The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, NY

Rural Women’s SpeakOut hosted by NGO/CSW/NY

 

Press Release by UN Women available at http://www.unwomen.org/2012/03/rural-women-speak-out-at-csw/

 

REPORTS:

Myrna Cunningham Kain, Representing Latin America Region

• The Rural Women would like to know what the UN is doing. They expect the UN to use their role to be vigilant in ensuring that governments enforce legislation and provide more support to rural areas.

 

Elka, Representing Asia Pacific Region: India, Taiwan, Mongolia, Burma, Japan

• This group discussed the protection of women’s rights, indigenous languages, migration, and the problem of nuclear proliferation. Rural women are losing their land to big corporations and developers, and are left helpless. They discussed how governments and the UN can help solve these problems. Women must not be silent, need to stand up and speak out to ensure that governments provide technical and financial support.
• Achievements have not come easily to rural women. Clear goals and nice dreams are the target. Reach higher than you think in order to meet today’s world’s requirement. Good education is important for rural women. One opportunity leads to another. Don’t be ashamed to ask your organizations and governments for help. Be strong and confident in yourself, things will thus happen accordingly. Networking is very powerful in today’s world; communicate with one another and empower yourselves and each other.

 

Constance Ogulette, Representing Africa Region:

• In Africa, there are many problems. Early and forced marriage is a grave problem in this region.  Lack of education for the girl child, lack of resources for communities, high mortality rates in communities, lack of family planning for the girl child. There is also a lot of domestic and country-wide violence, as well as conflicts from country to country, clan to clan and even within the home. Rural–urban migration is a problem, where the young women go to town and end up dead or wandering the streets. There are problems associated with climate change, which has caused floods, droughts, heavy winds and a lot of poverty in Africa. African countries cannot afford their living because they live off agriculture and climate change has inhibited this.  Poverty increases because all basic needs come from agriculture, including healthcare. Women walk long distances for water, at times risking their lives to attack by men or animals, and often cannot find water because of drought.
• As a solution, they found it important to network with other countries and groups. They also want to create cooperative societies to help the economic sector.  Organizing groups at local levels will help solve problems. It is important to counsel mothers and children on health education and reproductive health and to discourage early marriage. The girl children should speak out through clubs and advocate for themselves. Communities need civic education to be informed of what is occurring on the international stage.
• Laws currently in place within African governments are written but not enforced. There is a huge need to implement them, and the UN should put pressure on governments to enforce these laws. Governments should provide modernization for agriculture and to ensure that grassroots women get support, since funding rarely reaches women in rural communities. When the UN reaches directly on the ground floor they address the real issues, because the governments do not reach people in the rural areas.
• Rural women are not exposed to the internet, since they do things on a local level. If they were told what it is and how to access it, they would be better informed and able to use the internet to their advantage.  UN agencies need to establish a legal platform for all the African causes to protect women.

 

Joanne Todd, Representing Europe, USA & Canada Regions:

• The 56 developed countries in the European, Canadian and US Region face issues that are very different from other those of other regions.
• “Rural” in North America does not necessarily mean you’re involved with agriculture, but issues of poverty still face those living in rural areas. The talking points are the same for rural people at the CSW, including access to education, transportation, resources and medical care and the problem of isolation. Poverty makes it difficult to access services.
• Agriculturally speaking, decades of inconsistent prices have made it difficult for farmers to continue in their business, and rural isolation has increased. The issues they talked about weren’t just for women, but for women and their families, for example, rural depopulation. Women are trying to work multiple jobs in order to support their families and farms.
• In the US there are different issues, however they found that in the Pacific Northwest and Apalachia, there are huge environmental problems, such as fracking, which destroys the environment and takes away jobs.  There is also increased poverty due to a lack of access to jobs; mental health issues with lack of facilities; and economic issues for people who can’t afford to move away from the country.
• In southwestern New Mexico, there are problems with immigration, oppression and lack of human rights for undocumented workers. A solution might be to have the UN view this as a human rights issue. Documentation of workers is an international issue that has not been dealt with appropriately.
• Governments must recognize that despite being a small percentage of the population of developed countries, rural people face many difficult issues. Women need to become more politically involved in order to educate other women and to give them more power and representation.

 

Respondents:

 

H.E. Michelle Bachelet:

• The wide range of realities between the regions helps identify a starting point. When you know where the shoe pinches, then you can find ideas to solve the issues.
• It is not easy for agriculture to be considered relevant, since economically, investments have decreased. Therefore this sector needs to be used for growth, and it is important to see how it will fit in with the other sectors that impact decisions on a daily basis. This is not easy.  The political problem of protectionism affects agricultural sector growth and women with self-sustaining models. When thinking of rural women we cannot focus only on women farmers, but must consider women traders as well. There are many ways one can improve women’s possibilities and development through UN Women. It is important for women to have economic independence.  We must do as much as we can, and there are global/structural issues that need to be resolved by countries and international communities. Governments can create better trade and agricultural policies that are not gender neutral but rather address women in particular, and assure that projects are on the ground to support the capacities of CSOs and women’s organizations. The UN needs to network with CSOs and encourage governments to communicate directly with them, with the UN acting as a bridge between them.  How can the UN support women’s organizations to reach decision-making levels and transitionals measures? Only 19 percent of women are involved in council, in government and ministries.
• Governments should abolish laws that discriminate against women. Governments need to implement and enforce the laws that already exist to reach women.  There needs to be an increase in investments in agriculture. The UN will continue working to accomplish these goals. Gender perspectives should be incorporated in every aspect of life, law and infrastructure.  There is no such thing as a neutral policy; if women aren’t explicitly addressed, women are often not included.  Women should benefit equally from previous and current policy.  The lack of girl child health and education policies is very important. With education you can discourage many problems from the initial level.  This includes not only formal education; it can be more informal in nature, from woman to woman within communities.  Unpaid care work is something that most women struggle with, primarily in rural areas.  Women’s tremendous contribution to daily family care work each day should be recognized.

 

 

Eve Crawley, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

• FAO is a specialized agency: it addresses food security and people’s livelihood.
• FAO recognizes that rural women’s knowledge of varieties of agriculture, medicine and science can have a beneficial impact on rural areas.
• The Treaty on Plant Genetic Diversity acknowledges the importance of women’s role in engaging in every stage of agriculture.
• Some of the big issues that have been raised are important and complex, including the question of how the policy of one country influences the ability of another country to eat. Saving a farming system in one part of the world can undermine the ability of people in another part of the world to thrive agriculturally.
• There has been a transformation of rural spaces over the last 30 years, with money moving out of rural areas and industries/companies etc. exploiting it.
• For every MDG goal about which the FAO has data, rural women fair worse than rural men. Rural women’s progress was lost in the analysis of the success of these millennium development goals. There are daily deeds of disempowerment facing women.
• Empowerment is important. There is a need to expand access to resources and services and to mobilize resources and investment.

 

Charlotte Bunch (The Center for Global Leadership)

• Rural life has been marginalized by the ideas that modern imagery has placed upon our modern society. Rural women have the solution, but in order to get to those solutions we need to value our own life and solutions and value what we know and bring it to the table.
• It is important to think about what we know and how to bring it to the table as the beginning point on how to move forward. The equality of rural women’s professions is an important challenge facing the women’s movement, as is the growing gap between women who have benefited form the last forty years of change and those who have not.  This gap can be rural/urban, class, castes etc.
• Suggestions from this perspective: the panel highlighted how many women are marginalized and displaced through migration, i.e. undocumented workers. Women and men who live outside the protection of the state are important since they lack governmental human rights protection, increasingly a problem for rural women. Violence against women and the connection between this and early marriage is an important one. There is a silence that still accompanies some forms of violence against women, and it is important to break it, which is difficult when you have nowhere to go as many rural women don’t.  How do we build safe spaces in these rural areas?  As part of the advisory group of violence against women with the Secretary-General in 2005, there are still challenges because we don’t know how it all works, what solutions allow women to escape?  Agricultural and structural issues are important to address, and these solutions for real women have to work within the political structure. Information from the UN is crucial to the process of bringing the voices of marginalized women into the governmental realm.

