The Dutch House of Representatives

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1 The Dutch House of Representatives Human rights in Dutch foreign policy Nº 39 Letter of 15 November 2011 from the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister for European Affairs and International Cooperation to the House of Representatives, on international gender policy I am pleased to send you the letter on international gender policy, in line with the undertaking made to the House in the plenary debate of 29 June 2011 following the parliamentary committee meeting on human rights (Proceedings House of Representatives 2010/11, no. 99, item 6, pp ) to work out women s rights as a priority policy in greater detail, and with the pledge made during the plenary debate on 21 June 2011 following the parliamentary committee meeting on the Letter to the House of Representatives presenting the spearheads of development cooperation policy (Parliamentary Paper , no. 49) to draw up an overarching gender policy. Equal rights and opportunities for women, and their full participation in society and decision-making, are vital for international security and stability, for prosperity, and for stable growth. That is the raison d etat of gender equality. Women s rights are human rights. Equality between men and women is one of the foundations of democracy and the rule of law. That is the raison d humanité. The government feels responsible for this, hence its policy on gender equality (see the letter outlining equal opportunities policy by the coordinating minister, the Minister of Education, Culture and Science, , no. 74, 8 April 2011). The government is working to further gender equality and equal opportunities for women along two parallel tracks, each of which reinforces the other. The first track is an independent, overarching international gender policy with four priorities; leadership and political empowerment for women, following up UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, economic selfreliance for women, and combating trafficking in and violence against women. The second track is the systematic integration of gender issues in the three pillars of foreign policy and in the four spearheads of development cooperation. Both tracks are based on the coalition agreement, the letter outlining equal opportunities policy, the policy document Responsible for freedom human rights in foreign policy and the Letter to the House of Representatives presenting the spearheads of development cooperation policy (32 605, no. 2). This approach mirrors the foreign policy of key Dutch partners and donors, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, the Scandinavian countries, OECD-DAC and NATO. The Millennium Development Goals Report 2011 published by the UN Secretary-General in July 2011 noted that MDG3 (equal rights for men and women), MDG5 (maternal mortality and SRHR) and MDG7 (sanitation) are lagging behind and will not be achieved. The government will make efforts to bring these MDGs which are vital for women closer to realisation. The government s principle is that promoting gender equality will make policy more effective. This involves making careful choices and being selective in the interventions we pursue. The results we hope to achieve are determined by the added value the Netherlands can bring, and entail a demanddriven and made-to-measure approach. Our added value lies in our considerable experience and expertise, a history of promoting the status of women abroad, and broad international recognition of this. The Netherlands enjoys international credibility as a global player. A made-to-measure and 1

2 demand-driven approach means successfully adapting interventions to local needs, conditions and opportunities. The Netherlands will continue to work towards achieving tangible results with ministries, knowledge institutions, international partners (the EU, UN, OSCE and NATO), the business community, and NGOs. The agenda is determined by an effective division of labour. Special focus is being placed on the North Africa and the Middle East region (MENA). Women s voices have been clearly heard in calls for democracy since early Women are still in a very disadvantaged position in the Arab region. The many courageous women who have resisted those in power have shown that they are willing and able to stand up for freedom, democracy and equal rights. It will take time and tailored interventions to enable these women to achieve their demands, but we will do all we can to support this process. This applies not only in the region in question, but in other parts of the world and in particular in our 15 development partner countries and in regional programmes. Below we detail the policy that will allow us to achieve this. Track one: independent gender policy 1. Leadership and women s political power Women are still in the minority in politics, government and the business community. This is a missed opportunity, as it has been proven that more women and greater diversity improve decision-making (because it is more broadly supported) and bring about more stable, and more sustainable, societies. This is smart politics. Increase women s participation in the political and social processes of change, and increase female leadership in the Arab region and in our 15 development partner countries. Women s local and regional initiatives, in the Arab region and in the 15 development partner countries, are receiving financial support and expertise, enabling women to get involved in politics. The capacity of women s organisations has been increased in terms of management and financial administration. Women are becoming more involved in transitional processes in the Arab region, and are better represented in institutions now being set up. Country-by-country gender checks are being carried out to determine which transitional processes require extra input. 2. Security Council resolution 1325 The government is actively implementing Security Council resolution 1325, on the role of women in countries during and after conflict. The resolution has made a significant contribution to the integration of a security and political perspective in gender policy, and vice versa. Women s particular needs and rights, and their abilities and capacities within the peace process and reconstruction, are a vital part of sustainable peace. This is smart security. This conclusion forms the basis for resolution 1325 and for the Joint Statement on Supporting Women s Political Empowerment in Emerging Democracies signed by foreign minister Uri Rosenthal and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on 21 April The Netherlands took the initiative within NATO to implement this resolution. The first National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 generated promising results. One example is the partnership with the security sector in Burundi, where research conducted by a Dutch NGO (Oxfam Novib) and the partnership between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence and Burundian colleagues resulted in gender informing the new policy plans drawn up for the Burundian army and the police as a guiding principle and a priority. 2

