integrate women concerns and gender equality perspectives in sustainable development policies and programs. The resolution calls for all nations to facilitate and ensure women's effective participation in the crafting and implementation of climate change policies, strategies and programs.

In formally introducing the Philippine resolution to the CSW, Philippine Permanent Representative Libran N. Cabactulan pointed out that "the effects of climate change will be felt most acutely by those segments of the population that are already vulnerable owing to geography, gender, age, indigenous or minority status and disability."

"As an archipelagic state with a largely agricultural and rural population, and as a country beset by numerous natural disasters, the Philippines knows this first hand," Permanent Representative Cabactulan stated.

He said that women are among the most vulnerable to climate change, emphasizing that "in many countries, they make up a larger share of the agricultural workforce and they tend to have less access to income-earning opportunities than men. Women manage households and care for family members, which often limits their mobility and increases their vulnerability to sudden weather-related natural disasters."

Permanent Representative told the CSW that the Philippines has implemented policies that seek to bring economic growth and development to all sectors of our society, but that "climate change is a challenge that urgently calls for greater global cooperation."

The Philippine resolution contains 12-action points, among which is a call on states to integrate a gender perspective into their environmental and climate change policies, and to strengthen mechanisms and provide adequate resources to ensure women's full and equal participation in decision-making at all levels on environmental issues, in particular on strategies related to the impact of climate change on the lives of women and girls.

Fifty-three states co-sponsored the Philippine resolution, namely: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, the Central African Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gabon, the Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, the Niger, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Grassroots Women speak out about UN Women

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The International Council of Women (ICW) is a member of Grassroots Women

The following is from a report on the session they held March 2 at the CSW

Different from feminist organizations and NGOs, these grassroots women comprised community leaders from grassroots organizations who are working to solve day to day problems related to human settlements, land rights, livelihoods, resilience to disasters and climate change, food security, safer cities and informal care work, women's health and HIV/AIDS, among other issues, in their own communities. Among them are leaders of the movement of popular kitchens in Peru, leaders of federations of self-help savings and credit cooperatives in India and women fighting for land rights at the community level across Africa. Their work on economic security and human settlements are issues not yet being fully addressed in UN Women's agenda or vision.

The launch of UN Women brings an unprecedented opportunity for the UN, national governments and global organizations to consult with and include organized groups of grassroots women. Adding to the ripeness of this moment, Michelle Bachelet has repeatedly spoken of her commitment to the inclusion of grassroots women and issues related to their economic empowerment.

For too long, grassroots women have been excluded from agenda-setting, planning and consultations in the UN's gender architecture, from the national offices to the UN headquarters. The Grassroots Women's Speakout delivered an explicit message: the time for inclusion is now.

In her concluding remarks, Charlotte Bunch, representative of the GEAR Campaign and a long time leader in the global women's movement, also affirmed and appreciated the voices she heard, agreeing to support the idea proposed by women in the Speakout and proposing to working together to create a grassroots women's fund. The idea of holding preparatory consultations with rural women leaders prior to next year's CSW on Rural Women was proposed by Haydee Rodriguez and strongly taken up by Michelle Bachelet.

1st Session of the 56th Session of the Commission opened

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Following the closure of CSW 55, the 1st session of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission opened.

We welcome this opportunity to congratulate the Bureau of CSW 55 and welcome the Bureau of CSW 56 to be Chaired by:

Her Excellency Madam Marjon V. Kamara
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to the United Nations, New York

Just received - the Agreed Conclusions submitted by the Chair of the CSW, based on informal consultations

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Draft agreed conclusions submitted by the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women on the basis of informal consultations Access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, including for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work

Just posted - you can see them here!

No Agreed Conclusions received yet -

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The Commission on the Status of Women will hold a meeting on Monday, 14 March 2011, at 10 a.m. in the Economic and Social Council Chamber (NLB), in order to conclude its work for the fifty-fifth session. Immediately following the closure of the fifty-fifth session, the Commission will convene the first meeting of its fifty-sixth session for the sole purpose of electing the Chair and four Vice-Chairs of the Bureau of the Commission for a term of office of two years (i.e. for its fifth-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions, in 2012 and 2013, respectively).

Looking ahead at the themes for the CSW

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MULTI-YEAR PROGRAMME OF WORK - PRIORITY THEMES

2012 - The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges

2013 - Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls

2014 - Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls

Commission on Status of Women Takes Action on Resolutions on Climate Change, Gender Dimensions of HIV/AIDS, Assistance to Palestinian Women

2011-03-10T08:41:00.003-06:00

As Ongoing Negotiations on Agreed Conclusions Force Suspension

Of Work, Body Looks to Resume Fifty-Fifth Session at Later Date (note previous Blog)

The Commission on the Status of Women today adopted two resolutions on mainstreaming gender equality in climate change policies and strategies, and women and the girl child and HIV/AIDS, and approved one text, by roll-call vote, on Palestinian women, to be sent to the Economic and Social Council for adoption.

The 45-member Commission had been scheduled to conclude its fifty-fifth session today, but due to ongoing negotiations on its agreed conclusions, it was forced to suspend its work. The Commission Secretary announced that the body intended to conclude its current session in a resumed meeting once that text was finalized and prepared in all six official languages. However, the Commission adopted the provisional agenda of its fifty-sixth session.

As for the resolutions under consideration today, the Commission, by a roll-call vote of 26 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 8 abstentions (Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Niger, Republic of Korea, Sweden), approved the text on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women.

Deploring the dire economic and social conditions of Palestinian women and girls in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the systematic violation of their human rights, the Commission would have the Economic and Social Council affirm that the Israeli occupation remained the major obstacle for their advancement, self-reliance and integration in their society’s development.

By further terms, the resolution would have the Council demand that Israel comply fully with the provisions and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, among other treaties. Israel would be called upon to facilitate the return of all refugees and displaced Palestinian women and children to their homes and properties.

Speaking after the vote, a representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine expressed gratitude to the Commission for approving the text. Women bore the brunt of Israel’s policies and practices. Adherence to international law, as affirmed in the text, could only promote peace efforts, not undermine them.

Speaking before the vote, Israel’s representative said the text, which was the only resolution before the Commission that focused on one specific situation, was nothing but a “politically motivated, factually flawed exercise”. While the challenges facing Palestinian women were significant, the resolution was inadequate and misleading. It would not advance the situation of Palestinian women, nor promote informed and responsible debate.

Turning to women’s empowerment in the area of climate change, the Commission adopted a consensus text expressing deep concern that the adverse impacts of climate change on women and girls could be exacerbated by gender inequality and discrimination. “[G]ender equality and the effective participation of women and indigenous peoples are important for effective action on all aspects of climate change,” the Commission stated in its resolution.

In that context, it called on Governments to integrate a gender perspective into their environmental and climate change policies and to provide adequate resources to ensure women’s full and equal participation in decision-making at all levels on environmental issues. Governments were also urged, in their efforts to deal with climate change, to encourage women’s equal participation in training and capacity-building, and to integrate a gender component into their periodic reporting as States Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

By a consensus text on women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS, the Commission stressed the need to “significantly increase and coordinate” political and financial commitment to address gender equality and equity in national HIV and AIDS responses, urging Governments to reflect in their policies and budgets the gender dimension of the pandemic. It also emphasized the need to strengthen policy and programme coordination between HIV and AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health, and include those issues in national development plans.

Introducing that text, the representative of Namibia, on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), said that, for the most part, it contained technical updates of drafts from previous years and substantive updates would be made next year, after the General Assembly adopted a new political declaration at the upcoming high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, which would be held from 6 to 8 June.

In other business, the Commission also approved the nomination of Noa Furman (Israel) by the Western European and Other States to an open seat on the Working Group on Communications on the Status of Women for the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions.

The Commission on the Status of Women will reconvene to conclude its fifty-fifth session at a time and date to be announced.

Background

The Commission on the Status of Women, on the final day of its fifty-fifth session, met this morning to hear the introduction of three draft resolutions on “gender mainstreaming, situations and programmatic matters”. In the afternoon, delegations were expected to take action on those texts, as well as the agreed conclusions on 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.

Introduction of Texts

LIBRAN N. CABACTULAN (Philippines) introduced the draft text on mainstreaming gender equality and empowerment of women in climate change policies and strategies (document E/CN.6/2011/L.1). More than the issue of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate change was about people, he said. It was a question of how the citizens of nations both rich and poor would be impacted by its effects, and how that impact would be differently distributed among various groups.

Making up the larger share of the agricultural work force and tending to have less access to income-earning opportunities than men, women were the most vulnerable to climate change, he continued. As the principal managers and caretakers of their households, women’s mobility was often limited and their vulnerability to sudden weather-related disasters thereby increased.

Stressing that climate change was a challenge that urgently called for greater global cooperation, he said the resolution called for the need to facilitate and ensure women’s effective participation in the crafting and implementation of climate change policies, strategies and programmes.

Next, MARCELO CARLOS CESA (Argentina), speaking on behalf of the “Group of 77” developing countries and China, introduced the draft text on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (document E/CN.6/2011/L.2), saying that the economic and social crisis in the Occupied Palestinian Territory had significantly affected the situation of Palestinian women and the need to provide them with assistance was critical.

He said the majority of the paragraphs were identical to last year’s text on the same matter, with some additions to reflect changes in the situation on the ground in the intervening time. The text reaffirmed the Israeli occupation as the main obstacle to Palestinian women’s advancement, self-reliance and integration, and stressed the importance of their role in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution, and to ensure their equal participation and involvement in all efforts for the achievement, maintenance and promotion of peace and security.

The draft, he said, called on the international community to continue to provide urgently needed assistance and requested the Commission to continue to monitor and take action on the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, in particular paragraph 260 concerning Palestinian women and children; the Beijing Platform for Action; and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly.

WILFRIED INOTIRA EMVULA ( Namibia), speaking on behalf of Southern African Development Community (SADC), introduced the draft resolution on women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS (document E/CN.6/2011/L.3), which he said had been technically updated from previous years. Substantive updates would be made next year. In that regard, he further noted the negotiations in the General Assembly on a new political declaration to be adopted at the upcoming high-level meeting on HIV/AIDS, which would be held from 6 to 8 June. Member States would be able to make substantive inputs during those negotiations, he said.

Turning to the current draft, he said it highlighted major factors, including the call by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) for the elimination of mother-to-child transmission by 2015, as well as the need for commitments by Member States to reverse the spread of HIV by 2015. He hoped the draft would be adopted by consensus.

Action on Drafts

The Commission first turned its attention to a resolution on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (document E/CN.6/2011/L.2)

Making a general statement before the vote, Argentina’s representative, speaking on behalf of the Group of 77 developing countries and China, said the text was important because it addressed the hardships faced by Palestinian women as a result of Israeli occupation. He hoped the resolution would be approved by consensus, which would send a message to Palestinians on the importance the Commission placed on the needs of Palestinian women.

Hungary’s representative, speaking on behalf of the European Union, attached utmost importance to the situation of Palestinian women, expressing concern on impacts of the conflict on women and their families in the region. While the text addressed a range of issues, her delegation believed that country-specific issues should be dealt with within the framework of the General Assembly. Her delegation had expressed that point repeatedly over the years. She also stressed that any text dealing with the situation should adequately include the findings of the relevant report by the Secretary-General.

The Chair informed the Commission that a roll-call vote on the draft resolution had been requested.

Argentina’s delegate then asked which delegation had called for a roll-call vote.

The Chair responded that Israel’s delegate had requested the vote.

The representative of the United States, speaking in explanation of vote before the vote, expressed her disappointment with the text and said her delegation would vote against it. The United States, along with its international partners, continued to support the Palestinian people, including Palestinian women. Her Government had a deep interest in addressing the humanitarian conditions of Palestinians, as reflected in its support for ongoing gender programmes, and in creating environments that enabled women to lead.

Moreover, she said, the United States was the largest bilateral donor to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which provided education, health and social and relief services to more than 4.7 million refugees in the region. Her Government had contributed $247 million to the Agency in 2010, and $30 million in 2011 thus far. The United States also contributed to bilateral assistance and other United Nations programmes.

She went on to say the United States was deeply engaged on the situation in Gaza and would continue to work with the Palestinian authorities, Israel and other partners to improve peoples’ lives. Noting with deep concern that Hamas had taken efforts to narrow women’s freedom of public appearance, among other liberties, she was troubled at the Commission’s insistence at adding in the text one-sided condemnations that detracted from the real challenges. Instead, energy should be redirected towards the future. The United States would continue to pursue a comprehensive peace, and was committed to working with the diplomatic Quartet on the Middle East peace process and regional States to return the parties to direct talks that would lead to an agreement producing a just and lasting peace.

Israel’s representative said the text was nothing but a “politically motivated, factually flawed exercise”, and it stood out as the only resolution before the Commission that focused on one specific situation. Such resolutions had no place in an important forum like the Commission. Yet, as in past sessions, a group of Member States had again chosen to politicize a professional body by exerting pressure on the Commission’s membership to approve the one-sided resolution.

“This resolution clearly has no place in this hall,” she said, asserting it would not advance the situation of Palestinian women nor promote informed and responsible debate. If its authors were genuinely interested in improving the situation of Palestinian women, they would not have omitted crucial factors significantly contributing to their plight, in particular a multitude of alarming internal social conditions.

Living in a patriarchal society, Palestinian women were all too often the victims of restrictive gender stereotypes, domestic violence, severe oppression and honour killings, she said. As the Secretary-General’s report cited, Palestinian laws relieved rapists who married their victims of any criminal responsibility. Those findings were supported by numerous studies conducted by Palestinian non-governmental organizations, such as the Women’s Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling. That group had conducted focus groups of Palestinian women for a 2009 study, which found that Palestinian women believed that “silence is the only way to protect themselves in such a patriarchal culture. This belief is also compounded by the opinion that society and social institutions cannot protect [them] or prevent the injustice, and even, to the contrary, may increase it.”

Israel saw an even more oppressive environment for Palestinian women in Gaza, where the Hamas terrorist organization continued to rule, she said. Hamas’ “morality police” had taken on an expanded role there, while Hamas itself continued to attack Palestinian non-governmental organizations that promoted civil society and worked to ensure the protection and empowerment of women. Yet, the resolution read as if those realities did not exist. While the challenges facing Palestinian women were significant, the resolution was inadequate and misleading. She called on all Commission members committed to upholding the integrity and professional nature of the forum to join Israel in voting against the text.

The Commission then approved that resolution by a roll-call vote of 26 in favour to 2 against (Israel, United States), with 8 abstentions (Belgium, Colombia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Niger, Republic of Korea, Sweden).

Speaking after the vote, the representative of Japan expressed hope that the situation of Palestinian women would be significantly improved by the assistance of the international community. Her delegation would have preferred to see a text that was more balanced and had abstained because it was not. Japan would continue to contribute to efforts to improve the situation of Palestinian women.

Spain’s delegate said her country would have abstained had it been able to do so.

Speaking after the vote, a representative of the Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine expressed her gratitude to the Commission for approving the text. She said United Nations resolutions remained necessary in light of the ongoing need for the international community to provide essential services and the grave violations being committed by Israel in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. The text was especially important, as women bore the brunt of Israel’s policies and practices. Adherence to international law, as affirmed in the text, could only promote peace efforts, not undermine them. Respect for international law would bring about a change in the negotiating environment towards achieving a just and lasting settlement to all core issues.

Explaining that she would not respond at length to the Israeli delegate’s comments, which were replete with “distortions”, she said nothing affected Palestinians “more destructively” than Israel’s occupation, its illegal policies and its dehumanizing treatment of the Palestinian people. Israel’s delegate should focus on the actions of her own Government, which had obstructed the resumption of peace negotiations. Surely, illegal policies — not the approval of the current resolution — were the real problems facing the region. In sum, she looked forward to the time when her delegation did not have to put forward resolutions. Until that time, it would continue to look to the United Nations as the protector of those most in need.

Rwanda’s delegate regretted he had not been able to participate in the vote. Had he been present, he would have voted in favour of the resolution.

Next, the Commission took up the draft resolution on women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS (document E/CN.6/2011/L.3).

Speaking before action, Namibia’s delegate said the resolution was important to SADC and he encouraged that it be adopted by consensus.

The representative of Chile welcomed the text, as it would help achieve the goals of the high-level meeting next June. She supported the text and emphasized her delegation’s understanding that operative paragraph 15 in no way implied an endorsement of abortion.

An observer of the Holy See, reaffirming the importance of providing adequate care to all sufferers of HIV and AIDS, said much more could be done to ensure access to effective, affordable care. The Catholic Church provided one quarter of all care for those persons. In the area of prevention, she said more attention and resources should be allocated to support a value-based approach to sex education and to sexuality. Indeed, the spread of AIDS could be stopped effectively when respect for the dignity of human nature, and inherent moral law, was included in HIV prevention efforts.

In that context, she insisted on the necessity of distinguishing between health care for HIV/AIDS victims and prevention methods that ran counter to a woman’s dignity. Reaffirming all reservations with regard to the term “sexual and reproductive health and services”, she said her delegation did not consider abortion a dimension of that term. She also said the Holy See did not endorse family planning or condom use as part of any HIV/AIDS prevention programmes. As for youth education, she said parents’ rights must be fully respected, as affirmed in international instruments.

The Commission then decided to reconsider the text at a later stage.