Please find the Draft Agreed Conclusions as a downloadable PDF here.

For the text version, please read the following:

Commission on the Status of Women

56^th session

27 February to 9 March 2012

 

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

 

Draft agreed conclusions[1]

 

1. The Commission on the Status of Women reaffirms the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, and the declarations adopted by the Commission on the occasion of the tenth and fifteenth anniversaries of the Fourth World Conference on Women. (CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 1)

 

1. The Commission [EU TO DELETE: reiterates] [EU TO ADD: reaffirms] that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol, [Switzerland TO ADD: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights,] as well as relevant conventions of the International Labour Organization, provide a legal framework for the promotion of gender equality [EU TO ADD: and the human rights of women] in rural development and agriculture. [Turkey TO ADD: The Commission also reaffirms the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the outcomes of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, and the 2000 Millennium Summit. (based on CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 2)] The Commission notes the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples for the empowerment of rural [Canada TO ADD: indigenous] women. (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 2)

 

[EU TO ADD: 2 bis. The Commission reaffirms that the promotion and  protection of, and respect for, the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, including the right to development, which are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, should be mainstreamed into all policies and programmes aimed at the  eradication of poverty, and also reaffirms the need to take  measures to ensure that every person is entitled to participate in,  contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political  development.

(based on CSW52 agreed conclusions, para. 10)]

 

1. [EU TO DELETE PARA 3 AND SPLIT INTO THREE PARAS] The Commission recognizes rural women as leaders, [India TO ADD: opinion makers,] decision makers, producers, workers, entrepreneurs and service providers who contribute [India TO ADD: as equal partners] to local and national economies, [India TO DELETE: rural] [India TO ADD: overall] development, agriculture and household livelihoods. Their contributions, which are often not fully acknowledged are a pre-requisite for [Turkey TO ADD: their empowerment, which is the process by which women take control over their lives in particular and,] [India TO ADD: inclusive and sustainable] [Switzerland TO ADD: sustainable] economic growth and [Switzerland TO ADD: sustainable] development. [Israel TO DELETE: It notes] [Israel TO ADD: Noting that poverty remains a massive and predominantly rural phenomenon, the Commission recognizes (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para.5)] the potential of empowering rural women for poverty and hunger eradication, [US TO ADD: improved health outcomes,] [India TO ADD: inclusive and] sustainable development, and accelerated progress towards achieving internationally agreed development goals including the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The Commission acknowledges the heterogeneity of rural women and the need to address discrimination and inequalities they face on the basis of a range of factors [India TO ADD: and circumstances]

 

[EU TO ADD: 3 bis. The Commission acknowledges the heterogeneity of rural women and the need to address the discrimination and inequalities they face on the basis of ethnicity, marital status, age and a range of other factors.]

 

[EU TO ADD: 3 ter. The Commission recognizes that rural women have the same rights as other women as leaders, decision makers, caregivers, producers, workers, entrepreneurs and service providers who contribute to local and national economies, rural development, agriculture, environmental sustainability, household livelihoods and food and nutrition security.]

 

[EU TO ADD: 3 quat. The Commission notes the potential of rural women for poverty and hunger eradication, sustainable development, management of natural resources, and accelerated progress towards achieving internationally agreed as well as upcoming development goals including the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. However their potential is limited by multiple and diverse constraints including persistent structural gender disparities that prevent them from enjoying their economic and other rights. Moreover, their contributions are often not fully acknowledged or appropriately valued or paid. We also stress that investing in women and girls has a multiplier effect on productivity, efficiency and sustained economic growth.]

 

[Liechtenstein TO ADD: 3 quin. The Commission expresses deep concern that rural women continue to be marginalized in decision-making at all levels, and in particular in political processes at the national level. The Commission stresses the need to promote the full and effective participation of rural women in political decision-making at all levels and in all contexts, including in times of peace and conflict and in all stages of political transition, and to create an enabling environment for the political empowerment of women by addressing and countering the multiple barriers rural women face when claiming their rights. (based on A/RES/66/130, Women and political participation, pp. 7 and op. 6 (f) (j))]

 

1. The Commission expresses deep concern that the ongoing adverse impacts of the world financial and economic crisis, the volatile food and energy prices and food [EU TO ADD: and nutrition] insecurity (based on A/RES/66/125, World Summit for Social Development, op. 58), the lack of investment in rural development and agriculture, [Switzerland TO ADD: the widely spread land grabbing due to vast investments by foreign companies,]  and [EU TO ADD: in adjusting to] demographic changes [EU TO ADD: and climate changes] have exacerbated the disadvantages and inequalities [EU TO ADD: that rural] women and men, girls and boys face [EU TO DELETE: in rural areas] [Switzerland TO ADD: especially where small scale production is predominant]. [EU TO ADD: The Commission recognizes that women and girls are disproportionally affected by poverty and hunger and small farmers continue to bear a larger share of the burden of rural poverty.] [Turkey TO ADD: and reaffirms that special attention must be given to women and girls who often bear the greatest burden of poverty (based on CSW46 agreed conclusions, para. 4)]

 

[EU TO ADD: 4 bis. Ensuring the rights of rural women and girls, including equal access to resources, is essential to their empowerment as well as to food security. The engagement of rural women and girls is not only a way to provide rural women and girls with means to enhance their participation and use of their potential, but also smart economics.]

 

1. The Commission [EU TO DELETE: reiterates that] [EU TO ADD: recognizes that empowering rural women and girls is an essential part of the solution to] the multiple and complex causes of the global food crisis in developing countries, especially for net food [EU TO DELETE: importers] [EU TO ADD: importing countries], and its consequences for food [Switzerland, EU TO ADD: and nutrition] security [Switzerland TO DELETE: and nutrition] require a comprehensive and coordinated response by national Governments and the international community [Canada TO ADD: that includes the equal participation of women in decision-making]. (based on A/RES/66/220, pp. on agriculture, development and food security)

 

1. The Commission recognizes that smallholder farmers, including women and indigenous [US TO DELETE: peoples] [US TO ADD: people], [EU TO ADD: as well as women working in fishery and forestry sectors,] [Switzerland, EU TO DELETE: may] [Switzerland, EU TO ADD: do] [Switzerland TO ADD: often] not have [Switzerland TO DELETE: the] [Switzerland TO ADD: an] equitable [Switzerland TO ADD: and affordable] access to [India TO ADD: information technology,] tools, [Canada TO ADD: resources, productive inputs, appropriate technologies,] [EU TO ADD: financial services, information,] markets, [Canada TO ADD: financing] [India TO ADD: financial resources] [EU TO ADD: credit, new technologies] [Switzerland TO DELETE: and] [Switzerland TO ADD: infrastructure,] land tenure rights [Switzerland TO DELETE: that is] [Switzerland TO ADD: and financing, which is] needed for them to reach their productive potential [EU TO ADD: and to contribute to sustainable rural growth]. (A/RES/66/220, pp. on agriculture, development and food security)

 

1. The Commission [Turkey TO ADD: reaffirms the commitment to the equal participation of women and men in public and political life as a key element in women’s advancement and (based on CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 13)] stresses the need to ensure the full participation of rural women [Canada TO ADD: as decision-makers] [EU TO DELETE: in shaping the response to these] [US, EU TO DELETE: crises] [US TO ADD: challenges], [EU TO DELETE: including] in the development, implementation and monitoring of macroeconomic policies, national development plans and poverty reduction strategies. [EU TO ADD: The Commission expresses concern that the under-representation of women from rural areas in political and public life remains high in most societies. It also urges the strengthening of good governance and the rule of law at the local, national, regional and international levels as this is essential for sustainable development and the eradication of poverty and hunger, including to the benefit or rural women and girls.] The Commission underlines that ensuring rural women’s full access to [EU TO DELETE: on and off farm] [EU TO ADD: agricultural and non-agricultural] employment opportunities and to productive resources, assets and services, [EU TO ADD: including financial services and services for health and education,] will greatly enhance their [Turkey TO ADD: empowerment and] contribution to [India TO ADD: inclusive] economic growth, food [EU TO ADD: and nutrition] security, [India TO ADD: nutrition] and sustainable development. [Australia TO DELETE: It also highlights the importance of reducing rural women’s] [EU TO ADD: disproportionate share of the] [Australia TO DELETE: unpaid work burden] [Switzerland TO ADD: by public investments in infrastructure and basic services] [Australia TO DELETE: to increase their productivity and their potential to engage in remunerative activities] [Switzerland TO ADD: as well as to improve rural women’s livelihood]. [Australia TO ADD: It also expresses concern that women continue to bear the major responsibility for unpaid domestic and caring work and that this impedes their workforce participation and impacts on their long term economic security.] [India TO ADD: The Commission emphasizes skill enhancement of rural women to participate in national economic development process in a more equitable manner.]