3 Women to play a greater role in peace and democratisation processes in the six focus countries referred to in the National Action Plan on Resolution The Netherlands will increase stability in these six countries by strengthening the position of women. A second National Action Plan on Resolution 1325 (NAP II; ) is being implemented in Afghanistan, Burundi, DRC, South Sudan, Sudan and Colombia. The Netherlands experiences and best practices from NAP I are being documented and circulated together with those of other countries, including the US. The Netherlands is making concrete proposals at EU level regarding the strengthening of the position of women in the Libyan constitutional process and the implementation of the Comprehensive Approach to the EU implementation of UN SCRs 1325 and Women s economic self-reliance The recently published World Development Report 2012 on gender equality and development has again highlighted the fact that inequality between men and women means that half of human capital is disadvantaged. This is primarily due to differences in access to means of production (land and financial services in particular) and to the fact that markets and financial institutions often discriminate against women. If women have greater power to make economic decisions they will be more self-reliant, have more control over sources of aid, a bigger action radius and a greater say in politics and management. Greater economic power for women helps boost prosperity, which makes it smart economics. Strengthening women s rights and the power of women to make decisions is therefore an important condition. These lessons from the World Development Report 2012 will be taken into account over the next few years. Increase women s economic power and strengthen the role women play in making decisions on economic issues. At least two flagship public-private partnerships to boost gender-relevant compliance with the four core ILO conventions. Emphasis is being placed on the participation of women and encouraging female entrepreneurship in economic diplomacy and in support for corporate social responsibility. Funds for stimulating economic development, such as the Private Sector Investment Programme (PSI), are being assessed according to their promotion of gender equality and female entrepreneurship. 4. Combating trafficking in and violence against women Violence affects women and girls of all ages. Violence against women is unacceptable and damages them and their families and communities for generations. It substantiates other forms of violence in society, as well as undermining women s health and affecting their capacity for participating in public life. Damaging practices affecting girls in particular, such as genital mutilation (female circumcision) and marrying them off at a young age, are deeply rooted in tradition. Eradicating these practices is a long-term process, in which most can be gained by raising awareness and activism from below, supported by the international community. Trafficking in women and forced prostitution are forms of violence that are often crossborder in nature. The WHO calculated in 2001 that the cost to the US of sexual violence in social and economic terms was equivalent to 3.3% of GNP. Reduce violence against women, combat trafficking in women and eliminate damaging practices worldwide. 3

4 We are working closely with other EU member states to implement the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence. Embassies are supporting efforts to combat violence against women and improve relevant legislation through NGOs, in the process building on successful past results, for example by training the police and setting up special units to tackle violence against women. The Netherlands is working with UNICEF and other specialist organisations to eliminate genital mutilation of girls and to encourage them to go to school. The Netherlands is continuing to support the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women, managed by UN WOMEN, with an annual contribution of 2 million euros. Track two: integration of gender issues in foreign and development cooperation policy In additional to independent gender policy, as described under track one, the government is integrating gender issues in the three pillars of foreign policy (security and the legal order, prosperity, and freedom), and in the four spearheads of development cooperation: security and the rule of law, food security, water, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Specific objectives and results are being formulated within these pillars and spearheads to foster equal rights and opportunities for women. Policy theme departments within the Ministry and embassies are responsible for operationalising this integration. 5. Security and the rule of law The guiding principle of Dutch efforts to uphold security and the rule of law is promoting human security in conflict-torn countries and fragile states. Knowledge of the different perspectives of and roles played by men and women is indispensable to this process. It is partly due to the Netherlands that the role of women in peacebuilding has been included in NATO s new Strategic Concept. The Netherlands plays a leading role in civil-military cooperation in operations and in the integrated approach to women, peace and security, also known as the genderresponsive 3D approach: diplomacy, defence and development. This is already being implemented, for example in Afghanistan, where specific attention is being devoted in the integrated police training mission to women s access to the police and the criminal justice system. In the DRC the Netherlands is working to integrate the issue of sexual violence into its support for the Congolese security sector. Within the legal order, too, gender equality is by no means guaranteed everywhere. In some cases legislation upholds inequality, in other cases inequality is due to inadequate enforcement or the absence of legislation. In almost all cases it is harder for women to obtain justice than men. The gender dimension is an essential part of humanitarian aid. Women and girls are among those worst affected by disasters, or in their aftermath. They also have different needs and capabilities than men and boys. These are the guiding principles for humanitarian policy, and are explicitly spelled out. The serious consequences of sexual and other types of violence for girls schooling are not sufficiently recognised. For example, parents prevent their daughters from attending school if an area is especially unsafe, as schoolgirls are particularly vulnerable. The Netherlands is working to improve the quality of girls education in 18 fragile states through the UNICEF programme for education in such states. In the follow-up phase, UNICEF s input will include efforts to improve schoolchildren s ability to cope with conflict. This should help reduce sexual and other violence against girls in unsafe areas. The Netherlands to remain at the forefront of international efforts to apply a gender responsive 3-D approach. A stronger position for women as actors in reconstruction and peace processes in fragile states. Within the local context, improve legal equality and access to the formal or informal legal order. Improve access to safe schooling, for girls in particular. Humanitarian aid to address the specific needs of women and girls. 4

