Women Parliamentarians of the Government of Southern Sudan

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "Women Parliamentarians of the Government of Southern Sudan"

Transcription

1

2

3 Women Parliamentarians of the Government of Southern Sudan An Induction Workshop Report Sponsored by: Government of Southern Sudan, UNDP-Southern Sudan Programme, UNIFEM- Sudan Programme Report compiled by Rosemary Okello-Orlale African Women and Child Feature Service Designed and layout by Blue Eyes Ltd

4 CONTENTS PAGE Acknowledgement iii Acronyms iv Introduction v Definition of Gender Mainstreaming v The Workshop Key Issues Day 1 of the workshop Regional Networks among the NGOs Advantages of Partnership and Networking The Process: Creating Women s Networks and Partnerships Women and the Constitution Presented by Awut Deng Day 2 of the workshop Gender and Democracy Why the workshop - presentation by Lona Discussion/ comments arising from the session Session on Gender budgeting in post-conflict Reconstruction Presented by Julius Mukunda Role in Parliament is Crucial for Women s Political Participation Presented by Rosemary Okello Official Closing GENDER AND DEMOCRACY -- ANNEXES Annex Speech by Lona Elia, Project Manager on Good Governance and Equity in Political.. Participation Project, UNDP Southern Sudan during the opening of the induction... workshop for women parliamentarians of Southern Sudan Why the Gender and Democracy Concept for South Sudan? The project on Equity in Political Participation in Southern Sudan Annex Speech by the Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, Hon. Mary Kiden Annex Speech by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Southern Sudan, Hon. James Wani Igga ii

5 Acknowledgement The induction workshop for women parliamentarians in Southern Sudan marks a significant milestone in the discourse on women s empowerment. The workshop presented the first ever opportunity for women and men leaders from the National Assembly to discuss together the issues around their empowerment. However, this workshop could not have taken place without the unstinting support of United Nations Fund for Women, UNIFEM which offered the technical support and also facilitated some of the sessions. My gratitude also goes to the Minister for Gender, Mary Kiden for opening the workshop and also to the Speaker of National Assembly, James Wani Igga who provoked both women and men parliamentarians to strive to ensure that they pass laws that will promote women s empowerment by tackling gender stereotype issues. We are also grateful to the UNDP Head of Office - Southern Sudan, Erick De Mule who officially opened the workshop which took place at Juba National Assembly. My sincere thanks also go to African Woman and Child (AWC) Feature Service and Forum for Women in Democracy (FEWODE) who facilitated sessions during the workshop. Many thanks go to the staff of Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation (GGEPP), who worked tirelessly to ensure that the workshop was a success. This goes to prove that we are a team. And to the workshop participants; without you the workshop could not have been such a success, we say thank you for making this possible and we look forward to a long and fruitful partnership. As the Chinese say, a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step; it is my hope that the induction workshop will form the basis under which gender equality issues in Southern Sudan will be derived from. Lona Elia, Project Manager Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation (GGEPP) UNDP-Southern Sudan. iii

6 Acronyms CPA SPLM GGEPP UNDP UNIFEM USAP1 USAP2 SANU UDF IGAD FEMNET MDGs FEWODE MDTF CEDAW FGM BPFA IDPs Comprehensive Peace Agreement Sudan People s Liberation Movement Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation United Nations Development Programme United Natioms Development Fund For Women Union of Sudan African Party One Union of Sudan African Party Two Sudan African National Party United Democratic Front Party Inter-Governmental Authority on Development African Women's Development and Communication Network Millennium Development Goals Forum for Women in Democracy Multi-Donor Trust Fund Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women Female Genital Mutilation Beijing Platform for Action Internally displaced persons iv

7 Introduction Governance is one of the important development debates in the world today. The quality of governance largely determines the degree to which any particular country can realise progress in achieving human development goals. Some of the parameters that are used to measure the quality of governance in any given country include accountability, participation, transparency and respect for human rights. The way that women are incorporated into the governance structure of any society has a crucial bearing on the long-term impact of development. Sudan, which is comparable in size to the United States of America, has not known peace for the past 21 years. Women in Southern Sudan, especially, have been part of the war that has ravaged that country for so long. Given their intimate experience of the war, women should naturally play an important role in the realisation of peace and restoration of stability within their society. They can, however, only play this role if they are part and parcel of the country s postconflict reconstruction and governance structures. Members of parliament during the workshop Women are the worst victims of war and hence the highest stakeholders of peace. People who have to fight to protect their own bodies from abuse are the ones who understand the full potential of what destruction means. Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in January 2005 marked the beginning of the journey for women s integration into the governance structure in Sudan. The peace protocol spelt out the right of the Sudanese people to self-determination and emphasised the realisation of a democratic government in which human rights would be central to the governance process. The enshrining of the 25 per cent inclusion clause for women s representation in the constitution is a powerful acknowledgment of the role women played during the liberation struggle. This constitutional provision also opens opportunities for women to participate in government at every level. Women constitute 15 per cent of the Members of Parliament in the Government of National Unity of the Sudan. In the National Assembly of Southern Sudan, there are 32women Members of Parliament and 170 male MPs. Since Southern Sudan is a young entity, there is need for women to be empowered through capacity building in all areas of governance so that they can articulate issues that directly v

8 affect women s welfare in the context of a nation that has just emerged from a long-drawn armed conflict. Definition of Gender Mainstreaming The UNDP defines Gender Mainstreaming as Taking into account Gender equity concerns in all policy, programme, administrative and financial activities and in organisational procedures, thereby contributing to a profound organisational transformation. vi

9 The Workshop For the first time in the history of Southern Sudan, over 40 Members of Parliament both men and women met to examine issues relating to gender and democracy. The workshop was organised under the Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation [GGEPP] Project of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, Ms Mary Kiden, and the Speaker of the House, Hon. James Wani Igga and the UNDP Head of Office, Mr Eric De Mul, graced the occasion. The partnership established under the GGEPP through UNIFEM and UNDP will provide a window of opportunity for women to engage the Government of Southern Sudan on policy issues and effect changes in the new political dispensation. The workshop was aimed at creating a consciousness about the need for the development of a gender-sensitive and gender-friendly parliamentary culture for Southern Sudan. It also explored avenues for capacity building for women parliamentarians to enable them to work effectively as legislators. The workshop presented an opportunity for leaders to brainstorm on issues regarding gender and democracy in line with equity and good governance. It was also an opportunity for women to appreciate that the peace agreement in Southern Sudan had presented new opportunities and challenges for them to participate in their country s socio-economic development. Key Issues Some of the issues that the workshop addressed included: The role of women in the National Assembly; Empowerment of women, both young and old, to take up leadership positions and; The role of political parties and the electoral commission. The key themes guiding the discussion included: (a) Engendering the budgeting process in post-conflict reconstruction, (b) Women s effective participation in Parliament, (c) Promoting gender awareness, (d) How to make Parliament friendlier, and (e) Enhancing Sudanese women s participation in the political process. Key speakers at the workshop included House Speaker James Wani Igga, Gender Minister Mary Kiden, Mr Erick De Mul, Head of Office-UNDP Southern Sudan, Ms Lona Elia, Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation (GGEPP) Project Manager, UNDP Southern Sudan, and Ms Linet Miriti-Otieno, UNIFEM Programme Officer, among others. Women parliamentarians at the workshop were drawn from the following political parties: Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM), National Congress Party, Union of Sudan African Party One (USAP1) and Union of Sudan African Party Two (USAP2), Sudan African National Party (SANU), United Democratic Front Party (UDF) and Southern Sudan Democratic Party. 1

