UN Commission on the Status of Women 59: An Overview

By Mara D’Amico, Alexandra Zimmerman Safir and Ashley Binetti

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Though the Commission on the Status of Women meets annually, this year was especially significant as it marked the 20th anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, where 189 countries adopted the landmark Beijing Platform for Action. This anniversary, along with the 15th anniversary of the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the transition from Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals, set the stage for critical evaluations of the progress that has been made and thoughtful plans for moving forward.

The week kicked off with International Women’s Day on March 8, and moved into the Clinton Foundation’s release of the No Ceilings Full Participation Report and #NotThere campaign. Through a mass collection and analysis of data on women and girls, the report shows us that more than 150 countries lack critical protections to ensuring women’s economic participation. We see that one in three women has experienced sexual or physical violence, often at the hands of a husband or partner. And we learn that women are still significantly underrepresented in parliaments and other decision-making bodies across the globe. This data is helping us to acknowledge the progress that has been made, and prove how far we still have to go.

Staff members from GIWPS participated in the opening week of CSW59, attending a series of events from “Realizing Gender Equality, Women’s Rights and Women’s Empowerment within and beyond the Post-2015 Development Agenda” to “The Role of Social Norms for Gender Equality” to “Women’s Economic Empowerment: Regional and Global Policy Challenges.”

Throughout the week’s events, a few key themes emerged.

Women’s Participation In Decision-Making

Across the events, subject-matter experts discussed the need for greater participation of women in decision-making at all levels. In order to advance and sustain the gains that have been made with regard to women’s health, girls’ education, women’s economic participation and involvement in peacekeeping, it is essential that women have a place at decision-making tables.

As noted by Gloria Bonder, Principal of the Gender, Society and Policy Department at FLACSO, “We’ve made many advances for women’s presence in society, and we need to make sure we talk about where we include women…We need to work to bring a future of inclusion with quality at the same time.”

Women’s participation in decision-making cannot be an afterthought, and it should be a priority in the boardroom, at the parliamentary level, in electoral processes and in families. Especially in conflict and post-conflict situations, women must be included in the decisions that deeply impact their lives and the future of their country. According to one speaker, “It’s more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in armed conflict…Women are also not consulted on their needs, which affects the quality of their assistance.” Having a place at the table can not only save their lives, but can also chart a new course for a more sustainable future.

In one session on advancing women’s political participation, Massimo Tommasoli of International IDEA noted that the Sustainable Development Goals had made “great improvements” by making “women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life” a target. However, women MPs currently represent 22% of parliamentarians, and 73% of countries have 15% or fewer women in parliament. One panelist from Kenya noted that campaign financing is one of the greatest barriers prohibiting women from entering politics, as well as threat of violence and pervasive cultural attitudes. A female parliamentarian from Kenya shared, “If I had to go through what I went through again to get elected, I would probably not run; It was so hard.”

A Focus On Women And Climate Change

As we move from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development goals and really task ourselves with thinking sustainably, we must make it a priority to include women and girls in discussions and decisions. The impacts of climate change and natural disasters disproportionately impact women and girls, and any measures to respond to climate change should include their voices. This was a common thread throughout a number of discussions on fully realizing the Beijing Platform for Action and prioritizing gender equality in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals. One panelist echoed this sentiment in stating, “This is a key year for change. We can’t achieve any of these goals unless women and girls are front and center.”

The Role Of Men And Boys In Achieving Gender Equality

In every event that we attended, there was, at the very least, some mention of the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality. There seemed to be an overwhelming acceptance that what have long been called “women’s issues” are the concern of all, and gains in gender equality both requires and benefits those of every gender. As noted by Bafana Khumalo, Senior Programmes Specialist at Sonke Gender Justice, “Gender equality is not just about policies. It’s about life, and quality of life. There’s no other option but to include men and boys because it does benefit all.”

Despite this widespread acceptance of the inclusion of men and boys in addressing the most intractable issues facing women and girls, many speakers discussed the challenges we still face in actually implementing this charge. Hazami Barmada, co-Founder of Al-Mubadarah, echoed this sentiment in stating, “The fight for equality is not about programs and initiatives. It will require a movement, a paradigm shift. There are socio-economic and cultural issues that need to be addressed.”