5 Civilian missions and military operations work from a gender perspective by deploying gender expertise. The Netherlands, together with other countries, is supporting High Representative Baroness Ashton s plan to include gender objectives in Association Agreements under European Neighbourhood Policy. Diplomats, soldiers and officials are better able to operationalise gender aspects in their work in fragile states, for example by continuing with the successful Spanish-Dutch initiative for a sixmonthly training programme in capacity building entitled A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations. All activities supported by the Stability Fund and the reconstruction fund are checked for the contribution they make to the improved position/participation of women and the objectives of UN Security Council resolution Gender analysis is being included in existing conflict analyses. Research is giving greater insight into the relationship between a state s fragility (during and in the aftermath of conflict), gender, and poor MDG performance. Improved and inclusive access for women to courts in fragile states, greater support for victims of sexual violence. Greater access for women to police and criminal justice authorities in Kunduz. Increased ability of children of school age, including girls, to cope with conflict and find peaceful solutions in 18 fragile states. Humanitarian aid providers are adapting gender standards and tightening them up where necessary. The Netherlands holds them accountable for this. 6. Food security/water/energy/climate In developing countries, women produce half of all food. Education and credit programmes can contribute to the development of women s economic potential, and thus promote food security and stable economic growth. As women play an important role in providing food, and water is an important production factor, it is crucial that women are involved in decision-making concerning water management. The availability of safe and close sanitary facilities increases the security and dignity of women and girls. Providing water and such facilities in local neighbourhoods and near schools increases the participation of women and girls in schooling and in the local community. Moreover, this frees up more time for productive activities, and reduces illness and death due to poor hygiene. More than two billion poor people, many of them women, are dependent on traditional sources of energy such as firewood, coal and manure. The use of modern forms of energy in and near the home improves women s living conditions and has a positive socioeconomic effect. Health is improved by less smoke within the home, and safety is improved by lighting, access to schooling and healthcare is improved thanks to electricity being available in the evening, greater access to media, information and communication (mobile telephones) and opportunities for commercial activities (e.g. processing agricultural products). One recent theme in which gender ought to feature prominently is climate change. Women will be affected by climate change: access to water and food production will be influenced by changes in climate patterns, and this will have a knock-on effect. Investing in women s education will increase their capacity to adapt to climate change. Gender should therefore be integrated into all climaterelated investment plans to give a clear overview of the consequences for both men and women. Sustainable increase of production by and income for women, improved food security for women (e.g. through improved access and distribution), participation in decision-making on water management, and improved access to energy, drinking water and sanitation. 5