The Commission next decided to transmit the summaries of three panel discussions (documents E/CN.6/2011/CRP.3, 4 and 5) to the Economic and Social Council’s 2011 Annual Ministerial Review. Those documents included the Chair’s summary of the Commission’s high-level round table on “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 the moderator’s summaries of the two panel discussions on key policy initiatives and capacity-building on gender mainstreaming that focused on “science and technology” and “education and training”.

The Chair said four moderator’s summaries on panel discussions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child; gender equality and sustainable development; elimination of preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, and the empowerment of women; and the empowerment of women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges, would be included in the Commission’s report and available on the website of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women).

The Commission then took note of four of the Secretary-General’s relevant reports (documents E/CN.6/2011/3, E/CN.6/2011/5, E/CN.6/2011/7 and E/CN.6/2011/8), as well as his note transmitting the report of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) on the activities of the United Nations Trust Fund to eliminate violence against women (A/HRC/16/34-E/CN.6/2011/9).

Azerbaijan’s delegate then said that, had his delegation been present, it would have voted in favour of the draft resolution on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women.

Turning to the issues of the outstanding members of the Working Group on Communications on the Status of Women for the fifty-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions, the Commission decided to appoint Noa Furman (Israel) on behalf of Western European and Other States. Action on the remaining outstanding appointments was deferred to the fifty-sixth session next year.

The Commission next took note of the report of the Executive Director of UN Women (document E/CN.6/2011/2).

Niger’s representative said her delegation’s vote on the draft text regarding the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women had been registered as an abstention, but she had actually voted in favour.

After a brief suspension, the Commission considered the resolution on mainstreaming gender equality and promoting empowerment of women in climate change policies and strategies (document E/CN.6/2011/L.1).

Speaking before action, the representative of the Philippines, the main sponsor, said the draft was a timely one and he thanked all delegations that had participated in the negotiations.

Asked by the Chair to read aloud the revisions, he said the word “promoting” had been added to the title. Explaining that revisions throughout the text were marked by additions in bold and deletions by strikethrough, he said changes had been made to preambular paragraph 7. Preambular paragraph 8 had been added, while preambular paragraph 9 contained additions and deletions. Preambular paragraphs 11 through 13 also contained changes.

Moreover, the first operative paragraph was new, he continued, saying that changes had been made to operative paragraph 2. The third operative paragraph was new, while operative paragraphs 4 and 5 contained changes, as did paragraphs 7 and 8. Operative paragraph 9 was new, and operative paragraphs 10 and 11 contained changes. Operative paragraph 12 was new.

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

Explaining his position after action, the representative of the Russian Federation said his delegation had participated in negotiations and would not break consensus. At the same time, the talks had not always shown an “objective approach”, and as a result, the text had not reached a “balanced approach”. Too much micromanagement and too many attempts to manage events had been seen in various positions.

Specifically, the Russian Federation seriously objected to preambular paragraph 8, he said, as there was no scientific evidence attesting to what was stated in that paragraph. He also objected to operative paragraph 1, in that it exemplified a selective approach to the issue in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Indeed, there had been no desire to acknowledge the fundamental principles of that Convention.

Continuing, he said operative paragraph 3 was not in line with the issues addressed and seriously “twisted the general trend” of the document. Further, his Government had not agreed to the inclusion of operative paragraph 6, as it showed an “extremely selective approach” to the serious issue of climate change. The Russian Federation also objected to operative paragraph 7, as it was not accurate on the most important issues related to, among others, Government activities. Noting that his Government had been flexible in agreeing to operative paragraphs 10, 11 and 12, he said it would not participate in references to language in the resolution, as if the text reflected a consensus view.

The representative of Venezuela expressed concern over the negotiating process and the “manipulation and lack of flexibility” of some delegations during those discussions. Her delegation was extremely disturbed to see the inclusion of paragraphs that changed and distorted the nature of the Beijing Declaration, particularly the chapter on women and the environment. Venezuela was also disturbed by the argument used by some delegations that the Declaration was an outdated document, merely because it had been adopted in 1995. It was true that the Declaration should evolve, but neither the framework of that text, nor the international legal framework, should be changed.

She expressed distress over the insistence of many delegations, as well as the text’s facilitator, on taking up the matter of climate change and deliberately disregarding specific reference to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Tackling climate change required the broadest participation of all countries in respect for their differentiated responsibilities, and it was only in that context that the gender perspective could be included.

The Commission then turned to the provisional agenda for its fifty-sixth session (document E/CN.6/2011/L.5), approving it by consensus.

When the meeting resumed following another brief suspension, Filippo Cinti (Italy), Commission Vice-Chair and Facilitator of the negotiations on the agreed conclusions, announced that while delegations were working hard, they still had not been able to agree on a text. He had received a commitment that they would work to finalize the text by day’s end. As such, he recommended that the Commission reconvene in a resumed session to complete its work.

Following that recommendation, the Commission’s Secretary said he would seek an additional meeting from the Secretariat of the Committee on Conferences. As no budgetary provisions had been made for a resumed session, he would request that an additional meeting be accommodated on an “as-available basis”, at a time and date that would allow for conference services.

The Chair then requested that negotiations be concluded as soon as possible and that a text be submitted to the Secretariat for preparation in all six official languages. He then suspended the Committee’s 2011 session.

Date, Time and Place for final meeting of the 55th session of CSW

2011-03-10T08:36:00.000-06:00

Commission on the Status of Women Fifth-fifth session

The Commission on the Status of Women will hold its 17th meeting (Pending the approval of the Committee on Conferences) on Monday, 14 March 2011, at 10 a.m. in the Economic and Social Council Chamber (NLB), in order to conclude its work for the fifty-fifth session.

Immediately following the closure of the fifty-fifth session, the Commission will convene the first meeting of its fifty-sixth session for the sole purpose of electing the Chair and four Vice-Chairs of the Bureau of the Commission for a term of office of two years (i.e. for its fifth-sixth and fifty-seventh sessions, in 2012 and 2013, respectively).

http://www.un.org/en/unpress/moreBydocType.asp?docType=2#

WOMEN'S DAY: Without Grassroots, the Tree Will Not Stand --

2011-03-09T06:51:00.001-06:00

WOMEN'S DAY: Without Grassroots, the Tree Will Not Stand - IPS ipsnews.net

WOMEN'S DAY
Without Grassroots, the Tree Will Not Stand

Andrea Lunt and Kanya D’Almeida
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 8 (IPS) - Women from grassroots organisations all across the globe arrived in New York this week for a five-day summit dedicated to bolstering female and community- based representation at the all levels of political decision making.
Following on the heels of this year’s Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Grassroots Summit on Women’s Leadership and Governance, hosted by the Huairou Commission, attracted individuals from a range of institutions, spanning village healthcare advocates, to international scholars.

The event offered a chance for participants to share local success stories and challenges, while creating a platform for grassroots organisations to strengthen their partnerships with entities such as the newly formed UN Women.

Jan Peterson, chair of the Huairou Commission, told IPS the women were challenging traditional decision-making structures at both the country and global levels.

"For all of this time policy makers and academics and other NGOs have made the agenda for grassroots women, for what leadership they need," Peterson said. "But in this case grassroots women leaders themselves are saying ‘Hey, we’re here, we can speak for ourselves, we can analyse ourselves, and we can organise how we want to move in partnership with others, but we need to get our own voices together first’."

Among the participants at the summit were Naseem Shaikh and Godavari Dange, from Maharashtra, near Mumbai, India.

The pair represented Swayam Shikshan Prayog (SSP), a community organisation that facilitates ties between grassroots women and district-level health officials to ensure better access to healthcare for the poor.

As part of its work, SSP mobilises grassroots women into aptly named Self Help Groups (SHG), which monitor community needs and act as "decentralising" links between issues on the ground and policy making at the top levels of government.

Today SSP’s combined operations work with more than 300,000 families across India.

Dange told IPS their organisation was a successful example of how community leaders were stepping up to have their voices heard. "Before decentralisation there was somebody ruling from the top and people following that," she said. "Now because of decentralisation, grassroots women are contributing to who is making the policy… But we still have challenges. We are a big country so we have to continue to fight for a space at the state and national level."

Fellow summit participants who had travelled to New York from 22 different countries echoed the Maharashtrian women’s struggles for political participation.

Representatives from Papua New Guinea, South Africa and Tanzania acknowledged that while their struggles on the ground may differ - responding to the particular manifestations of patriarchy and the specific shackles of the free market across the world - the overall goal of women’s empowerment knows no borders.

Everywhere women are united in their fight for economic justice and political representation.

Speaking on behalf of the Maasai Women and Development Organisation (MWEDO), Espupat Ngulupa stressed the fact that Maasai women are one of the poorest and most marginalised groups in the world. Maasai women struggle daily against the leash of male dominance - they are in dire need of swift political change, and are dedicated to etching out spaces in which their voices will be heard.

Piyoo Kochar, a representative of the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics), highlighted the fact that her organisation’s objective is to bridge cultural, linguistic and geographical chasms between women around the world via an online, multi-lingual forum dedicated to improving women’s access to resources and information.

"We are keen for women to share their experiences and build collaborative knowledge," she said. "Already we have 9,500 members, constantly sharing skills… We believe in the cross-fertilisation of strategies, relying on a network of networks that already exists at the country, regional, district, local provincial and levels."

Today, there is a greater need than ever for platforms like iKNOW’s website. Kathy Karapa Tom, the founder and executive director of Widows Orphans Deserted Association (WODA) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, discussed her struggle for equality in a country that is home to 800 languages and millions of slum dwellers.

"I work with women whose husbands have passed, and though this is a tragedy it is also an opportunity for us to break away from the control our husbands have on us, and organise around providing education, food and love to our children," Karapa Tom told IPS. "We are the victims. We are the ones who work and suffer. We know what is best for ourselves, so we need to form our own organisations."

"It cost us twenty dollars to register our organisation with the National Council of Women, a branch of the government," Karapa Tom added. "In order to do this, women sat in the marketplace for hours and sold their produce and their fish so they could earn a little extra income."

"It is a struggle, but we do it, we succeed," she said. "We are more than cooks and baby factories. We have human rights and skills and potential and we will realise them."

Although her message was powerful, we cannot allow ourselves to forget the uphill climb ahead of most women. Emily Tjale, the director of the Land Access Movement of South Africa (LAMOSA), is fighting alongside farmers and peasant women to reclaim their ancestral lands in South Africa.

"We started our movement in 1989, just before Nelson Mandela was released from prison," Tjale told IPS, adding that the battle for land is a war against the post-colonial bureaucracy of ownership papers and title deeds - a system most farmers are unable to navigate.

Despite her exhausting work, Tjale remains convinced that any lasting national or international changes have to be guided by women’s voices from the grassroots. "Without roots, the tree will not stand," Tjale told IPS. "Without a firm foundation, nothing you build can last."

(END/2011)

Reflections on IWD by Stepahnie Nolen (Globe and Mail - Canada)

2011-03-08T09:35:00.001-06:00

In much of the world, gains in women's rights elude a silent majority

by STEPHANIE NOLEN

NEW DELHI- Many years ago, not long after I first read The Female Eunuch, I stopped writing Christmas cards and started sending annual International Women's Day cards instead.

A few years later, I was working in the Middle East and sharing an office with Palestinian journalists who were members of the Communist Party. They gave all their female colleagues red roses on March 8 - which was weird, but it's always nice to get roses.

In 2003, The Globe and Mail sent me to open a bureau in Johannesburg. There I discovered that Women's Day was a national holiday, with street festivals and concerts, recognizing the bedrock role of women in the country's struggle for freedom.

This week, the newspapers here in New Delhi are full of good old-fashioned rants by feminists about enduring inequality - and also ads urging men to splurge on diamond trinkets and fancy chocolates for the women in their lives.

It's 100 years old today, this holiday - born of the desire of women in the socialist movement in Europe to have their particular demands recognized within the workers' struggle.

Clara Zetkin, who first proposed the day, and her feminist sisters had, in essence, three spheres of concern. They wanted political inclusion for women; economic equality; and what you might call personal autonomy. These needs were more difficult to articulate in 1911, but they were core to all else: the right of women to decide what happened to them, whom they married, when they had sex, when they had children, the right to live a life without violence.

Much of it, of course, they won. I am the beneficiary of their struggle; if you know it's International Women's Day, you likely are too. Yes, the gender imbalance in our Parliament is dismal; there is an ongoing disparity in pay for equal work done by men and women; and access to abortion is not uniform across Canada. But Ms. Zetkin might well look on the gains of the past 100 years with satisfaction.

Until she looked south. The silent majority of the world's women know nothing of International Women's Day; they remain mired in the struggle for the most basic freedoms.

Of course there has been change, particularly in the past 25 years, for women in the developing world. In China 100 years ago, almost all women were peasants; today they make up nearly half the list of the country's most powerful new tycoons. In Egypt, women have played a critical role in the political upheaval of recent weeks. In Rwanda, women hold more than half of parliamentary seats, and they are using them to put forward innovative policy in a number of fields.

The same things that brought change to the developed world - a shift from subsistence agriculture to an industrial economy, a gradual opening of access to education that created a class of women able to push for political change - lie at the root of the changes in the south.

I saw it vividly in Sri Lanka two years ago when I spent the day with four generations of women in the Perera family - a wrinkly, twinkly great-grandmother, who told me about giving birth to her daughter in a dirt-floored house by lantern light; that daughter, who got through primary school and worked as a maid; her granddaughter, a poised young woman with an MBA and a rising career with an airline. The family is not wealthy, living nine people in three rooms. But they have come almost unimaginably far.

Yet when I think about the places I've lived and worked since I first started mailing out the cards, and the 40-odd countries I've reported from, that family feels like a rarity. Instead, the people who come to mind are the 11-year-old Ethiopian girls whose bodies were destroyed by the children they tried to birth, and Radhika, a haunted Indian woman who was gang-raped in the Punjab as punishment for a romance across caste lines.

I remember the Afghan women who showed me their ill-set bones that broke from vitamin D deficiency after the Taliban barred women and girls from leaving their homes or opening their curtains (lest a passing man be defiled by their faces - hard-line Islam their neat excuse for a particularly toxic brand of misogyny).

Sometimes these women are so engaged in the brute business of survival they have no space to think about more. And sometimes they have a cherished, quietly tended vision of the change they want: of political power, of job opportunities, of justice and safety.

In 2008, I met Rose, an activist for democracy in Zimbabwe - one of hundreds of women who were systematically raped by supporters of President Robert Mugabe when they tried to do political organizing to end his brutal reign.

In Santiago de Chile in 1998 I met young women who were sexually assaulted on their first day at the engineering college by men determined to prevent them from enrolling. The women quit.

In Tehran in 2003, I met three young women who earned engineering degrees - but who were beaten by religious paramilitaries until bruises stained their legs like dark stockings, because they let their head scarves slip back off their foreheads and spoke to some boys in a coffee shop.

Two weeks ago, in India's rural province of Rajasthan, I met low-caste girls whose mothers had defied their fathers to insist they go to school. The girls had turned up on the dot of 9 a.m., their worn uniforms well pressed, their hair slicked down. But they sat alone and in the dark, because they were too short to reach up and open the shutters, and their teachers had not come - because only women deign to teach in a low-caste girls school, and the teachers can't bear the sexual harassment they face when they take public transport, which is all they can afford, to get to work. The girls sat in quiet rows with their books open, trying to sound out words, lips working, fingers sliding along the tattered pages.

There is a universality to sexual harassment, to sexual violence, to the struggle for reproductive rights, and to the more quotidian question of how to work and care for children and older family members. Women in the developed world see this.

I think the thing we don't see, though, is how the same system that has lifted us up and brought so much progress on these fronts is connected to the system that keeps these women down.

We subsidize agriculture - and dump our farming excess into the markets of African and Asian farmers, three-quarters of whom are women. You can't stage a revolution when you earn $1 a day growing millet. Our hunger for iPhones and Kindles fuels the market for coltan, the mineral that lies at the root of the vicious war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a war fought literally on the bodies of women, some 300,000 of whom have been raped in the decade of the war. Our desire for the latest H&M frock drives the sweatshops of Bangladesh, where women sew for 12 hours a day and earn $3. That barely covers the cost of a place to sleep, a meal and bus fare.

The globalization theory, of course, is that the $3-a-day garment worker job allows the Bangladeshi woman to send money back to the village where her daughter will go to school. Go she might - but will the teacher be there?

I wonder if, in 1911, Clara Zetkin had a clear vision of the change that was needed, and the change that would come. I wonder whether she would tell us all today to keep the faith, that the next 100 years will bring change to every corner. And I wonder whether that would be enough, for Rose in Zimbabwe, or those little girls in Rajasthan.

Article by Kanya (my lunch partner) for IPS - included quotes on Canada

2011-03-07T17:37:00.002-06:00

WOMEN'S DAY: A Historic Opportunity Unveiled

Kanya D'Almeida (My Lunch Partner)

UNITED NATIONS, Mar 4 (IPS) - In 1945, more than half a century ago, the signing of the United Nations Charter in San Francisco wrote women's equality into its canon, creating an indisputable commitment to gender equity in the post-World War global order.