 

[Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: 7 bis. The Commission underlines the need for substantial additional investment and better policies and enhance international cooperation in support of sustainable agricultural development, while paying special attention to the role of rural women can play in reaching the poverty and hunger targets of the Millennium Development Goals. (based on A/RES/66/220, op. 26)]

 

[Australia TO ADD: 7 ter. The Commission expresses deep concern that many women and girls face multiple disadvantages related to their disability, race, age, ethnicity, religion and geographic location - particularly for those in rural and remote areas - in addition to their gender that can isolate and marginalize such women and create barriers to their full and equal access to, and equal participation in rural communities, and equal access to full employment and decent work. (based on Beijing Platform for Action, para. 31)]

 

[Australia TO ADD: 7 quat. The Commission expresses deep concern that violence against women continues to occur, particularly for those living in rural and remote areas, noting that it is an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of equality and impairs the ability of women and girls to develop their full potential as equal partners with men, in every aspect of life and development. (based on CSW50 agreed conclusions on Enhanced participation of women in development, para. 7 (e); Beijing Platform for Action, para. 112)]

 

[Turkey TO ADD: 7 quin. The Commission recognizes that the full integration of women into the formal economy, in particular, into economic decision-making, means changing the current gender-based division of labour into new economic structures where women and men enjoy equal treatment, pay and power, including sharing of paid and unpaid work. (based on CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 7)]

 

[Turkey TO ADD: 7 sext. The Commission acknowledges the important role of national machineries for the advancement of women, national human rights institutions where they exist, and the important role of civil society, especially women’s organizations, in advancing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and in promoting empowerment of rural women and recognizes their contributions to the work of the Commission. (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 5; CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 12)]

 

[Australia TO ADD: 7 sept. The Commission acknowledges the important role of national machineries for the advancement of women, which should be placed at the highest possible level of government, the relevant contribution of national human rights institutions where they exist, and the important role of civil society, especially women’s organizations, in advancing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and in promoting the full and equal access and participation of women and girls, particularly those living in rural areas. (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 5)] 

 

1. The Commission urges Governments, [Turkey TO ADD: including local authorities, to take the following actions, as appropriate, with] the relevant entities of the United Nations system, international and regional organizations, [Australia TO ADD: national women’s machineries, national human rights institutions, and civil society, including] rural organizations, women’s organizations, farmers’ and producers’ organizations, cooperatives, [Canada TO ADD: civil society,] [US TO ADD: the renewable and clean energy sectors,] [Australia, Turkey TO DELETE: and] [Australia TO ADD: academia, educational institutions,] [Turkey TO DELETE: the] [Turkey TO ADD: as well as] private sector, [Australia TO ADD: employer organizations, trade unions, professional associations, the media and other relevant actors,] [Turkey TO ADD: trade unions, civil society and other relevant actors] [Turkey TO DELETE: to take the following actions]:

 

 

1. Strengthening gender-responsive policy environments

 

a)     Integrate [EU TO ADD: the human rights of women and girls and] a gender [EU TO ADD: equality] perspective into rural governance processes such as policymaking, public administration, and service delivery, [EU TO ADD: including health, education and social services]; integrate a gender perspective [EU TO ADD: and systematic reporting] into all rural development and agricultural policies and programmes  and prioritize [EU TO ADD: gender-sensitive] rural development [US TO ADD: renewable and clean energy development] and agriculture in national development plans  [EU TO ADD: and include sex-disaggregated and gender-sensitive indicators in performance management frameworks] to achieve equal access for women to productive resources, [EU TO ADD: credit,] essential [US TO ADD: health] services [EU TO ADD: including for health and education], [Switzerland TO ADD: decent] employment opportunities, [EU TO ADD: agricultural information] [Israel TO ADD: time-] and labour-saving [US TO ADD: and healthier] technologies [EU TO ADD: addressing women’s and girls’ needs]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (a); resolution on Agricultural technology for development (A/RES/66/195), para. 6; resolution on Agriculture development and food security (A/RES/66/220), paras. 3 and 25)

 

b)    Review, revise, amend or abolish laws and policies that discriminate against [US TO DELETE: rural] women and girls [EU TO ADD: throughout the life course], including those related to land and natural resources, [India TO ADD: resettlement,] family and marriage, inheritance, [EU TO ADD: employment, pay,] legal capacity, housing and property rights [EU TO ADD: as well as accessibility for disabled persons, and develop new laws as appropriate on extension of labour laws to all women and men rural workers and issues such as gender-based violence as well as access to quality services that address girls’ and women’s needs and priorities], [Canada TO ADD: and promote access to justice for all women] [Turkey TO ADD: and take all appropriate measures to ensure women participate in and benefit from rural development (based on CEDAW, para. 14)]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (e);  E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (b))

 

c)     Incorporate [EU TO ADD: the human rights of women and girls and] a gender [EU TO ADD: equality] perspective in legislation, policies and programmes on [Switzerland TO DELETE: rural to urban migration] [Switzerland TO ADD: internal] and [Switzerland TO DELETE: on] international migration, with a view to promoting and protecting the [US TO ADD: human] rights of migrants as well as mitigating negative impacts on women and girls, [EU TO ADD: especially trafficking of women and girls]; (based on A/RES/66/128, op. 5/violence against women migrant workers; E/CN.6/2012/3, paras. 47-50)

 

d)    Ensure that perspectives of rural women [EU TO ADD: and girls’ rights] are taken into account and [EU TO DELETE: that they] [EU TO ADD: enable rural women and girls to] participate [Australia TO ADD: fully and equally] in the design, [EU TO ADD: planning,] implementation, [India TO ADD: monitoring,] follow up and evaluation of policies and activities related to emergencies, including natural disasters, humanitarian assistance, [EU TO ADD: conflict prevention and resolution,] peacebuilding, [EU TO ADD: mediation] and post conflict reconstruction; (based on resolution on improvement of situation of women in rural areas (A/RES/66/129), para. 2 (d))

 

e)     Ensure that strong gender equality units are placed at senior levels in line ministries, such as agriculture [US TO ADD: and environment], [EU TO ADD: labour, infrastructure, finance, economy, trade and health] and in [EU TO ADD: regional and] local governments, and that these units are supported by adequate financial, [India TO ADD: technical] and human resources, [EU TO ADD: gender experts] and capacity and authority to ensure that laws, policies, planning and budgeting [EU TO ADD: and monitoring and evaluation] processes, programmes and service delivery are [EU TO DELETE: gender-sensitive] [EU TO ADD: gender-responsive] and respond [Colombia TO ADD: in a coordinated manner] to the priorities and needs of rural women and [EU TO ADD: girls as well as those of] men [EU TO ADD: and boys], [Canada TO ADD: girls and boys]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, paras. 69 (c) and (e))

 

f)     Ensure that government officials, [Canada TO DELETE: the judiciary,] [India TO ADD: elected representatives] and service providers have the capacity [EU TO ADD: and information available] to use available [EU TO ADD: gender-responsive] tools [EU TO ADD: and mechanisms] including gender-responsive budgeting for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of gender-responsive rural policies, laws, programmes and service delivery; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (d))

 

g)     Develop [EU TO ADD: and deliver] outreach programmes to ensure that rural women and men [EU TO DELETE: are aware] [EU TO ADD: have access to the necessary information to be aware] of their rights [India TO ADD: and responsibilities] and of the roles and responsibilities of national, [EU TO ADD: regional] and local governments in protecting these rights, [Switzerland TO ADD: and do have adequate and affordable access to justice] so that they can hold [US TO DELETE: duty bearers] [US TO ADD: those governments] to account; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (f))

