2013 4-15 march

NEWSLETTER

57 Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women is a functional commission of the  United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It is the principal global policy-making body dedicated exclusively to gender equality and advancement of women. Every year, representatives of Member States gather at United Nations Headquarters in New York to evaluate progress on gender equality, identify challenges, set global standards and formulate concrete policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment worldwide.UN Women facilitates the participation of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). NGOs have been influential in shaping the current global policy framework on women’s empowerment and gender equality - the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. They continue to play an important role in holding international and national leaders accountable for the commitments they made in the Platform for Action. The Commission meets annually for a period of 10 working days (late February - early March) at United Nations Headquarters in New York. This year 57th session

took place.On 21 June 1946, the Sub-Commission formally became the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), a full-fledged Commission dedicated to ensuring women’s equality and to promoting women’s rights. The Commission on the Status of Women first met in February 1947. Though there was no formal decision at the UNCIO (United Nations Conference on International Organization), a clear

majority expressed themselves in favor of the Commission on the Status of Women. When the United Nations held its inaugural meetings in London in February 1946, women's rights were a prominent item on the agenda. The former First Lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt, a social reformer and human rights advocate, was now appointed as a delegate. She read 'An Open Letter to the Women of the World' from the 17 women attending the session, expressing the hope that women's involvement in the UN would grow, and calling on governments to encourage women to be active in national and international affairs and in building peace. At the meeting a sub commission on the status of women was created under the Human Rights Commission. 

Purpose of the 57th session, theme and challenges

Priority theme of the 57th session was elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls; Review theme was the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of

HIV/AIDS; and emerging issue is key gender equality issues to be reflected in the post-2015 development framework.Main challenges are different forms of violence, early marriages, intimate partner violence, men’s role in elimination and prevention of violence against women and girls, women’s political participation and economic empowerment, inclusion of rural women in decision making, access to economic resources, services, fight against poverty, increase of the women’s role in the family and family empowerment (recommendation to be reflected in Millennium Development Goals), Gender related killings, femicide.One of the important issues outlined was policy implementation, ratification of Istanbul Convention, etc. There are issues which are stressed by each government based on its importance in the country agenda which is then reflected in the final

document. Summarizing the conclusions of the previous session is also crucial as well as results oriented approaches and main emphasis is made exactly on this issue by the representatives of UN Agencies and civil society. Representatives of states, as well as UN Agencies and civil society agree that holistic approach is essential, with inclusion of all members of the society,

empowerment of women and also involvement of men and boys, traditional and religious leaders to stop violence against women and girls, encourage women empowerment and protection of their rights. Violence against girls often becomes reason for leaving school. Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova stressed: “We know that violence against girls is one of the main reasons, predominantly big reason for forcing girls to drop out of schools. We do believe that changing curriculum; training teachers in many cases, having more women teachers in schools, because we know that in some environments there are predominantly male teachers so having also women teachers in schools changes the attitude.” Therefore, this is very important to train teachers, change curriculum and that there are more women at school because of their sensitive attitudes. Deputy Executive Director (external relations) of UNICEF Johanna (Yoka) Brandt talked about why women have limited access to health care services. She mentioned: “Why girls? Why are they particularly vulnerable? Because they are located on the intersection of the two persistent and pervasive inequalities in

society, age and being female, gender. Women typically have less access to reproductive health than men in all societies and girls are being younger also have the double disadvantage of young and therefore having even less access to decision making power and less access to key resources.” Deputy high commissioner for human rights, Kyung-wha Kang draw special attention to the conventions and declarations, especially the importance of Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women as it gives a critical concept of “Due Diligence” . She mentioned: “There are good practices to learn from but obviously much more needs to be done. We find that theirs is consistent lacking of state funding for initiatives and principles aimed at preventing violence against women and girls, which is a due diligence obligation, and I think critical at this point is – there’s still considerable obstacles to women’s access to justice, which results in wide spread of impunity perpetrators go free, and violence against women continue to suffer perpetually because weather it’s week justice systems or because they should continue in the framework of morality public decency or honor, rather than as a violation of fundamental right of individuals, to security of a person or bodily integrity.“

Women’s Information Center Meetings

Women’s Information Center attended official sessions as well as side events organized by different NGOs and networks. It was very important to attend events organized by UN Women with the participation of NGOs, official delegations and advisory group, where the issues reflected in the draft agreed conclusions and at the official panel discussions were widely and deeply addressed. Also it was very important to attend the meeting organized by UN agencies about the new system – “UN Women Knowledge Gateway” which is created by UN and main emphasis is made on women’s economic empowerment at all levels, especially empowerment of rural women and highlights the importance of access to economic resources and its importance for the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. The Knowledge Gateway aims to mobilize capacity among

partners to act on the trends and drivers of change for women’s economic empowerment across themes and stakeholders. It was also of strategic importance for Women’s Information Center to participate in the event about the role of men and boys in the elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. Different researches were presented at the meeting which showed the importance of men’s role in the fight against violence, researches were

from different countries and regions.