Though only four of the original 160 signatories were women, Minerva Bernardino from the Dominican Republic, Virginia Gildersleeve from the United States, Bertha Lutz from Brazil and Wu Yi-Fang from China successfully inscribed women's rights in the U.N.'s founding document, which stresses in its preamble "faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small".

However, 66 years later, women continue to struggle, far below the level of their male counterparts, in every single aspect of human society. Only 11 of the 192 heads of state are women; one in three women in the world will experience rape or sexual assault in her lifetime; and while performing two-thirds of the world's work, women own a mere one percent of the means of production.

While the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women draws to a close Friday, after two weeks of workshops and conferences, activists say these abysmal statistics must not be pushed into the shadows of high-level consultations, self-congratulatory events and erudite consultations, and the question must be asked - what has the CSW achieved for women's rights? Where should it go from here?

U.N. Women - Seizing the Moment

The 2011 CSW saw the launch of U.N. Women - a newly founded task force dedicated to gender equality and women's empowerment. The establishment of U.N. Women represents a moment of victory in a long and arduous battle for gender rights within a multilateral body comprised largely of male- dominated, male chauvinist nation states.

For the women at CSW - from activists to government heads to policy-makers from diverse countries around the world - the induction of U.N. Women represents a historic opportunity for radical change, both within the U.N. and within the global, political and economic system.

"U.N. Women comes at a time when the bankruptcy of the policies of the last seven decades have been laid bare,"

Mallika Dutt, president and CEO of Breakthrough, told IPS.

"We have a global crisis in terms of financial institutions, we have a global ecological crisis, we have a crisis of ongoing conflicts all over the world - I think everyone agrees that something is fundamentally broken," she said.

"This means that U.N. Women has the potential to be a real game changer and not another bureaucratic U.N. agency," she added.

"The fact that women had to work so hard to even create U.N.Women - UNIFEM was always considered a baby, or a stepchild of the U.N., compared to agencies like the UNDP [U.N. Development Programme] and UNFPA [U.N. Population Fund] - means that now that we have it, we shouldn't settle. This is a critical time to ask, what is it we can contribute? What is it we can really change?" Dutt asked.

Mary Scott, the president of the National Council of the Women of Canada (NCWC), pointed out that by far the most integral part of CSW were the side-events, organised by and comprising of grassroots women's leaders and activists, which took place parallel to the illustrious events at the U.N. headquarters.

"But the parallel events educate other NGOs, not government delegations," Scott told IPS. "The high-level consultations are primarily controlled by governments, and may or may not consider the views of grassroots leaders. They are closed sessions."

This concern was echoed by hundreds of female activists across the world, who convened at countless workshops and sessions over the last two weeks, to express concerns and critiques of U.N. Women and CSW for excluding local leaders, workers and victims in the formulation of their agenda and policies.

"The absence of Aboriginal women from Canada in the official Canadian delegation really struck me," Scott told IPS. "The issues facing our Aboriginal sisters in Canada have been documented in many U.N. reports, including CEDAW [the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women]."

"In February 2009 Canada was told it's not doing enough in areas like aboriginal rights, violence against women, poverty and racism by the U.N. Human Rights Council," Scott added

"In November 2008, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women asked Canada to report back in one year on steps taken to address inadequate social assistance rates across the country and the failure of law enforcement agencies to deal with the disappearance and murder of Aboriginal women and girls," she said.

"CEDAW recommended that Canada develop a specific and integrated plan for addressing the particular conditions affecting Aboriginal women, both on and off reserves, including poverty, poor health, inadequate housing low school-completion rates, low employment rates, low income and high rates of violence."

"We have yet to see a plan that addresses these issues. Such a plan must be developed with the Aboriginal women playing a key role, with groups such as the Native Women's Association of Canada (NWAC)," she concluded.

Discussing the challenges for U.N. Women at a side-event last Saturday, Frances Kissling, a visiting scholar from the University of Pennsylvania, stressed that the 21st century must see the silencing of voices of religious fundamentalists in the U.N., who have severely undermined conversations on women's emancipation.

"The Holy See has tried for years to take the word 'empowerment' out of the resolution on the Status of Women. IF U.N. Women is to be a transformative agency, we should have developed by now the capacity to plan a meeting that cannot be derailed by people who do not agree with the core agenda of that meeting," she said.

Regardless of these reservations, U.N. Women presents an enormous opportunity for change and many experts believe that it must not be crippled by premature criticism.

"I do believe that U.N. Women can be in a leadership role that operates within the constraints of an intergovernmental agency," Dutt told IPS.

"Whether or not [U.N. Women's inaugural executive director] Michele Bachelet is able to translate the power of her position into solid action is something that remains to be seen - but there is an opportunity right now that we must seize, and support," she concluded.

*This article forms part of IPS coverage for International Women's Day, Mar. 8, whose theme this year is "Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women".

(FIN/2011)

International Women's Day Around the World

2011-03-07T08:48:00.002-06:00

International Women's Day Centenary sees largest ever activity

London, March 2, 2011: March 8 sees the highest level of global women's activity ever witnessed as groups celebrate the International Women's Day centenary.
The first International Women's Day events were run in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911 and attended by over one million people. 100 years on, International Women's Day (IWD) has become a global mainstream phenomena celebrated across many countries and is an official holiday in approximately 25 countries including Afghanistan, Russia, Ukraine, Vietnam and Zambia.

8 March sees extensive global women's activity. Performer and social activist, Annie Lennox, will lead a mass march across London's Millennium Bridge for charity. In Washington D.C. over a thousand people will descend on Capitol Hill demanding a better world for millions of marginalized women and girls around the globe. A major international businesswomen's conference will be hosted in Sydney, Australia. Schools and governments around the world are participating in the day. Trade Unions and charities are campaigning. Global corporations are hosting conferences and distributing extensive resource packs. The United Nations Secretary-General delivers a formal message. The United States even designates the whole month of March as Women's History Month as officially proclaimed by President Obama on February 28, 2011.

International Women's Day is a global celebration of the economic, political, and social achievements of women past, present, and future. However, activity has not always been on the increase. Australian entrepreneur and women's campaigner Glenda Stone, who founded the http://www.internationalwomensday.com website, a global hub of events and information, said:
"A decade ago International Women's Day was disappearing. Activity in Europe, where International Women's Day actually began, was very low. Providing a global online platform helped sustain and accelerate momentum for this important day. Holding only a handful of events ten years ago, the United Kingdom has now become the global leader for International Women's Day activity, followed sharply by Canada, United States and Australia. 2011 will see thousands of events globally for the first time."

More recently, social networking websites like Twitter, Facebook and Youtube have also helped fuel International Women's Day activity. Generally the day has moved away from its socialist Suffragette beginnings to become more mainstream in celebrating women's achievements. Women's rights campaigners, however, continue to remind that vigilance rather than complacency is essential in striving for women's equality.

Notes to editors:
About International Women's Day
"    International Women's Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.
"    In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday.
"    The first IWD was observed on 19 March 1911 in Germany following a declaration by the Socialist Party of America. The idea of having an international women's day was first put forward at the turn of the 20th century amid rapid world industrialization and economic expansion that led to protests over working conditions.
"    2011 sees the International Women's Day centenary fall on the same say as Shrove (pancake) Tuesday.
"    For a detailed list of International Women's Day events globally see http://www.internationalwomensday.com/events.asp     Follow the International Women's Day Twitter feed at http://www.twitter.com/womensday    For more information see http://www.internationalwomensday.com/about.asp    For International Women's Day logos and usage guidelines, see http://www.internationalwomensday.com/linkto.asp

About the www.internationalwomensday.com website
"    The http://www.internationalwomensday.com website is a global hub for sharing International Women's Day news, events and resource.
"    The http://www.internationalwomensday.com website receives significant traffic in the lead up to and post International Women's Day (8 March) with well over 100,000 unique visitors using the website on International Women's Day alone. Over 1,500 websites link to the IWD website.
"    The Top 30 countries that generate traffic to the http://www.internationalwomensday.com website are (in order) United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, France, Philippines, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia, Pakistan, Mexico, Spain, Kenya, Belgium, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa, Switzerland, China, Austria, Israel, Romania, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria.
" To see what is the description of themes and products available in Canada, see http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/iwd-jif/index-eng.html
"    2011 traffic is expected to be well in excess of previous traffic levels due to the notable increased level of activity due to 2011 being the Centenary Year and in light of increased global awareness of the importance of the day.

The world without women would have been so boring and empty... women know how to spread joy and happiness all around. It's International Women's Day - let's celebrate this day together wherever we may be in the world...

Warm Regards and Greetings to you all, Mary Scott (NCWC),
Christine Knock MNZM and Elisabeth Newman ICW-CIF Joint Board Co-ordinators for Standing Committees

UN REPORT OUTLINES STARK SITUATION OF VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN CONGO

2011-03-07T08:31:00.001-06:00

UN report outlines stark situation of victims of sexual violence in DR Congo

GENEVA (3 March 2011) – A new UN report, based on testimonies by some of the hundreds of thousands of victims of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, paints an extremely stark picture of the at best inadequate, and at worst non-existent, resources and efforts to meet their needs, ranging from medical and psychological treatment, to their socio-economic situation, and lack of access to justice, compensation and other forms of remedies and reparations.

The 55-page report, published Thursday by a special high-level panel appointed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay, is the product of a 17-day field visit by the panel’s three members and their support team to seven locations in three different provinces and the capital Kinshasa.

During their visit, the panel heard directly from 61 survivors of sexual violence, ranging from a girl raped when she was three years old to a 61-year-old grandmother, about what they perceived their actual needs to be, and what they felt about the remedies and reparations currently available to them. Many of them also described in graphic detail to the panel members what had happened to them and to other victims in their neighbourhoods. In each location, the panel held talks with provincial and local government officials, and convened roundtables with officials in the justice sector, members of civil society and UN representatives.

The panel met with some individuals and groups, the report says, “including victims who had contracted HIV/AIDS as a result of rape, victims who had become pregnant and had children as a result of rape, victims whose husbands had rejected them following their rape, child victims of rape, victims of rape who had taken their cases to court seeking justice, and victims of rape by civilian perpetrators. Among the victims with special needs whom the panel met were a girl with sensory disabilities, a young woman who is blind, and four men, two of whom were raped and two of whom were sexually assaulted in other ways.”

Peace and security are seen as the precondition to any restoration of normal life, the report says, noting that “victims expressed concern that whatever they are given now to restore their lives can be again destroyed if there is no peace.”

Health care and education were among the highest priorities conveyed to the panel by victims. “They are determined, but in many cases unable, to send their children to school. Those who have contracted HIV/AIDS are deeply troubled by concern over what will happen to their children when they die. Many victims who met with the panel have been displaced from their homes. They expressed the need for socio-economic reintegration programmes.”
“The panel was struck by the difference between the urban centres and the villages it visited,” the report says. “In remote areas there is so little infrastructure that access to any form of assistance or reparation is virtually non-existent. Most women outside the cities are unable to get medical assistance within 72 hours of rape. Nor are there prisons and courts within reachable distance, making detention and trial of perpetrators very challenging and rendering justice unattainable.”

Even in Bukavu, the main city in South Kivu, the panel noted that “the police officer responsible for sexual violence investigations has only a motorcycle, which makes it impossible for her to transport arrested persons to detention facilities.”
Many women never report the rapes, either due to fear of stigmatization or lack of faith in the judicial system. “There is no point in making an accusation,” one woman said. “I learned by example from most people raped before me that there is no justice.”
The panel also met victims who have been able to overcome the many challenges of bringing a case to court and getting a judgment that condemns the perpetrators and awards them reparations in the form of damages and interest.

However the report says “these victims expressed great frustration because their perpetrators have escaped from prison while they have not been paid the damages…even in those cases where the state has been held liable.”
“This is a matter of widespread concern to judicial officers and provincial government authorities, as well as civil society and the victims themselves. The failure to pay these awards is undermining the judiciary and the confidence of victims in the justice system,” the report states, calling for immediate action to pay awarded damages.

The report notes, however, that most victims interviewed were unable to seek justice through the courts because they cannot identify their perpetrators, or in some cases, because perpetrators have not been arrested. “Victims have a right to reparations, which include restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, and guarantees of non-repetition. There is a need to highlight the responsibility of the government in this regard, with support from the international community.”

The panel heard many views on the relative benefits and drawbacks of individual vs. collective reparations, and repeatedly the suggestion was made that both collective and individual reparations should be provided for. The panel recommends that a fund to support reparations be established as a matter of priority, with the governance of the fund to include representatives of the Government of the DRC, the United Nations, donors, civil society, and survivors themselves. Such a fund should benefit victims of sexual violence in all parts of the country.
“Shifting the stigma from the victims to the perpetrators would have a great impact on the ability of victims to reclaim their dignity and rebuild their lives,” the report says. “Breaking the silence and mobilizing public support for these victims could be the single most important form of reparation.”

The organization of the hearings, including the identification and selection of victims who met with the panel, was undertaken jointly by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Panzi Hospital, in consultation with the Joint Human Rights Office of the UN mission in DRC (MONUSCO). The potential security risks to each victim were assessed, and measures were taken to ensure their safety and confidentiality. Psychologists were hired to pre-screen each witness and to be available to the witnesses before, during and after the hearings.

The panel was composed of Kyung-wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, Elisabeth Rehn, former Minister of Defense of Finland and co-author of the UNIFEM report on Women, War and Peace, and Dr. Denis Mukwege, Medical Director of Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, South Kivu.

Photo Op!

2011-03-05T19:32:00.006-06:00

Photo credit: Marilou McPhedran took this photo of me at the meeting with the Canadian Ambassador to the U.N., Gilles Rivard, with the Voices of Women for Peace

Interesting - No Agreement on the Agreed Conclusions

2011-03-05T15:52:00.000-06:00

There were no Agreed Conclusions at the end of today, 4 March 2011, the last day of CSW 55. Consensus could not be reached.

The Chair of the CSW 55 announced that sessions will resume in two weeks and to check the UN Journal for the exact schedule.

Update on the negotiations at the CSW

2011-03-04T16:32:00.002-06:00

Update as of 5:20 at the UNCSW 55 (currently on break in Conference Room 3)

The following resolutions have passed (some amendments in hyperlinked text below)

Mainstreaming gender equality and empowerment of women in climate change policies and strategies http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/CN.6/2011/L.1
Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/CN.6/2011/L.2
Women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS http://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.asp?symbol=E/CN.6/2011/L.3

Negotiations on Agreed Conclusions are ongoing. Everyone will meet again at 1750 in the hopes that they have concluded. (http://www.ngocsw.org/blog/?p=389)

Concerns about the Women in Libya

2011-03-04T14:59:00.001-06:00

UN Women & Michelle Bachelet - Are You Listening?

Hello

Im sure most of you are seeing the plight of women fleeing from Libya. I sent an email earlier on which no one respknded to .

Are we doing the usual? Waiting for a pandemic of women who have been raped in this conflict and then come in as 'concerned' people?

I think the first think to happen is for people to try to see the images of women fleeing in Tunisia,then read up some of the atrcities which have been committeed ,then maybe get Michelle from UN Women to condemn these acts.

We will be dealing with the effects of this rebellion for many years. Just look at what happened to women in Congo!

Lydia Mungherera

Women and the the Revolution

2011-03-04T09:32:00.002-06:00

A good article about what is happening in the Middle East - let's hope women will continue to shape the constitutions in their countries. Strong infuence of social media. Mary

THE MIDDLE EAST - WOMEN & THE REVOLUTION
By Naomi Wolf/Oxford - March 1, 2011

Among the most prevalent Western stereotypes about Muslim countries are those concerning Muslim women: doe-eyed, veiled, and submissive, exotically silent, gauzy inhabitants of imagined harems, closeted behind rigid gender roles. So where were these women in Tunisia and Egypt?

In both countries, women protesters were nothing like the Western stereotype: they were front and centre, in news clips and on Facebook forums, and even in the leadership. In Egypt's Tahrir Square, women volunteers, some accompanied by children, worked steadily to support the protests - helping with security, communications, and shelter. Many commentators credited the great numbers of women and children with the remarkable overall peacefulness of the protesters in the face of grave provocations.

Other citizen reporters in Tahrir Square - and virtually anyone with a cell phone could become one - noted that the masses of women involved in the protests were demographically inclusive. Many wore headscarves and other signs of religious conservatism, while others revelled in the freedom to kiss a friend or smoke a cigarette in public.

But women were not serving only as support workers, the habitual role to which they are relegated in protest movements, from those of the 1960's to the recent student riots in the United Kingdom. Egyptian women also organised, strategised, and reported the events. Bloggers such as Leil Zahra Mortada took grave risks to keep the world informed daily of the scene in Tahrir Square and elsewhere.

The role of women in the great upheaval in the Middle East has been woefully under-analysed. Women in Egypt did not just "join" the protests - they were a leading force behind the cultural evolution that made the protests inevitable. And what is true for Egypt is true, to a greater and lesser extent, throughout the Arab world. When women change, everything changes, and women in the Muslim world are changing radically.

The greatest shift is educational. Two generations ago, only a small minority of the daughters of the elite received a university education. Today, women account for more than half of the students at Egyptian universities.

They are being trained to use power in ways that their grandmothers could scarcely have imagined: publishing newspapers (as Sanaa el Seif did, in defiance of a government order to cease operating); campaigning for student leadership posts; fundraising for student organisations; and running meetings.