 

h)     [EU TO DELETE: Strengthen] [EU TO ADD: Ensure] rural women’s [EU TO ADD: equal rights to participate in political decision-making including the right to vote and be elected and strengthen their] voice and [EU TO ADD:  active] representation in [Switzerland TO ADD: both] local, [Canada TO ADD: regional] [Switzerland, Canada TO ADD: and national] decision-making bodies to enable them to hold public and private sector service providers accountable for the accessibility, [India TO ADD: timeliness,] quality, [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: sustainability] and affordability of services provided to women and men in rural areas, [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: in particular to older women, indigenous women and women with disabilities]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (j))

 

i)      Develop [Switzerland TO ADD: and implement] regulatory frameworks and incentives for [India TO ADD: women self-help groups,] private sector engagement, [Switzerland TO ADD: in particular to ensure decent workplaces,] and build innovative partnerships, including public-private partnerships, for value chain development and rural women’s access to national, [EU TO ADD: regional] and international markets; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (j))

 

j)      Strengthen the capacity of national statistical offices [EU TO ADD: and research institutions] to [EU TO ADD: undertake relevant research and to] systematically collect, analyze and disseminate [Australia TO ADD: timely, reliable, and] comparable data disaggregated by sex, age, [Canada TO ADD: ethnicity] [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Australia, EU TO ADD: disability] [India TO ADD: economic status] and rural/urban areas, including [EU TO DELETE: those] [EU TO ADD: data] collected in household and labour force [EU TO ADD: and time use] surveys, agricultural censuses, and population censuses, [EU TO ADD: measure the unpaid work of women] and develop gender-sensitive indicators, to serve as basis for gender-responsive policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation in rural areas, including those on the unpaid [Switzerland TO DELETE: business] [Switzerland TO ADD: activities], agricultural, fishing, [EU TO DELETE: and] forestry [EU TO ADD: and tourism] work and the unpaid care work undertaken by rural women; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (m); E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (r))

 

 

1. Leveraging investment for [US TO ADD: sustainable] rural development to improve [US TO ADD: health,] food [Switzerland, EU TO ADD: and nutrition] security and reduce [Switzerland TO ADD: hunger and] poverty

 

k)    [US TO ADD: promote efforts to] Ensure that rural women can [US TO DELETE: equally and fully] benefit [US TO ADD: fully and equally with men] from current and future financing [EU TO DELETE: to support] [EU TO ADD: for] [India TO ADD: inclusive growth,] rural development, [EU TO ADD: including education and non-agricultural employment possibilities,] [US TO ADD: renewable and clean energy development,] agriculture and climate change mitigation and adaptation with the goal to improve food [Switzerland, EU TO ADD: and nutrition] security, [India TO ADD: nutrition] and reduce [Switzerland TO ADD: hunger and] poverty in rural areas in response to the adverse impact of the world financial and economic crisis; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (a); CSW resolution 55/1, para. 6)

 

l)      Support women smallholder farmers, [EU TO ADD: specially female headed households,] including those in subsistence farming, by facilitating their access to [Switzerland TO ADD: market,] agricultural inputs, [EU TO ADD: financial] and extension services, [EU TO ADD: credit,] infrastructure including [Switzerland TO ADD: drinking and irrigation water,] storage facilities, transportation, [EU TO ADD: financial services,] information and technologies; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (h))

 

m)   Expand opportunities for women smallholder farmers to diversify their production and increase their productivity by engaging in [US TO ADD: energy production farming as a means to restore agricultural opportunities,] commercial farming and entrepreneurship [Switzerland TO ADD: under decent work conditions], [EU TO ADD: fair trade initiatives] and accessing [Switzerland TO ADD: markets including] lucrative high-value product markets [Switzerland TO ADD: also with small amounts of products]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (b))

 

[US TO ADD: m bis. Invest in initiatives such as the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves that provide health and livelihood benefits to women and girls, offer employment opportunities for women, and are scalable and replicable across the developing world.]

 

[US TO ADD: m ter.  Invest in renewable energy technologies in rural and remote areas, including clean cookstoves and solar lighting, which can contribute to enhanced educational and employment opportunities for women, and invest in rural women’s initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture and biodiversity; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (o)); CSW53 agreed conclusions 2009, para. 15 (ee)]

 

[Israel TO ADD: m quat. Encourages international, regional and national efforts to strengthen the capacity of developing countries, especially their smallholder farmers, in particular  rural women, in order to enhance the productivity and nutritional quality of food  crops, to promote sustainable practices in pre-harvest and post-harvest agricultural  activities and to enhance food security and nutrition-related programmes and  policies that take into consideration the specific needs of women and youth; (based on A/RES/66/195, Agricultural Technology for Development, op. 3)]

 

[India TO ADD: m quin. Promote and strengthen access to appropriate mechanization in agriculture for women to reduce drudgery of women farmers;]

 

n)    Invest in community-based water and renewable energy technologies, [US TO ADD: which are essential to ensure women’s and girls’ access to sanitation and health] in rural [US TO DELETE: and remote] areas, [US TO DELETE: and invest in rural women’s initiatives that promote sustainable agriculture and biodiversity]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (o)), CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 15(ee)) [Switzerland TO MOVE PARA n AFTER PARA l]

 

• o)    [US TO DELETE: Support and invest in joint United Nations programmes, including in partnership with private sector and financial institutions, that aim to empower rural women;]

 

[Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: o bis. Strengthen international cooperation in the area of empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges, and welcome and encourage in this regard South-South, North-South and triangular cooperation and recognize that the commitment to explore opportunities for further South-South cooperation entails not seeking a substitute for but rather a complement to North-South cooperation; (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 22 (i))]

 

 

1. Expanding access to resources, assets, employment, [EU TO ADD: education] and services

 

p)    Ensure that rural women are accorded full and equal rights to own and lease land and other property through: [EU TO ADD: enacting gender-sensitive legislation,] designing and revising relevant laws including those on women’s equal right to inheritance; [India TO ADD: registration of government distributed land in the name of women if they are in the household;] strengthening implementation of laws and policies; and registration processes for land tenure that are local, affordable, rapid, transparent and accessible to all [Turkey TO ADD: and take the necessary steps to guarantee payment, social security and social benefits for women who work without such benefits in enterprises owned by a family member (based on CEDAW general recommendations 16)]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, paras. 28 and 72 (f); resolution on improvement of situation of women in rural areas (A/RES/66/129), para. 2 (v))

 

[EU TO ADD: p bis. Support the rapid adoption of the “Voluntary Guidelines on Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security” in the UN Committee on World Food Security (CFS), which will provide suitable direction for the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests for the benefit of women and girls;]

 

[Liechtenstein TO ADD: p ter. Increase rural women’s access to justice, and in this regard encourage the strengthening and improvement of the administration of justice, as well as awareness-raising concerning existing legal rights;]

 

q)    Increase rural women’s [EU TO ADD: knowledge and] access to [Switzerland TO ADD: affordable] financial [India TO ADD: reserves and] services [Switzerland TO ADD: (micro-credits, credit savings, micro-insurance)], [Australia TO ADD: including microfinance services,] [Turkey TO ADD: inter alia: credit, savings, insurance and remittance transfer services] [EU TO ADD: (including savings, insurance, remittance transfer and credit) and provide a range of] [EU TO DELETE: design] financial products, [EU TO DELETE: targeted at rural] [EU TO ADD: available to] women, and [EU TO DELETE: provide access to] [EU TO ADD: improve their] financial literacy [EU TO DELETE: training]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (g))

 

r)     Provide women migrant workers with [Switzerland TO ADD: investment opportunities and] targeted financial and non-financial advice on how to invest their remittances in the local rural economy; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 50)

