HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Virtual Townhall Meeting of Civil Society & UN Sec.-Gen. : March 16, 10:15 – 11:15 UN Women in power and decision-making, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and health, Women and armed conflict, Women and the media SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016) It was an opportunity too hear the Secretary-General and his vision and plan moving forward. The Secretary- General glanced at the last year and what it has meant for women's rights and gender equality. The social and economic impact of COVID-19 has been devastating for women's rights, especially for the most vulnerable and marginalised.UNICEF reported recently that 10 million girls are at risk of becoming child brides. Gender based violence has increased enormously and much is at home or online. There is a huge gender gap in the task forces the are meant to be building the recovery. Male- dominated these will come up with male-dominated solutions. Se need to take this opportunity to re-set. The Spotlight initiative too eliminate all forms of violence against women can provide a new model at all levels of government and civil society. Women need to be front and centre. Gender equality is a question of power. We still live in a male dominated world with a male-dominated culture. We need many women leaders – a few are not enough. Women and girls should be central to all future planning. The COVID crisis has created an opportunity. Leaders need to take 5 affirmative actions to build women's representation, participation, and leadership: #1. Recognise women's rights by repealing all discriminatory laws and enacting positive measures. #2. take concrete steps including measures like quotas so women have equal representation everywhere. #3. support women's economic inclusion by encouraging them in the work force with equal jobs and equal pay and protect their jobs with equal access to credit and social protection. $4. Ask all countries to address violence against women and girls by funding and political will. #5. Make space for inter-generational transition. The reset of the session was left to questions and answers but his vision and actions going forward were encouraging. Members need to think in the broader picture and link up with allies to address the incredible challenges that lie ahead for women yet we have a talented and energetic younger generation with whom to work. It is hard to see for the grass routes but networks will be important as will be our own roles to encourage and support girl’s education how we can and where we...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Why Violence Against Women Parliamentarians Concerns us All: March 16m 9:00 – 11:00 Canadian Association of Feminist Parliamentarians and NGO/NY Women in power and decision-making, Human rights of women, Violence against women, Women and the media SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016) Concern for the harassment of women in the workplace Rosa Galvez, a Canadian Senator spoke of her harassment as a senator and offered that any act that targets a woman and her speech is an attack on democracy. She feels too it is seen as discouraging for younger women who may aspire to such. The second speaker from UN Women noted violence takes place against women in the government by media, by the public and by colleagues. It can be vicious and will be to no point as it is these government officials who are often the innovators and those that are more apt to challenge orthodoxy. The silencing is often done by men and the media often enforces the perception that men make better leaders. Despite the statutes we do not have legislation in place to deal with it. People need to be educated. Why is this so 25 years after Bejing? Violence against women in politics is violence against democracy. The third speaker from South Sudan reiterated that violence against parliamentarians should not be tolerated and can make parliamentarians lose confidence in themselves. We have to fight to show we can do it and we stand together. In Sudan it is not usually physical abuse but verbal. A young lawmaker from Congress in the Philippines talked about teh climate of fear among young leaders but they are very vocal, identifying issues and concerns and the need for change. The last speaker was from Armenia and shed fascinating light on the role of female parliamentarians in the time of conflict and peace. It was a wakeup call and an alarming fact that the organisers were not able to obtain the presence of an American politician This morning’s grouping of participants confirms this is a world wide issue and the possibility for collaboration does...