10 Day 1 of the workshop For many women in decision-making positions, partnership is crucial in enhancing their capacity, especially in governance. Some of the areas where partnerships are needed are within the donor organisations such as UNIFEM and UNDP. These partnerships hold the potential for enabling them to harmonise their work with the governance project. Speaking on the importance of networks among political parties, UNIFEM Programme Officer Linet Miriti-Otieno told the meeting that partnership alliances are important in the following areas: Women politicians regardless of their parties or state. Women politicians and the grassroots level. Women politicians and geographical reach. Regional Networks among the NGOs Women politicians, IGAD and member states. Women politicians and Amani Parliamentary Forum. Organisations such as FEMNET can also be useful. Advantages of Partnership and Networking Sharing information at various levels. Bringing a collective voice into an issue or a campaign in order to change or influence policies. Capacity and skills building where people can learn from one another. The Process: Creating Women s Networks and Partnerships Identifying potential partners. Sharing s, publications. Exchanging visits (programme exchange). Joint forums, especially at the grassroots level. Women and the Constitution Presented by Awut Deng The following were identified as key priorities for women as spelt out in the Sudan Constitution. The Bill of Rights is at the heart of any constitution and it is critical to women s empowerment and advancement. This is because it deals with fundamental rights and issues that affect women s rights. These are: Women s rights and human rights. Inheritance. Property ownership. A woman s right to her body, reproductive health and initiations. 2

11 Education. Worship. The constitution is based on the CPA and women legislators are encouraged to study and take in its contents to enable them to articulate issues based on it in Parliament. Day 2 Gender and Democracy - Opening ceremony by Erick De Mule - Head of office UNDP Southern Sudan Learning the Rules, Using the Rules and Changing the Rules to Make an Impact The Head of UNDP office in Southern Sudan, Mr Erick De Mul, officially opened the workshop and spoke about democracy and peace in Sudan, and the role of Parliament in making democratic governance a reality for the people of Southern Sudan. He said that it was important for Parliament to be representative of both genders (men and women) and to democratically reflect the society. Erick De Mule - Head of office UNDP Southern Sudan Often, he explained, democracy is understood in two forms: through the holding of elections and through a functioning Parliament. De Mul emphasised that people need to go back to the basics on why they need democratic systems. In the final analysis, he added, there is also need to have a human rights perspective when talking about democratic systems. And one thing that needs to be understood is the importance of respecting a people s democracy. This is normally exercised through elections. De Mul said there was a need to have a level playing field and equal opportunities for everyone especially in Southern Sudan. He stressed that attaining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for Southern Sudan poses unique challenges, especially in a country where 90 per cent of the population lives on less than a dollar a day, and 48 per cent of the children are not in school. But he expressed optimism that there are many opportunities for attaining the MDGs in Sudan. The Government and the people of Sudan would, however, be required to work extra hard to ensure that the MDGs are achieved on time. This is everybody s responsibility, he told the participants. Why the workshop - by Lona Elia, Project Manager on Gender and Equity in Political Participation Project, UNDP Southern Sudan Ms Lona Elia, the UNDP Project Manager on Good Governance and equity in Political participation in Southern Sudan, pointed out that women s representation in political leadership is enshrined in the constitution in the 25 per cent inclusion clause. This, she added, is a powerful acknowledgment of the need to include the women in the governance structure. But the challenge lies in making the 25 per cent yield quality outcomes in terms of leadership from the state level to the rural communities, said Elia. 3

12 These are some of the reasons why UNDP-Sudan office organised the first ever women parliamentarians workshop, in partnership with Government of Southern Sudan with a view to exploring ways of building the women legislators capacity. Additionally, the workshop was expected to identify ways of working with Parliament to achieve gender parity through sensitisation and enhanced rule of institutions as a prerequisite for equal representation among men, women and the marginalised groups. Discussion/ comments arising from the session Representation of women in political parties is still very low. There is need to increase the number of women not only as party members but also as office bearers. There is need to sensitise political parties on the need to include women as officials in their leadership hierarchy. There is need to educate women at all levels. Education of the girl child should be given priority since most cultures do not place any value on it. Many communities prefer to marry off their daughters early to earn wealth from the bride price paid for them. The conflict left most family households headed by women. The rate of violence in the society, and more so Gender-Based Violence, is high. There is a need to strengthen the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare to take up some of the issues at policy level. Information dissemination is critical for everyone, and especially the information emanating from the workshop. The issue of mentoring the youth through role models is critical. Session on Gender budgeting in post-conflict Reconstruction; Presented by Julius Mukunda of Forum for Women in Democracy (FEWODE) During this session the participants were taken through the process of how to monitor and track the way resources are being utilised by the government. Julius [second name] of FEWODE told participants that as Members of Parliament, it was important for them to keep tabs on how resources were being used, and to monitor if that use was creating any transformation in the lives of ordinary people. He emphasised that gender budgeting was about mainstreaming gender issues. Lawmakers, especially, have a duty to ensure that the 25 cent quota for women which are enshrined in the Constitution of south CPA is included during the budgeting processes. This would ensure that gender concerns are taken on board in the bigger framework of the government budget. Julius Mukunda, Forum for Women in Democracy (FEWODE) 4

13 In addressing poverty, the question of who constitute the poor came to the fore. It was agreed that people s incomes as well as how are they affected by disease would determine whether or not they were poor. One also needs to look critically at the government s budget allocations people or groups that fit this description. Gender budgeting is about looking at national laws and translating what people say into action. Julius spoke of the need to create awareness and ensure that gender issues are integrated into all the policies that emanate from Parliament. This involves ensuring participation by both men and women, integrating into the big figures issues that are considered as small, such as providing sanitary towels and good sanitation facilities for girls in schools and analysing how these decisions affect Sudan s development. Another crucial area in gender budgeting for long-term impact is the monitoring and evaluation component. There are three objectives for M&E and these are: 1. Awareness, 2. Participation, and 3. Accountability. How can one monitor the gender budget concept? There is need to look into specific expenditures and how they impact on women and girls, for example in areas of reproductive health, employment, water and sanitation, primary health care and adult literacy, among others. Also, one can examine budget processes, tax and services with a gender lens to lay bare issues of women s unpaid labour, the provision of sanitary towels for schoolgirls and the construction of roads, among other equally important issues. Additionally, one can monitor how the resources provided by donors are spent in some of these areas. An important focal point is the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and the budget, which is expected to come through for Southern Sudan. Participants were told that it was important to come up with tools and methodologies for monitoring how the money would be used in areas that were articulated by women during the Oslo Donors conference. This, therefore, means that capacity building is important in all areas of debate. It is critical that women leaders engage with other parliamentarians to articulate issues and their financial implications from a gender perspective. Role in Parliament is Crucial for Women s Political Participation - by Rosemary Okello The parliamentary political system allows the party with majority seats in the House to form a government. Since the Southern Sudan Parliament is still young, with only transitional Members of Parliament in place, women s role in formulating policies is important in setting up the legislative agenda. But the women can only set the agenda if they are conversant with the structures of Parliament. The Function of Parliament Parliament is also referred to as the National Assembly or the Legislature. It consists of 5