 

s)     [EU TO ADD: Ensure women’s equal access to full employment and decent work and] Expand opportunities for decent [US, Canada, Australia TO DELETE: wage] [US, Canada, Australia TO ADD: work] [US, Canada TO DELETE: employment] [EU TO ADD: with equal pay, maternity protection legislation and agricultural and non-agricultural employment opportunities], [Canada TO ADD: including fair income opportunities and productive employment,] [EU TO DELETE: both on- and off-farm,] for landless and land-poor women and men, [US TO ADD: including through] such [US TO ADD: measures] as employment guarantee and public [Switzerland TO DELETE: works] [Switzerland TO ADD: work] [Canada TO ADD: and community-based infrastructure] programmes; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, paras. 44 and 72 (c))

 

[EU TO ADD: s bis. Promote and strengthen micro-enterprises, new small businesses, cooperative enterprises, expanded markets and other employment opportunities and, where appropriate, facilitate the transition from the informal to the formal sector, especially in rural areas; (Beijing Platform for Action, para. 166 (d))]

 

t)     Encourage and facilitate the establishment and development of [India TO ADD: women’s self-help groups and] cooperatives [Colombia TO ADD: in social development], including measures aimed at enabling women to fully participate  in them; (based on A/RES/66/123, op. 7(b); cooperatives in social development; E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (p))

 

[India TO ADD: t bis. Take concrete measures to impart skill enhancement training in marketable sectors to rural women for enhancing their employability;]

 

u)    Facilitate the effective functioning of markets and support women’s [Israel TO ADD: equal] access to markets through sound infrastructure, [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: including transportation,] adequate awareness and [EU TO ADD: education as well as] enforcement of regulation, and access to and transparency of information, including up-to-date market pricing information [EU TO ADD: and market regulations e.g. by using new technology]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (i))

 

v)    [US TO DELETE: Adopt the] [US TO ADD: Establish or expand national] social protection [US TO DELETE: floor] [US TO ADD: floors] approach with a gender [EU TO ADD: equality] perspective to provide basic social protection for all and take measures to ensure long-term financial support for basic social protection services in rural areas; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (d); E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (i))

 

[Switzerland TO ADD: v bis. Provide specific schemes such as additional insurance or financial support for elderly women and single-mother heads of households in rural areas;]

 

[India TO ADD: v ter. Take concrete measures to provide support services to elderly women and to women with disability;]

 

[India TO ADD: v quat. Take effective steps to provide sustainable livelihoods to marginalized and destitute rural women;]

 

w)   Provide all rural women and men, [EU TO ADD: boys and girls] with [Switzerland, Canada TO DELETE: free-of-charge] [Switzerland, Canada TO ADD: affordable] access to personal identification documents so that they are recognized as full citizens with equal access to productive assets and services [EU TO ADD: and implement birth registration in rural and remote areas]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (g))

 

x)     Increase the number of women extension agents and provide training on gender equality issues to both male and female extension agents; and foster the utilization of local know-how and agricultural technologies; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (k) and resolution on Agricultural technology for development (A/RES/66/195), para. 2)

 

y)    [Australia to ADD: Recognizing that the unequal sharing of responsibilities of daily life, including caregiving, between women and men, girls and boys, has a disproportionate impact on women’s and girls’ access to education, training and on their economic empowerment and long-term economic security,] Reduce the burden of women’s and girls’ unpaid care [Canada TO ADD: and other] work by [US TO DELETE: providing] [US TO ADD: promoting] improved infrastructure, [Canada TO ADD: including utilities such as clean water, electricity,] [Israel TO ADD: time- and] labour-saving technologies and care services [Canada TO ADD:  for children and other dependent persons] in rural [EU TO ADD: and remote] areas [EU TO ADD: and take measures to increase the participation of men in caregiving both within households and in care professions (based on CSW53 agreed conclusions 2009, para. 15 (qq)]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (l))

 

[Australia TO ADD: y bis. Promote the reconciliation of work and family responsibilities for women and men, as well as the equal sharing of employment and family responsibilities between women and men, including by: designing, implementing and promoting family-friendly legislation, policies and services, such as affordable, accessible and quality care services for children, individuals with disability, the elderly and other dependent persons through parental and other leave schemes; (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 22 (gg))]

 

z)    Take concrete measures to enhance and provide [EU TO ADD: right and] access to [EU TO ADD: enjoyment of] the highest attainable [US TO ADD: and most equitable] standards of health for women [US, EU TO ADD: and girls] in rural [EU TO ADD: and remote] areas [India to ADD: including adequate nutrition for pregnant and lactating women], [EU TO DELETE: preventive health,] as well as quality, affordable and universally accessible [EU TO DELETE: primary] health [EU TO DELETE: care and support] services, including for sexual and reproductive health [EU TO ADD: and addressing the unmet need for family planning, to pay special attention to adequate food and nutrition,] [US TO ADD: family planning, and infectious diseases such as HIV]; and [EU TO ADD: to] promote access to safe and clean drinking water and sanitation [EU TO ADD: as a crucial step towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals] [EU TO DELETE: to improve the health of rural women] [US TO ADD: their families, and their communities]; (based on A/RES/66/129, OP 2 (f) and (g),  improvement of the situation of women in rural areas)

 

[EU TO ADD: z bis. Ensure that health policies and health budgets better serve the needs of rural women and girls, including for sexual and reproductive health, conscious that access by women and girls to reproductive health and the information and means to make autonomous decisions about their fertility is inextricably linked to the wider empowerment of women in economic, social and political life;]

 

[EU TO ADD: z ter. Emphasizes the need for age-appropriate, evidence-based and comprehensive sexuality information and education addressing the sexual and reproductive needs of rural women and girls as well as men and boys in order to ensure their right to have control over and decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexual and reproductive health and enable them to make informed and responsible decisions to reduce early childbearing and maternal mortality, to promote access to pre- and post natal care and to combat sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination and all forms of violence in rural areas where young women and girls face pressure to adhere to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation/cutting, early marriage, early pregnancy and early child-bearing which exposes them to reproductive health risks including obstetric fistula (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 22 (x); E/CN.6/2012/3, paras 5-8);]

 

[EU TO ADD: z quat. Promote rural women’s and girls’ access to both formal and non-formal education and training, including through establishing mandatory school programmes, local facilities, scholarships and mentorship programmes, as well as early child development programmes and child-care facilities (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (n)) in view of the critical role of education in the achievement of poverty eradication and other development goals as envisaged in the MDGs;]

 

aa)  Support [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: human rights education and training and] a gender-sensitive education system that [Colombia TO ADD: are relevant to employment opportunities and aligned with rapidly changing labour market needs and (CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 22 (cc))] considers the specific needs of rural women [Switzerland, EU TO ADD: and girls] in order to eliminate gender stereotypes and [US, Canada TO DELETE: discriminatory tendencies affecting them] [US TO ADD: discrimination] [Canada TO ADD: discrimination against them] [EU TO ADD: e.g. by promoting and making accessible long-distance quality education]; (based on A/RES/66/129, para. 2 (w), improvement of the situation of women in rural areas)

 

[Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: aa bis. Reaffirms the critical role of both formal and non-formal education in the achievement of poverty eradication and other development goals as envisaged in the Millennium Declaration, and, in this context, recalls the Dakar Framework for Action on Education for All; (based on language on Poverty Eradication Resolution, Commission for Social Development, Fiftieth session)]

 

[Australia TO ADD: aa ter. Continue efforts to condemn all forms of violence against women and girls and take urgent action to strengthen and implement legal, policy, administrative and other measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence; (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 22 (q))]

 

[Canada TO ADD: aa quat. Condemn all forms of violence against women and girls, take appropriate action to strengthen and implement legal, policy, administrative and other measures to prevent and eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence and, in this regard, fully engage men and boys, as well as families and communities in preventing and condemning violence against women and girls;]

 

[Liechtenstein TO ADD: aa quin. Exercise due diligence to prevent, investigate, prosecute and punish the perpetrators of violence against rural women and girls, eliminate impunity and provide protection to the victims; (based on A/RES/65/187, Violence Against Women, op. 9)]

 

[Australia TO ADD: aa sext. Recognizing that women migrant workers, particularly those living in rural areas, are particularly vulnerable to trafficking in persons, continue efforts to condemn all forms of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, and take urgent action to strengthen and implement legal, policy, administrative and other measures to prevent and eliminate trafficking in persons, and to provide support services for victims of trafficking; (based on Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air and the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, which support the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime)]

