Committee: UN Women Topic: Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Increasing Women Participation in Governments, Businesses, and the Sciences Chair: Anjali Surendran Introduction Women have the potential to change their own economic status, as well as that of the communities and countries in which they live. Yet more often than not, women s economic contributions go unrecognized, their work undervalued and their promise unnourished. Unequal opportunities between women and men continue to hamper women s ability to lift themselves from poverty and gain more options to improve their lives. Research shows that inequalities persist in the way paid and unpaid work is divided between women and men; in the fact that women remain the sole caregivers at home, and in their limited access to resources. What's more, these imbalances slow economic growth. Women s economic empowerment that is, their capacity to bring about economic change for themselves is increasingly viewed as the most important contributing factor to achieving equality between women and men. But economically strengthening women who are half the world s workforce is not only a means by which to spur economic growth, but also a matter of advancing women's human rights. When governments, businesses and communities invest in women, and when they work to eliminate inequalities, developing countries are less likely to be plagued by poverty. Entire nations can also better their chance of becoming stronger players in the global marketplace. Consider some of the positive outcomes of women s economic empowerment: - Where women's participation in the labor force grew fastest, the economy experienced the largest reduction in poverty rates - When women farmers can access the resources they need, their production increases, making it less likely that their families are hungry and malnourished
- When women own property and earn money from it, they may have more bargaining power at home. This in turn can help reduce their vulnerability to domestic violence Background Gender Pay Gap A gender pay gap is present in our world today. Many people believe that this gender pay gap exists in our economic world due to explicit discrimination. Quite self explanatorily, this gap is the difference between male and female income. There is great controversy as to how big a percentage of this wage gap phenomenon is due to plain explicit discrimination, or whether there is any at all. Some explain that this wage gap is due to a variety of causes, including differences in education choices, the pay of jobs men typically go into as opposed to women, the amount of work experience, and breaks in employment. A survey on the economic value of different college majors gathered by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce showed that nine of the ten most remunerative majors, including engineering and computer science, were dominated by men. On the other hand, nine of the 10 least remunerative majors, such as psychology and arts, were dominated by women. This suggests that the wage gap is caused by educational choices. Furthermore, annual wage figures do not take into account the fact that employees in the educational sector, many of whom are women, have an occupation that fills approximately nine months out of a whole year. Social Norms and Gender Equality Although societies have established norms by which individual s thoughts and behaviours are deemed appropriate such as those relating to gender these norms are social constructions which are learnt and then recycled across a whole society. Oftentimes, gender and social norms in congruence with poverty, religion and conflict foster discrimination against women in respective societies. To address the hindrances of these norms, gender mainstreaming was refined by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in E/1997/66 as a strategy for making women s as well as men s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the policies and programs in all political,
economic and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated. Transcending the social norms that create barriers to women s rights is thus one of the key steps towards equality in education. Past Actions and Resolutions The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including: To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women; To establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and To ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises. The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
WINMUN 2015 I UN Women The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women. Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations. CEDAW has already played a vital role in addressing this issue by committing to eliminate discrimination against women. All Member States that have ratified CEDAW are legally bound to introduce laws in accordance with the global gender norms outlined in the convention. However, problems remain in those countries where the state is incapable of fully implementing these laws due to conflicting social norms. Even after the introduction of new laws, it may be that local law enforcement and the court system are still influenced by traditionally-established conflicting social norms. How to adjust social norms by working within the traditions of a society rather than by using the brute force of international law remains an integral issue to breaking the glass ceiling and increasing women participation in governments, businesses, and the sciences. Questions to Consider 1. Does your nation give equal rights to both women and men in governments, businesses, and the sciences? 2. What are your nations maternity leave policies and could they effect working women? 3. How is the pay equality in your nation? 4. What is your nation s culture like and does it accept women in governments, businesses, and the sciences?