14 the elected and nominated representatives of the Sudanese people. It is primarily charged with making laws in Southern Sudan. Besides its many roles and functions, Parliament passes laws which are binding to all people living within Southern Sudan s borders. It authorises, through legislation, the collection of taxes proposed by the Government, and allows the Government to spend public money. Parliament also ensures that the Executive arm of the Government accounts for all its activities. While this does not necessarily mean that there are flaws in the management of public affairs, Parliament, as the representative of the people, must confirm that all is as it should be. It monitors the Executive through Questions and Motions brought before Parliament by members and through the reports of Select Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Public Investments Committee. Members also make half-hour-statements and contribute to debates on Bills brought before the house to flesh out how they will affect the public. Political parties make promises during election campaigns. The winning party is expected to implement its pledges. To a large extent, the Government controls the legislative programme in the House because it dominates the House Business Committee. It brings into force such laws as will enable it to implement its promises and policies to the electorate. The Government may also introduce laws on the recommendation of its departmental officials when they realise that some laws need to be amended or repealed to reflect current realities. Sometimes, special interest groups, such as the business sector, or people with disabilities, lobby the Government and draft Bills that are brought to Parliament for debate when they consider them appropriate. The other areas discussed were structure of Parliament, how Bills are drafted, debated and passed through Parliament, and how Parliament passes the Budget. Recommendations and Way Forward Rosemary Okello-Orlale, Executive Director, AWC Feature Service Conduct inter-parliamentary exchange visits among regional, international, national and interstate parliaments to facilitate learning of lessons and experience sharing. Facilitate capacity building and skills enhancement to enable effective participation by the parliamentarians. Strengthen the Ministry of Social Welfare to enable it to effect the creation and implementation of gender policies. Lobby for the provision of employment quotas. Provide more publications to enhance the capacity of the women parliamentarians. On this note, UNIFEM offered to provide more resources. Facilitate translation of crucial documents in Arabic to overcome language barriers. This should include the interim constitution and other relevant conventions such as CEDAW and CPA, among others. 6

15 Facilitate the parliamentarians to impart knowledge gained during the workshop and from future training forums at the state/local level. Since this is a first time for most women in Parliament, they should be trained on how to go about the business of the House. This should include trauma counselling and leadership skills. Lobby Parliament to institutionalise gender budgeting and provide budgets for the escalating number of street children. Start a parliamentary youth training programme for boys and girls drawn from the different states to groom them for political participation. Formation of the Parliamentary Forum The parliamentarians agreed to the formation of a forum for women MPs, which will provide a vehicle through which they can network and articulate gender concerns in Parliament. The forum will also be important in providing a platform through which interested organisations and persons can work with the women parliamentarians. Since the gender committee has not been formed, it was agreed that the meeting elects representatives to take the recommendations of the meeting to the gender committee and also to bridge the gap between the meeting and the Forum. The representatives were also tasked with liaising with UNDP and UNIFEM, as well as with other interested partners during parliamentary recess. Two MPs were elected as the forum s representatives: Joy Kwaja Coordinator Mary Nyaulang Assistant Coordinator Official Closing The workshop was officially closed by the Deputy Speaker of the House, who thanked UNDP and UNIFEM for organising the workshop and encouraged further collaboration between the Members of Parliament and the two agencies. While underscoring the importance of women's political participation, the Deputy Speaker called upon the two agencies to work more closely with the parliamentarians to increase their capacity and enable them to articulate their concerns in Parliament with confidence. The members of the parliament who were invited from Uganda and Kenya could not make to the induction workshop due other personal commitment, but its hoped that such training would be organize in the future to give opportunity for knowledge and experience sharing with the parliamentarians in the region. 7

16 GENDER AND DEMOCRACY -- ANNEXES Annex 1 Speech by Lona Elia, Project Manager on Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation Project, UNDP Southern Sudan during the opening of the induction workshop for women parliamentarians of Southern Sudan Workshop date: December 15-17, 2005 The Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, Hon Mary Kiden Hon Speaker of the House, Hon James Wani Igga The Deputy Head of the UNDP Office in Southern Sudan, - Mr Chris Johnson UNDP Head of Office, Mr Erick De Mul Honourable Members of Parliament Honourable guests Ladies and Gentlemen. It is my pleasure this morning to welcome you all to this first meeting of the Members of Parliament of Southern Sudan to take stock of where are we coming from, where we are and where we want to go when it comes to issues surrounding Gender and Governance. This meeting s agenda is two-fold: it will help us to familiarise ourselves with emerging issues from Parliament, and also look critically on how we can create linkages with our partners within and outside in order to empower our members of Parliament, especially women. I would also like us to brainstorm on issues around Gender and Democracy, and re-think from our context: when we talk about this concept, do we only mean women or do we also look at on men when discussing gender and democracy? For me, governance is one of the key concepts in current development debate. It has become clear in recent years that the ability of nations to achieve their human development goals, for example like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), hinges largely on the quality of governance. The concept of governance, which includes accountability, participation, transparency and human rights as its basic components, is a crucial prerequisite for the success of development, especially in a country like Sudan. But how can we define these concepts to make sure that women are not excluded from the decision-making table? These are some of the issues I would like us to deliberate on and try and come up with a way forward on how we are going to work in this area as a country, as Members of Parliament, as the UN agencies and also as citizens. For a minute, please pause with me. When we look back as a nation, 30 years since the First World Conference on Women and 10 years after the Beijing Platform for Action was adopted by various Lona Elia, Project Manager on Good Governance and Equity in Political Participation Project, UNDP Southern Sudan 8

17 governments, women of Southern Sudan have never been part of any of these international occurrences. In the resulting Beijing Platform for Action, women secured a broad-based agenda for promoting and protecting their human rights worldwide, while establishing the principle of shared power and responsibility between women and men in all arenas. In Beijing, the world acknowledged that women s rights were central to development and peace, and that women s issues and global issues are one and the same. This is the essence of our meeting today. Why the Gender and Democracy Concept for South Sudan? The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) by the Sudanese Government and the Sudan People s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in January 2005 marked the culmination of a long journey for the women of Southern Sudan. The peace protocol was extremely progressive as it was signed on the basis of the acceptance of the principles of self determination and democratic government in which human rights is a central consideration to the governance process. The 25 per cent provision for women s representation enshrined in the constitution is a powerful acknowledgement of the role of women in the liberation struggle. However, since the protocol is a document to facilitate a power arrangement, it does not dwell on the details of how governance will be delivered. This is precisely where the concerns of women spring from because gender issues are central to the details of governance. Among the many proposals I would like to make, one is for women Members of Parliament is to come up with a charter that will address issues of democracy, governance, and women s human rights and how they can be addressed in the new dispensation. Currently, despite the agreement that women should take up 25 per cent of all the decisionmaking positions in the country, Parliament included, the figure is much lower than that. But we should not be discouraged. We need to work with what we have while at the same time push also for greater representation. We should not be afraid to ask for the 50 per cent women s representation in line with the solemn agreement by Heads of State made in line with the requirements of the African Union. This is where the UNDP project on Equity in Political Participation in Southern Sudan comes in. The project on Equity in Political Participation in Southern Sudan The Equity in Political Participation project is geared towards building a cadre of women who are equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and competencies to take up lead positions in the legislative branch of government, public offices and civil society at all levels. This project is anchored within the overall development objectives of the UNDP. Women s political empowerment is one of the key development objectives stated in the Human Development Report of The basic objective of development [is to] enlarge people s choices. At the heart of this concept are three essential components: 9

