HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Attacks on the Istanbul Convention: The Ongoing Struggle for Women's RTights, March 23, 12:30- 2:30 Red Pepper Associations Women in power and decision-making, The girl child, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and poverty, Women and the media SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016), Sexual Health and Reproduction Education (2019) The session related to women's rights and thus a subject that permeates much of our work. The Istanbul Convention is a human rights treaty of the Council of Europe. It was forged in Istanbul and signed on to in 2011. It was designed to prevent, prosecute and eliminate domestic violence and promote equality. As of March 2019 forty-five countries had signed on. Suddenly on the weekend Turkey pulled out of this international accord. It was a tremendous shock to many Turks and to the international community. Today's session exposed the grave concern of women's rights workers in the country and world-wide. Withdrawal from a commitment to gender equality risked other countries following suite. Several participants questioned the legality of the withdrawal. It had been approved unanimously by the 3 pillars of the government – Parliament, the Cabinet and the President. Apparently this was the President's decision and speakers said that by law the withdrawal would have to be ratified by Parliament, therefore the President' s recent action was null and void. It was a symbol of authoritarianism and several articles of the Constitution would render his action unlawful. The convention had split the ruling party in Turkey. Officials floated pulling out last year amid a dispute over how to curb domestic violence in Turkey where germicide has tripled in 10 years. Many conservatives in Turkey and in Mr.Erdogan's Islamist-rooted AKP say the pact undermines family structures, encouraging violence. They said they had their own domestic laws, not outside fixes, that would protect women's rights. Some are also hostile to its position against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. A speaker from Poland expressed concern that her country was considering similar action and that Turkey's move could be influential. In Poland opponents to the Convention say that they would replace it with legislation more closely associated with family values – yet it is the conservative government and church saying this not the people. Bulgaria too talked about an increase in domestic violence with most incidents not being reported. Yet it's government, not the people, is also considering withdrawing from the Convention. These trends were of grave concern to the panelists. They urged the...
BarbMacLellan
Ms.MacLellan Canada Mock Trial – women and Girls Empowerment through Responsive Quality Education, March 16, 21 GWI Education and training of women SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019), Women and STEM (2019) The session was concerned mainly with the use of technology in education and to what extent the benefits or disadvantages girls and women. CFUW always advocates for equity in education not just for women and girls but for those with barriers to obtaining the highest levels of education they seek. This happens locally, nationally and internationally. This session was held more in the form of a debate than a trial with 2 teams of 4 people each plus three judges who listened to the arguments and then made comments and rendered individual decisions as to the merits of each side. The speakers were well prepared and so a great deal of information was imparted as well as differing views expressed. This format was unique to this session and was an interesting approach to the topics. The mix of younger debaters and more experienced ones gave opportunities for the younger members to demonstrate their abilities and I would think also to learn from going through the process. The debate topic was very current and made more so by the pandemic which has thrown the inequalities of different groups and genders with respect to access to educational technology and the means to benefit from it. This is crucial now but will be key even as we move out of the pandemic because the use of technology in education is here to stay and needs to be managed to best effect in future. NFAs may want to formulate resolutions for within their own countries and also for the international level on this topic. There are plenty of opportunities to share information, experience and knowledge and to find models that work. These can then form part of the advocacy work on equality in...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Soar with Women Peacebuilders: Join the She Builds Peace Campaign, March 23, 9-10:30 International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN) Women in power and decision-making, Human rights of women, Violence against women, Women and armed conflict SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016), Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019), Human Rights for Refugee and Refugee Women and Children (2019) The session does not relate to any current advocacy of my NFA of which I am aware. I was interested in any specific applications to the current situation in Afghanistan, an area of focus of some of CFUW. The women belonging to this organization choose to deal with conflict using words rather than weapons. Most started as human rights defenders and then became peace builders. The reality on the ground is that the situations are not just two-sided but multi-dimensional. They want to have a global call to action. They want not only to have women peace builders but to ensure there is protection for them. Financing and resources are a struggle. Issues are locally rooted but often globally connected. Work is consistent and ongoing but is often urgent. Women peace builders are needed in all areas. Peace builders from Pakistan presented. They were first responders in COVID and broke the image that they could not respond to emergencies. We