BarbaraMacLellan
Ms.MacLellan CFUW NGO CSW Geneva Consultation Day Women's Rights Activists in International Geneva Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Institutional mechanisms, Women and health SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Harassment (2016), Young Members (2016), Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) Since this was the introductory session for those attending UNCSW65 it covered a lot of ground and related to many, many issues that women are dealing with at all levels. This event was both celebratory and informative. There was a wide range of speakers, all very well prepared and articulate. Music was well chosen and uplifting or inspiring. There was a lot of information conveyed, too much to capture in a brief report. The session would be impactful to any GWI members in terms of the information it imparted about UNCSW and the related work done by NGOs to both give input to CSW and to support the work that CSW is doing. This can help drive systemic change as well as conditions for women and girls at the local level. Clearly widespread collaboration is already happening and is key. The whole conference is ideal for fostering further...
MargaretMiddlemass
Mrs.Middlemass Great Britain Women on Boards – Impactful Leadership Parallel STEM institute Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Education and training of women SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) Highlighting the disparity at present but talking about everything from public education to private profit-making enterprises. At national level Alex Blakemore's statistics were very much related to GB Interesting and varied approach, including some very practical down to earth advice about giving each other a helping hand and starting with matters in your own locality that really matter to you. We can encourage members to come forward for board and similar positions, whether for large listed companies or for local school governorships. Push for equal representation in all boards at all levels. It is something where developing countries seem to have the edge on western countries – opportunities to learn, is it because there are fewer established barriers to overcome and they are starting from where they want to...
MargaretMiddlemass
Mrs.Middlemass Great Britain The Right to Lead: a conversation on girls' leadership and political participation Parallel GSUSA Women in power and decision-making, The girl child SDG5 – Gender Equality Young Members (2016) Encouraging young women to expand their ambitions and experiences Several impressively confident girls demonstrated their understanding of the rights of Girls to expect equal opportunities and treatment – all from USA, so perhaps not a full cross-section. WAGGGS is a world wide organisation so is available to work with as a feed-in, but in many countries we are probably too far on (our age profile is fairly high in the west) so it may need to be work with an intermediary level too. There would be opportunites to organise or encourage speaking competitions, interest in University level education, interaction with other countries or provide examples of careers...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Women Human Rights Defenders in Asia: Fighting for Freedom & Democracy – Wed. march 17. 9:00- Human Rights Now, Aware Girls, Women's Peace Network, Aware Girls Women in power and decision-making, Human rights of women SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Harassment (2016) The session had to do with human rights and the need for networks and governments to work together. Human rights defenders are under threat and civil spaces are decreasing. In some places anti-terrorism laws are used to book activists and when activists speak for their rights they are booked for treason and accused of blasphemy. Digital spaces are unsafe for activists. Seniors are in jail for young rights defenders. This is a concerning time fro human rights activists in Pakistan and Hong Kong ands in other areas of Asia. The focus of women's equality and peace has been about enabling young women so they can break agents of change and citizens with equal rights. Reprisals must be denounced at the highest levels. Funding needs to be secured for human rights defenders. Details from Myanmar were particularly troubling. During the last 10 years the citizens did enjoy some rights with some access to the outside world and limited freedom of assembly. It was a system that allowed the military to manipulate. It emboldened the military to carry out the present coup. Now many have been arrested and have no legal rights. The military have been brutal to the women and especially towards ethnic and minority women. The concerns of the women are growing. These widespread crimes against the protesters need to be viewed together with those against all and are crimes against humanity. It is time for the world held the military to account. They must not be allowed to run the country again. In the past the Burmese would not have believed the military could burn the Rohingya villages and rape. Now there is a growing understanding and care for the Rohingya. Tragically many in refugee camps are suffering from trauma and mental health issues. They are tragic victims of crimes against humanity. Another area of growing concern for human rights defenders is social media. The attacks are aimed to stop discussion among younger activists. A strong network of defenders needs to be built. Women are in the front line. They are targeted because they are making a difference. The session was brutal and very real. It was a wakeup call to support these incredibly courageous rights defenders how we can. I am always week on this area and I know it is an important one! I will think in th weeks ahead...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada The Role of Women in the Peace & Security Agenda : UNSCR 1325 The Journalists and Writers Foundation, Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect, Global Justice Centre, Global Network of Women Peacebuilders Women in power and decision-making SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) The session looked at the role of women and the peace agenda. The advocacy focus of our CFUW-Ottawa University Women Helping Afghan Women group is the perilous significance of the current Afghanistan peace negotiations for women in Afghanistan. We have connected with members across the country and linked up with GWI-NL in an NFA2NFA project partnership. With our webinar in April we hope too reach out to NFAs around the world. The situation is dire for the women in Afghanistan who have made such progress in the last 20 years. Women of the world and our governments cannot stand idly by. Women's role in peace negotiations is low. They may be present at local levels but they disappear at teh formal sessions. Women must are protected against abuse in armed conflict. 1325 includes 3 P's – Participation, Protection and Prevention and 2 R's Relief and Recovery. It is civil society that has kept this resolution alive for the last 20 years. Civil society cannot assist member states. Member states must serve and protect their citizens. Women call from local to global. 96 states have developed NAPs. They must be localised in the communities, not just national. In addition to local, civil society needs to focus on young women and create spaces for them. The primary responsibility of the state (RTP) is to protect its people from the 4 crimes of genocide, genetic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Failing that the international community must take timely action in line with the Charter. RTP is a humanitarian tool yet it is also prevention. What steps can be taken to prevent atrocities from being perpetrated? Women are stakeholders for peace. How can they prevent atrocities? Who is vulnerable , why, how will it emerge? Women can be perpetrators too. We need to highlight women's experiences from abuses that have taken place. Different crimes effect different genders differently. RTP & 1325 have a lot of overlap. Prevention can really start at the time of peace. The international community should step in when necessary.There needs to be training on gender sensitivity. What do the survivors need? Gender reflects the social role of victims and those who commit crimes. Responses to atrocities need gender perspective. All atrocity crimes are genderised. ie men and boys are shot, women and girls may...