18 1. Enhance the capacity of potential Sudanese women leaders and institutions whose work is geared towards promoting women s political participation; 2. Raise awareness on good governance and the importance of women s participation in politics among the Sudanese public. 3. Provide a supportive atmosphere for gender-sensitive policy formulation and reform, especially with regard to political participation. In order to identify viable entry points and secure a lasting impact beyond the project life, the project strategy will be guided by: A flexible approach towards the changing political reality on the ground and proactive engagement with key national and local governmental and civil society institutions. Expansion of the existing Women in Politics project forums (at the level of membership and scope) towards greater inclusion and a more substantive role in design and implementation of activities. Substantive linkages with existing programme on Rule of Law and support to Local Governance, as well as capacity building for civil society organisations. Fostering solid partnerships with local and national institutions so as to take advantage of existing knowledge on the ground for purposes of enriching the project. Formation of strong links with existing UNDP regional programmes for purposes of synergizing and sharing. This includes the Red Sea State, Nuba Mountains and Darfur Region programmes. 10

19 Annex 2 Speech by the Minister for Gender and Social Welfare, Hon. Mary Kiden The journey ahead of us in achieving 25 per cent representation for women in all spheres of political life is a long one, and it dates back to By 1976 when women were organising for the women s decade during the World Women s Conference in Mexico, we missed the boat because at that time, the civil war had started; but some of us still were part of the organising. Then came the first ever UN conference to have taken place in Africa; the Third International Women s Conference in 1985 that was hosted in Nairobi, Kenya, which produced the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategy. At that time, some women from Sudan put together a programme on Forward Looking Strategies when they returned to Juba. They organised a workshop where they called on all women to discuss the recommendations of the conference. But almost immediately, we were engaged in conflict and never really took these issues up. In 1995, when some of us who were in exile went to China to attend the Fourth International Women s Conference in Beijing, we concentrated only on the two camps at the NGO forum, namely the peace tent and the refugee tent. These scenarios inform the history of the women s movement in Southern Sudan and it is still a long journey for us to achieve the 25 per cent representation for women in all areas of leadership. Together with our brothers, uncles and fathers joining us and helping us to achieve the 25 per cent representation of women in public life, even within the new Government of National Unity and the formation of the Government of Southern Sudan, we have not yet reached the 25 per cent representation threshold for women. We, therefore, appeal to the United Nations and other international donors to help us so that we can work together to make sure that this becomes a reality. In Oslo, Norway, during the Donors Conference, we as the women of Sudan came up with key critical areas that we wanted the donors to look at, more so through the Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). We requested that 80 per cent of the donor funding should go into areas that will benefit women. We would like the donor community to work with the Ministry of Gender to follow through on the Oslo agreement to make sure that priorities for women are realised. And today s meeting of the Assembly of Women Parliamentarians is one of the activities that the ministry had identified; and I am happy that organisations such as UNDP and UNIFEM are working with us in this area to build the capacity of women legislators. Hon. Mary Kiden, Minister for Gender and Social Welfare 11

20 Annex 3 Speech by the Speaker of the National Assembly of Southern Sudan, Hon. James Wani Igga Hon. James Wani Igga, Speaker of the National Assembly of Southern Sudan during the workshop This is a very important workshop in the history of the Government of Southern Sudan and also in the history of the National Assembly of the Southern Sudan. Our women are oppressed and marginalised a lot. They are also oppressed by their husbands. Time has come for the men of Sudan to understand the issues of women s rights. I am one of the advocates for women s rights; and even on the 25 per cent representation being talked about, I am certain that we need to empower our women to ensure that they realise this goal. To be better able to address women s rights at this workshop, we need to enter into an understanding of the root causes of the problems around the issue and to clearly identify the problems. On many occasions when we talk about affirmative action, we assume that men know what we are talking about, but so often they are not involved in finding the solutions to women s rights issues. Men should be part of the solution to the problems facing women. These are a few but some of the major problems facing women in Southern Sudan: 1. Oppression of women by men, especially through cultural practices. 2. Negative discrimination against women and the girl child. 3. Negative traditions. 4. Women s unpaid labour. 5. Lack of property ownership. 6. Early marriage. 7. Lack of education. 8. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). 9. Lack of political and economic empowerment. Some of the suggestions for solving these problems include the following: Women must rise up for their rights. They need to begin to articulate the problems women face in Southern Sudan. Women Members of Parliament, especially, must speak up frequently and freely on these issues and on their impact at all levels starting from the state to the rural communities. 12

21 They also need to encourage and bolster women s employment creation as well as the development of small enterprises, including loans to enhance economic empowerment. We can only try to achieve the MDGs by improving the incomes and standards of living of women and children in Southern Sudan where the majority of the people live on less than a dollar a day. Another area is the recognition of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and resolutions 1325 on the rights and dignity of women. All women leaders need to arm themselves with BPFA and understand the 12 critical areas in which the governments of the world endorsed the paths to achieving women s rights. There is also need for the Government of Southern Sudan to adhere to all the international conventions on gender, beginning with Convention on Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in order for women to access equal opportunities. As stipulated, there is also need for adult education for women under the GOSS constitution. The constitution has spelt out ways to enhance girls education, including through the opening up of girls schools. Currently, in South Sudan, the literacy rate is only 8 per cent, and it is the poorest in the world with illiteracy levels of 98 per cent. Another critical area is health. Many women suffer so many health complications because of lack of education, and health is critical to achieving the MDGs. We are in a situation where basic sanitation does not exist and this exposes entire populations to disease outbreaks. Life expectancy is as low as 53 years for women and 50 years for men. The return of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) poses the challenge of an increase in HIVAids infections. There is need to make provisions for women in national constitutions and public policies so that they are part and parcel of all decisions made, for there can be no good governance without equal participation of women. But also, we should not forget to build the capacity of women at all levels and promote programmes to alleviate poverty. 13