heard stories from Cameroon where men became interested in their work and young women peace builders saw it as the way out of the situation they had been living in. Canada confirmed new funding the government had offered women peace builders through their missions around the world. In Egypt bridges were being built by peace activists. In Sri Lanka women have come together from the grass roots to work together for a common goal. The UK confirmed such work needs to be promoted and more protection needs to be put in place for those that step up to lead. All agreed that enough was enough, no more violence, no more killing. Myanmar was once again the focus – the story that their right to protest peacefully was denied. Participants were encouraged to bang their pots at 8:00 pm Myanmar every evening to show support for the protesters. UN Woman acknowledged the courageous work that was being done by women peacebuilders in most difficult circumstances and stressed the need for financing. We were reminded how women's involvement in peace agreements leads to greater sustainability. The objective is to create a new norm. We need to encourage independent women...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Accelerating women's participation in decision-making in the Arub Gulf Region Alnahda Philanthropic Society for Women Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016), Sexual Harassment in Workplace (2019) I am not aware of any advocacy work on such but am always interested to learn of progress being made on the subject. In recent years the MENA region has witnessed major reforms to empower women. According to the World Bank's "Women, Business and the Law 2020 Report", of the ten economies that improved the most last year, six are in the Middle East and North Africa. Experts from the Arab Gulf area discussed the situation. A director from the World Bank talked about the importance of women's role in a nation's wealth. In wealthier nations 2/3 of that wealth is dependent on its human capital. In the GCC it is only 1/3, largely because half the population has not until recently been involved. More women are graduating that men but they have not been in he work force. If this number increased there would be a major impact on the economic growth of the country. In the last three years there has been a major shift in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain – in 2017 women were 15% of the about force and in 2020, 30%. Several laws have been passed in the UAE to improve the situation – quotas in governments and in director positions in companies. But more laws are needed and a huge campaign. In Qatar, Oman and Kuwait a strong government commitment for reform is needed, cooperation among the government ministers and agencies and then an effective way to implement changes. What is ideal is a gender neutral policy where everyone is welcome to be productive in a non-threatening environment. It is hoped that lessons learned can be shared but legal reforms alone are not sufficient. Decision making can happen at the national level but it needs to trickle down to the home. Once you change the laws how do you change procedures and incentives? How do you get more women in leading positions? It is good to have the best practices in place but you also need to understand the context in which you are operating ie the culture. Quotas are a start but not sustainable. How do...
ElisabethFrancis
Ms.Francis VAÖ Austria Side Event – Child, early and forced marriage – preventing forced marriages and empowering girls in an international context 19/3 10.00 Govt of Austria, UNODC The girl child, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and poverty, Institutional mechanisms, Women and health SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Human Trafficking (2016), Child Marriage (2016), Human Rights for Refugee and Refugee Women and Children (2019) Forced marriage is a key issue for Women and Girls globally. According to recent UNICEF estimates, 100 million girls are at risk of child marriage in the next decade, with an additional 10 million girls at risk as a result of the current pandemic. Against the background of these terrible numbers, the Side Event focussed on the causes and different manifestations of child, early and forced marriages, as well as the different approaches to prevention both on a national and international level. This high level Side Event – led by the Austrian Minister for Women and the Executive Director of the UNODC – aimed to be a 'source of inspiration' for future prevention work in the context of forced marriages. Speakers • Susanne Raab, Austrian Federal Minister for Women, Family, Youth and Integration • Ghada Waly, Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime • Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger, Austria’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva • Meltem Weiland, Head of the National Coordination Centre Against Abduction and Forced Marriage, Austrian NGO “Orient Express” • Mercy Akuot, Women’s rights activist, Social Worker, Kenya • Silke Albert, Programme coordinator, UNODC • Moderator: Marcus Bergmann, Deputy Director General, Austrian Ministry for European and International Affairs Amongst key points: – the key role of Education was stressed by all panellists; girls must be kept in school for as long as possible; girls without education are most at risk; they need to know their rights and who to turn to. Empowerment through education is key. – role played by 'family' is very complex. the stress on young girls is intense – need to look at all the factors which put girls at disadvantage, make them vulnerable. – conscious efforts need to be made to include women and girls in the law enforcement solutions to the problem – equal consideration / involvement of women in law-making; UNODC is striving to have more women involved because law enforcement is generally male dominated – The entire social environment around those affected must be considered: the role of family members just...