WINMUN 2015 I UN Women Citations http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/cedaw.htm http://www.impowr.org/pages/cedaw http://www.humanrights.ch/en/standards/un-treaties/women/ http://www.endcorporalpunishment.org/prohibiting-corporal-punishment/hrlaw/cedaw/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Convention_on_the_Elimination_of_All_Forms_of_Discrimination_Against_Women <http://www.icrw.org/> <http://www.un.org/en/index.html>
Committee: UN Women Topic: Women, Peace and Security: Women as Active Agents in achieving and maintaing peace, security, and stability Chair: Anjali Surendran Introduction In conflict areas across the world, women s movements have worked with the United Nations to rebuild the structures of peace and security, to rehabilitate and reconcile societies, to protect refugees and the internally displaced, to educate and raise awareness of human rights and the rule of law. Within the Organization itself, the integration of gender perspectives in peace and security areas has become a central strategy. An Inter-agency Task Force on Women, Peace and Security has been established to address the role of women in peacemaking, peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance and other activities. This study, like the Inter-agency Task Force, is an initiative undertaken in response to Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security adopted in October 2000 in which the Council underlined the vital role of women in conflict solution, and mandated a review of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, the role of women in peacebuilding, and the gender dimensions of peace processes and conflict resolution. While the study shows that many positive steps have been taken to implement the resolution, women still form a minority of those who participate in peace and security negotiations, and receive less attention than men in post-conflict agreements, disarmament and reconstruction. Our challenge remains the full implementation of the landmark document that resolution 1325 represents. This study points the way to a more systematic way forward. History The international context of peace building policies and, to a lesser extent, programs, has evolved markedly since the mid-1990s. This evolution reflects the changing nature of conflict
situations and complex emergencies, as well as the way in which nation states and international organizations continue to redefine the roles of various actors engaged in or affected by the conflict. It also coincides with important shifts in thinking directly related to international development. One is "a growing understanding of the meaning and role of gender and gender relations in development, reflected in a widely accepted change of focus from women in development (WID) to 'gender and development' (GAD) and the complementary notion of empowerment. This gives greater attention to the power relations between men and women in all spheres, from development projects to the workplace and home. It also recognizes that institutions themselves often inadequately represent women's interests, obstructing progress toward gender equality." This was accompanied by the formulation of new policies, and mechanisms that were later the subject of many assessments showing the limits of these approaches. The evaluation of past failures also led to the realization that the development process itself needs engendering. "Hence, welfare-oriented, 'add women and stir' approaches that treated women as passive recipients of development were replaced by approaches that attempt to engender development, empower women, and perceive women as active agents in their own right." There has also been an overt recognition that the participation and commitment of men is required to fundamentally alter the social and economic position of women. This recognition led to a shift from an exclusive focus on women to a gender approach that also factors into the equation males and the broader socio-cultural environment. The 1995 Platform for Action and the Beijing Declaration The Platform for Action, adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, described itself as an agenda for women's empowerment. Under its section on Women in Armed Conflict, it clearly set out six strategic objectives aimed at increasing "the participation of women in conflict resolution at decision-making levels" and urged governments, as well as international and regional international institutions, "to integrate gender perspectives in the resolution of armed or other conflicts and foreign occupation." The Millennium Development Goals Goal three of the millennium development goals (MDGs) is the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The targets for the achievement of this goal are the inclusion of women and girls in education, equal access to employment and recruitment, and the representation of women within decision-making positions. Although the MDGs did not
specifically address questions of violence or conflict, heads of state have recognized that positive post-conflict (and by implication post-disaster) interventions are essential to progress towards attaining the MDGs and that women play an important role to that end. The Millennium Summit Declaration stated: "We stress the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We also underline the importance of the integration of gender perspective and women's equal participation and full involvement in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security, as well as the need to increase their role in decisionmaking at all levels. Focus of the Problem Acknowledging the role of women as peacemakers and peace builders in a community Traditionally, women have been left out of peacemaking and peace building, or regarded simply as war-victims. Furthermore, too often, they suffer "a backlash against any new-found freedoms, and they are forced 'back' into