22 Annex 4 Presentation on South Sudanese Women in Conflict Situations Thousands of men, women and children were displaced and more than three million people have died in the past conflicts as well as of famines in Southern Sudan. In spite of the fact that women were part of the struggle for the liberation of Southern Sudan, the majority of them have suffered greatly. During the war, their roles were reversed and they became heads of households. Many experienced trauma and were regularly raped. The reconstruction process will put into sharp focus just how much was lost and the many challenges that must be faced ahead. We now need equal participation of women in the reconstruction process. As leaders, we need to educate our men on the need to respect women's rights. It is only fair that women in Southern Sudan be accorded their due recognition. They have been part of the struggle; they should also be part of the rehabilitation and reconstruction. As leaders in the post-conflict period, women have little information; a factor that makes it very difficult for them to effectively participate in decision-making and in other important activities. Because of the difficult environment we live in, we are bogged down with the care economy and have little time for education and self-improvement. As stated earlier, illiteracy among women is highest in Southern Sudan and there is need for more campaigns to encourage women to go to school in order to alleviate poverty. We need to fight as leaders to make sure that women's issues are not treated as an afterthought. We want to see that affirmative action is included in all policies. We also need to have a strong monitoring unit to track government action to empower women and hold it to account. Finally, as women in Parliament we need to strengthen our associations, regardless of political affiliations and ideologies. Joy Kwaje Eluzia, Member of Parliament southern Sudan 14

23

24

Women Waging Peace PEACE IN SUDAN: WOMEN MAKING THE DIFFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS I. ADDRESSING THE CRISIS IN DARFUR

Women Waging Peace PEACE IN SUDAN: WOMEN MAKING THE DIFFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS I. ADDRESSING THE CRISIS IN DARFUR Women Waging Peace PEACE IN SUDAN: WOMEN MAKING THE DIFFERENCE RECOMMENDATIONS October 8-15, 2004, Women Waging Peace hosted 16 Sudanese women peace builders for meetings, presentations, and events in

More information

Speech. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA. On the Occasion to Commemorate INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY

Speech. H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA. On the Occasion to Commemorate INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY Speech By H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA On the Occasion to Commemorate INTERNATIONAL WOMEN S DAY Theme: Women s Economic Empowerment; A vehicle for Sustainable Development

More information

The role of national mechanisms in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women: Uganda experience

The role of national mechanisms in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women: Uganda experience United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) The role of national mechanisms in promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women: achievements, gaps and challenges 29 November 2004

More information

Informal debate of the General Assembly Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women 6 8 March 2007

Informal debate of the General Assembly Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women 6 8 March 2007 Informal debate of the General Assembly Promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women 6 8 March 2007 I. Introduction The President of the General Assembly invited Member States and observers

More information

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Malawi

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Malawi 3 February 2006 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Thirty-fifth session 15 May-2 June 2006 Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Rights. Strategy

Rights. Strategy mpowerment Rights Resources Strategy 2017 2021-1 - 2017 2021 Index Introduction... 4 Vision... 5 Mission... 5 Overall objective... 5 Outreach... 5 Rights and framework... 5 How to achieve lasting change?...

More information

Sudanese Women and the Peace Process

Sudanese Women and the Peace Process Sudanese Women and the Peace Process Kari Karamé Lillian Prestegard Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norwegian Institute of International Affairs Sudanese Women and the Peace Process 1 Sudanese Women

More information

P6_TA(2006)0497 Women in international politics

P6_TA(2006)0497 Women in international politics P6_TA(2006)0497 Women in international politics European Parliament resolution on women in international politics (2006/2057(INI)) The European Parliament, having regard to the principles laid down in

More information

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY

EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAST AFRICAN COMMUNITY EAC YOUTH POLICY EAC Secretariat P.O. Box 1096 Arusha-Tanzania Tel: +255 270 4253/8 Email: eac@eachq.org Website: http://www.eac.int ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS AIDS CSOs EAC EAYC

More information

Mainstreaming gender perspectives to achieve gender equality: What role can Parliamentarians play?

Mainstreaming gender perspectives to achieve gender equality: What role can Parliamentarians play? Mainstreaming gender perspectives to achieve gender equality: What role can Parliamentarians play? Briefing Paper for Members of the Parliament of the Cook Islands August 2016 Prepared by the Ministry

More information

10 th AFRICAN UNION GENDER PRE-SUMMIT

10 th AFRICAN UNION GENDER PRE-SUMMIT 10 th AFRICAN UNION GENDER PRE-SUMMIT Theme: Winning the fight against corruption: a sustainable path to gender equality and women s empowerment in Africa. 17-21 January 2018 Presentation; Apollos Nwafor,

More information

Allow me to introduce the other members of my delegation:-

Allow me to introduce the other members of my delegation:- Chairperson, I have the honour to introduce the combined second, third, fourth and fifth periodic report on the implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against

More information

Implementing Peace in Sudan

Implementing Peace in Sudan Inclusive Security: Women Waging Peace Implementing Peace in Sudan Institutionalizing Rule of Law, Transparency, and Accountability Creating a Representative and Democratic Government Promoting Social

More information

PRE-CONFERENCE MEETING Women in Local Authorities Leadership Positions: Approaches to Democracy, Participation, Local Development and Peace

PRE-CONFERENCE MEETING Women in Local Authorities Leadership Positions: Approaches to Democracy, Participation, Local Development and Peace PRE-CONFERENCE MEETING Women in Local Authorities Leadership Positions: Approaches to Democracy, Participation, Local Development and Peace Presentation by Carolyn Hannan, Director Division for the Advancement

More information

Speech by. The Right Honourable Pakalitha B. Mosisili, MP. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho

Speech by. The Right Honourable Pakalitha B. Mosisili, MP. Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho Speech by The Right Honourable Pakalitha B. Mosisili, MP Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Lesotho At the Opening Session of the Extraordinary Meeting of the African Union Conference of Ministers of Gender

More information

Policy GENDER EQUALITY IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION. June 2008 IASC Sub-Working Group on Gender and Humanitarian Action

Policy GENDER EQUALITY IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION. June 2008 IASC Sub-Working Group on Gender and Humanitarian Action Policy GENDER EQUALITY IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION June 2008 IASC Sub-Working Group on Gender and Humanitarian Action Endorsed by: IASC Working Group 20.6.2008 INTER-AGENCY STANDING COMMITTEE Policy Statement

More information

Keynote Address by Engr. Dr. M. Akram Sheikh, Minster of State/Deputy Chairman Planning Commission

Keynote Address by Engr. Dr. M. Akram Sheikh, Minster of State/Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Keynote Address by Engr. Dr. M. Akram Sheikh, Minster of State/Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dissemination Workshop on Pakistan Country Gender Assessment Report 2005 4 May 2006 Mr. John Wall,., Dr.

More information

GENDER MAINSTREAMING POLICY

GENDER MAINSTREAMING POLICY NATIONAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION GENDER MAINSTREAMING POLICY JUNE 2017 Table Contents Pages Acronyms... 3 Foreword... 4 Background... 5 Policy Context... 6 Guiding Principles... 7 Policy Goal... 7 Policy

More information

ACORD Strategy Active citizenship and more responsive institutions contributing to a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Africa.

