CSW65 Reports
Commission on the Status of Women 65th Session
GWI Reports
Reporting is critical to the legacy of CSW65 and future advocacy work! All GWI representatives to CSW65 are encouraged to submit reports of sessions attended. A thematic summary of reports can be found HERE. This comprehensive summary is available worldwide with Calls to Action for governments, public and private sectors, educational institutions, and other NGOs stemming from CSW65.
Your reports are important! This year we will offer an easy-to-complete report template.
MaureenByrne
Dr.Byrne Wg-USA; NY Rep GWI 2021 Equal Pay Day Forum Nicole Faux; Dr. C. Nicole Mason; Leah Rambo; Scher Khawaja; Gloria Middleton PowHer NY National Taskforce on Trades CWA Union President of 1180 Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Institutional mechanisms SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG 2 – Zero Hunger, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality Young Members (2016), Sexual Health and Reproduction Education (2019), Women and STEM (2019), Sexual Harassment in Workplace (2019) Gave specific steps that can be taken to get women into good paying jobs/ training/ fighting discrimination in the work place. Specific to NY and USA but could be a model for other nations. Dr. C. Nicole Mason – Women have lost 4x as many jobs as men during COVID. Many of these jobs are low paying and lack benefits. Many were primary breadwinners in their families. Need a national childcare structure – no family would pay more than 7% of their income for childcare. Leah Rambo – President of her Local Sheet Metal Workers Union. Asked why women should enter the trades she responded, "Why wouldn't they? The pay and benefits are excellent. They provide women a path out of poverty. It allows them the financial freedom to move out of toxic relationships. No training required before they begin their apprenticeship. " Their are obstacles- cultural, patriarchal. One major one is that you need to be at the job by 6:30 am or 7:00 am -leave home at 5:30 am – how do you find daycare? The Sheet Metals Union put their money where their mouth is. They changed their constitution adding penalties for bullying/discrimination/harassment. Recruitment and retention is vital – go to schools, gyms, churches. Provide mentorships. If Biden's Infrastructure plan goes through, there will be nontraditional jobs for women. Scher Khawaja – The Title VII Act prohibits pay discrimination based on gender if doing "substantially similar work". Law is insufficient – employers have justifications not related to gender; women afraid of retaliation; many women can't find out what the men make in income. Need pay transparency laws, especially in the private sector. R86529 and S5598 are NYS pay disclosure bills in the NYS legislature. All employers would have to disclose salary, benefits, bonus etc to existing workers. Would need to report pay equity data by gender and race. Prohibits retaliation and allows for lawsuits if women get harmed. This law could have a transformative effect on all workers. Gloria Middleton – sued the Bloomberg Administration for all administrative managers in NYC agencies. Minimum salary for majority of women never raised while white males were at the high range of pay. They went to federal court as a violation of Title VII/DOJ Civil Rights Division. The city stalled for six years – finally agreed to class settlement – women's salaries went from $53,000 to $67,000. Currently working with the NYC Council – would like the city to turn over pay data. GET THE DATA TO MAKE CHANGES!!! Next steps – salary transparency; workers on task forces; convince business that will protect them from lawsuits. Show we need to think outside of the box in...
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Ms.Francis VAÖ Austria Side Event – Shifting masculine norms to promote women’s economic empowerment Mon 22 Mar 9:00 – 10:30 OECD Development Centre, Austrian Development Cooperation Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Sexual Harassment in Workplace (2019) Restrictive masculinity / gender norms can significantly impact women's lives, empowerment, gender equality. It is important that these social norms and practices are well recognised by the general public. The underlying perceptions and opinions in the public and private spheres matter in terms of gender equality and need to be understood and addressed. Here in Austria, we can follow up with the Austrian Development Cooperation, one of the Side Event's sponsors. – Main theme – 'Some masculinities stand in the way of women’s economic empowerment and must be urgently addressed'. – The event launched the OECD Development Centre’s new publication, “Man Enough? Measuring Masculine Norms to Promote Women’s Empowerment”. This discusses the ways restrictive masculinities hamper women’s empowerment and emphasises the need for data to support gender-transformative policy making. – The panel discussed the ways policy makers and NGOs can promote gender-equitable masculine norms. Speakers included Gary Barker of Promundo-US, an NGO with offices in Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and USA, that work to promote caring, non-violent and equitable masculinities and gender relations; Marlon Bascombe of CariMAN, the regional representative in the Caribbean of the MenEngage Global Alliance; Juanita Lopez, Colombia, who talked inter alia about the gender aspects of the Colombian National Development Plan and the programs established such as a Fund for Women, Families in Action. They gave excellent examples as to the issues, what must be achieved and what can be done: the need to work on gender relations, working with families, boys and girls, women and men: Breaking up the idea of the 'real man', 'get men to see their mistakenness' (G. Barker). Evidence shows that men with more egalitarian views are healthier and happier men. The importance of early childhood intervention was emphasised by the speaker from India. To build forward better and achieve a culture of equality, the right policies must be in place. The Report gives various suggestions that can help change attitudes which hinder women's empowerment and equality. These are valid in all countries. Awareness raising; support for data gathering / tracking the proposed indicators; evidenced based approach to policies promoting gender equality; need to address these issues in schools – schools must provide ownership, mainstreaming and safe surroundings, must have teachers on board, train them; early childhood interventions. Attitudes are formed in family and in education. NFAs can advocate locally for the implementation of the suggestions in the...