kitchens and fields," whereas they may have seen their role expanded significantly during the war period. Their work in rebuilding communities, building peace and overcoming trauma has often been ignored and remained invisible. However, "they have consistently demanded recognition as the active agents in the prevention of war, rehabilitation of victims and reconstruction of physical structures." Women are also clearly under-represented (or even absent) in formal peace negotiations, whether as local participants representing warring factions, or as representatives of international authorities overseeing or mediating deliberations and institutions invited to the negotiating table. Even if women leaders and organizations are active in track-two mechanisms and civil society forums, these mechanisms do not necessarily find their way into the formal peace processes. "Women not only call for issues specific to themselves but raise issues that affect society as a whole, such as land reform, access to loans and capacity-building." Many believe that they can bring a unique perspective on the root causes of conflict, its impact on the daily life or ordinary people, and the kind of future that can be offered to the nation. Participation of women is now more regularly acknowledged in peacebuilding processes. For instance, in the Burundi's Peacebuilding Fund Priority Plan, women (and youth) are specifically
called on as actors to strengthen peace and social cohesion, but concrete improvements in practices may take more time. Ensuring that women's needs are addressed Failure to include women and girls in decision-making processes often means that their concerns and protection risks are not addressed in the community's overall response and in their negotiations with external stakeholders. As a result, resources may be inaccurately targeted and the protection problems women and girls face regarding their security and their access to services may be exacerbated.25 Key issues, such as protection and promotion of women's human rights, especially women's economic and social rights, may be omitted, as may be references to international and regional human rights instruments guaranteeing the rights of women. "Absence of such references or to the role and place of such instruments in the future domestic legal order also constitutes an obstacle to the effectiveness of an agreement as a tool for the promotion of gender equality." Explicit attention to the participation of women and reflection of gender perspectives in peace agreements is also vital to ensure that agreements are supportive of women's equal participation in the reconstruction of post-conflict societies and in the prevention of future conflict. "The absence of women in peace processes and the failure of peace agreements to promote gender equality can lead to the perpetuation of discrimination against women and their continued marginalization in the post-conflict rebuilding of society." Conversely, "robust language in a peace agreement to promote gender equality and women's participation, backed by specific allocation of resources and responsibility for its fulfilment can facilitate proactive implementation, including work with local women." Some consider the inclusion of a few women delegates in Afghan peace negotiations to have had an important impact of the political developments there. Some organizations refer to this process as inclusive security. Inclusive security is a rights-based approach that incorporates certain rights inherent to women's involvement in peace building: "The right to participate meaningfully in policy making and resource allocation; the right to benefit equally from public and private resources and services; and the right to build a gender-equitable society for lasting peace and prosperity."
Past Actions and Resolutions WINMUN 2015 I UN Women Resolution S/RES/1325 was adopted by the Security Council on October 31, 2000. The resolution reaffirms the significance of the role women play in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, peace negotiations, peace-building, peacekeeping, humanitarian response and in post- conflict reconstruction. Furthermore, it stresses the importance of equal participation and full involvement in all efforts for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. The resolution advocates for the protection of women and children after conflict, urging parties to take special precautions to prevent gender-based violence; it also calls on states to put an end to impunity and to prosecute those responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, including those relating to sexual and other violence against women and girls. But it also encourages states to consider women's inclusion in post-conflict reforms such as disarmament, security, and judicial, constitutional and electoral processes. Resolution 1325 urges all actors to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts. It also calls on all parties to conflict to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict. Four of the eighteen operative clauses in the resolution call for an increase in the involvement of women, such as clause number two that states: Encourages the Secretary-General to implement his strategic plan of action (A/49/587) calling for an increase in the participation of women at decision-making levels in conflict resolution and peace processes.as many international and UN organizations have developed their programs and engaged in peace processes, Resolution 1325 remains the cornerstone for any peacebuilding work aimed at the inclusion and protection of women. "It recognizes for the first time the role of women in conflict--not as victims, but as actors in the prevention and resolution of conflict and in equal participation in peacebuilding and decisionmaking." Women peace activists around the world have taken this as a historical decision in favor of women.