Indeed, a substantial minority of young women in Egypt and other Arab countries have now spent their formative years thinking critically in mixed-gender environments, and even publicly challenging male professors in the classroom. It is far easier to tyrannise a population when half are poorly educated and trained to be submissive.

But, as Westerners should know from their own historical experience, once you educate women, democratic agitation is likely to accompany the massive cultural shift that follows.

The nature of social media, too, has helped turn women into protest leaders. Having taught leadership skills to women for more than a decade, I know how difficult it is to get them to stand up and speak out in a hierarchical organisational structure. Likewise, women tend to avoid the figurehead status that traditional protest has in the past imposed on certain activists - almost invariably a hotheaded young man with a megaphone.

In such contexts - with a stage, a spotlight, and a spokesperson - women often shy away from leadership roles. But social media, through the very nature of the technology, have changed what leadership looks and feels like today. Facebook mimics the way many women choose to experience social reality, with connections between people just as important as individual dominance or control, if not more so.

You can be a powerful leader on Facebook just by creating a really big "us". Or you can stay the same size, conceptually, as everyone else on your page - you don't have to assert your dominance or authority. The structure of Facebook's interface creates what brick-and-mortar institutions, despite 30 years of feminist pressure, have failed to provide: a context in which women's ability to forge a powerful "us" and engage in a leadership of service can advance the cause of freedom and justice worldwide.

Of course, Facebook cannot reduce the risks of protest. But, however violent the immediate future in the Middle East may be, the historical record of what happens when educated women participate in freedom movements suggests that those in the region who would like to maintain iron-fisted rule are finished.

Just when France began its rebellion in 1789, Mary Wollstonecraft, who had been caught up in witnessing it, wrote her manifesto for women's liberation. After educated women in America helped fight for the abolition of slavery, they put female suffrage on the agenda. After they were told in the 1960's that "the position of women in the movement is prone", they generated "second wave" feminism - a movement born of women's new skills and old frustrations.

Time and again, once women have fought the other battles for freedom of their day, they have moved on to advocate for their own rights. And, since feminism is simply a logical extension of democracy, the Middle East's despots are facing a situation in which it will be almost impossible to force these awakened women to stop their fight for freedom - their own and that of their communities.

Sharing on going work at the CSW

2011-03-03T10:58:00.001-06:00

I met the author of this article and know she is continuing to follow the work of the CSW. I think this is am important piece to share - it talks about maternal mortality, and the link to education for women and girls, on reproductive health. As well, it talks about the current health care system in the US, and how privatized medicine has not been good for women.

Mary

Vicious Cycle of Maternal Mortality

Kanya D’Almeida
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 2 (IPS) - Addressing the National Convention of the Medical Committee for Human Rights in Chicago, Illinois in 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated unequivocally that, "Of all the forms of inequality in the world, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane."
Four and a half decades later, at a time when scientific advancements in technology and medicine are growing at an exponential pace, scores of lives continue to be lost every year due to a lack of access to basic healthcare.

Perhaps the most abominable manifestation of such archaic injustice in the 21st century is the persistence of maternal mortality, which currently stands at about 251 deaths per 100,000 live births worldwide, according to the most recent statistics from the United Nations.

Though the maternal mortality rate has "fallen" since the 1980s, the number of preventable deaths per year is still a staggering 350,000 - a figure that, taken in tandem with huge advances in medical research and development, is simply unacceptable.

"The vast majority of deaths are avoidable," said Babatunde Osotimehin, the newly appointed executive director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). "In sub-Saharan Africa alone, over a million children are left motherless at the moment of birth," Osotimehin said, addressing a panel of experts at the 55th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) here Tuesday.

Since taking office a few short months ago, Osotimehin has been resolutely dedicated to the goal of drastically slashing the rate of maternal mortality, which he believes to be a crucial area of development - particularly in the global south.

"Education is critical," he stressed. "Women and girls must be educated on every aspect of reproductive health and family planning - it is only education that will eventually lead to empowerment."

The Free Market Isn’t a Fair Market

Despite the U.N.’s insistence that economic development and increased access to education will lead to a reduction in maternal mortality, evidence from the so-called "First World" suggests that the problem lies not in the under-development of post-colonial nations, but in the very essence of the modern capitalist state - which rests on unquestioning faith in the efficiency of the free market system.

A report entitled ‘Women in America: Indicators of Economic and Social Well- being’, released Tuesday by the United States Department of Commerce, mapped the areas and trajectories of women’s inclusion and exclusion within U.S. society and economy.

Presenting the report via a press teleconference on Tuesday, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce Becky Blank told reporters that for the first time key indicators of women’s status in the U.S. are consolidated into one publication, and hailed the effort as a fresh new attempt to stay up to speed on women’s empowerment.

However, while the report celebrates positive trends, such as the fact that a higher percentage of women than men in the U.S. are likely to obtain a college degree, it rushes quickly past the ominous finding that maternal mortality has been on the rise for the last twenty years - due to a lack of access to the most basic healthcare.

In a scathing attack on the U.S. system of privatised healthcare, Amnesty International (AI) published an expose in 2010 entitled ‘Deadly Delivery - the Maternal Healthcare Crisis in the U.S.’

The report highlights the uncivilised face of the world’s largest "democracy", which refuses to provide its citizens the most basic of human rights. In 2008, U.S. federal agencies set a goal of reducing maternal mortality to 4 percent of every 100,000 live births by 2010. However, the most recent statistics show that rates have skyrocketed to 13.3 percent nationwide.

According to the report, urban centres - particularly places with higher concentrations of people of colour and immigrant populations like New York - see this number rise to a staggering 83.4 percent of every 100,000 live births, or 84,000 mothers.

Nicholas Fisk and Rifat Atun discuss the implications of the pharmaceutical industrial complex in their essay ‘Market Failure and the Poverty of New Drugs in Maternal Health’.

They write, "The pharmaceutical industry’s business model is hefty investment in research and development (R&D), in expectation of high returns from future drug sales during the period of patent protection." The model has been instrumental in keeping the benefits of medical advancements out of reach of the majority of the world’s population.

"This model, which funds around 50 percent of health care R&D in the United States generates 20-25 new licensed drugs per year, but very few for use in pregnancy," Fisk and Atun write.

In the U.S., 75 percent of pregnant women take drugs for which safety data is not available. Not a single drug for use during pre-term labour is available.

Add to this AI’s finding that African American mothers in the U.S. are four times as likely to die during pregnancy as their white counterparts and it becomes evident that a system that privatises health care, privileges corporate pharmaceutical interests and places state responsibility in the hands of NGOs or other non-state actors, will only continue to the turn the wheel of inequality in a vicious cycle.

If the free market has failed to regulate the provision of fundamental services in the United States - a country far ahead of its developing peers in areas of individual freedoms, human rights and access to information - experts are sceptical that a similar approach to maternal health in the third world can address the root causes of the problem.

(END/2011)

Last Day for Me at CSW!

2011-03-01T14:04:00.000-06:00

Monday, February 28th, was my last day at the CSW - but I will keep the blog going with news as I hear it happening.

This week there promises to be lots of discssion around the docmument that is being negotiated on Agreed Conclusions on the Priority Theme. There will be other resoltutions as well, and the NGOs will be busy. I know it is important to see reference to "decent work".

In the morning, before my flight home (which was only 1 hour late getting into Winnipeg), was spent with the delegation under Janis Alton's leadership - the Canadian Voices of Women for Peace. Ambassador Gilles Rivard met with approximately 16 of us, and the discussion focused on 2 main areas - elimination of nuclear weapons, and the need for action on Security Resolution 1325, in particular the training of troops, diplomatic corps, negotiators and staff, to peace building skills, including non-violent conflict prevention options.

Janis Alton, President, Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, with Ambasador Gilles Rivard

Report Prepared by the Province of Manitoba

2011-02-28T14:18:00.000-06:00

Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of equal access to full employment and decent wor

Definition: The Report of the Secretary General defines “science and technology” as the, “academic and professional disciplines related to the natural sciences, engineering, mathematics and computing, as well as to the knowledge, artefacts and processes that result from those activities” (p. 3).

The Manitoba Government is proud of the progress we have made toward gender equity, and toward improving the social, economic and legal situation of women in our province.
In terms of the academic achievement, statistics suggest that women in our province are making great strides. Secondary graduation rates, post-secondary enrolments and graduation rates, and standardized testing all indicate that women are excelling.

Graduation Rates[1]

In all Canadian provinces and territories, the high school graduation rate is greater for women than for men.
In Manitoba, 73% of women graduate high school on time, versus 66% of men.
For those who do leave high school prior to graduating, there is still reason to be optimistic. The majority of those who leave high school without graduating do, at some point, return and complete their diploma or participate in post-secondary education.[2]

Another success can be found in the post-secondary graduation rates for youth.

In Manitoba, the first-time graduation rate for college programs is higher for young women (18.2%) than for young men (10.3%). This is the case in all provinces and territories, except Prince Edward Island.

In all provinces, the first time university graduation rate of women exceeds that of men.

First Nations women in Canada are as likely as women in the general population to have trades credentials (both 9%), and nearly as likely to have college credentials (21% of First Nations women, and 23% of women in the overall population).[3] Post-Secondary Enrolment Female students are the majority in both full-time college programs (53% of total full-time enrolments), and in part-time college programs (67% of total part-time enrolments).[4] Women also comprise the majority of university students. In Manitoba, women represent 58% of total full-time university enrolments, and 62% of part-time enrolments.[5] o This pattern holds for both undergraduate and graduate level programs. Fifty-eight percent of students in undergraduate programs, and 52% of those in graduate programs are female.[6]

Differences in Performance[7]

Manitoba has also been successful in improving the performance of girls, relative to boys, in the areas of science and math.

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which was developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), measures the skill levels of 15 year-olds in 65 countries in three key subject areas – reading, mathematics and science. The 2009 PISA results indicate that:

In Manitoba, there is a statistically significant gender difference, with girls outperforming boys in reading. No significant gender differences were found for math or science performance.

Nationally, Canadian boys outperformed girls in mathematics and science, and girls outperformed boys in reading. However, the gender gap in the former two domains was less pronounced than in the reading domain.

The Challenges

Despite the advancements that women have made in terms of educational achievement, Manitoba still faces challenges on several fronts.

Wage Gap

The gender-based "wage gap" represents the economic inequality between women and men.

As of August 2010, Manitoba men earned an average of $21.51 per hour, whereas Manitoba women earned an average of $19.18 (89% of the average hourly earnings of men)[10].

Women remain clustered in lower paying occupations that often do not tap their potential and offer little room for advancement. For example, in Manitoba, women represent 91% of those in general clerical occupations, 83% of cashiers, 83% of food and beverage servers, and 80% of light duty cleaners[11].

A 2007 Statistics Canada report that examined the situation nationally found that the higher the level of education, the narrower the wage gap between the sexes[12]. Although women's hourly wages remained below men's for all levels of education, encouraging women to pursue post-secondary education remains a promising means of at least narrowing the wage gap and offering greater economic security to women.

Skilled Trades

One approach to addressing the wage gap that has been adopted, both in Manitoba and in other jurisdictions, is the development of programs and initiatives that encourage women to enter the skilled trades, and support them through their education and employment.
It is well-known that women are underrepresented in the non-traditional trades. As of March 2010, women represented only 2.7% of apprentices in the non-traditional trades in Manitoba.[13] According to the Construction Sector Council, only 4% of those employed in the construction trades in Canada are women.[14]
Both nationally and provincially, there is a shortage of skilled workers. For example, the construction industry estimates that Manitoba will face a shortage of nearly 11,000 skilled workers over the next eight years[15].
Despite the high demand for skilled tradespeople and the salary prospects in these careers, women remain a largely un-tapped labour pool.
Programs that encourage girls and women to enter the skilled trades generally focus on one of the following:
Raising awareness of career options in the non-traditional trades and dispelling negative stereotypes associated with these occupations;
Providing financial support in the form of scholarships, bursaries or other financial awards; or
Exposing women to one or more trades and preparing them for further education or employment in skilled trades or other non-traditional occupations (known as “women-only pre-trade programs”).

Manitoba-based Programs

1. Manitoba Status of Women – Training for Tomorrow Educational Awards[16]: Annually, our office provides eighty $1,250 educational awards to women entering two-year diploma programs in the areas of math, science and technology at any one of Manitoba’s four community colleges. The awards are used as an incentive to encourage women to enter these career paths. As well, there are several other provincial and national scholarships/bursaries/financial awards available to women entering non-traditional programs.

2. Skills Canada Manitoba – Young Women’s Conferences[17]: These conferences are offered in rural and urban centres, annually for young women in grades 8-12. The conferences provide an opportunity for participants to meet female mentors working in the trades or technology fields, participate in team-building and hands-on activities, and receive information on employment opportunities and career planning.

3. Red River College – Girls Exploring Trades and Technology (GETT) camps[18]: These week-long summer camps are offered annually to Manitoba girls in grades 7 and 8. The camps combine exploration of different careers with hands-on activities and meetings with women who are successfully pursuing non-traditional occupations. The camps reinforce the importance of taking science, advanced math subjects and industrial arts in high school by stressing the impact those subjects have on career decisions.

4. Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) University of Manitoba – Kid-Netic Energy Girls[19]: This club offers weekly three hour club meetings where girls explore different areas of science and engineering. Enriching activities, meaningful mentor interactions and community contribution are used to engage the girls and increase their interest in pursuing careers in these fields.

5. Manitoba Department of Competitiveness, Training and Trade – Trade Up To Your Future[20]: Trade Up to Your Future is aimed at unemployed and underemployed women, women who are low skilled or low income, and women who are about to lose their job. The program provides career counseling and financial support to women entering non-traditional occupations, which may include skilled trades or other occupations such as trucking.

6. Manitoba Status of Women – Power Up: Power Up is a 15 hour introductory computer course for women that is generally provided by generally provided to not-for-profit adult learning agencies, schools and continuing education departments of colleges. It is intended to promote the importance of technology for women in today’s society/marketplace, to build confidence, and to provide training in a non-threatening environment. The course consists of introductions to word processing, sending and receiving e-mail, and using the internet. Funding priority is given to agencies located in isolated/northern communities, rural communities and those serving populations where demand for computer training is high (e.g., immigrants, Aboriginal people).

Challenges in Recruiting, Training and Long-term Retention for Women in the Skilled Trades[21]^{,[22] & [23]}

Socialization factors: The perception of skilled trades as “men’s work,” affects the attitudes of women who may be good candidates, and has an influence on women’s career and training decisions. Girls and women may be steered away from math and technical courses in school, and from non-traditional careers by family, peers, counsellors and teachers. Due to the small number of women in the trades, girls may not be exposed to female role models with successful careers in the skilled trades. Women typically receive little or no early exposure to the trades or mechanical work and little or no involvement in family businesses related to the trades. As a result, they lack the foundational skills and aptitudes normally acquired by men through father-son relationships.
Technical training barriers: Research has found that women often feel supported and encouraged in the classroom. However, in educational settings, there remains concern about sexual harassment and isolation of female students by classmates and instructors, and the need to excel in order to be seen as competent. Male instructors may also be unprepared to adapt their instructor to the different learning styles that some women have.
Barriers related to hiring practices: Women are often not privy to information about vacancies, given that word-of-mouth recruitment is quite common in the sector; rather, the information is often shared by men to other men. As well, many employers view hiring women as a risk, expressing concern about the potential for maternity leaves, absences due to family responsibilities and complaints regarding workplace conditions (e.g., language used or inadequate facilities). Another common stereotype is that women do not have the physical strength or mechanical aptitude necessary for the job.
Unwelcoming workplaces: Women tradespeople report being subject to a variety of discriminatory practices, including: sexual harassment, sexist treatment (e.g., being treated like a “lady who didn’t want to break a nail”), isolation and segregation in male-dominated worksites, being given low-level tasks or “women’s work” (e.g., cleaning), and being held to higher standards than their male counterparts. Another common issue is the need to prove oneself each time a woman encounters a new co-worker or worksite, whereas men are assumed to be competent. Other women employed at the company in non-trades related work (e.g., clerical, janitorial) may also contribute to the isolation and harassment of female skilled tradespeople.
Apprenticeship barriers: In addition to the unwelcoming behaviours described above, female apprentices are vulnerable to other forms of discrimination, such as: unwillingness on the part of a male journeyperson to share their knowledge or discomfort training a woman; and being assigned menial tasks, preventing them from developing into well-rounded, employable tradespersons.
Family responsibilities: Lack of childcare is a significant barrier for women with children who consider working in the skilled trades. Some jobs require extensive travel to job sites, and/or after hours commitments (e.g., shift work, weekend work, on call duties).
Inadequate facilities: Women may feel at risk in isolated job sites or camps, due to a lack of security, separate dormitories and washrooms from men, and the distance of sleeping quarters from common areas. Availability of female work clothing is also sometimes an issue.
Barriers to making formal complaints: Research has found that women in the trades work hard to be seen as “one of the guys,” and often feel that they will be seen as unable to take a joke, easy to provoke, overly sensitive or unable to resolve issues on their own if they make a formal complaint. Unless conduct policies are supported, modeled and enforced by management, and reinforced through staff training, they rarely work.
As a result of these challenges, retention in the skilled trades remains low despite the myriad of programs that encourage women to enter these careers.[24]

Women-only Pre-Trade Programs

Several women-only exploratory/pre-trade programs are operating in Canada; three highly successful programs are Alberta’s Women Building Futures (WBF), Nova Scotia’s Women Unlimited and Newfoundland’s Orientation to Trades and Technology. These programs typically:
Expose women to the career options available in the non-traditional trades, and dispel myths regarding women’s suitability to these types of occupations;
Provide women with the skills necessary to successfully enter and complete trades/technical training and/or an apprenticeship; and
Provide support to women throughout training and employment in order to help women sustain careers in the non-traditional trades.
Canadian women-only pre-trade programs range from 10 to 24 weeks long, averaging 14 weeks in length.
Topics covered typically include safety certification (e.g., First Aid/CPR, WHMIS), hands-on skill training and exposure to various trades, personal development (workplace culture conditioning, career development and financial management), academics (trade math, science and English) and assistance with work experience placement/job placement/apprenticeship registration.
In discussions with programs across Canada regarding the factors that are critical to a successful women-only pre-trade program, four themes were evident:

1.    Careful screening of participants, which ensures that the women who are accepted are committed to a career in the trades;
2.    Providing support and advocacy for the myriad of issues that participants may face, including challenges related to child care, housing, finances, tutoring, workplace discrimination and harassment, etc.;
3.    Providing a realistic understanding of what trades work entails, and preparing women for a male-dominated work environment; and
4.    A strong relationship with industry, which is critical in order for the program to find job and apprenticeship opportunities for participants.