read moreKameliaAssenova
Prof.Assenova Bulgarian association of University Women Women's Economic Empowerment – A Holistic View of Women's Economic Participation, Side event, 22 March Saudi Arabia Women and the economy, Education and training of women SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality Women and STEM (2019) The role of women in the process of economic recovery and development increases during the time of crisis as COVID19 pandemic. At the same time, the gender stereotyping consists of beliefs and attitudes that create different expectations for individuals based on their gender and can lead to biases, including on the labour market. The main challenge for women is abusing of this gender bias and takes part in on equal base in economic development improving an empowerment of women. The event showed the cases of increasing women empowerment in Arabic region with the aim to achieve economic progress. The protection of women rights on the labour market is main factor for increasing economic empowerment of women. On this market the processes are bilateral. From one side, the high economic growth leads to strong protection of women rights. From other side, more active participation of women in the economy supports to be used all human recourses and to be produced higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Main measurements for participation on labour market – primary condition on this market – education, degree of active participation on this market – rate of unemployment and the valuation of women activities on this market – income. The education of women depends on the economic growth in the countries. On other side, when there is an economic growth, the disposal public resources for education as a part of GDP are increased. The education give knowledge and skills for successful participation on labour market. According the information gave on the session 60% of postgraduate students in Saudi Arabia are women. The digitalization and new technology requires more women to study STEM. The women in our region are so good educated and the rate of women with upper secondary school in Central and Eastern Europe are 74,23%.The main challenge for women is abusing of this gender bias and takes part in on equal base in the economy. it necessary to reduced pay gap for equal work. The measures to increase economic empowerment of women; • Changes in law; • Women leadership positions; • Equal access to education; • Equal payment by unemployment; • Equal payment for equal...
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Prof.Assenova Bulgarian association of University Women Women and Corruption Parallel event, 19 march WUNRN Graduate Women International Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Institutional mechanisms SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality Harassment (2016) The findings of the Global Corruption Barometer survey show that economic development, corruption and public health are three most important problems that the governments should address in the countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Balkans. The negative effects of corruption have a greater impact on women's lives. They can also escalate gender inequality that already exists within society, which creates additional obstacles for women's access to resources, services and opportunities. Gender and corruption according Jennifer Bradford may be defined in public and in private sectors. In the public sector it is required equal payment for equal work. It was presented so interesting practice – audit finds not equal payment for women and man by the projects financed with public recourses and have been terminated this agreements. According Prof. Lena Wangnerud, higher participation of women in local councils leads to lower level of corruption. It is possible to identify several private sectors’ areas in which corruption can find gender differences: • access to basic services, markets and loans; • involvement in the political live; • human rights violations; • consequences of ineffective management. Gender can also be a factor in business corruption, which affects business opportunities, the access of companies to markets and resources, and cooperation with the regulatory authorities. There are numerous indications that female entrepreneurs face barriers when look for loans and that it can be more difficult for them to obtain permits and licenses to start their own business. The region of CEE and Balkans need more transparency in public and private sectors and more effective management of all resources. Anti-corruption measures should include a number of transparent recommendations, which promise to bring about positive inter-sectorial results: • using of gender-disaggregated data in the planning of activities, determination of the system of basic indicators and target indicators of monitoring, and evaluation of the effectiveness of implemented activities ; • conducting targeted studies to fill the existing information gaps on gender aspects of corruption ; • using of gender analysis in identifying problematic issues in anticorruption policy ; • ensuring gender balance among members of anticorruption bodies to better take into account the interests and needs of both women and...