Questions to Consider WINMUN 2015 I UN Women 1. What is your countries view on the issue of empowering women in peacebuilding processes? 2. What initiatives can be encouraged by the committee in order to get men involved as agents for change supporting and acknowledging women s roles in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peacebuilding and engaging them in women empowerment? 3. What is the understanding of women s empowerment and peacebuilding in your country? 4. How can women contribute to peace building processes in your country? What can they achieve on local and on international level? 5. What mainstreaming tool can be used by the committee for adding women, peace and security elements to all mandates of peacekeeping and political missions that do not contain these elements? 6. Has your country issued strategic plans on implementing resolutions 1325, 1820 and other similar resolutions by the Security Council? 7. What has your country done up to this date to improve women s participation in formal peace building negotiations? Citations http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/public/ewps.pdf http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform/armed.htm http://www.peacebuildinginitiative.org/index9aa5.html?pageid=1959 http://www.un.org/press/en/2000/20001031.sc6942.doc.html http://www.dfa.gov.za/docs/speeches/2011/mash0520.html
WINMUN 2015 I UN Women Definition of Key Terms Accountability Taking responsibility for one s actions and ensuring that proper consequences, either good or bad, are dispensed based on those actions. In this case, an accountability system checks if Member States are fulfilling policy requirements. Capacity Building Increasing the abilities of governments, organizations, communities, schools, or other institutions and individuals to effectively deal with the issues facing them. Capacity building is often administrative, such as setting up better communication systems or training workers in leadership and management. It encourages sustainable development by teaching skills and enhancing capabilities. Empower To empower is the act of guiding, educating, and making someone stronger and more confident. This especially applies where a person is given the power to control their own life, make their own decisions, and claim the rights that they are entitled to. Feminism Feminism is a collection of movements, theories, and beliefs that aim to define, establish, and defend equal political, economic, cultural, and social rights for women. Particularly, feminism seeks to establish an education and employment in which women have equal opportunities and treatment. Gender Diversity It is the tendency to have an equal, or roughly the same, number of employees of both genders. A heterogeneous work place, in terms of gender, is the best workplace when it comes to effectiveness. Studies show that employees work more effectively when groups in the workplace comprise of both genders. The reason for this is that problems are easily solved because both genders look at the same issue with unique perspectives. Gender diversity is the first step towards equality.
Gender Equality Gender equality is a fundamental human right and is a top priority for the United Nations. Also known as sex equality, refers to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities of all people, to receive equal treatment, regardless of their gender. It is meant to promote and encourage respect for human rights as well as fundamental freedoms for all human beings without discrimination against one s gender. As the fourth Millennium Development Goal, gender equality plays a vital role in the development of humanity. The term equality is sometimes debated upon, as it can be open to numerous sorts of interpretations. However, equality in this case does not mean that women and men are the same, as that is impossible; but that women s and men s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend solely on what gender they were born as. Gender equality is not just a women s issue but is also a concern for men. Equality between men and women is a human right and is essential in indicating a sustainable people- centered development and reduction of poverty. Discrimination in treatment can only occur if there is a sound biological reason. Gender Mainstreaming Established as a global strategy for promoting gender equality in the platform for action at the United Nations World Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995, the concept of bringing gender issues to the mainstream of society is known as gender mainstreaming. The UN s very own Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) define gender mainstreaming as the strategy where policies are designed and implemented to enable both men and women to be equal benefactors. Gender parity In this case, gender parity is when there will be equal numbers of girls and boys with access to education. It is a measure of the ratio of enrollment of boys and girls in different levels of school per country, and does not necessarily imply that the country has gender equity. Glass Ceiling The glass ceiling is a political term used to describe "the unseen, yet unbreachable barrier that keeps minorities and women from rising to the upper rungs of the corporate ladder, regardless of their qualifications or achievements.
Normative support Policy and law making, coalition building, coming up with a mission or ideas, and directing the path of a body. Operational activities Funding, programming, and day-to-day activities of a body. Sovereignty The authority a national government has over a state. Being sovereign means that outside actors NGOs, international bodies, individuals cannot force the state to abide by regulations or take action. Wage Gap The wage gap, or gender pay gap, refers to the fact that men generally make more than women for the same work. Women s Empowerment According to the UN, this has five components: women s self-worth, the right to have and make choices, the right to have access to opportunities and resources, the right to power their own lives, and the ability to influence social change.