6 The participation of women and impact on women are being analysed where possible at all stages of water and food security activities. Equal access of women to means of production, knowledge and markets is being stimulated in the 15 development partner countries. The PSI programme is promoting women s entrepreneurship and participation in the labour market, especially in the Arab region. Applying the gender equality assessment criterion to the ORIO grant facility is helping to provide better public facilities for women. Women have greater power to make decisions in agricultural organisations and cooperations supported by the Netherlands. Women have greater access to modern forms of energy, such as the introduction of clean cooking stoves, biogas installations, small hydro-electric power stations, solar panels and food-processing technologies. Women play a greater role in water management through increased participation in vocational education and contributing to local water committees. Drinking water and sanitation facilities for women and girls are improved. Gender issues are incorporated in various climate-related investment plans, relating to both mitigation and adaptation. Women play a greater role in negotiations on climate and can therefore raise their points of particular interest. 7. Freedom and human rights/sexual and reproductive rights. The Netherlands is responding actively to counteract the threatened dilution of the carefully achieved international consensus on gender and human freedom, as expressed in 2011 in the UN General Assembly, UN Human Rights Council and the Commission on the Status of Women The right to determine one s own sexuality and the right to take one s own decisions about reproduction free from pressure or violence are fundamental human rights. Protecting and, above all, ensuring the active realisation of these rights directly affects the freedom, security and prosperity of all, sexual minorities and the heterosexual majority alike. The government is making particular efforts where the rights of LGBTs are concerned. However, women are especially important in this context, and there is a close and mutual relationship with gender equality. It has been demonstrated that the stronger the position of women is, the better these rights are respected, and vice versa, i.e. achieving these rights helps achieve greater gender equality. For example, a lack of education, freedom of movement and self-determination often prevent women from being able to decide for themselves whether and when they want children and, if so, how many. Maternal mortality that could have been prevented (still 350,000 women a year) is a flagrant violation of the right to life. The weaker economic position of (young) women often results in sex-for-money, (teenage) pregnancy and the spread of STIs, including HIV. Ensuring sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) starts with monitoring international consensus on SRHR and the national legislation that puts consensus into action. Genuine implementation and enforcement of this legislation is crucial. There is still a long way to go in both areas. For example, in some countries some of which are development partner countries women can be imprisoned for having an abortion. Even if effective legislation is in place and is implemented, that is no guarantee that SRHR are actually realised. This requires investments in girls education, targeted provision of accurate information on contraception, accessible family planning and abortion services, and care during pregnancy and childbirth. Increasing women s self-determination does not benefit them alone. The positive effects on society are countless. Maintaining the Netherlands role as pioneer in combating discrimination on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation and gender identity. Protecting, promoting and realising SRHR for men and women, heterosexuals and LGBTs, young and old. 6

7 The Netherlands is working to bring about the right of access to an independent tribunal for female victims of violence. This is highlighted in the biennial UN General Assembly resolution and the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November). The Netherlands supports NGOs in drawing up shadow reports for the treaty bodies that monitor compliance with these rights (the CEDAW Committee and CRC Committee). The Netherlands actively promotes the political participation and leadership of women through the Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW) and the National Action Plan on Resolution 1325, and by promoting SRHR in international political forums such as the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the Human Rights Council and the EU. The Netherland continues to call for international forums and partner countries to focus on SRHR, including LGBT rights. Better and greater knowledge regarding access to contraceptives, male and female condoms and other products for preventing unwanted pregnancy, STIs and HIV in development cooperation partner countries. Improved access to and quality of healthcare services in relation to sexual health, including safe abortion in development partner countries. Increased focus on young people and sexuality and sexual and reproductive rights, and for marginalised groups such as homosexual men, sex workers and drug users in development cooperation partner countries. Greater knowledge and capacity in the area of young people and sexuality, expressed in a clear vision on this theme, put forward by the Netherlands in international forums. Methods and means The following instruments are used for implementing the Netherlands own international gender policy and integrating gender issues in foreign and development cooperation policy across the board: The person responsible for gender policy will also be tasked to help to spread its message (gender ambassador). This means forming international coalitions and promoting a follow-up to the broad equal rights and opportunities policy along bilateral and multilateral paths and in cooperation with NGOs. She/he supports the integration of gender in foreign and development cooperation policy, undertakes missions to enter into dialogue on sensitive issues, maintains and builds a network within Dutch society and matches knowledge to policy at the ministry and embassies. Support will be provided for the work of the new UN organisation UN WOMEN, the World Bank, NATO and the EU, the latter by further developing the EU Gender Action Plan (the first report appeared in September 2011) with a focus on cooperation with the European External Action Service and Baroness Catherine Ashton. The FLOW fund will be implemented, making 70 million euros available to support three priorities over four years. Female leadership is seen as an important instrument for successfully achieving the three objectives: 1. Security, by ending violence against women and promoting the active participation of women in processes of peace, security and reconstruction; 2. Economic self-reliance, through having a say in food security, the right to work and ownership together with access to safe drinking water; 3. Participation of women in politics and management. Strengthening capacity within the Ministry is crucial if policy is to be effective. The following measures are being taken to this end: Increasing gender awareness by including gender sensitivity in leadership competences within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Improving and building policy officers and management s knowledge and skills on gender and diversity, drawing on external, local and/or international expertise. Retaining the Gender Equality Division as a unit and knowledge centre within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Examining the options for exchanging personnel so as to promote knowledge development within the Ministry (in an EU context and other contexts) and with civil society and knowledge institutions. 7

8 The government has earmarked 42 million euros in 2012 for international gender policy, 3 million of which is for policy article 5.2 (NGOs) and 39 million for policy article 5.3 (equal rights and opportunities for women). Under article 5.3, 17.5 million will go to FLOW, 4 million to the MDG3 fund, 4 million to UN Security Council resolution 1325 (with 2 million euros for the National Action Plan and 2 million for the MENA region), with the final 6 million for UN WOMEN. In 2012 an estimated 2 million euros will be spent from central funds, and a further 5.5 million via embassies. 8