The main issue encountered by programs is stability of funding. Programs that are operated by colleges, rather than an NGO committed to the issue, may experience disruption, cancellation or fundamental changes to the mandate (e.g., being required to accept women that are not suitable for the program, such as those only interested in home repair or who are not work ready), as priorities within the institution shift.

Future Directions for Manitoba

The Manitoba Government recognizes that there is more work to be done to encourage and support women entering non-traditional occupations.
At the Poverty Reduction Forum held on November 5, 2010, Premier Selinger announced that the Provincial Government’s plans to reduce poverty include encouraging Manitobans to enter the skilled trades, noting that this will also help address the shortage of skilled workers in Manitoba.
In recognition of the need for a gendered perspective that incorporates the needs and realities of women, MSW is exploring the potential for a pilot women-only pre-trade program based in Manitoba.

[1] Statistics Canada & Council of Ministers of Education, Canada. (2010). Education Indicators in Canada: An International Perspective. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Education Statistics Council. http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/253/indicators-perspective-int-spet2010.pdf (accessed January 24, 2011).

Note: Statistics are from the 2006/2007 academic year. Graduation rates are a proxy, which measure the proportion of graduates in relation to the size of the youth population at the typical age of graduation.

[2]Statistics Canada. (April 2010). Interrupting Education and Returning to Education. “Education Indicators in Canada: Fact Sheets.” http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-599-x/81-599-x2010005-eng.htm (accessed January 25, 2011).

[3] Milligan, S. & Bougie, E. First Nations Women and Postsecondary Education in Canada: Snapshots from the Census. Statistics Canada. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2009004/article/11017-eng.htm (accessed February 8, 2011).

[4] Statistics Canada. College Enrolment, by Sex, Registration Status and Program Type, Canada, Provinces and Territories, 2001/2002 and 2006/2007 (table). “Education Indicators in Canada: Report of the Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program December 2010.” “Tables.” Last updated December 13, 2010. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-582-x/2010004/tbl/tbld1.4-eng.htm (accessed January 24, 2011).

[5] Statistics Canada. University Enrolment, by Sex, Registration Status and Program Type, Canada, Provinces and Territories, 1998/1999, 2003/2004 and 2008/2009 (table). “Education Indicators in Canada: Report of the Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program December 2010.” “Tables.” Last updated December 13, 2010. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-582-x/2010004/tbl/tbld1.5-eng.htm (accessed January 24, 2011).

[6] Statistics Canada. Percentage of Females Relative to Total Full-time University Enrolment, Canada and Provinces, 1998/1999 and 2008/2009 (table). “Education Indicators in Canada: Report of the Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program December 2010.” Last updated December 13, 2010. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-582-x/2010004/tbl/tbld1.6-eng.htm (accessed January 24, 2011).

[7]Knighton, T., Brochu, P. & Gluszynski, T. (December 2010). Measuring Up: Canadian Results of the OECD PISA Study – The Performance of Canada’s Youth in Reading, Mathematics and Science – 2009 First Results for Canadians Aged 15. Ottawa, ON: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada; Council of Ministers of Education, Canada and Statistics Canada. http://www.cmec.ca/Publications/Lists/Publications/Attachments/254/PISA2009-can-report.pdf (accessed January 24, 2011).

[8] Milligan, S. & Bougie, E. First Nations Women and Postsecondary Education in Canada: Snapshots from the Census. Statistics Canada. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2009004/article/11017-eng.htm (accessed February 8, 2011).

[9] Statistics Canada. (October 2009). Postsecondary Enrolment and Graduation. “Education Indicators in Canada: Fact Sheets.” http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-599-x/81-599-x2009003-eng.htm (accessed February 8, 2011).

[10] Statistics Canada, summary table “Average hourly wages of employees by selected characteristics and profession, unadjusted data, by province (monthly) (Manitoba)” (data from CANSIM tables 282-0069 and 282-0073).

[11] Statistics Canada, 2006 Census of Population, Statistics Canada catalogue no. 97-563-XCB2006063.

[12] Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, online catalogue 71-222-X

[13] Apprenticeship Manitoba, Personal Communication, September 3, 2010.

[14] Construction Sector Council (2010, February). The State of Women in Construction in Canada. Retrieved October 2010 from the Construction Sector Council website: http://www.csc-ca.org/pdf/State_of_Women_in_Construction_in_Canada.pdf

[15] Construction Sector Council. (2010, June). Construction Looking Forward: An Assessment of Construction Labour Markets from 2010 to 2018 for Manitoba. Retrieved October 2010 from the Construction Sector Council website: http://www.csc-ca.org/pdf/CSC-LookingForward10Report-MB-EN.pdf

[16] http://www.gov.mb.ca/msw/programs/t4t.html

[17] http://www.skillsmanitoba.ca/programs-womens.php

[18] http://www.rrc.mb.ca/gett

[19] http://www.wiseworkshops.ca/images/pdf/2009_GirlsClub_Brochure.pdf

[20] http://www.gov.mb.ca/employment/pdf/tradeup.pdf

[21] Canadian Apprenticeship Forum. (2004, January). Accessing and Completing Apprenticeship Training in Canada: Perceptions of Barriers Experienced by Women. Retrieved July 2010 from: http://www.caf-fca.org/files/access/women.pdf

[22] Scullen, J. (2008, January). Women in Male Dominated Trades: It’s Still a Man’s World. Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Commission. Retrieved September 2010 from: http://www.saskapprenticeship.ca/siteimages/misc%20pamphlets_newsletters/women_in_the_trades_FINAL2008.pdf

[23] Hulme, K. (2006, Spring). Making the Shift from Pink Collars to Blue Ones: Women’s Non-traditional Occupations. Labour/Le Travail, 57, 143-165. Retrieved December 7, 2010 from: http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/llt/57/hulme.html

[24] Vojakovic, D. (2008, December) Women in Trades Discussion Paper. Retrieved August 2010 from the ITABC website: http://www.itabc.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=1096

Walking the Brooklyn Bridge

2011-02-27T22:15:00.000-06:00

View from the 40th floor of the Millennium Hotel where we held a meeting in preparation for meeting with Canadian Ambassador

View from the Brooklyn Bridge which we WALKED over

The start of our walk - about 30 to 40 minutes

The Dinner Party (Judy Chicago) at the Brooklyn Museum!

2011-02-27T11:16:00.000-06:00

What an amazing experience to see this wonderful display, The Dinner Party and the Brooklyn Museum. I had read about it, may times, and it lived up to my expectations. The level of detail, the beauty of the whole display, and the beauty of each "place setting".

A few photos follow. If you are ever in New York, make sure you go to see this lovely Museum.

Final Panel - Where Do We Go From Here?

2011-02-27T11:05:00.000-06:00

Yakin Euturk (Turkey) Moderator

Rapporteur for VAW in Geneva, and CSW in New York. Spoke about the UN (gender) being fragmented, After 2009 for rapporteur report to CSW, which will be better. VAW intimately linked to women’s empowerment. Issue of UN human rights discourse fragmented. Codified law into social and economic, and political and civil. How can one achieve political and civil rights, without social and economic – both require positive action. States rarely react to social and economic rights. Real rights – question that the 2 rights are integrally related. Unless have economic independence and access to property, their capability to deal with violations, completely undermined. Develop a vision. Not about equal opportunities, important, structured inequalities. Cannot give equal opportunities with structured inequalities. Gender mainstreaming, what are we mainstreaming, most often male streaming. Needs to be revisited. Gender mainstreaming, Fragment the issues, each part taken place by a different UN entity - UN Women will be able to be the centre.

Farah Karimi, Director of Oxfam Novib, - 4 observations. Sells Change! What is question – important question is how change happens. What is your vision – what is aim? Universality and human rights – point of departure. Rights based approach, in whole development issues, Debate in the Netherlands – what are we doing - human rights organizations, Muslim organizations defining change. Our point of departure is human rights. Have to support those organizations. Change has to happen inside. Wonderful to see Egypt. These organizations very key – shouldn’t give up in what we believe that human rights exclusive to western societies. Revolutions, part of Iraian revolution – Movement mainly moved by youth at that time. Always inspiring to see mass movement created, and people on the streets. Triggers our imagination. In Tunisia and Egypt, crucial moment, Try to remain in contact, human rights organizations, so that the momentum towards a society that is rights based. Crucial to see where those societies are heading. Show more visibility. High expectations towards UN Women. Survey from 100 NGOs – VAW not surprising, rural women – day of working – should be accessible. We are going to have to be the change. UN Women will have to change other UN agencies and bodies. Funding agency, resources available. Governments – cutting 60 million euros. Most of money goes to projects. Painful to cut funding. How are we going to deal with that. Mobilize resources.

Maynaz Afkhami – President of the Women's Learning Partnership, very little we can add to add. How UN Women situates itself with in the UN system. How we relate to this entity. Relationship would be very helpful Seems as if we talk about mutual responsibility, some sort of mutual give and take. UN agencies don’t usually feel responsible to civil society. If we want UN Women to be responsible, we need to empower it, so it can empower us. Raising conscious, of the importance of the UN itself. Need to make the entity know, and what UN all about. USA did so much for 8 years to harm the UN. Some in the USA still see the UN as the enemy. Raising consciousness. Governments – answering governments. If people think UN Women important, then will support. And can push governments. Financial crisis , affects funding. Not enough inspiration for young people. Raise funds in non traditional ways. There is a difference between us and UN women – they can provide safe space, convening power. Allowing us to be heard by others. Making sure that other agencies, not just work better but be feminist in their outlook, Relationship we need to think more about. UN Women a global entity, important to clarify – idea, what ails us is patriarchy – patriarchy is the structure , thru out history, the relationship between members, vertical relationship always top down. Hierarchical system, duplicated in religion and governments. Need to change the culture. All men are created equally. In middle east, large groups, mostly men, shouting for democracy, people in that part of the world – love democracy, but ask about women’s rights, gay rights, plunge to 25 percent. Have to talk about culture change. Have to learn ourselves. Concepts of tolerance inclusive, listening with tolerance. Whole lot of share experience. Transformative experience, guaranteed democratic interaction. Not dictated – provide space to do it together.

Look at wonderful declaration of human rights. Everyone has that aspiration. Don’t play politics with human rights. Universal human rights, contextual differences – Very interesting and good conversations.

How can we make UN more responsive, non state torture, torture in classic sense, inflicted by state, very technical definition. In responding to torture, have rehab programs. Politics around support for victims. VAW is about whole subordination of women. Talking about VAW in a narrow sense, build shelters and that’s it. Requires commitments, beyond harm done. Politically and culturally charged – very powerful groups are non state actors, need to keep pushing debate. Women’s issues moved from periphery to central stage. Link different mechanisms so not working in isolation. Bringing together 4 units enormously big decision. UNIFEM, DAW, OSAGAI, INSTRAW. Policy side to operational and field side. Field work and policy must be linked. Specific areas must be better linked. Talk about a more integrated system. Manage 2 funds - Gender \Equity Fund, and the VAW Trust Fund. What do we think needs to be funded, and demanding where money goes where there talk is. Every level of private and public sector – need for a wholistic agenda. Worrying about what is happening in the Netherlands – conservative – against migrants and Moslems. Right wing movement, constituted against Islam, and allying with right wing Christians – around abortion. Rights of indigenous women now affected. Struggle for their rights. Islamaphobia – Deteriorating rights generally. Denegrade a group of people, important human rights – non state actors, very bad guys. Fundamentalists, they will become state actors. HR work naming and shaming.

Funding has an agenda – example of funding a jirga in Pakistan – by UNIFEM - MDGs, very week about women and youth. How to make a real space at the UN level, and country and regional level. Reproductive health after 7 years because women fought for it. HR Council supported gay and lesbian rights. More and more actors – new emerging powers, like China, and India, Understand funding environment - changing rapidly, private foundations, emerging powers, start dialogue with them.

Thanks to the Women's Learning Partnership for an excellent day!

Culture, Religion and Human Rights

2011-02-27T10:26:00.000-06:00

June Zeitlin, Director CEDAW Education Project, from the USA was the moderator of this panel on a very important and interesting panel – the purpose is to take recommendations to UN Women – Issues important in the US as well as other parts of the world.

Kartima Bennoune, just back from Algeria. Short DVD showed the recent protest in Algeria. Faces, and energy from Algeria demonstrations. Katima saw the protests – women played critical roles. Called for nothing less than total change. March for change – on the 12^th of February. Took up a position on the sidewalk, refused to be removed. One of the prominent feminist says she’s been waiting for year. On Feb. 12, the women refused to cede to the police. Unyielding women who did not cede even to women police officers. Police men handled her – counter demonstrators pulled her clothes off, and helped male colleagues push her down. Observatory of Violence against Women. Abrogation of family code and on change agenda. Ameliorating the family rules. Salaries not covering the costs of basics. March – protesters demanding peaceful change. Women kicked by riot police, threatened sexual assault. Deeply moved. Algeria not given same coverage as Egypt. Social change most important. Understanding religion, and culture. None of these activists are only claiming freedom basic rights – nobody made claims as part of religion or culture. Basic rights as any other human right. I believe we are undermining rights as full citizenship. Not a discourse of religion. Unapologetic support for universal human rights. Some universality most ardent defenders, are outside of US. Bravery of Liberian people, recommended Libia leave the HR Council.

UN Women will show support for universality of human rights.

Leila Ahmed

This wonderful woman (Egypt) has been working on Islam women in America. Clearly the case of women and Islam, under tow of significance. Women’s chador symbol of moral justice of the Afghan war.

Broad themes – scarf, stereotypes. Religion, culture and human rights. Trend of influence of Moslem Brotherhood – revival. Islamists, people dealing with the revival, agree with non violence. How in America. – turned these assumptions. Scarf been cut from patriarcy, gender justice now. Issues of commitment to social justice, including justice for women. Findings Islam interpreted a number of ways, and demonstrate democratic input – some forms of Islam will insist male superiority, others won’t. Revolution across middle east and norther Africa. Women, some with hijab and others not, all part of movement. What does revolutionary movement have to say – about treatment of Moslems in Germany and the UK?.

Frances Kissling – Liberty University, pro choice Roman Catholic. Fundamentalism – war stories. Early years, studied economics – country of hope, more jobs than workers, people buying homes, Rreligious fundamentalism, Paternalistic fundamentalism. Tax on women’s reproductive health. Assault on basic family planning services. Assault on women’s rights in the economic arena. Francis talked about Liberty university – the conservative movement alive and well. Challenge at a cultural level.

5^th world conference women, can we advance the agenda. Stypmied by fundamentalist agenda. Should we be preocupied by that. Seemed to have allowed religious fundamentalists, privileged space to continue. Role of all religion in the UN. Time for us as women, capacity to strategize and plan a meeting that can not be derailed from the core agenda of the meeting. We can do this, and UN Women can and must lead the way. Fundamentalist Religions have been more destructive to the lives of women within the UN than any other body. Disruptive in other boides for children but at the UN have worked for a patriarchial society which identivies with a religious patriarchial system. Introduced a strong religious component. The 5th World Conference convenes the women of the world, and fearlessly refutes any religious fundamentalists.

All people have culture not just some – police dept in France, man killed, it is rage or something else, Women's oppression of women in sharia – politics or reality.

Lunch Partners - one from Sri Lanka, and one from Norway

2011-02-27T10:17:00.000-06:00

Interesting discussion with my lunch mates - about sex work, and the Norwegian model. Will be in touch with Hilde Jakobsen as her friend is doing an evaluation of the current system used in Norway (and Sweden). The other young woiman is Kanya D'Almeida, from the Inter Press Service- doing some great work!

Sometimes the best discussions take place informally with the amazing women who are attending the CSW.

Video Connection with Thoraya Ahmed Obaid (Saudia Arabia)

2011-02-27T10:11:00.000-06:00

Thoraya Ahmed Obaid is a former Under Secretary-General of the UN and Executive Director of the UN Population Fund. She spoke clearly and articulated several issues of importance to UN Women.