 

[Belarus TO ADD: aa sept. Address the social, economic and other factors that make rural women and girls vulnerable to human trafficking, such as poverty, unemployment, lack of socio-economic opportunities, humanitarian emergencies, including natural disasters, social exclusion and marginalization, as well as a culture of tolerance towards violence against women and girls; (based on A/RES/64/293, para. 12)]

 

bb) [Canada TO DELETE: Ensure that] [Canada TO ADD: Establish or support] [EU TO ADD: safe and] integrated [Canada TO ADD: or coordinated] services for victims of all forms of [Switzerland TO ADD: gender-based] violence,         [Belarus TO ADD: including victims of human-trafficking] [Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay TO ADD: including access to the judiciary system,] [Switzerland TO ADD: as well as for perpetrators of violence] [Canada TO DELETE: are available and accessible to] [Canada TO ADD:  and ensure] rural women and girls [Canada TO ADD: have access to these services]; (based on A/RES/65/187, para. 16 (r))

 

cc)  Consider the adoption [Switzerland TO DELETE: , where appropriate,] of national legislation to protect the knowledge, innovations and practices of women in indigenous and local communities relating to traditional medicines, biodiversity and indigenous technologies; (based on A/RES/66/129, para 2 (s), improvement of the situation of women in rural areas)

 

[US TO ADD: cc bis. Eliminate the gender gap in access to mobile phones and Internet technology for rural women by ensuring affordable access and adequate service coverage, addressing cultural barriers, and providing access to technical literacy training; (based on WSIS-03/GENEVA/DOC/4-E, para. 12)]

 

[Canada TO ADD: cc ter. Address the priorities and needs of rural women and girls as active users of information and ensure that rural women and girls have access to and full participation in the area of information and communications technology in order to support their economic security and rights, alleviate the spatial and social isolation of rural communities and reduce information barriers in an increasingly knowledge-based society;]

 

dd) Make full use of technological innovations to enhance [Switzerland TO ADD: food and nutrition security of small scale farmers, women’s livelihood,] rural women’s productivity and income, facilitate their access to information, means of communication and services, and promote the development of village-based knowledge centers; (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (k))

 

[US TO ADD: dd bis. Work to expand the involvement and participation of women in decision-making at all levels and in all institutions, including those dedicated to research and extension, and advance women’s leadership in science and technology through proactive recruitment, mentoring, and targeted research support, in order to maximize women’s contribution to food security which is crucial, both in the field and in the laboratory.]

 

[EU TO ADD: dd ter. Promoting the rights of women and girls with disabilities in rural areas, including by ensuring access on an equal basis to productive employment and decent work, economic and financial resources and disability-sensitive infrastructure and services, in particular in relation to health and education, as well as by ensuring that their priorities and needs are fully incorporated into policies and programmes, inter alia, through their participation in decision-making processes; (based on A/RES/66/129, para. 2 (k))]

 

1. Strengthening participation and leadership in decision-making

 

ee)  [US, Canada, EU TO DELETE: Ensure] [EU TO ADD: Strongly encourage] [US, Canada TO ADD: Encourage] the participation of rural women and women leaders of rural organizations [EU TO ADD: and networks] in key decision-making and budget [EU TO ADD: planning and] allocation processes at all levels of government and within rural institutions, including the planning and implementation of [EU TO ADD: gender-sensitive] rural and agricultural policies and programmes [US TO ADD: as well as renewable and clean energy programmes]; [EU TO ADD: promote the exchange of good practices between rural women’s associations,] organize women-only consultations, [US TO ADD: as appropriate,] and provide [Switzerland TO DELETE: family-friendly] support [Switzerland TO ADD: to household and family related activities (care)], such as [Switzerland TO ADD: affordable] child care facilities; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, paras. 69 (l) and (o))

 

[Turkey TO ADD: ee bis. Enhance representation of rural women in parliaments and executive bodies, as well as in bodies of national and local governance, including in authorities responsible for planning, negotiating, selling or leasing national land; (based on CEDAW)]

 

ff)   [US TO DELETE: Implement targeted actions to increase] [US TO ADD: Encourage increased] women’s participation and leadership in national, [EU TO ADD: regional] and local governments, farmers’ organizations and cooperatives [US TO DELETE: through adopting temporary special measures such as quotas and benchmarks]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (m))

 

gg)  [US TO ADD: Encourage steps to] [Canada TO ADD: Encourage farmers’ and other rural organizations to] Increase the number of women in leadership positions [Canada TO DELETE: in farmers’ and other rural organizations] [US TO ADD: including renewable and clean energy programmes], through measures such as fair and transparent selection processes, and setting concrete targets and timelines [Switzerland TO ADD: but also through infrastructural support such as providing affordable child care facilities]; (based on E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (n))

 

hh) Support the efforts of [India to ADD: local] women’s organizations, [India to ADD: women’s federations,] rural organizations, [US TO ADD: renewable and clean energy programmes,] trade unions, [Australia TO ADD: national human rights institutions] and other civil society organizations that promote rural women’s rights, especially the efforts of rural and women’s organizations in resource mobilization, advocacy and capacity development to strengthen their effective participation in the policy processes at the national and local levels. (based on A/RES/66/129, para. 2 (b); E/CN.6/2012/4, para. 69 (p))

 

[Turkey TO ADD: hh bis. Take all appropriate measures to integrate women, on an equal basis with men, in decision-making regarding sustainable resource management and the development of policies and programmes for sustainable development, including to address the disproportionate impact of climate change on women, including their displacement from income-generating activities, which greatly adds to unremunerated work, such as caregiving, and negatively impacts on their health, well-being and quality of life, particularly those, and in particular rural women, whose livelihoods and daily subsistence depend directly on sustainable ecosystems; (based on CSW53 agreed conclusions, para. 15 (yy))]

 

1. The Commission stresses the centrality of gender equality and women’s empowerment [India to ADD: with dignity] in sustainable development. [Turkey TO ADD: It also underlines, the challenges borne by persistent inequalities require a systematic, comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary and multisectoral approach, with policy, legislative and programmatic interventions and gender responsive budgeting. (based on CSW55 agreed conclusions, para. 21)] It calls for the integration of gender perspectives and the [Australia TO ADD: full and equal] participation of rural women in the preparations for, outcomes and follow up of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, to be held in Brazil in 2012, as well as in the internationally agreed development goals including the MDGs and their successor frameworks. (based on E/CN.6/2012/3, para. 72 (p); resolution on improvement of situation of women in rural areas A/RES/66/129, OP 9)

At our NGO CSW NY Morning Briefing on February 28, 2012 we had in attendance the Chairs from our sister Geneva and Vienna offices.

 

Lopa Banerjee, Head of Civil Society for UN Women:

• Ms. Banerjee is privileged to be part of this exciting Forum. As of yesterday, they’ve registered 326 orgs and 1397 individuals. Additionally, Ms. Banerjee relayed that yesterday the Chair of CEDAW commented on the clear link between the CSW and CEDAW, and its huge impact on the civil society community.

 

Soon Young-Yoon, Chair of the NGO/CSW/NY, announced the following:

• The Reception tonight at the Turkish Center is full, please print out your tickets and hand them in at the entrance. They will be presenting the Woman of Distinction Award to Myrna Cunningham Kain.
• Conversation Circles: Yesterday’s conversation circles represented the first time the NGO/CSW/NY has created a space for conversation that is not confined to a specific theme. Please attend conversation circles to discuss and share your thoughts in this safe space.
•  Organizers: Please do not have people sit on tables, if they are broken you will be charged $500. Those who are serving food, please clear out leftover food after your event. Thank you.
•  Regional Caucuses this evening: In your caucuses, you will be selecting 10 representatives to meet with UN Women on Saturday at 2:30 in the CCUN 2nd floor. This will be a space for regional caucuses to work and unfold at the country level.
•  Women War and Peace Film Series: There are spaces available on Thursday and Friday from 3-6pm in the Auditorium across the street.