On the first day of the sessions, women’s information center made an interview with the chair of the NGO committee of the status of women, Soon Young Yoon about the importance of the commission on the status of women, role of civil society and 57th

session specifically and the reportage can be seen at http://www.ginsc.net/main.php?option=view_article&mode=0&article=25488&lang=en) Women’s Information Center had very important meetings with the organizations and networks it is a part of. Representatives of Women’s Information Center organized individual meetings with the representative of Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), The Global Network of Women Peace builders (GNWP), representative of UN Women, Global Fund for Women, and Network of east-west women. Women’s Information Center is already a focal point of these networks and organizations in Georgia. Further initiatives were planned at these meetings and Women’s Information center received an invitation at the conference of WAVE network in Sofia on Violence against women and girls, Bulgaria and invitation at the conference in Istanbul form GNWP. With the network of east-West Women, further steps of cooperation were planned regarding organizing international conference.

Official Delegation of Georgia

Official delegation of Georgia was presented by Ms. Lali Papiashvili, Chair of the Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence and Ms. Tamar Kintsurashvili Deputy Secretary of the Georgian National Security Council. Ms. Lali Papiashvili delivered a speech at the High-level round table B, 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). She underlined in her speech that domestic violence is even graver when it happens inside family, people must feel themselves safer. Therefore the elimination of all forms of violence against women must be essential component of the 2015 development agenda with clear targets and indicators. She mentioned that “Georgia has undertaken concrete measures in a variety of directions among them – criminalization of domestic violence, and non compliance with obligations prescribed by order, set up national referral mechanisms, standards for the shelters, crisis centers and service providers have been introduced, as well as concept paper on rehabilitation of perpetrators; application to accord has been simplified, and accept from state duty paper, etc. several national action plans have also been adopted and their implementation is monitored by NGOs, and now we join UN Women’s commit to end violence against women by signing Istanbul convention at earliest possible opportunity.” She emphasized that “Creation of institutional mechanism so that victims can report acts of violence in a safer and confidential environment is another key issue” and also that “awareness raising programs, educational programs and men-to-men talks is crucial. Men and boys play crucial role in our work for gender equality and Georgia has a good experience of it.” She also drew her attention to the fact that

“faith biased organizations and leaders can play crucial role and contribute to change. Our religious institutions and traditional leaders can make a rather positive impact.” She underlined that “government should take responsibility to change behavior of the perpetrators because only punishment is not enough. Recently a new rehabilitation programs for the imprisoned perpetrators have been introduced by the ministry of probation in cooperation with a local NGO as a pilot project.” In the end of the speech she mentioned that “We pay special attention to prevention and therefore wide scale of awareness raising for general public as well as high risk groups and service providers, also for legal practitioners are conducted on a regular basis through different educational courses.” Ms. Tamar Kintsurashvili in her speech drew her attention to the violence motivated by racism, homophobia, or hate speech. And made more focus on legislative provisions. As for the progress she mentioned that the criminal code of Georgia was amended provided on offences committed on the ground of gender identification, sexual orientation, ethnical violence, etc. Another issue she referred to was how to address the perception of violence between different societies at global level.Manana Kobakhidze delivered speech at 10th meeting, General discussion (Item 3). She emphasized that “Elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls, combating all forms of discrimination versus women and girls, should be the main goals and priority issues in the strategy of human rights defense in our countries. Georgia agrees with the main conclusion prepared and drafted within the framework of the 57th session of CSW. Georgia aliens itself with the statement delivered by European Union however I would like to elaborate few more remarks in my national capacity. Georgia has been advancing steadily towards the prevention of violence against women and girls and protecting victims, survivals of such violence. Recent statement made by the government of Georgia voiced in the framework of the UN Women commit initiative according to which government has committed to join the Istanbul convention as soon as possible is a very clear indicative step in this direction along with the fact that Georgia has adopted laws and naps in the field of combating domestic violence and trafficking in human beings. As a chair of the GEC, I would like to underline my personal commitment to the combating all forms of violence and discrimination against women and girls and in this regard, together with my colleagues in the legislature, we feel responsible to do all of our best to harmonize Georgian legislation with the provisions of the Istanbul Convention.” She also mentioned opening of crisis centers and rehabilitation centers for victims and survivals of domestic violence. “Recently, the mandate of the state fund for the assistance and protection of the victims of the trafficking in human beings and domestic violence expanded to also include victims of the domestic and sexual violence in the context of peace as well as conflict. Active work is underway through interagency working group towards elaboration of the national referral mechanism for those members of our society who have faced sexual and gender based violence during Georgia’s highly turbulent and conflict affected years. “