Create a UN with a focus on we the people, not the systems the UN has set up to work for states.
Wwomen can bring about the dialogue between the UN and the state. The UN can be a safe space for different points of view. UN Women can be that safe space.
A variety of opions. We need to democratize our insititutions. The recent uprising, gives us a sense of young people wanting to be part of it, must listen to them. Sun is rising thru the young pople, have to give them leadership positions. Women from all creeds were part of it, some with scarves, some without, all united, democaracy , equality, and human rights, Don’t judge pople by what they wer on their heads, but what they have in their heads. VAW can be eliminated if we have right context. Christians, and Moslems working together. Dialogue across religions important.
Final lesson young people cleaned up afern themselves. Means UN Women must ensure inclusive, and bringing conflicting points of view together. Not only about women but men and women, conscious of the UN, and rights of women. And gender relations. Influence institutions and understand cultural context. Becoming reference point inside and outside UN. Voice of General Assembly, that all programs engendered. We all know what needs to be done, know answers, but listen to people. Hopeful UN Women when time for real transformation in the world. Movement of change.

The Way Forward, continued

2011-02-26T21:05:00.000-06:00

The first panel Our Vision for UN Women, Views from the field -

Moderator, Lina Abou-Habib, from Lebanon

First speaker was Wajeeha Al Baharna, from Bahrain – women from this region – lowest amongst other countries for women’s rights. Need more promotion of rights – personal, nationality, political, economic, 2 challenges facing women in gulf region – 1) comes from within community, women downgraded, reflect negatively on self esteem, and enjoying rights. They feel lost hope of any reforms, with the stereotype, 2) other challenge from international community – see wealthy, don’t need rights, everything provided. Being wealthy – doesn't mean we don’t want to claim our rights. These 2 types of stereotypes – work with other groups in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabi, - awareness of their rights, and claim their rights. More attention to youth. Help to claim women’s rights. UN Women, see a glimpse of hope, to see better life, future for all the women of the world.

Asma Khader – spoke about war affected countries – from Jordan. Coming from middle east – many conflicts – and demonstrations all around. Part of peace, and democracy in the future. Suffer – in past, men haven’t been able to sort it out. Women – do see with 1320 will protect women and children. These resolutions not known by men and others. Jordanian NGOs did work around implementation, now women part of peace force, but we need a plan, but can’t have a plan with out resources. First action plan by Arab countries, 75% of country under 30 years of age. Education has been good for women –but no matching jobs. Demand is huge, resources limited. Partnerships and learning from each other – build networks, meeting demands. Help local women reach up to UN Women.

Sakena Yacobbi, from Afghanistan.Challenges - lack of education, economic resources. Security is major challenge – security is stopping the violence. Women and girls wanting to come to a centre to learn. Face day to day. Big issue. We are hoping UN Women will be a voice – for security. We have a peaceful and secure life

Mallika Dutt, India/USA, a moment of crisis and opportunity – jasmine revolution – led by young men and women, financial melt down, climate change, what our dreams are – transormative moment, not specific issues – Bachelet’s position is a tipping point, women taken seriously, and at the table, and transforming the table, Men’s leadership has been a failure, catalazye the women’s movment and redefining the table.

Sindi Medar-Gould – women from Africa join with others to celebrate, looking at how we can help. Nigeria – we sign documents, sign them all, but no implementation. Deliberate strategy – know we can’t implement because of our constitutions. Women taken up battle – so we let women know – signed documents. Help to bring true meaning to gender mainstreaming. UN Women help to bring in feminist interpretation of what is meant by siging the conventions. Push envelope forward –

Bachelet’s response, Sense of humour, don’t perform miracles. Situation not even – challenges are my challenges – not easy, can be useful – very complicated, and complex problems. Approaching – how we pass from rhetoric to action. Event on HIV/AIDs – history – how we transform leadership, make commitments, not promises. Believing – but need to build the case, need to know exactly what it cost and what is benefit. Looks like women’s rights are human rights hasn’t opened the doors. Need to build the case. Went to Davos, to ensure gender equality, biggest gap is political, second is economic. Try to understand other’s point of view. Very open and frank dialogue.

When a woman comes to politics, the politics changes the woman, when many women come to the table, politics change

Questions – and answers – in favour of 5^th world conference on Women – timing important.

Question from Egypt, and Pakistan – Egypt need to monitor – shoulder to shoulder at the square – need to to monitor daily, involve women in all restructuring. Work women at all levels.

Associaton for Progressive Communications – 1^st thing that gets controlled is communications. Internet forums – come in and talk about who controls the internet. – mandate changing, and hierarchical forms. Women have a huge say in how internet governed. Involvement of private sector, and public private partnerships. Women having a voice – Bahrain exception to wealthy countries. Women very hard worker, Women being with the men in the revolutions. Women very long history – national demonstrations in 90s. been tortured, doing job much better. Using new technologies. Very organized. Side by side with the men. Constitutional changes – When SC resolutions harm women – Palestinian question, 2/3 of refugees are women, suffering violence. 1325 in our time – use it to build decent changes. When spirit of change is there, in Tunisia, Egypt, any delay in working with groups that want change – lose the spirit. The moment comes when can’t wait any more. Private sector - build equality inside private sector. Young people and IT – help the Tech festival. Other responses; - get involved – Afghanistan changing for the better. More awareness, peace education. Women, more and more involved. Women at the peace table. Saw restrictions, because of security. Security a hot issue day by day. Value of the internet – Jasmine revolution – has an impact, and use it as an opportunity for women’s rights. Coorporate greed take seriously - contradictions in pursuing public private partnerships. Ensues a financial system that takes human rights seriously,

Strategy to deconstruct and reconstruct – men and boys against violence against women. No point in telling women that she has rights, and then going home to a man who does not agree. Don’t partner with oil companies. So many are corrupt. Can’t accept blood money. Until we find gender friendly corporation. Question about sexual and reproductive rights.

Working with men – how does gender equality look from the male side.

In the region, a campaign – 2006, working on a campaign – equality with out reservation - no reservations to CEDAW. Saudia Arabia signed it. Science fiction, many of the colleagues – so far no one has invested anything better. Hold governments accountable. Certainly more powerful than MDGs. Don’t reflect vision. Litmus test, will have inclusive democracies. Take CEDAW seriously.

Hard ot work in Afghanistan – because of security. One way is thru internet – set up training thru the internet. Sensitive to the culture – use it to advance. Assault on human rights in the US right now. What happening in the middle east with hope. Can use some of these tools in the US. Unravelling of rights, sustained assault – solidarity in political movements. We clearly in the US needs some help. Looking outside for some of these tools. Ask for wisdom and solidarity. What is the shape of the table – table is round, no head, no hierarchy. Voices of who are farmers, and sit on corporate boards, declaration of human rights, one value table where we ask about economic questions, respect each other and respect the environment, women’s voices – are proactive voice of political systems that we can thrive in. Question about democracy trying to shape in hierarchy, don’t respect legal commitments. CEDAW only instruments to frame our rights, reservation for number 15. Problems of the IT. Western countries can interfere, but turned out to be powerful tool, in hands of young people. Access to the internet, and languages. Not only elite and well educated people have access. Within school curriculum. One of reasons CEDAW not implemented in Africa is because it is seen as the abortion bill. Reproductive rights – resistance to it, continue to have training, ngos, and community organizations. You have the right. Bahrain – equality without reservation campaign, lifting reservation campaign – conducted seminar discussions.discussion about 16 helping and improving engaging religion with this. Presented at a parallel session, how can we play with it, and change approach. How to promote women’s rights without engaging religion. Transfer from claiming our rights to living our rights.

Saturday - UN Women - The Way Forward

2011-02-26T20:30:00.000-06:00

February 26, 2011

You would think after a week of attending sessions, we would want a break - like enough already. But no, the appeal of going to The New School, a University in Greenwich Village, was pretty strong, especially when we thought Michelle Bachelet might be speaking.

It was like being in Hollywood at the Oscars - when all the stars come out. During the day, there were all the stars of the women's movement - from all parts of the Globe. We were truly fortunate to be there, and to hear these exceptional women speak. What was good was the open space, the day long meeting time, so we had a chance to really explore some of the very important issues. I'll try and write this up in two sections because it is quite long.

Michelle Bachelet

The day was sponsored by the Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) This is an organization that is made up of Muslim majority societies. The primary objective is to increase the number of women taking on leadership and decision-making roles at family, community and national levels, and to improve the effectiveness of feminist movements in Muslim-majority societies and globally.

This was a wonderful day of learning, sharing and working together. Registration started at 9:30, and after a welcome by Arein Mack, Editor Social Research, The New School, we had the keynote speaker introduced by Mahnaz, Afkhami, from the Women’s Learning Parnerships.

Introduction of Michelle Bachelet – by Mahnaz Afkhani

Michelle Bachelet started by saying how the women’s movement has popularized the statgement women’s rights are human rights,and human rights are women's rights - and came up with visionary statements – SC 1325, and so many other commitments. Stories out of Egypt and Tusnisia, The foresight of women – space, and savour the moment, and think of challenges – up hill – our work has just begun. Our next step, strategic plan for June, some of UN Women colleagues will be here for the day – country based consultations – define what UN Women will be doing. Initial plan was presented in January – based on some consultation – vision and action plan now in 5 areas – women will never have equal rights if women not empowered. How women are dealing with violence, women at peace table, constitution, political empowerment, women’s leadership and participation in different sectors. 96 girls for every 100 boys in schools. But political % of all parliamentarians in the world. – 192 countries. Ending violence against girls – will be working to enforcing women in peace and security – conflict resolution, protection from sexual violence, who are sitting at peace tables – people who have the guns, not the women. Need to empower them. 3 components – women with negotiation capacities. We don’t have women mediators – we do but not used. Have to have someone who is respected – women who are strong, leaders. Working with men who will come to table. Working with women’s organizations who can have stronger voice.

Economic empowerment as important as political empowerment.

Making gender equality central to country’s policies and budgeting. Data disagragated by gender. Statistics.

What are the essential – where UN Women lead – don’t intend to lead in all areas. So much work to do. Support maternal health, environmental challenges, women migrants, HI/AIDS, Have other UN agencies to do this work, UN Women will support.

Initial 5 priorities – have support by UN Women's board. Essential how UN Women will work. Strenghthen networks, Met with many groups. Open up more space. Don’t compete with us for funding. Ensure transparency at country level, all levels. How to reach women who are most vulnerable – don’t belong to any organizations. Commitment – Maintain an open dialogue.

Need more thinking – important link with civil society. What channels can we create. Subregional offices – should organize NGOs to form an advisory group. Challenges for partnerships – levels UN organizations. Effectiveness of gender mainstreaming strategies. National machineries get less budget – need to involve everyone. Advocating gender responsive budgeting. Is this getting where we want to do?? Enabling us, all of us, respond to challenges and protect women’s rights. Dialogue must continue. Mutual respect between women’s groups and UN Women.

Response, how do NGOs empower UN Women – grass roots don’t know about UN Women – mobilization at grass roots; ideas from grass roots up, Resources – raising money on a massive basis, products produced in coops saving some for UN Women. Raising money thru private sector, companies who sell primarily to women.

Report on the Province of Ontario's Education of Women (2006), and Miss_G Project

2011-02-25T21:54:00.000-06:00

The Following Blog is submitted by Rashmi Bhat.

Ontario's Education of Women over 25 yrs of age (2006 Census data):

13% hold no certificate, diploma or degree even after the age of 25
25% hold a high school diploma or equivalent
6% hold a trade school or apprenticeship diploma
24% hold a non-university diploma e.g. college
5% hold a university diploma below the Bachelor's degree level
26% hold a university bachelor's or higher
Of the total population of Canada that is educated to a high school
diploma or equivalent or higher, 19% are Ontarians and of that 19% i.e
6.6 million, 51% are female i.e. 3.4 million.

There is currently no curriculum in Ontario's high schools specific to women's studies.

The Miss G__ project is the first grassroots project in Canada by young persons in the university and high school environment to start a movement to include a women's studies elective within the social sciences curriculum in Ontario schools. They are asking people to write to the Minister of Education of Ontario to encourage the adoption of the curriculum they have developed in consultation with the Ministry and had expected to have rolled it our in September 2011.

They found out in January of this year that it would not be released until September 2012 due to further edits to the course outline. See http://www.themissgproject.org/update.html

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Widows and Orphans in Iraq

2011-02-25T21:43:00.000-06:00

This was a most interesting session - sponsored by Al Khoei Foundation Centre in London, England.

They have 3 projects in Iraq, south of Bagdad – Al Kawthar Project for widows and orphans.

The school in London, encourage children in London to raise funds for the project. The did a play which raised funds. Orphans need support – so many – most are girls, cultural values that prevent girls from going to school and university. Girls need more support than boys.

Number of widows, 1 million, established the number of orphans, 5 million. Registered orphans 972,401. Need for rehabilitation, capacity building financial support 30 million total population for Iraq. Housing conditions poor, School buildings are in need or repair, large number are needed to meet dmand.

Under 18, 16,481,369

Estimated orphans, 5,000,000

Work in Iraq, sponsorship for the child, microcredit for widows, medical support, school supply kits, EID present. Sent heaters and blankets. Need, buildings, funding, voluntary work awareness, NGO support, Culture of volunteering not exist in Iraq. Need for government support for NGOs. Need legislation and guidelines for NGOs working as volunteers in Iraq.The orphans generally have a family they stay with - no buildings that are orphanages, where they sleep and eat.

Statistics on population in Iraq. Don’t have official stats. By June, 2011 will have better stats. Iran war and Kuwait left many orphans. 2003 till now – terrorist acts that have left children orphans. Terrorist – Ba'aths don’t want Iraq to prosper.

Culture of volunteerism? Culture under Sadam Hussein was that government should provide. No culture of volunteering, 30 years of dictatorship, couldn’t do anything. People are willing. So many sanctions before. Schools are open to everyone - in NY and London, As soon as regime fell, countries have agendas, started as soon as regime folded. Bombing – increased. Very conservative interpretations –

Iraq is not a religious state, not like Iran. Education and cooperation – any plan for increasing and expanding the work? NEED TO RAISE AWARENESS – when went back – everyone saying where is the government. Now relizing can’t rely on paid staff.

Bukhari Foundation. All voluntary work. Mourning – lasts 60 to 80 days. . Prayers that are done in centre.

Ambassador from Iraq - Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati Speaking about support of UN Women. Under previous regime all kinds of discrimination.

Ambassador Hamid Al-Bayati

Paid a heavy price for Sadam. Before 1991, doctors, engineers, were women. Women have better chance now. Freedom now, but need encouragement, compensation. Can talk about achievements, but falling behind, MDGs. School, university – women less than men, but gap not as big now. Progress – need to more. Political life- a woman who served as his assistant. Promising diplomat – Lady ambassadors – need men who believe in women’s rights. 2011 with Michelle Bachelet will be positive.

– Education for women – family life – need to educate men – misconception – men think women should be at home – women can do several things at the same time. Women secret to any successful family. Need strong family, strong community. NGOs can do what government’s can’t do. First to arrive when a disaster strikes.The ambassador spoke very well, and I think is genuinely supportive of women's equal role, and participation.

A couple of contacts - Doaa Abdulhussein, Al-Hakim Foundation and Nawal Al-Ibrahimi from the Al-Rafidain Children's Foundation.

Luncheon sponsored by the UN National Committee for UN Women, NY Chapter

2011-02-25T21:13:00.000-06:00

The luncheon today was a bit of a hastle to get to - in the pouring rain - but it was worth it! Because of the construction, you had to go around, and through a building that is no longer in use, to what is the old cafeteria, and is now the Delegates Dining Room. I got a seat with a view of the river, and even in the rain, it was lovely.

The luncheon lasted for 2 and a half hours - Michelle Bachelet was the key note speaker. I was impressed because she was spoke about partnerships. She also spoke of "building our case" - ie the economic case, the political case, the social point of view case - to show the world how important the UN Women is, and the contribution that women can make.

She talked about UN Women being a catalyst for change. And that we are UN Women - We will prioritize though, and help those most vulnerable.

Michelle Bachelet spoke about supporting young women in Science and Technology. We need women scientists. Appeal to girls because they can make a contribution, using science.

Suranne Rothberg was a funny speaker - the value of comedy - she was a cancer survivor and has dedicated her life to making people laugh - and it's good for you. Check out her web site.

The last speaker was Susan Hassler, Editor in chief for IEEE Spectram, a magazine on science and technology news.

This was the first time i had attended one of these luncheons - they are quite expensive as they are a fund raiser, but I was glad i went. I was able to chat with the Chapter members from New York, to find out how they functioned.

Women, Economic Crisis, and Recovery: Growing Discrimination in Canada

2011-02-25T11:13:00.000-06:00

L-R Kathleen Lahey, Kim Pate, Alexa Conradil & Kate McInturff

This workshop was just before the launch of UN Women, on Thursday, the 24th, but i wanted to attend - Speakers included Kathleen Lahey, Professor of Law, Queen's University, Kim Pate, Executive Director, Elizabeth Fry Society, and Kate McInturff, Executive Director, FAFIA. Alexa Conradl spke for the Federation des Femmes du Quebec.