ACORD Strategy Active citizenship and more responsive institutions contributing to a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Africa. ACORD Strategy 2016 2020 Active citizenship and more responsive institutions contributing to a peaceful, inclusive and prosperous Africa. 1 ACORD S VISION, MISSION AND CORE VALUES Vision: ACORD s vision

More information

Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004)

Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) Angola, CEDAW, A/59/38 part II (2004) 124. The Committee considered the combined initial, second and third periodic report and combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Angola (CEDAW/C/AGO/1-3 and CEDAW/C/AGO/4-5)

More information

NATIONAL GENDER AND CHILDREN POLICY

NATIONAL GENDER AND CHILDREN POLICY Republic of Ghana NATIONAL GENDER AND CHILDREN POLICY Ministry of Women and Children s Affairs TITLE TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 3 2.0 MISSION STATEMENT... 3 3.0 STATUS OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN

More information

Key note address. Violence and discrimination against the girl child: General introduction

Key note address. Violence and discrimination against the girl child: General introduction A parliamentary perspective on discrimination and violence against the girl child New York, 1 March 2007 A parliamentary event organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the United Nations Division

More information

Special Keynote Address, Icelandic Development Co-operation with UNIFEM in Small Island Developing States. Special Keynote Address

Special Keynote Address, Icelandic Development Co-operation with UNIFEM in Small Island Developing States. Special Keynote Address Special Keynote Address, Icelandic Development Co-operation with UNIFEM in Small Island Developing States Special Keynote Address Wednesday 26 March 2008 12:30-14:00 Icelandic Development Co-operation

More information

Recognising the Contributions of Women & Local Communities is Required to Achieve the SDGs in Nepal August

Recognising the Contributions of Women & Local Communities is Required to Achieve the SDGs in Nepal August Recognising the Contributions of Women & Local Communities is Required to Achieve the SDGs in Nepal August 2017 1 Executive Summary As a least developed country (LDC), Nepal faces several challenges to

More information

Recognizing Community Contributions for Achieving SDGs in Nepal Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN)

Recognizing Community Contributions for Achieving SDGs in Nepal Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) Recognizing Community Contributions for Achieving SDGs in Nepal Federation of Community Forestry Users Nepal (FECOFUN) Executive summary As a least developed country (LDC) country Nepal faces several challenges

More information

Global overview of women s political participation and implementation of the quota system

Global overview of women s political participation and implementation of the quota system Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and Practice 4 th Session New York, 25 July 2012 Global overview of women s political participation and implementation of the quota system Draft Speaking

More information

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 15 May /07 DEVGEN 91 SOC 205

COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION. Brussels, 15 May /07 DEVGEN 91 SOC 205 COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION Brussels, 15 May 2007 9561/07 DEVGEN 91 SOC 205 NOTE from : General Secretariat on : 15 May 2007 No. prev. doc. : 9178/07 + REV 1, + REV 1 ADD 1, + REV 1 ADD 1 REV 1 Subject

More information

GLOBAL GOALS AND UNPAID CARE

GLOBAL GOALS AND UNPAID CARE EMPOWERING WOMEN TO LEAD GLOBAL GOALS AND UNPAID CARE IWDA AND THE GLOBAL GOALS: DRIVING SYSTEMIC CHANGE We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/SLE/CO/5 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 11 June 2007 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/LBN/CO/3 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 8 April 2008 English Original: French Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Women Leading in Parties and Campaigns. International Republican Institute Regional Conference: Kenya, Sudan, Uganda

Women Leading in Parties and Campaigns. International Republican Institute Regional Conference: Kenya, Sudan, Uganda Women Leading in Parties and Campaigns International Republican Institute Regional Conference: Kenya, Sudan, Uganda Entebbe, Uganda, April 14-16, 2009 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The International Republican Institute

More information

STATEMENT BY DELIVERED AT THE FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN

STATEMENT BY DELIVERED AT THE FORTY-NINTH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN STATEMENT BY HONOURABLE MARINA NSINGO, MP MINISTER OF WORKS AND SUPPLY/ COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL SERVICES OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA AND LEADER OF THE DELEGATION DELIVERED AT THE FORTY-NINTH SESSION

More information

1. Promote the participation of women in peacekeeping missions 1 and its decision-making bodies.

1. Promote the participation of women in peacekeeping missions 1 and its decision-making bodies. ACTION PLAN OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SPAIN FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RESOLUTION 1325 OF THE SECURITY COUNCIL OF THE UNITED NATIONS (2000), ON WOMEN, PEACE AND SECURITY I. Introduction Resolution 1325 of the

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/SYR/CO/1 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 11 June 2007 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE TO THE

OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE TO THE ZIMSAaWE Permanent Mission @f the Republic of Zimfea&w T tie United Nations STATEMENT BY H. E. MR CHiTSAKA CHIPAZfWA, AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZIMBABWE TO THE UNITED NATIONS,

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/BEN/CO/1-3 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 22 July 2005 English Original: English/French Committee on the Elimination of

More information

Women, gender equality and governance in cities. Keynote address by Carolyn Hannan Director, United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women

Women, gender equality and governance in cities. Keynote address by Carolyn Hannan Director, United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Women, gender equality and governance in cities Keynote address by Carolyn Hannan Director, United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women At the Asia Women s Network Roundtable: Envisioning gender

More information

Mexico City 7 February 2014

Mexico City 7 February 2014 Declaration of the Mechanisms for the Promotion of Women of Latin America and the Caribbean prior to the 58th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) Mexico City 7 February 2014 We, the

More information

Reports on recent IPU specialized meetings

Reports on recent IPU specialized meetings 132 nd IPU Assembly Hanoi (Viet Nam), 28 March - 1 April 2015 Governing Council CL/196/7(h)-R.1 Item 7 29 March 2015 Reports on recent IPU specialized meetings (h) Parliamentary meeting on the occasion

More information

United Nations Reforms

United Nations Reforms Mr. Secretary-General, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, I am honored to address the General Assembly for the first time. On behalf of my delegation, and on my own behalf, I convey to you,

More information

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS Strengthening Women s Leadership in Local Government for Effective Decentralized Governance and Poverty Reduction in Africa: Roles, Challenges

More information

President Jacob Zuma: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Summit

President Jacob Zuma: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Summit President Jacob Zuma: Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Summit 03 Oct 2013 The Minister of Trade and Industry and all Ministers and Deputy Ministers present, Members of the Presidential Broad-based

More information

Women in Commercial Law in Lebanon

Women in Commercial Law in Lebanon AIWF IBA Joint Conference in Beirut, Lebanon Women in Commercial Law in Lebanon IN COLLABORATION WITH The Beirut Bar Association 3 March 2016 1 st Floor, La Maison de l Avocat Beirut, Lebanon Opening Session

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/GUY/CO/3-6 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 22 July 2005 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

135 th IPU ASSEMBLY AND RELATED MEETINGS

135 th IPU ASSEMBLY AND RELATED MEETINGS 135 th IPU ASSEMBLY AND RELATED MEETINGS Geneva, 23 27.10.2016 Standing Committee on C-III/135/DR-am Democracy and Human Rights 18 October 2016 The freedom of women to participate in political processes

More information

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Kenya

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Kenya Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Twenty-eighth session 13-31 January 2003 Excerpted from: Supplement No. 38 (A/58/38) Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination

More information

Statement. Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe. Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of. His Excellency The President on Human Rights.