TerryOudraad
Ms.Oudraad GWI The Pandemic's Effects on Women's March 15 Parallel eventjlivese Mexican Federation of Women Graduates Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and health SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016) See above our resolutions Greatly increased violence against women and childeren in the last 10 years. We were shown in a presentation many harrowing statistics. The speakers believed that if women worked full time ( paid work) and children go to school not just between 8 am -12 am which is often the case in Mexico. Awareness, not only in South-America but also in Africa and no doubt also in other parts of the world as parents & children have been forced to stay and work at home and following lessons online. Support the Mexicai NFA & like minded associations, moving forward, update our own resolutions if necessarry. Push for beter education, which also teaches childeren, boys & girls, that violence at home is and should not be the norm. Violence against women & children is not macho, far from...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada High Level Side Event of the Group of Friends For The Elimination of Violence Against Women: March 15, 11:30-13:00 EU Ambassador to the UN, Chair of Group of Friends Violence against women SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Bullying (2016), Child Marriage (2016) Several local and national clubs are concerned about violence against women, and particularly in the light of COVID this has become an international issue Recent reports have shown that all forms of gender-based violence, especially domestic violence have intensified since the outbreak of COVID. Yet resources and efforts have been diverted from gender-based violence response to COVID-19 relief, so urgent at the time. This has meant that in reality many critical and often life-saving services have become more of a challenge. On April 5 the UN Secretary-General appealed to the world to end violence, including inside the home, during the pandemic. One hundred forty-six nations have committed to make the prevention and review of violence against women and girls a key part of their COIVD-19 response. The Group of Friends was formed to promote this concept. So far 46 members have come forward out of 192. They will share lessons to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence, support advocacy issues and try to attract additional funding. In his brief comments The Secretary General welcomed the work that was being done but invited more members to join. Many women and girls live in fear and in silence, and during COVID, in a place where they should but do not feel safe. e must keep up the momentum but encourage others to join. We must transmit our ideas to actions. The EU will work broadly with governments, civil society and the private sector. It was fascinating to hear of work being done in Estonia, India, and many parts of Africa including Niger, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.Some areas have mobile units or locations that offer one stop shopping so women might get the various kinds of help they need – medical, police, judicial, food. Root causes and prejudices must also be uncovered. A support network is needed for victims and survivors. Looking to the future the session closed with words by a remarkable youth leader from Guatemala. COVD has exacerbated a problem that has existed forever. Now 1 in 3 women will experience such. Indeed violence against women is a growing issue and indeed a global issue that needs a global response. Our local club works with violence against women in Afghanistan but other clubs across the country work on the issue in broader ways. GWI has the ideal network to...
HallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Local Women & Youth Peacebuilders Demand to Participate in Afghan Peace Process Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, Permanent Missions of Norway, UK, Indonesia and Afghanistan to UN, UN Women, Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization, Afghanistan Women's Education Centre, Afghanistan State Ministry for Peace, Georgetown Institute Women, Peace and Security Women in power and decision-making, Human rights of women, Violence against women, Women and armed conflict SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016), Child Marriage (2016), Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) Our local CFUW-Ottawa Club has a very active study and external outreach group, University Women Helping Afghan Women that has 3 goals – to learn of issues facing Afghan women and girls, to raise awareness of such locally, nationally and internationally , and to act how we can. Over the years a supported the CFUW National Afghanistan Study Group. This year we identified CFUW members across the country to work with GWI-NL in an GWI NFA2NFA joint project, Afghanistan Peace Negotiations: Their Perilous Significance of Women in Afghanistan. We hope to interest other NFAs going forward. The common link with all groups is to learn, to raise awareness and to act as we can to support the women at this very crucial time for them. A superb series of speakers addressed the specific theme of the need for local women and youth to be involved in the peace process in Afghanistan. Unless women and youth are included the peace will not be sustainable. Instead indeed the Taliban have increased their campaign against women and youth. Afghanistan is at a critical juncture. Afghan women and youth make up the biggest groups in Afghanistan and their voices must be heard. They must be part of the talks. Ambassadors to the UN from Afghanistan, Norway, the UK and Indonesia all echoed this point. Times have changed. Women are speaking up. The peace process must be Afghan led. It is critical that women's rights and their leadership be at the centre in Turkey. At least a quiet of 30% should be women. Indeed we must make sure their rights are not undermined. Their voices must be amplified and they must come from all provinces of Afghanistan. Women bring different perspectives to the peace table and have proven to be able to contribute to lasting peace. Life in much of the country is still patriarchal and many young women are not given an opportunity to make choices. While others are educated and there is...