 

Lakmish Puri: Executive Director of UN Women made the following comments regarding Monday’s sessions:

• The general debate so far has involved group statements and individual country statements on the theme following up to Beijing; it has not been limited to CSW56’s priority theme. There is a heightened realization of the importance of gender equality and women’s empowerment. Each country discussed their plans for development and restructuring to accomplish these goals, as well as the difficulties and challenges in accomplishing goals.
•  Regarding the High Level Panel on Rural Women:  One of the most productive inter-governmental exchanges seen in many years. There were short statements/interventions highlighting the experiences and policy perspectives of each delegation. It was a candid dialogue, a bit of show-and-tell about good practices and lessons learned.
• In summation: Rural women suffer a double disadvantage of being women and being rural. This comes through in many different ways, such as access to essential services (social, economic, physical, education, health, justice) and disadvantages of intersectional and intergenerational issues in the context of rural women. There is also the realization of the need to address these areas by governments and the importance of special measures to address these issues.  Delegates came forward to ad-hoc approaches; it should be comprehensive and part of development packages, as well as gender responsive planning and efforts.  It is important to empower women to become leaders and agents of change. The State should support rural women’s movements and create organizations and cooperatives. Economic and Political empowerment for rural women should be a priority so that they can be heard from the local to governmental level. Developmental aid policies must target rural women and should emphasize agriculture. There should be a sustainable development goal that emphasizes rural women related targets and indicators in other SDG’s in the Rio +20 and other events. Please take a look at the Agreed Conclusions text to keep informed.
• Encourage your delegations to be involved and to take part in CSO council groups in the Global Advisory Council. The CEDAW committee will strengthen the links between UN Women, CSO and CEDAW. This forum is a space for CSOs to engage with each other and engage with Member States. There are several opportunities for engagement, including panel discussions and general discussion spaces on March 5th. Regional Caucus statements can really make an impact, and can be linked to a discussion theme rather than organizational agendas/specificities.

 

At the Morning Briefing for Wednesday, 29 February, 2012 Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, Chair, NGO/CSW/Geneva, commenced the Morning Briefing, and introduced Christine Heckler.

 

Christine Heckler, Director for Strategic Partnerships.

• Discussed how there is great value in the fact the NGOs can sit in on meetings at the UN, as it helps to keep the channels of communication open with civil society.  This is something that both UN Women and Member States are concerned with, as including civil society is crucial.
• She mentioned how important it is to improve upon legal policy on the environment. It is also important to increase rural women’s access to land
• The key role of formal and informal education as imperative: through IT, business training, and overall education

 

Lopa Banerjee: Head of Civil Society for UN Women

• At this year’s CSW 56 there are a total of 1,598 registered representatives from civil society and 398 Member States
• Informed the attendants on methods of accessing the UN Meetings via web.
• She spoke to H.E. Mr. Carlos Garcia Gonzalez (El Salvador) of the Latin American and Caribbean States Group, Vice-Chair, on getting civil society input in the compilation text.  Member States also feel that they should incorporate language of human rights and sustainable development.
• There will be a session for civil society to attend on Friday, March 5th on the Agreed Conclusions at the UN. At this event Civil Society Organizations can listen and use the information discussed as background to come up with written statements.
• There has been discussion between G77 – EU & US – on how civil society will be involved in the process of consultation on the National Level.  Issue raised: What will be the mechanism used to incorporate civil society within the consultation process and what will be used to measure and ensure participation of civil society.

 

At today’s Morning Briefing on Thursday, 1 March 2012, Ilona Graenitz, Chair, NGO/CSW/Vienna, served as moderator. She mentioned yesterday’s event, the Rural Women’s Speak-Out, as an interesting and encompassing program for this year’s CSW 56. Participation is crucial, from the local, to the governmental to the international.

 

Lopa Banerjee, Head of Civil Society for UN Women:

• Discussed that registration exceeded last year’s numbers: 1727 representatives and 308 organizations.
• Mentioned that many country’s missions are hosting one-on-one meetings to help strengthen ties with governments and CSOs. Please present a cohesive view to your delegations for when they go into negotiations.
• All Member States were not able to present their views yesterday, but the Agreed Conclusions discussions will start on Friday in order to allow all Member States to present at the General Discussions of the CSW. Thus, on Monday, 5 March there will be a large amount of spillover from governments, meaning that there will be less space for CSOs to attend. The 30 selected to speak on Monday have received their confirmations from UN Women, and are encouraged to form Regional Caucuses so that they are more likely to be heard on that date. You have until the end of today to submit Geographical caucuses statements.
• The discussions at the UN have focused on implementation, both in terms of strengthen norms on women’s economic empowerment and wider stakeholder participation across the board. In terms of Logistics, the overflow room is Conference Room 3.

 

Soon-Young Yoon, Chair, NGO/CSW/NY:

• The new draft of Agreed Conclusions (as of March 1) is available at http://www.ngocsw.org/blog/?p=1813
• To address issues concerning the caucuses meeting. Ms. Yoon emphasized that the period between 8am and 8:45 the caucuses are free to meet on the 2nd floor of the CCUN this is a free space to assemble.

 

Christina Brautigam, Executive Secretary of the CSW for UN Women introduced Irina Velichko, Vice-Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Bureau

• Briefed on the amount of speakers at the High Level Meeting, yesterday an interactive dialogue was held regarding the priority theme of next year’s CSW: Elimination of Violence against Women. She is happy and hopes that there will be continued CSO involvement in CSW.
• The first consultation of the Agreed Conclusions will be held on Friday after the completion of the General Discussion, chaired by H.E. Garcia Gonzalez, Ambassador of El Salvador. There are two resolutions presented by Japan and by El Salvador, as well as one by G77, that are adopted on a bi-annual basis. There is also a new one from 2010 on Maternal Mortality presented by the US delegation.

 

At today’s Morning Briefing on Friday, 2 March 2012, moderated by Soon Young Yoon, Chair of NGO/CSW/NY:

• Correction: Global Gender Climate Alliance is having a training session at the CCUN (not the NLB) on Monday, 12:30p on the 2nd floor. It is a learning circle on climate change and gender.
• Attendees at the NGO portion of the NLB must return your passes for the next session; turn them in at our desk after the event.

 

H.E. Garcia Gonzales, Chair of CSW Bureau

• Today starts the formal discussion on the agreed conclusions. There is a large speaker list coming from national delegations. The CSW senses CSO frustrations regarding limited time to present statements.
• The CSW has the opportunity to view the negotiations on the Agreed Conclusions; the discussion has been very productive thus far. They are allowing the whole day for CSOs to be in the room and have general comments on the text in its entirety. Advice: listen to the delegations that are addressing CSO concerns and approach these delegations to ensure some of your points are included in the negotiations. Since next week’s sessions are mostly closed, please approach delegations today in order to ensure your points will be addressed and heard.

 

Lopa Banerjee:

• UN Women is not responsible for the CSW Outcome Document; the Bureau itself is in charge of that.
• Update on registration: 1824 representatives and 398 organizations have registered with the CSW this year.
• General Discussions will continue in Conference Room 4 all day. The agreed conclusions informal discussions will continue from conference room 3. There will be no overflow room because there were so many interventions between Member States that they had to run these both simultaneously.
• In discussions with CSOs, there has been a recurring question, about the CSO advisory groups in some developed or industrialized countries. UN Women, like the UN system, operates in Program Countries, which are members of the developing nations/middle income countries. The group of developing nations is the G8.  They have fully functioning offices in 55 countries. The CSO advisory groups will only be set up in fully functioning UN Women offices. Industrialized nations have either liaison officers or national committees to raise program funding, these are not Program Countries. Work with your organizations that are based in the Program countries to be part of the CSO advisory functions. This is how it has been laid out in the UN Mandate.
• NGO Consultation on Saturday, stress that the forum tomorrow provides an opportunity to engage with senior UN management and present your views on how the engagement of UN Women can work in the regional and country level and the global level. Engage tomorrow concretely, substantively and be prepared with your regional caucuses.
• In terms of the statements, how do these statements work? There are the statements for the panel discussions for the theme, these are continuing today, those who are part of this discussion are already on the speakers’ lists, if you are on it, you WILL know if you’re on it, you have received confirmation/communications already.
• Regarding the Monday March 5th discussion, UN Women has selected 30 respondents, and has received 25 statements. 12 are from caucuses and 13 are from individual orgs. Those from individual orgs will not be taken into consideration. However from those 13 caucuses, not all will be able to speak.
• Feedback sessions are available on the Internet.
• In Panel 3 on Financing for Gender Equality: Importance of setting up institutional framework, decentralization and how it supports the financing process. There was a lot of discussion on the need for strengthening partnerships for gender empowerment particularly by Member States.
• In Panel 4 the key issue discussed was increased funding for CSOs and UN Women as part of the process of accountability and monitoring. This CSW has opened a lot of space for advocacy work and strengthened our mandates and policies.
• For CSOs: Ms. Banerjee suggests taking time and coordinating amongst yourselves to have a concrete and single representative to approach delegates and let your voice be heard. Get into your groups and decide who amongst you will approach which delegation with what. Approach the delegates tactically and strategically with a written statement you can hand to them, you will facilitate their process to take your suggestions forward.