The following are a few of the key points:

Kate McInturff

Kate reviewed the current economic regime in Canada, stating that there are only shorterm economic objectives of current government. Women are more affected then men - single parent families led by women are very poor. Retrogression and diminishment of women’s equality has happened. Not solely outcome of economic crisis. World Bank 2006 Canada was 14^th, 2008, 31^st. Decrease in ranking. Political representation. Gender watch equality 2007 17, 2009, 21^st. Social Watch very low because of womens representation in politics. 2006-2008 – equality taken out of SWC mandate. Funding for research and advocacy eliminated. Government’s statistical body, Census Canada – not asking about unpaid work.CCPA studies – wealthy holding power – increase own power.

Presentation of finance committees. Football league – arguments for funding – emotional arguments. Because inequality a complex problem, dealt with by hostility. We need to talk about sex and money.

Kathleen Lehay,

Women's equality has been eroding for a number of years – until most recent economic crisis 2008, women who work in this area have been soft peddling – last big recession 1991, coincided with free market ethics – affect of globalization on status of women. No analysis of recession on women’s equality. Attempt to bring to the fore the impact of recession. Recessions, and major recessions are not accidents, but part of the business cycle. Common knowledge in economics, Frequent occurances. Last several are more serious, and coming more frequently. Because recessions treated as gender neutral – and not the focus on recessions, research of 1930s. Focus on male bread winner. 1930’s male breadwinner – so couldn’t hire married women. Male only worker. Women helpful to support men. When crisis break out, no time to ask, how does this affect women? Many of the programs were in place before – older recessions with newer ones, Admidst decline in 1990’s, failure to take women into account 2008 recession.

Economic gender equality indicators. Lag of recovery – and labour market attachment. Impact of budget cuts, in Europe budget cuts were only temporary. By 2007, Canada 4^th lowest taxing country in the OECD. Canada –spending no money in child care - 40% of 2 income earners goes to child care. So little assistance – most families are trapped not having money for child care, or getting extra time in the paid law force.

Kim Pate

Impact of colonization – 1 to 3 % of general population, but over 30% of females in prison system are Aboriginal. Money spent on military complex. Pretext of crime bills – 38 of them – research – dismissed. Mandatory minimum sentences – backlash – Canada Assistance Plan, Historically over represented in mental health, and prisons. Why were we putting women with mental health concerns, and putting them in prison. Affect on workers, nurses, Cuts to services- put them away – default for mental health care is prison. Criminally low social welfare rates. Criminalizing this group. Huge growing group are being criminlzed. 38 Bills – 1 bill alone – budgetary officer – costing of crime bill is a cabinet secrecary. No documentation – to cost enough Credit for pre trial custody. Recognition judges – truth in sentencing act. Judge used own discretion – law estimated 2 billion dollars a year – told no money for support services ?? Likely cost 5 to 10 billion dollars a year. Cost to keep one woman in 185,000 a year in jail. Risk – if we challenge that – get the women out of the jail. Women with $500,000 in solitary, with mental health conditions. Costing social and fiscal costs. 2 million dollars for one woman, for 18 months. Community stepped in – helped her access services. System brutalized woman. Mental health triggered by way handled in jail.

This presentation by Kim Pate, Kathleen Lahey, and Kate McInturff certainly inspired me to appreciate the important work of National Council of Women of Canada and all our members is very important.

Canadian Voice of Women Holds Meeting on Women and Peace at the UN

2011-02-25T10:56:00.000-06:00

Marilou McPhedran, principal, Global College

Members of Voice of Women for Peace

The Canadian Voice of Women held an excellent session this morning, with Marilou McPedran as the speaker, to review the different Security Council resolutions (1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889. Marilou spoke about the process that lead to the Security Council Resolution 1325 - very much civil society driven, women driven. From that, there has been a "narrowing" to deal with the specific issues around sexual violence during war, rape as a weapon of war. Now it is widening again, to bring us back to the principles, a more holistic approach, the 1325 - like an accordion.

Resources:
Global Women's Peace Builders
New Global Network - Poverty and Human Rights

Launch of UN Women

2011-02-24T22:30:00.000-06:00

This is quite exciting - In the beautiful General Assembly Hall. Videos showing the history of the women's global movement are shown on the 2 large screens at the front of the room. I've got yellow tickets, and that means i'm up in the balcony, but it is an excellent seat. You can see everything, and the General Assembly is beautiful.

Videos are shown of the history of Women's Rights - included are the four world conferences on Women.

Connie Chung replaced Christiane Amanapour as the emcee - Christiane has been called away - I think to Egypt.

Mr. Joseph Deiss, President of the General Assembly, welcomes everyone. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon says some very positive things about UN Women, and his support.

Then a standing ovation for Michelle Bachelet, she looked so lovely in a bright dress. Michelle Bachelet talks about her own experience - no limits what women can do! We must do better - we must commit all political actors. We are talking about rights, and economic growth, Harness the full capacity, so will have faster progress. Determined that UN Women will provide new energy from multiple talents. Turning point - a new era.

GEAR - Brought together 300 NGOs - one being Ms. Bandanna Rana - from Nepal. She spoke about the strong advocacy from women in Nepal, after the conflict which ended in 2006. GEAR campaign in 2007. Gathered 1 million signatures from south Asia. Strong hope that UN Women will make a difference on the Planet. Supporter of the women's agenda.

Ambassador Joy Ogwu - from Nigeria, Spoke of achievements - in Liberia - ought to be fully utilized. Can anyone run fast on one foot?? Women must be encouraged and supported, in the class rooms, and faith based forums, equipped to excel. Women in leadership; roles are duty bound to support women, wherever they are.

Princess Christina of Spain. make gender equity our primary goal. Invest in women's empowerment. UN Women will support political and economic empowerment.

Transfer now to regions and country - role for all of us to play. Women deserve to be treated with respect.

Ted Turner - good to have some good news! UN behind this. Able to say a few things in favour and support of UN Women. Smartest thing to do -

Introduced another video - Girls Up. Girls can make a real difference. Victoria Justice.

Nicole Kidman - video advocated for women's rights - UN Women's Ambassador - Brought in via satellite. from San Fransisco. Technical difficulty - Video broke down,

Working against stereotypes - See Jane - increase percentage of female characters. Ms Jean Davis. - positive women's portrayal in the media.The reality of stereotypes entrenched in TV. one female characters for every 3 male characters. From 2006 - 2007 no female leaders in science, politics, business. What message are we sending to girls.

Shirakia - video - Barefoot Foundation. Equality starts with offering equality for women.

Police woman from India - All woman commander Rashmi Sami - fine work of the women peacekeepers - communication skills, calm, first to arrive and first to leave. More comfortable to come to police if raped. offered self defense courses. Liberia - taught dance and music. Proved to be a an example to people of Liberia.

The evening ended with a special song - performed by Graham Lyle, Clay, Beth Blatt, Gemma Bulos, Tituss Burgess, Tracy McDowell, Courtney Reed, and the UN International School Choir,
song - Just written for UN Women -called

"One Woman"

We are One Woman

Your dreams are mine

We shall shine

PHOTOS FROM THE LAUNCH!

2011-02-24T21:28:00.000-06:00

National Council of Women of Canada Invited to a Round Table with Minsiter Rona Ambrose at the CSW

2011-02-24T21:15:00.000-06:00

photo of Round Table 1 (Violence Against Women) and Round Table 2 (Education for Girls)

Today, Thursday, February 24th, NCWC was invited to join other Canadian NGOs to a Round Table to discuss Girls and Education.

This worked well, as we had completed our report, based on the event we held yesterday. A report had been prepared, and the draft was submitted to Minister Ambrose, along with the material from the Human Right to Peace seminar, held just before the Minister's Round Table.There were 5 organizations represented at the Round Table.

The discussion with the Minister covered a number of topics, including violence against girls, women in trades, access to decent work, balance of work and family, aboriginal education, sexuality education, sustainable green jobs, access to data (reference to the changes to Canada's Census, and information on unpaid work). Interesting, she noted that she has taken our concern to Census Canada, and been assured the information regarding unpaid work will be available from other sources. Minister Ambrose also talked about the availability of funding for Blueprint Projects - supporting priorities by the government. There are already 323 proposals for funding from this fund.

Statement today by Minister Ambrose

2011-02-24T17:23:00.000-06:00

Statement by the Delegation of Canada to the 55^th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

NEW YORK, FEBRUARY 24, 2011
Check against delivery

Mr. Chair, distinguished delegates.

As Canada's Minister for Status of Women, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to address the 55^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

2010 was an important year, as we saw the creation of UN Women, an initiative that Canada strongly supported.

We are proud to support this important institution with an eightfold increase in our core contribution, and applaud the selection of Michelle Bachelet to lead the organization.

Under Ms Bachelet's leadership, and with Canada's support, UN Women will provide a strong voice for women around the world.

Canada has already been the catalyst for the renewed global effort to save the lives of women, children and newborns in developing countries through our maternal health initiative.
Last month in Geneva, as co-chair of the UN Commission on Information and Accountability for Women's and Children's Health, Canada's Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, made an announcement that Canada is moving ahead on the commitment made at the 2010 G8 Summit to both deliver funds and address this issue in an accountable manner.

Recently, my colleague, the Minister of Foreign Affairs also launched Canada's Action Plan for the Implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security.
Our action plan will steer Canada's interventions abroad so they encourage the participation of women and girls, promote their rights, and advance their equal access to humanitarian and development assistance.

As Canadians, we value a peaceful and safe society, and violence against women and girls must stop.Our Government has taken action by introducing tougher laws, investing in shelters, strengthening victim support and awareness programs, and working more effectively in partnerships with those who seek an end to violence against women and girls.

The Canadian government is also working to increase awareness and prevent violence in Aboriginal, immigrant and refugee communities.

We recently announced the first-ever strategy to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada.

And we have launched the first call to action to address honour-based violence by funding organizations that raise awareness about violence in ethnic communities.
I, and Canadian women from our country, have been urging community leaders to take action against honour motivated violence.

In Canada, we see it as vital that all women and girls are apprised of their rights under the law.
We believe that everyone should live free from violence and abuse, including honour motivated violence.

We made this clear in our new Canadian Citizenship Guide by stating: "…Canada's openness and generosity do not extend to barbaric cultural practices that tolerate spousal abuse, ‘honour killings' …or other gender-based violence."

As Canada's Minister for Status of Women, I am proud that we are partnering with organizations who strive to empower women to learn about their rights, and to speak out against abuse.

I'm proud that our Government has increased funding to the highest level ever, because we know that there is much work left to do.
Serving as Minister has been one of the greatest privileges afforded to me, not only during my political career, but also on a personal level.
Sitting in this room today, I am inspired to continue to work to improve the lives of women and girls in Canada, and throughout the world.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we will make a difference.
Thank you.

Women Come Together to Discuss Educating Girls in Canada

2011-02-24T12:48:00.000-06:00

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN OF CANADA

REPORT ON ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

EDUCATING GIRLS IN CANADA – SUCCESS AND CHALLENGES

February 23^rd, 2011 at the 55^th Session of the

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

Twenty five participants, many from Canada, but some from Australia, and New Zealand, joined the Panel at the Round Table. The presentations covered the personal observations and experiences of two young students from McGill University, Golnaz Nayerahmadi, and Caylee Hong, both of whom have spent time in other countries to compare to their Canadian experience. The teacher’s perspective, provided by two teachers and members of various Teachers’ Federations, Mary-Lou Donnelly, and Alexis Allen, reflected many years of teaching. The YMCA-YWCA, the Anglican Women and the Canadian Federation of University Women, International Council of Women were among the participants.

Key points from the Presentations:

Women are outpacing men in terms of education in universities. Girls are staying in school longer and are attaining higher levels of education. More women are graduating
Yet there are still fewer women in the workforce and women still experience a significant pay gap.
Access to higher education makes options for learning possible. This is an issue for many rural and Northern students – costs and transition.
The state of education for Aboriginal children on reserves is a major concern. Only 3 out of 10 children on Reserve graduate from High School – Funding discrepancy with Provincial funding.
Education is transformative. It not only enhances opportunities for employment, improves health and diminishes poverty, but at its core, promotes personhood and the development of full human potential.
There are ethical responsibilities of women with education to promoting education for girls and young women both internationally and in Canada.
Work experience adds to the education process.
In comparing the experiences of education in Iran, students there took education more seriously, were respectful to teachers, have self-motivated desire to succeed – although opportunities for girls more limited. Sees as positive in Canada – Sex education, freedom of expression.
What are we doing in schools that is right and what can we improve in class? Boys are louder in class. Still paying a lot of attention to boys in class maybe because they are loud or because of the way they study.

· Research: women are not risk takers. We need to empower young girls to “take risks” by speaking out in class and voicing their opinions.

From the discussion following, these issues and challenges were raised:

· Safety for girls in the schools – instances of violence against girls (and boys) – range of degree – harassment, bullying, physical, rape.

This was a major concern and came from many who were at the Round Table, and examples of how pervasive this is in the schools. Different programs, and curriculum were noted and the work that is being done by NGO groups such as the Y. It was noted that the approach is to provide education to both girls and boys and starting at a young age. More training needs to be done for teachers, and link with community resources. Many instances happen after school hours, and not on school property.

· Education for Aboriginal girls. There is a difference in the funding between provincial and federal governments, that must be addressed.
"No child should ever have to beg or fight for a good education” - Shannen Koostachin (James Bay) went to school in portable trailers on a toxic field. (www.shannensdream.ca). Note: Since 1998, funding for on reserve education has been capped at 2% annually, while provincial education funding has increased by 6 or 7%.

Empowering young women to be educational risk takers. Still today we find girls do not have the same confidence in school – especially in high school. As they continue their education, they begin to think about what personal life they want in the future – having a family, and what will work for them in terms of education and a career.

This continues to be a factor for girl’s education

Resources were noted:

The Miss_G Project

Girls working for a gender studies course in Ontario High Schools The Miss G__ Project for Equity in Education is a grassroots young feminist organization working to combat all forms of oppression in and through education, including sexism, homophobia, racism and classism. There is an online course for teachers on their web site.

American Association of University Women Resources

Drawing the Line: Sexual Harassment on Campus (2006)

Harassment-Free Hallways: How to Stop Sexual Harassment in Schools (2002)

Beyond the "Gender Wars": A Conversation About Girls, Boys, and Education (2001)

Tech-Savvy: Educating Girls in the New Computer Age (2000)

Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (2010)

Where the Girls Are (2008)

The Y in Toronto also spoke of a program they have developed dealing with resiliency - Bright Futures - http://www.brightfuturealliance.ca/i2a-school.asp

Prepared from Notes

Mary Scott

NCWC President, and Moderator

ncwc@magma.ca

Women and the Human Right to Peace

2011-02-24T12:38:00.000-06:00

Sponsored by Mission of Bangladesh to the UN, Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law, Women's UN Report Network - WUNRN

Need to protect rights of most vulnerable - Bangladesh supports full implementation of Santiago Declaration and the Declaration of Human Rights. Bangladesh on Human Rights Council and Executive Board for UN Women.

Comments by Cora Weiss - President of the Hague Appeal for Peace

Capacity of civil society to affect government. More legitimacy than head quartered documents. This happened with SC 1325.
Declaration for Peace is civil society driven. Even if not passed, civil society should pass it/adopt it, and use it. Food for these amended constitutions that will be happening. We can be the monitors of the Declaration. Don't have to wait for governments. It is the most holistic definition of Peace - opens doors for environmental movements, disarmament groups, human rights groups. We have a support group for so many issues,- this is the most genderized, which is not specific to women (like 1325)

This document, humanized - prohibits the glory of war, prohibits weapons that affect the environment

Article 19, acknowledges women - and part of all the process. Full and effective implementation of 1325. Peace a shared responsibility between men and women. Acknowledges the Hague Convention.

David Fernandez Puyana

Support from 900 NGOs. Will link with other civil society organizations - to bring into General Assembly of UN. Spanish Observatory - San Diego Declaration on HR to peace.

Ms Bineta Diop - FemmesAfrica Solidarite

We don't see women at the peace table. not highlighted same as right to food security. Not yet recognized with monitoring mechanisms. SC 1325 which is a rights based approach. Have o fight for it, and connect 1325 to the HR for Peace. Prevention will help. Reinforce rights for women. Best way to to protect is to prevent, and best way to prevent is to have women participate. Have so many mechanisms - and UPR - periodic review - CEDAW. San Diego Declaration - getting closer to a universal declaration, need to continue the campaign. With right mechanism - fight in Geneva. See it in prevention of war - have right to intervene. Can prevent violent conflict. Rape issues, and how to bring perpetrators to peace. Bring Peace to the Women!.

Lois Herman WUNRN - Women 's UN Report Network

Described the affects of war on women. Had photos - acknowledged Ambassador Chowdry role in 1325. Women in the frontlines - looking for the missing. Lois showed a PowerPoint with many pictures that showed the many faces of war. How many widows there are. Impacts all rights of women. Somalia, Iraq, Sudan, Congo. Resolution 1888 and 1889. Refugee camps - You get what you pay for comparison of military and gender based spending. Women and the pain of war - Bosnia. Gas attack in Afghanistan against girls in school. Women trying to cope, withouthttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/adoption/hague.asp the building blocks of life. Women all over the world dealing with consequences of war. Argentina - mothers and grandmothers of the world Mothers of the Disappeared. Chechnya - missing family members. International Tribunal of crimes against the women of Burma. Iraq's war widows. Girl child soldiers, and girl child wives.