Statement. Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe. Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of. His Excellency The President on Human Rights. \\k' Statement by Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe Minister of Plantation Industries and Special Envoy of His Excellency The President on Human Rights at the Third Committee of the 67tl1 Session of the United

More information

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN TANZANIA

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN TANZANIA THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN POLITICS IN TANZANIA ANGELLAH KAIRUKI The United Republic of Tanzania is an Eastern African country, member of the East African Community (EAC), Southern Africa Development Community

More information

Gender institutional framework: Implications for household surveys

Gender institutional framework: Implications for household surveys GLOBAL FORUM ON GENDER STATISTICS ESA/STAT/AC.140/5.1 10-12 December 2007 English only Rome, Italy Gender institutional framework: Implications for household surveys Prepared by Cyril Parirenyatwa Central

More information

South Africa s Statement to the 48th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development. Presented by

South Africa s Statement to the 48th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development. Presented by South Africa s Statement to the 48th Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development Presented by Ms Bathabile Dlamini, MP Minister of Social Development Republic of South Africa New York, 13-17

More information

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES ARAB WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENTAGENDA. Summary

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES ARAB WOMEN AND GENDER EQUALITY IN THE POST-2015 DEVELOPMENTAGENDA. Summary UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL E Distr. LIMITED E/ESCWA/ECW/2013/IG.1/5 25 October 2013 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Committee on Women Sixth session

More information

Unit 3: Women in Parliament

Unit 3: Women in Parliament Unit 3: Women in Parliament Learning Objectives Women as Equal Leaders for Progress After studying this unit, you should be able to: Understand the attitude of the Commonwealth to women s participation

More information

INTERACTIVE EXPERT PANEL. Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls

INTERACTIVE EXPERT PANEL. Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls United Nations Nations Unies United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Fifty-eighth session 10 21 March 2014 New York INTERACTIVE EXPERT PANEL Challenges and achievements in the implementation of

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/NZL/CO/6 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 10 August 2007 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

fundamentally and intimately connected. These rights are indispensable to women s daily lives, and violations of these rights affect

fundamentally and intimately connected. These rights are indispensable to women s daily lives, and violations of these rights affect Today, women represent approximately 70% of the 1.2 billion people living in poverty throughout the world. Inequality with respect to the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights is a central

More information

TO THE 50 TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON CEDAW PRESENTED BY

TO THE 50 TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMITTEE ON CEDAW PRESENTED BY THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT DURING THE PRESENTATION OF THE INITIAL, SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH COMBINED REPORT ON THE CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST

More information

Equal Representation for Women

Equal Representation for Women Equal Representation for Women Topic Background Women have been economically, socially, culturally, and politically subjugated in communities across the globe for decades. The traditional role of women

More information

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 Third Standing Committee C-III/122/DR-Pre Democracy and Human Rights 4 January 2010 YOUTH

More information

TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN SOUTHERN SUDAN

TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN SOUTHERN SUDAN TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN SOUTHERN SUDAN TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT ON WOMEN LEADERSHIP IN SOUTHERN SUDAN A Quality Study By Rosemary Okello-Orlale AFRICAN WOMAN AND CHILD FEATURE

More information

(8-26 July 2013) Bosnia and Herzegovina. 24 June Table of Contents. I. Background on Internal Displacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina...

(8-26 July 2013) Bosnia and Herzegovina. 24 June Table of Contents. I. Background on Internal Displacement in Bosnia and Herzegovina... Submission from the Internal Monitoring Displacement Centre (IDMC) of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) for consideration at the 55 th session of the Committee for the Elimination of the Discrimination

More information

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HON. SAM K. KUTESA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ELECTION

ACCEPTANCE SPEECH HON. SAM K. KUTESA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA ON THE OCCASION OF HIS ELECTION UGANDA Permanent Mission of Uganda To the United Nations New York Tel : (212) 949 0110 Fax : (212) 687-4517 ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY HON. SAM K. KUTESA MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA

More information

Japan s Actions Towards Gender Mainstreaming with Human Security in Its Official Development Assistance

Japan s Actions Towards Gender Mainstreaming with Human Security in Its Official Development Assistance Japan s Actions Towards Gender Mainstreaming with Human Security in Its Official Development Assistance March, 2008 Global Issues Cooperation Division International Cooperation Bureau Ministry of Foreign

More information

Opening speech to the First EI World Women s Conference

Opening speech to the First EI World Women s Conference 20 January, 2011 Susan Hopgood, President, Education International Opening speech to the First EI World Women s Conference Introduction Dear sisters and brothers, let me say how encouraged I am already

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/PRK/CO/1 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 22 July 2005 Original: English 110 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY BILL

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY BILL REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY BILL (As introduced in the National Assembly (proposed section 7); explanatory summary of the Bill published in Government Gazette No. 3700

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/HON/CO/6 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 10 August 2007 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

SHAPING AFRICA S FUTU RE. AWDF s Strategic Direction

SHAPING AFRICA S FUTU RE. AWDF s Strategic Direction SHAPING AFRICA S FUTU RE AWDF s Strategic Direction 2017-2021 Established in 2001, the African Women s Development Fund (AWDF) is a grantmaking foundation that supports local, national and Africa regional

More information

Nigeria. Concluding observations: 30 th session

Nigeria. Concluding observations: 30 th session Nigeria Concluding observations: 30 th session 274. The Committee considered the combined fourth and fifth periodic report of Nigeria (CEDAW/C/NGA/4-5) at its 638th and 639th meetings, on 20 and 21 January

More information

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians

Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians P booklet.indd 1 19/08/2013 10:45:02 P booklet.indd 2 19/08/2013 10:45:03 Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians With equal opportunities, both women and girls can improve

More information

African Youth Declaration on Post-2015 Agenda.

African Youth Declaration on Post-2015 Agenda. African Youth Declaration on Post-2015 Agenda. Preamble We, the representatives of regional, sub regional and national youth organizations, participating in the African Youth Conference on Post-2015 Development

More information

Introductory Statement. by the Head of Delegation of Austria. H.E. Ambassador Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff

Introductory Statement. by the Head of Delegation of Austria. H.E. Ambassador Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff Check against delivery Introductory Statement by the Head of Delegation of Austria H.E. Ambassador Ferdinand Trauttmansdorff 37 th Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against

More information

Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Opinion Piece: Women s Political Representation and Participation

Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Opinion Piece: Women s Political Representation and Participation Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) Opinion Piece: Women s Political Representation and Participation Introduction Women s representation and participation in political parties and processes requires

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/CMR/CO/3 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 10 February 2009 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Development Strategy for Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment

Development Strategy for Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment Development Strategy for Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment May, 2016 Government of Japan Considering various problems faced by the international community, the Government of Japan adopted the Development

More information

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS

PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS PRE-CONFERENCE SEMINAR FOR ELECTED WOMEN LOCAL GOVERNMENT LEADERS Decentralized governance and Women s Presence in Leadership Positions Ms Dede Ekoue, Deputy Resident Representative UNDP Cameroon May 26,