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Prof.Assenova Bulgarian association of University Women Advancing Women Leadership in Public Finance – side event 17 march International Budget partnership Women in power and decision-making SDG5 – Gender Equality Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) The financial resources in Bulgaria and Balkans countries are limited. The fiscal policy is restrictive. It do not permit fully to be financed the payments by unemployment of women, social protection and s.o. We need more effective management of public finance. The participation of women in decision-making support the achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It will more important during recovery of economy from the COVID-19 pandemic. The participation of women by allocation of financial recourses and distribution of the budget would make these activities more effective . On 1 January 2021, only 11% of countries in the world had financial ministers – women. What you need for gender equity in public finance: • Public management for gender equity; • Support of institutions; • Women leadership; • Gender oriented budget. In session participated women leaders from Costa Rica, India, Morocco and Rwanda representing finance ministries, supreme audit institutions. They presented barriers and stereotyping overcome for more active participations of women in decision making process in Public finance. Effective management of public resources; Women participation by distribution of national and local budgets. The budget procedure has several stages: • identification of needs • preparation of programs • funding of the programs • getting results The participation of women leaders to present the female point of view will make this process effective and will overcome gender...
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Ms.Oudraad Nederland Women's Rights and Japanese Constitution: Beate Sirota Gordon's Legacy and Implications Worldwide 23/3 NWEC National Women's Education Center of Japan Mills College, Oakland California Human rights of women SDG5 – Gender Equality Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) nb On Christmas Eve, 1945, Beate Sirota Gordon was the first civilian woman to arrive in post-war Japan. Assigned to the Political Affairs staff, she worked for Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers ) Douglas MacArthur's occupation army as a translator. In addition to Japanese, she was fluent in English, German, French, and Russian. When the U.S. began drafting a new constitution for Japan in February 1946. Sirota was enlisted to help and was assigned to the subcommittee dedicated to writing the section of the constitution devoted to civil rights. She was one of only two women in the larger group, the other being economist Eleanor Hadley. Sirota played an integral role, drafting the language regarding legal equality between men and women in Japan, including Articles 14 and 24 on Equal Rights and Women's Civil Rights. Article 14 states, in part: "All of the people are equal under the law and there shall be no discrimination in political, economic or social relations because of race, creed, sex, social status or family origin". Article 24 includes: Marriage shall be based only on the mutual consent of both sexes and it shall be maintained through mutual cooperation with the equal rights of husband and wife as a basis. 2) With regard to choice of spouse, property rights, inheritance, choice of domicile, divorce and other matters pertaining to marriage and the family, laws shall be enacted from the standpoint of individual dignity and the essential equality of the sexes. These additions to the constitution were vital to women's rights in Japan. "Japanese women were historically treated like chattel; they were property to be bought and sold on a whim," Gordon said in 1999. Not directly other then equal rights should be written in every constitution of countries in the world. This other NFA's can use these articles to push for equal rights....
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Ms.Oudraad Nederland Creating Sustainable Development for Women's Empowerment with Entrepreneurship, Education & Equality 22/3 Organization of World Leaders (Owl Inc. Women and the economy, Education and training of women SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Building Peace through Women’s Education (2019) Not directly other then encourage women to work for their own financial independance. When you want to start a business you have to create a plan, use your network and expand it , collaborate with others. Mantra is Give, Give and Get Various businesswomen and women consultants talked about their own experiences in starting up and expanding the business. Awareness, not...