Mikiko Otani Human Rights Lawyer, from SE Asia

People have struggled for rights to peace in Asia Pacific region. Nuclear weapons - advocate for elimination/reduction. Women should play an active role. Need for women's equal participation. Women have made international court more sensitive to gender issues. play leading role in civil society in this process. Right to life is core to all rights - so fundamental to enjoy all human rights. We are at critical period. Hi time to make right to peace a human right.

Launch later today of UN Women - You can Watch!

2011-02-24T10:31:00.000-06:00

Join us TODAY for the LIVE webcast and Twitter discussion of UN Women’s launch event at the United Nations Headquarters in New York!

Honouring the Past – Envisioning the Future for Women and Girls
Thursday, 24 February 2011, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, EST
Click Here to Watch the LIVE Webcast
Hosted by Emcee Christiane Amanpour and other distinguished speakers and performers

Press Release - Honour Killings Highlighted

2011-02-24T10:29:00.000-06:00

OTTAWA, Feb. 23 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada announced today that a Canadian delegation will attend the fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations Headquarters. The Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister for Status of Women will attend, along with the delegation, and discuss Canada's perspective that women and girls be treated equally and respectfully, that they have equal access to opportunities including work and education, and that they live free from all types of violence.
Minister Ambrose will use the opportunity to highlight the need to end all forms of violence against women and girls, including honour motivated violence.
"It is a privilege to take part in the 55^th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, as the Government of Canada is steadfast in our support for the prosperity, freedom and security of women and girls," said Minister Ambrose. "Canadians believe that everyone should live free from violence and abuse, and we believe that honour motivated violence against women and girls must come to an end."
This year, Member States will address the priority theme, Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women's equal access to full employment and decent work. The review theme is the elimination of all forms of discrimination against the girl child.
In addition to Minister Ambrose as Head of Delegation, the Canadian delegation to the UNCSW this year is composed of representatives of the Government of Canada, three provinces (Manitoba, Quebec and Prince Edward Island), as well as the following representatives from four non-governmental organizations: Ms. Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan International Canada; Mr. Todd D. Minerson, Executive Director of the White Ribbon Campaign; Dr. Margaret-Ann Armour, President of WinSETT (Canadian Centre for Women in Science, Engineering, Trades and Technology); and Ms. Madeliene Tarasick, President of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan.
"We believe in women and girls overcoming barriers and soaring to new heights. To underscore this commitment, Canada's theme for International Women's Day this year will be Girls Rights Matter," added Minister Ambrose.
The UNCSW, a commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council, is dedicated to gender equality and advancement of women, and is the principal global policy-making body.
The Commission brings together representatives of Member States at UN Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards, and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and advancement of women worldwide. The meeting of the Commission is held each year over a period of 10 days, normally scheduled in late February-early March. Canada has participated in the UNCSW since its creation in 1947, and is a key leader in the work of advancing gender equality.

Sign the Petition - Support the Canadian Teachers International Program

2011-02-24T06:03:00.000-06:00

The five-year International Teacher proposal is built on 50 years of experience and knowledge working with teachers in developing countries. It would have engaged some 400 Canadian teachers in the delivery of much needed professional development in Ghana, Guinea, India, Mongolia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Togo; it also had the potential to reach thousands more.

A petition is currently being circulated by EI, PSI and ITUC delegates at the UNCSW, urging the Conservative government to rescind its decision. An online petition is also featured on the Federation's Web site at http://www.ctf-fce.ca/petition/Default.aspx. Letters of support from across Canada and around the world can be read here.

NOTE: CTF will hold a media scrum on Thursday, Feb. 24, between 11:15 and 11:30 a.m. immediately after the Canadian government's presentation at the UN General Assembly. CTF will be joined by two teacher leaders from Ivory Coast and Jamaica who will attest to the sustainability and long-term benefits of the CTF International Programs.

Round Table on Education of Girls in Canada - Successes and Challenges

2011-02-23T22:27:00.003-06:00

Alexis Allen, Mary-Lou Donnelly, Caylee Hong, and Golnaz Nayerahmadi, presenters at the Round Table on Educating Girls in Canada, Successes and Challenges.

A report will be posted shortly. Many thanks to the students who took the notes, and these photos!

Golnaz Nayerahmadi, Student at McGill University

Caylee Hong, Student at McGill University

Mary Scott (that's me!) moderator -

Mary-Lou Donnelly, president of the Canadian Teacher's Federation.

Caylee Hong and Golnaz Nayerahmadi, Students from McGill, University

Changing Climate, Changing Leadership: Grassroots Women's Groups Model Climate Resiliant Development

2011-02-23T21:51:00.000-06:00

This was an issue framing panel discussion and dialogue - sponsored by the Huairou Commission, UNDP, the Permanent Mission of Norway and GROOTS International

As a result of climate change, disasters will increase. Women play an important role - Norway supports women's leadership. Women as change agents, not victims. Between 70 and 80% of those who died in the Tsunami were women. Gender is mainstreamed in financing - earmarked resources. How do other governments focus on gender in climate change strategies?
Women from India - Godavari Dange - helping other women dealing with disasters.
Resiliency - 4,000 women in India, who have formed a network, doing collective farming. Because of climate change, income has been affected. Have a seed bank. Go to other countries to share what they have learned.

From Central America, Nicaragua - long history of natural disasters - working on vulnerability. Space for women in government. Working to rescue the original seeds because of the Genetically Modified seeds. They have been able to reforest, and involved in politics at the local level.
What kinds of partnerships are helpful? Have had good partnerships, have processes that can be duplicate. Need to feed ourselves - the grass roots women from Nicaragua and Honduras, will share with women from Guatemala. Working on reforestation - Have to actually educate others about climate change, and agreements. Working with Nicaragua - disaster management.
Important to develop partnerships, women from rural areas - we are the people that are producing food for many others. Concrete practices - that will become public policies. Achieved a land fund for women in Nicaragua - successful.
Partnerships with governments - Guatemala government spokes person - Lack of fulfillment of women's rights. We need women to be present to make policy. Food security - women are part of civil society in all the discussion processes. High importance, because it looks at all the work of the women. Instead of green revolution, we need to look at the farmer's way. Women's technology supporting all this work. Have to ensure the community can preserve this knowledge. Preserving organic ways, reducing technology. Women have to be seen at the front of these issues. See them as women with knowledge.Seed banks to ensure their communities survive. Isolated communities, been able to keep diversification of crops, and low use of chemicals in their crop production. Need an update of food security plans, and having conversation with women. Policies that strengthen the ancestral knowledge of women. Organization represent over 100,000 women!
Uganda, how women are adapting to climate change in urban areas. Reframing climate change definition - to include urban areas. Key point is housing - ability to access services, sewage, water, settle in unsafe areas. National donors, are unaware of the way the poor are handling risk already. Working with them in a good way to move forward to climate change resilience. Need to engage local, and grassroots women, so we can understand how issues affect them. Adaptation financing mechanisms are being developed, need to ensure gender piece is there.
From the Philippines - leader from 17 grass roots organization. Slum Women's Initiative for Development from Philippines - natural disaster, typhoon, earth quake. Access to housing, livelihood. Use savings to finance water connections. Solid waste management - how to segregate garbage, and can sell some of the garbage. Facing long periods of drought, and unpredictable rain. Also dealing with government privatizing land. Plant trees, solid waste management. map vulnerability of 400 households. Almost all families could not have 2 meals a day. Directly connected to climate change and food security. Training women in gardening, and changing patterns, drought resistant crops. Zero grazing to mitigate food security. 3 Acres of land to start crop growing. Peru - community kitchens, coming from a history of political violence - working to confront economic crisis more recently. Community processes - we have learned from risk mapping, going to live in political vulnerable regions - due to political will. From mapping, women who are single mothers, most affected by earth quake, don't have land title, alternatives needed. A dialogue processes in the cities. Funding by the municipalities -bringing women to participate. We need to be part of regional strategies. Issue of housing, women need to be involved as well as men. Generation of partnerships, and alliances important, so women considered as knowledgeable, and can contribute to community development.

What support would you ask for? Collective from Asia, South America Access funds for multi year - solid waste management, networking, builds resilience. Land purchase for urban gardening.
Major Impact Areas - Awareness of risk and resilience. Core issues - various stakeholders realize the impacts. This is the reality - World disaster report - community answers. Pg 27 world disaster report.

Comments - from India, sheer numbers. Looking at natural disasters for India. 770 billion people are below age of 35. I FOUND THAT STARTLING BUT I CHECKED IT AND IT'S TRUE. Prime agents of change - working with communities, and empowering women. Small grants in India - World Bank - Starting with values, of giving to next generation, redefining institutional space. Multiple entry points. Community empowerment under women's leadership - some funding from world bank. Giving funding to grassroots women, systems get in the way. A new paradigm - better resource efficiencies - what are we ultimately achieving. We have a model now, we need to believe in the transformational potential of women.
How to be involved: Recommend community based organizations - become a partner, commit to action.

Reception at Canadian Mission

2011-02-23T10:24:00.000-06:00

All NGOs were invited to the Canadian Mission for a breakfast this morning (Wednesday) - host - Gilles Rivard, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations in New York since 1 November 2010. It was a lovely spread of food, but the set up for eating was not good. I ended up eating on the floor! And so did others, balancing food, juice, coffee, bags etc was impossible. Here are some photos -

Wednesday, High Level Panel

2011-02-23T10:14:00.000-06:00

Making Science and Technology Attractive to Girls

Moderator: Ms. María Luz Melon, Vice-Chair of the Commission (Argentina)

Points:

Sesae Mpuchane - can women really do science and technology. Women were doing science, in their lives. Excelled in science - yet realize gender gap, world wide gap. Biological differences - NO - no scientific evidence has been given. Legislation may not be supportive, school curriculum, lack of role models. Girls come to school with out the confidence. Concern in Botswana when girls go to their high school. Need to educate them - to deal with the "leaking pipeline". International bodies, private sector, - but need to look at national level - look at families. Science fairs, and field trips. So girls can be exposed to science. Look at mass media. Curriculum - needs to be inclusive - fund girls education and research girls interested in. Career - have job shadowing programs - inspire them, and give them self confidence. Glad ceiling is the cast iron ceiling.
Observation of women in science obtaining employment - researchers - showed a scissors diagram - more women in low level, but as go up, fewer women. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) - Electrical engineers - even fewer women. Less than 10% of IEEE members are women.
Main problem within STEM is Engineering. Why so few in egineering? Retention of women scientists and engineers will increase. Women go into a professional that will directly benefit societies or individuals. Since the green revolution - more aware of environment. Technology will attract women - affect of cell phones on human condition. Recognition of women scientists and engineers wil improve. More and more business leaders realize that gender diversitgy yields a competitive advantage.

The presence of more women in engineering will lead to more innovation. The Bad news in STEM is not different from the glass ceiling - related to the status of women - must do more.

Ms. Londa Schiebinger,

Three areas of concern - women's access to development of and ability to benefit;

primary education and way scientists are shown - all male; gender analysis into Science and Technology - Funding agencies require gender analysis into basic research.
Whis is it important to mainstream gender analysis. Economic development benefits. Using gender analysis puts women into things like knowledge about planst and preserving biodiversity.

Mr. Bunker Roy
Barefoot College runs entirely on solar energy. Went to Africa - unacceptable use of energy - 2004-2010 - solar electrified many houses. Found Men were Untrainable!! Best solution - training grandmothers. Trained 150 grandmothers in 28 countries in Africa. All the grandmothers were illiterate. Learned thru sight and sound. Solar electrification. Soft ware looked after by government of India. Implementing MDGs with so much money - 2 million dollars - could be used to electrify so many homes - that has a huge benefit. Maternal health, education etc. Video - Timbuctu - example of a small village which was dependent on kerosene lights - grandmother - barefoot college solar workshop - never say they could not do it. Went back to Mali - electrify their own village. First village to be solar electrified 7 to 10 days for 2 illiterate grandmothers to electrify their whole village. Difference, women can cook and make crafts at night, children can do lessons, save $10.00 a month from not purchasing fuel. The impossible is possible.

Ms. Anne Miroux
Mainstreaming gender into Science Technology and Innovation Progress but policy needs more work. Science for women - Women in Science -role of women in innovation systems - businesses and enterprises. Science to promote women's development and livelihood activivties. Focus on agriculture, water and sanitation, and energy. Need proactive policies! Why is that we need policies? Inspite of economic role they play - because of lack of women in education and leadership roles. Women need to be involved to adapt STI to their needs. Key characteristics of gender affirmative policy - coherence with other policy areas (integrated) ; evidence based; Need political will - three key words assess understand apply.

Don't forget - NCWC Round Table

2011-02-22T22:17:00.001-06:00

Educating Girls in Canada - Success and Challenges

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2 to 3:30 pm.

Downstairs Room, at the Salvation Army Building, 221 East 52nd St.

Participants

Caylee Hong Student

Golnaz Nayerahmadi Student

Mary-Lou Donnelly President of Canadian Teacher's Federation

Alexis Allen Chair of CTF Advisory Committee on the Status of Women, and President of the Nova Scotia Teacher's Union

Moderator Mary Scott President National Council of Women of Canada

Follow the Yellow Brick Road

2011-02-22T21:13:00.000-06:00

This was a fun way to end the day - it explored internal and external conflict resolution rooted in self-empathy practice, based on Nonviolent Communication by Rosenberg, 2003.Marion Little was the facilitator, and told the story of Dorothy, and the Wizard of Oz, needing a heart, a mind and courage.
Marion spoke about the Charter for Compassion - which inspired us all. She was an excellent teacher and story teller. It is not easy to hold everyone's attention at the end of a long day, but she did. I learned a lot and thank the Anglican women for making it possible.

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

GEAR Caucus - Tuesday 4:00

2011-02-22T21:02:00.000-06:00

The GEAR (Gender Equality Architecture Reform) caucus met for an hour and a half, and was very useful.

Charlotte Bunch represented GEAR, and Christine Arab represented UN Women

Discussion was mainly around UN Women and engaging with civil society, and the development of the Strategic Plan.

Thematic areas included leadership, economic, planning and policy, violence against women
Consultation is by geographic regions.
Partnerships – crosscutting – UN Women can be the catalyst. Not directly implementing. We provide the base – Consultations – not enough information out there
Strategic planning – flexibility of program – opportunities for country programs – development of civil society, maintain regional programming. Regional programming affords flexibility
Campaign after strategic plan – will be another Strategic Plan -2014-2018 starting 2013 for that plan. Strategic plan that is being developed – how will we engage with civil society. Other global networks
Monitor issues, like UNICEF. Have National Committees – Large conference with CIDA – more dynamic – local level partnerships. Means going beyond partners. Mix and match dialogue. Partnerships are important. How to navigate that
Campaign – GEAR – not only of women’s rights, but human rights where women’s rights part of what they do. How does the women’s movement giving leadership, women led. And build partnerships. GEAR develop options, mechanisms that work well, or not worked well thru the UN

Begin to open a new dialogue – who are the partners – want people in the private partners – Consultation. What are programmatic deliverables – nature of national partnerships. After strategic planning process, a decision on formal agreements. Do we set up an advisory group? ECOSOC bodies, regional level – interagency mechanisms – minimum co chair.

Schedule of consultations – reports available? Field capacity assessment – Strategic plan assessment – Techno blogging may happen. Compile the findings – cross country context.

Policy – rather than thematic. Go regional rather than thematic. Advisory Body – who is on it. No answer yet. Strategic development fund – confusion around interaction – lots of entry points, not just one entry. Compared to Human Rights Council communication – has been very positive. More systematic check in body. Issue about partnerships – restructure – Globally looking at it both national, and regional.

National bodies – use them for advocacy platforms. We do not want to centralize communication. Clumping countries together – Asia Pacific – boundaries – Europe and CIS – Europe and central asia, 5 Regions – attacking gender stereotype – part of culture – Focal point not updated.

High Level Round Table - day 1.

2011-02-22T14:47:00.000-06:00

Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work

Mr. Fortunato de la Peña, Vice-Chair of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development and Undersecretary for Science and Technology, Philippines Commission for Science and Technology for Development, was the keynote speaker.

Men have disproportionately benefited from science and technology. A number of things have been recommended - established an advisory board. It is only agency of UN with a gender advisory board.

Major barrier is social and cultural attitudes - hi lighted ways to deal with these challenges. Science and technology courses in early years.Even in developed countries women only at 30% of senior positions in University.
World Summit on Information Society - WSIS - the Commission of Science and Technology will be reviewing the progress.

A number of countries spoke - Korea, Canada, Barbados, South Africa, Turkey, Norway, Zimbabwe, for example. Even with successes, challenges remain. Under represented in higher leadership and decision makers. Remove the Grass Ceiling -

Canada - needs access to decent work, Ed. responsibility of provinces. Canada invests in women's education. NGOs work together with provinces and the private sector in non traditional fields. Mentioned a program in Alberta - Women Building Futures - non traditional trades. No mention of access to child care, or supports for working women.

Mainstreaming persons with disabilities. Access to basic rights, such as education. People with disabilities especially vulnerable. 1/3 of children not in school are children with disabilities.Not just lack of access -