 

At today’s Morning Briefing on Monday, 5 March 2012.

Soon Young Yoon, Chair of NGO/CSW/NY, moderated.

• Began by emphasizing the importance of checking pages 56-58 in Handbook: this week’s schedule for Conversation Circles; several caucuses are also meeting today.
• Please keep in mind: Second draft of Agreed Conclusions may become available, but even UN Women and Member States don’t have a copy at this time.
• Corrections to the NGO/CSW/NY Handbook on p. 58: Learning Circle on Gender and Climate Change: 12:30 on 2nd floor today.
• Thursday, March 8: Celebration March will meet on 42nd St. and 1st Avenue immediately after morning briefing. To end at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.

 

Lopa Banerjee, Director of Civil Society for UN Women:

• This will be a tough week. Agreed Conclusions discussion Friday: emerging points of disagreement among Member States. Closed-door discussions were even more difficult, consensus will be very difficult to obtain.
• 12 caucuses have received emails from UN Women to come to the UN hall, with 25 copies of statement, today. They will be submitted to conference committee and UN Women will try to get them in front of group. Please find a chance to speak with your national delegation while it is ongoing.
• The EU included a stronger focus on Human Rights in the Agreed Conclusions document, compared to African groups, which focused on getting text back to basics for rural women water & health. Lichtenstein had a stronger focus on access to justice. Jordan wanted language on school dropouts. Some want climate change language included. Some countries pushing for language in keeping with Sharia.

 

At today’s Morning Briefing on Tuesday, March 6 2012 was moderated by NGO/CSW/Vienna representative Catharina Grau

• For today’s schedule, please view your Handbooks (if you don’t have a printed version, please download it at www.ngocsw.org)
• Be sure to advocate at your national delegations to advance women’s rights. Get information on your national delegates on the UN website.

 

Soon Young Yoon, Chair of NGO/CSW/NY

• We will not provide hard copies of the revised Agreed Conclusions.  We have sent out the Second version from Feb. 22nd, it is available on our website at http://bit.ly/yxoZjY
• In addition to the march on Thursday, 8 March, there will be a commemoration tomorrow Wednesday, 7 March for International Women’s Day by UN Women. You must have a grounds pass to attend.

 

Lopa Banerjee, Civil Society Representative for UN Women

• All 12 NGO caucus statements were able to present yesterday at the CSW General Session at the UN
• Now, as we’re moving into the 2nd week of CSW56, there are more closed-door meetings. The revised outcome document still hasn’t been released publicly and will not be shared with Civil Society until they’ve been able to reach some agreements. Will likely be shared with CSOs by 7 March.
• In terms of what the discussions have focused on, there are many different perspectives at this point in time. For example, there are negotiations around the human rights language, strengthening of economic empowerment, conceptual difference between equity and equality, concepts of heterogeneity (which addresses sexual preference). These discussions are inter-governmental behind closed doors.
• As of today, there are 2005 representatives and 423 organizations registered for CSW56

 

Today’s Morning Briefing, on Wednesday, 7 March 2012, was moderated by NGO/CSW/NY Vice-Chair Susan O’Malley.

• Tomorrow’s March for International Women’s Day will begin at 10am, at which time you’ll be given sashes and markers to write your cause on them. Meet at 42nd Street and 1st Avenue.

 

Saraswati Menon, Director of Policy Division for UN Women

• Thanks to CSOs, the UN system and side events, we are focusing on a huge number of issues and linking them to the main theme of this year’s CSW56. In order to address gender equality, you cannot just look at one issue, but must take into consideration all side issues in order to affect gender equality policy.
• Governments in the room at CSW are very committed to the issue and are very knowledgeable. There are panels that have been inspiring and governments are very engaged. In CSO activism, there needs to be an addressing of the need to spread your causes outside of the CSW context.
• The Agreed Conclusions are now being discussed in closed-door meetings; the next step is ensuring that the finalized Outcome Document is employed in your country.

 

Mr. Filippo Cinti, Western European and other States Group, Vice-Chair of CSW Bureau

• The countries are going through the first reading of the Agreed Conclusions text. There are many proposals on the table, and the facilitator is trying to expedite a finalized version of the text by Thursday, 8 March.
• There are 6 resolutions: Maternal Mortality, Women taken Hostages, Women/Girls HIV/AIDS, Gender and Natural Disasters, Indigenous Women, Procedural Resolution on Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting.
• There was a panel yesterday on engaging young people in the fight for gender equality. Facilitating the participation of young people in the CSW is a challenge for UN Women, CSOs and Delegations, but there is a proposal to integrate them more in discussion and is being considered for the future.
• Summaries of panels and other CSW56 discussions are available on the CSW Bureau website: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/56sess.htm

 

After the session officially closed, members were invited to remain to attend an informal meeting on “Access to Justice” at the UN.

 

 

At today’s Morning Briefing on Thursday 8 March 2012, International Women’s Day, Carolyn Hunchen of NGO/CSW/Geneva moderated.

 

 

 

Christine Heckler, Director for Strategic Partnership UN Women

 

• Salutes us on this International Women’s Day, this is a day to fight for women’s rights “It’s your world, shape it or someone else will”
• This CSW has given rich possibilities for encounters amongst CSOs and Governmental representatives. The negotiations are still ongoing.
• In bilateral meetings with Gender Equality Ministers around the world, many of the ministers have asked UN Women about engagement with civil society, which indicates that CSOs have done a good job of engaging with their governments.
• During the Rural Women’s Speak-Out, UN Women saw that it needs to be more accessible and malleable in the civil society context. UN Women is only 1 year old, so it is still formulating offices and will grow steadily.  It is taking into account how to engage substantively by drawing upon NGOs’ expertise.
• UN Women wants to thank the NGOs and CSOs for their hard work, feedback and future collaboration

 

 

 

Lopa Banerjee, Director of Civil Society for UN Women

•  As of yesterday, 2055 individuals and 429 organizations have registered and attended CSW this year from the CS and NGO communities
• Soon-Young Yoon, Chair of NGO/CSW/NY, was able to achieve a great feat by getting the draft copy of the Agreed Conclusions document that was only distributed to the governmental representatives engaging in the current closed-door negotiations. It is available at www.ngocsw.org. This version of the Outcome document has many amendments and is lengthy, while it is still in the negotiations process. CSOs cannot attend the closed-door meeting negotiations on the Outcome Document.
• To read the Speech for International Women’s Day by the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, available at http://www.un.org/en/events/women/iwd/2011/sg_message_2011.shtml

 

Soon-Young Yoon, Chair of the NGO/CSW/NY

•  In terms of how to proceed after CSW, as members of civil society and NGOs, it is important to pressure delegations to give you a debriefing on their positions on the Outcome Document.
• In order to facilitate contact and strengthening the relationship between the CSO and the national delegations, we will try to make contact information for government delegations and ministers more widely accessible through our website. You can also link to the Blue Book of missions’ contact information, available online at the UN Members Portal.

 

The briefing concluded with preparing sashes for the “Global Women, Peace and Equality March” at 10:30 on the corner of 42nd and 1st Avenue (continuing to Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, where the March will conclude). Happy International Women’s Day!