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Ms.Oudraad Nederland Empowering Women in STEM is essential for achieving the UNSDGs 22/03 INWES, World Federation of Engineering Organisations, International Science Council Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Education and training of women, Institutional mechanisms SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities Women and STEM (2019) Very relevant as in the Netherlands & Europe women and girls in STEM education is still very low, although in the medical area it is improving rapidly. More female then men students at the Universities, however not yet visible the top medical professions. Awareness, in GWI-NL we already organised a STEM Expert Meeting in 2017 The International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES), the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the International Science Council (ISC) together represent women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) across 100 nations. Women engineers role models needed especially in Europe & North America and Africa. In Asia and the Middle East, the ratio of women engineers is much better. However, the gender gap in several stem (including health i.e medics) disciplines is very real in all disciplines and development levels. We must keep on engaging families and communities in promoting STEM career in girls, especially if contrary to cultural expectations and norms, engage females in exploring socio-scientific issues, promote social support for females, such as per networks and mentoring by more experience STEM researchers and professionals develop females’ STEM leadership, advocacy and communications skills. We need more STEM women included in management and senior positions (and not just symbolic) and not just roles but through pay, funding & access to resources. Awareness, in GWI-NL we already organised a STEM Expert Meeting in 2017 Collaborations with (I)NGOs...
read moreHallySiddons
Mrs.Siddons Canada Taliban Return: Implications for Women's Rights and Global Security, March 26, 12:30 – 2:30 Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan and Women Living Under Muslim Law Women in power and decision-making, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and health, Women and armed conflict, Women and the media SDG 1 – No Poverty, SDG3 – Good Health and Well-Being, SDG4 – Quality Education, SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG16 – Peace and Justice Strong Institutions, SDG17 – Partnerships to achieve the Goal Bullying (2016), Harassment (2016), Tolerance of Minority Groups (2016), Child Marriage (2016) University Women Helping Afghan Women, CFUW-Ottawa, works to learn of issues facing Afghan Women, raises awareness of such, and does what it can to support. Recently it has been very much involved in advocacy concerning the peace negotiations and their significance for women. Several CFUW Members across the country are interested as well. Also CFUW and GWI-NL have an NFA2NFA joint project on the perilous significance of the negotiations for women in Afghanistan. We hope to interest other NFAs in our April webinar. There is grave concern that the admirable gains made by women in Afghanistan in the last 20 years could be bargaining chips in the current peace negotiations. The betrayal of Afghan women must stop and the international community must stand with them. Afghanistan currently has a strong constitution that respects Islamic law and that includes gender, ethnic, and minority rights. In addition to their constitution, laws are in place to protect women ie anti-harrassment. There is real fear the constitution will be removed or the Taliban will abolish other laws that protect women. Or they could add laws to restrict them eg a woman cannot be President or cannot be a judge. Afghans feel they would not have these laws without the support of the international community and have concern for the protection of such after any peace agreement. Afghan women ask that the international community not ignore them, that it continues to support them and raise its voice. A peace agreement will only be possible if it can be implemented. For this it must have the consensus of women and youth, over half the population. Peace extends beyond boundaries. Neighbours will be affected by what happens in Afghanistan. They can be inspired or copy the negative forces. Conservative agendas are on the rise and with there a narrowing down of civil society spaces. It is against this backdrop that what happens in Afghanistan is so important for the world. There is a huge security situation in the country. Many religious minorities are constantly attacked. The Taliban are a worry but only one reality. There are 21 terrorist groups active in Afghanistan. There needs to be an end to war that has taken so much from so many. Today some girls are not able to attend school because of the danger. Some women are not able to work in media because of the danger. Any peace settlement has to be internationally negotiated with international observers (will be small but need to be linked to larger civil society groups) international guarantees, and technical teams. In Turkey at least 30% of the participants in the main...
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Ms.Oudraad Nederland 19/3A Seat At The Table: Addressing Violence in Sex Trafficking and Prostitution Women Graduates-USA The girl child, Women and the economy, Human rights of women, Education and training of women, Violence against women, Women and poverty SDG5 – Gender Equality, SDG6 – Clean Water and Sanitation Human Trafficking (2016), Human Rights for Refugee and Refugee Women and Children (2019) nb Survivor Leaders and Allies in the Fight to Address Extreme Violence in Sex Trafficking, Prostitution, and Linked Exploitations Discuss the 2020 Trafficking In Persons Report (TIP) and it's Recommendations: Justice, Equality, and Inclusiveness. Survivors should be speaking at the table of goverment, civil socities, and look at not only children but also women & men. And do something about the demand, the buyers as well as the trafficers! Also do not point to other countries, you need to look at your own country. US should ratify CEDAW! Sex Trafficking is a business model, pure and simpel!!!!!!! So it needs to be broken up. Awareness and work together with other NFA's, learn from each other And see what NFAs can do in their own country. see...
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