Government of Georgia joined UN WOMEN’s COMMIT To End Violence against Women

Ms. Lali Papiashvili, Chair of the Inter-Agency Council on Domestic Violence at the High-level round table B, 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) declared very important news that the Government of Georgia joined UN WOMEN’s COMMIT To End Violence against Women Initiative and commits to further improve women’s access to justice by signing and ratifying the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) at the earliest possible opportunity. Georgia intends to maintain and strengthen its efforts to prevent and combat domestic violence by carrying out national awareness–raising campaigns to stop domestic violence, promptly responding to reports on violence coming through specially established hotlines, providing victims with shelter facilities, and ensuring the safety of whistleblowers, among other measures.Georgia will actively continue implementing the National Action Plan regarding the 1325 and other relevant resolutions of the UN Security Council on “Women, Peace and Security”, which inter alia, envisages increase of women participation in the security sector decision-making and their further empowerment in this regard.

8 March- International Women’s Day

8 March, 2013 started with international women’s day celebration followed by agreed conclusions. Michelle Bachalet mentioned in the end of her speech at the International Women’s Day Commemorative Event at the United Nations emphasizing that “Today on International Women’s Day and every day, let us individually and collectively pledge to do all we can to promote and protect women’s rights so that every girl and women can live free of violence and discrimination. Today on International Women’s Day and every day, let us go forward with courage, conviction and commitment.” From China to Costa Rica, from Mali to Malaysia acclaimed singers and musicians, women and men, have come together to spread a message of unity and solidarity: We are "One Woman".Launched on International Women's Day, 8 March 2013, the song is a rallying cry that inspires listeners to join the drive for women's rights and gender equality. "One Woman" was written for UN Women, the global champion for women and girls worldwide, to celebrate its mission and work to improve women's lives around the world. "One Woman" reminds us that together, we can overcome violence and

discrimination against women and look toward a brighter future: "We Shall Shine!" Join us to help spread the word and enjoy this musical celebration of women worldwide. Watch the song - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Dnq2QeCvwpw.

Agreed Conclusions

Agreed Conclusions were adopted on March 15, 2013 where very important aspects for the challenges and possible solutions the world is now facing in relation to the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls is

addressed. It is very important to mention that the Commission referred to the international commitments and conventions while discussing all major issues and main emphasis was made on the importance of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as a cross-cutting issue in different international instruments, as well as UN Security Council resolutions 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000, 1820 (2008) of 19 June 2008, 1888 (2009) of 30 September 2009, 1889 (2009) of 5 October 2009 and 1960 (2010) of 16 December 2010 on women and peace and security and all relevant Security Council resolutions on children and armed conflict, including resolutions 1882 (2009) of 4 August 2009 and 1998 (2011) of 12 July 2011 on armed conflict and post-conflict situations. The main theme of the 57th session was elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls and the conclusions clearly define that “violence against women” means not only acts of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life, but most importantly, this is connected with huge economic and social harm. The first issue the commission outlines is to “consider ratifying or acceding to, as a particular matter of priority, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child and their respective Optional Protocols, …… and implement them fully “

Very important issues addressed in the agreed conclusions include mainstreaming a gender perspective into all legislation, policies and programs and allocate adequate financial and human resources, to promote women’s full participation in the formal economy, in particular in economic decision-making, and their equal access to full employment and decent work; Engagement of men and boys has been one of the most important issues addressed during the sessions as well as side events and therefore, commission outlined in its final conclusions the activities in this direction - Engage, educate, encourage and support men and boys to take responsibility for their behavior, and to ensure that men and adolescent boys take responsibility for their sexual and reproductive behavior, and to refrain from all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls; promote respectful relationships, provide positive role models for gender equality and to encourage men and boys to take an active part and become strategic partners and allies in the prevention and elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls;Another very important topic of discussion was care giving and equal sharing of responsibilities and chores between men and women in care giving.It has been widely agreed that holistic approach is needed to address the problems of violence against women and girls and the action has been outlined that calls to mobilize communities and institutions to address and change attitudes, behaviours and] practices that perpetuate and condone gender stereotypes and all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, by engaging not only with women’s and youth but men and boys and with individuals at all levels of society and in all settings, religious and community leaders and elders, teachers and parents;“The Commission emphasizes that ending violence against women and girls is imperative, including for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, and must be a priority for the eradication of poverty, the achievement of inclusive sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, health, gender equality and empowerment of women, sustainable and inclusive economic growth and social cohesion, and vice versa. The Commission strongly recommends that the realization of gender equality and empowerment of women be considered as a priority in the elaboration of the post-2015 development agenda”.Women’s Information Center would like to express gratitude towards UN Women and National Democratic Institute (NDI) for supporting the visit of the Women’s Information Center.

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