More information

PRETORIA DECLARATION FOR HABITAT III. Informal Settlements

PRETORIA DECLARATION FOR HABITAT III. Informal Settlements PRETORIA DECLARATION FOR HABITAT III Informal Settlements PRETORIA 7-8 APRIL 2016 Host Partner Republic of South Africa Context Informal settlements are a global urban phenomenon. They exist in urban contexts

More information

The aim of humanitarian action is to address the

The aim of humanitarian action is to address the Gender and in Humanitarian Action The aim of humanitarian action is to address the needs and rights of people affected by armed conflict or natural disaster. This includes ensuring their safety and well-being,

More information

CEDAW/C/WSM/CC/1-3. Concluding comments: Samoa. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Thirty-second session January 2005

CEDAW/C/WSM/CC/1-3. Concluding comments: Samoa. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Thirty-second session January 2005 15 February 2005 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Thirty-second session 10-28 January 2005 Concluding comments: Samoa 1. The Committee considered the initial,

More information

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010

INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION 122 nd Assembly and related meetings Bangkok (Thailand), 27 th March - 1 st April 2010 Third Standing Committee C-III/122/DR-rev Democracy and Human Rights 15 February 2010 YOUTH

More information

Roll out and implementation of the PBC Gender Strategy

Roll out and implementation of the PBC Gender Strategy Document I Roll out and implementation of the PBC Gender Strategy The PBC has shown strategic and forward-looking leadership with the development of the PBC Gender Strategy, building on the momentum of

More information

Towards Achieving the MDGs in Sudan: Centrality of Women s Leadership and Gender Equality

Towards Achieving the MDGs in Sudan: Centrality of Women s Leadership and Gender Equality Compiled by: Iselin L. Danbolt Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda Kari Karamè The Team: Guro Katharina H. Vikør is the Norwegian Ambassador for Women's Rights and Gender Equality Iselin L. Danbolt is an Executive

More information

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Fiji. Initial report

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Fiji. Initial report Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Twenty-sixth session 14 January 1 February 2002 Excerpted from: Supplement No. 38 (A/57/38) Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination

More information

Strategy Approved by the Board of Directors 6th June 2016

Strategy Approved by the Board of Directors 6th June 2016 Strategy 2016-2020 Approved by the Board of Directors 6 th June 2016 1 - Introduction The Oslo Center for Peace and Human Rights was established in 2006, by former Norwegian Prime Minister Kjell Magne

More information

Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking In Human Beings, Especially Women and Children

Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking In Human Beings, Especially Women and Children Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking In Human Beings, Especially Women and Children Introduction This booklet contains the Ouagadougou Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings, Especially

More information

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women United Nations CEDAW/C/SLV/CO/7 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women Distr.: General 7 November 2008 Original: English Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination

More information

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Georgia

Concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Georgia 25 August 2006 Original: English ADVANCE UNEDITED VERSION Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women Thirty-sixth session 7-25 August 2006 Concluding comments of the Committee on the

More information

UN Human Rights Council: Ten Years On

UN Human Rights Council: Ten Years On SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL STUDENT HUMAN RIGHTS UN Human Rights Council: Ten Years On Panel 4 - Human rights and vulnerable groups: challenges for the UN Chaired by Yunan Shen, Student Conference Committee Member

More information

Expert Group Meeting

Expert Group Meeting Expert Group Meeting Equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes, with particular emphasis on political participation and leadership organized by the United Nations Division for the

More information

Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment In the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Regional Perspective

Gender Equality and Women s Empowerment In the Post-2015 Development Agenda. Regional Perspective UNITED NATIONS E Distr. LIMITED E/ESCWA/SDPD/2014/WG.1/3 12 March 2014 ORIGINAL: ENGLISH Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) Arab High Level Forum on Sustainable Development Amman,

More information

Achieving Gender Parity in Political Participation in Tanzania

Achieving Gender Parity in Political Participation in Tanzania Achieving Gender Parity in Political Participation in Tanzania By Anna Jubilate Mushi Tanzania Gender Networking Programme Background This article looks at the key challenges of achieving gender parity

More information

CHALLENGES CONFRONTING WOMEN LEADERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE UGANDA EXPERIENCE

CHALLENGES CONFRONTING WOMEN LEADERS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THE UGANDA EXPERIENCE Strengthening Women s Leadership in Local Government for Effective Decentralized Governance and Poverty Reduction in Africa: Roles, Challenges And Strategies. Yaounde, Cameroon 26th 27th May 2008 CHALLENGES

More information

Ministerial Conclusions. Strengthening the Role of Women in Society

Ministerial Conclusions. Strengthening the Role of Women in Society Ministerial Conclusions on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society 1. The partners at the Euro-Mediterranean Ministerial Conference on Strengthening the Role of Women in Society, held on 14-15 November

More information

Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-Conflict Countries Experiences from Mozambique

Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes in Post-Conflict Countries Experiences from Mozambique EGM/ELEC/2004/EP.4 19 January 2004 United Nations Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues And Advancement of Women (OSAGI) Expert Group Meeting on "Enhancing Women's Participation in Electoral Processes

More information

DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE THEME YEAR OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AFRICA S AGENDA 2063

DRAFT CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE THEME YEAR OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS AFRICA S AGENDA 2063 AFRICAN UNION UNION AFRICAINE UNIÃO AFRICANA Addis Ababa, Ethiopia P.O. Box 3243 Telephone 517 700 Cables: OAU, Addis Ababa MEETING OF THE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE (PRC) 2 APRIL, 10.00 HOURS

More information

GEORGIA. Ad Hoc Working Group on Creation of Institutional Machinery of Georgia on Gender Equality

GEORGIA. Ad Hoc Working Group on Creation of Institutional Machinery of Georgia on Gender Equality GEORGIA Report on Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (1995) and the Outcome of the Twenty-Third Special Session of the General Assembly (2000) Ad Hoc Working Group on Creation of Institutional

More information

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 30 June 2016

Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on 30 June 2016 United Nations General Assembly Distr.: General 18 July 2016 A/HRC/RES/32/7 Original: English Human Rights Council Thirty-second session Agenda item 3 Resolution adopted by the Human Rights Council on

More information

The current and future status of women s rights

The current and future status of women s rights 8 th session of Budapest International Model United Nations The current and future status of women s rights Millenium Development Goals & Sustainable Development Goals The necessity of efforts towards

More information

The impacts of the global financial and food crises on the population situation in the Arab World.

The impacts of the global financial and food crises on the population situation in the Arab World. DOHA DECLARATION I. Preamble We, the heads of population councils/commissions in the Arab States, representatives of international and regional organizations, and international experts and researchers

More information

WOMEN AND GIRLS IN EMERGENCIES

WOMEN AND GIRLS IN EMERGENCIES WOMEN AND GIRLS IN EMERGENCIES SUMMARY Women and Girls in Emergencies Gender equality receives increasing attention following the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Issues of gender

More information

Weekly Review January 15, 2013

Weekly Review January 15, 2013 Weekly Review January 15, 2013 SPLM Politics of Gender Equity Augustino Ting Mayai Introduction Discourses involving gender often cite the significance of considering women s interests in private and public

More information