Programs like the UN Women’s HeForShe campaign can start to shift these entrenched gender norms, but it is critical that we seek new and innovative ways to include men and boys in this work of shifting the thought paradigm about gender equality.

Ties Between Women And Economic Growth

While it has been recognized that more women are entering leadership positions and running large companies, women’s participation in the labor force has actually stagnated. Globally, women still face significant challenges in access to paid work, the majority of their work in the informal sector goes unrecognized, and women across every region often deal with a care burden or achieving a so-called work-life balance. However, each region also has its own unique challenges in regards to women’s economic participation, and must tailor unique policies to overcome these challenges.

During one panel event, the representative from the African region discussed women’s significant participation in small-scale mining; however, much of this participation is not counted and, therefore, is rarely captured in GDP earnings. The work they do is invisible to policy-makers and the public, but legislation for mine safety and policies to benefit women in the small-scale mining industry could have a tremendous impact in ensuring a safe working environment and that women’s participation is measured appropriately.

If we were to close the global labor force participation gender gap, global GDP could grow by 12%. Women’s economic empowerment is essential to poverty alleviation and eventual elimination, and must be an integral part of the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals.

The Need For More Data

Beginning the week with the No Ceilings Full Participation Report launch set the stage for essential discussions about the need for more data on women and girls. According to Shailaja Chandra, Chief Secretary in Delhi, “You need these tools to be able to convince governments – data, statistics, etc. Only when you have that is it possible to make policy decisions and investments.” Organizations have now spent decades planning and implementing programs to advance the status of women and girls, and thorough evaluations of these programs are necessary to determine the ways in which we move forward. We need data to see why we have made such progress globally in some areas, but still have deep-seated gender gaps in other areas.

Coming away from CSW59, the energy emanating from the almost 9,000 activists who attended is tangible. However, the outcomes of the two-week convenings are less momentous. Many women’s organizations consider the resulting political declaration to be weak, and accuse the body of backtracking on efforts to fully realize or move beyond the Beijing Platform for action.

We must build on the existing momentum to advance women’s rights and well-being across the globe, but we need to do this in a more forward-thinking way. Though it is important that we reflect critically on the progress that has been made and the goals that have not yet been achieved, we have to set a higher standard for women’s rights around the world. The Beijing Platform for Action was incredibly progressive and forward-thinking when it was adopted in 1995, and we can fully honor its significance by raising the bar now in 2015.

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Mara D’Amico is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Communications Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She is a graduate of the Clinton School of Public Service, specializing in policy and programming to address gender-based violence.

Ashley Binetti is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Law Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014, specializing in human rights and transnational law.

Alexandra Z. Safir is the Program Coordinator for the International Council on Women’s Business Leadership at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She holds a Master’s Degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago.

Reflections on the Climate Summit and the Role of Women

The global effects of climate change are ever-present, with landslides, floods, and hurricanes wreaking havoc on millions of lives through forced displacement and loss of livelihoods. As world leaders and scientists focus on how to address climate change through policy and action, a critical piece of the debate is often left on the margins: the gendered dimensions of environmental degradation and global warming.

In many ways, women are uniquely and disproportionately burdened by climate change. For example, climate change is making it more challenging for rural populations to access water, food, and fuel – responsibilities that often fall on the shoulders of women in less economically developed communities. Women, particularly in rural environments, rely on natural resources to sustain their livelihoods. The majority of women in developing countries and 90% of women in many African countries work in the agricultural field. Women farmers, for example, are accountable for producing as much as 80% of food in developing countries. 1.2 billion people live in countries where water is scarce. Women bear the burden of providing water for their families and thus are most affected by droughts and flooding. Clearly, a gender-sensitive approach to combatting the effects of climate change is needed for not only the health of our planet but also the security of all peoples.

As part of the opening week of the 69^th session of the United Nations General Assembly, high level officials and members of civil society came together to discuss the gender gaps in climate change policy. At the helm of this effort is Mary Robinson, the newly appointed UN Special Envoy for Climate Change, former President of Ireland, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and lifelong advocate of women’s empowerment. She spoke at two events focused on including women’s voices in the climate discussion: the “Leaders’ Forum on Women Leading the Way: Raising Ambition for Climate Action” and “Voices from the Climate Frontlines” during the UN Climate Summit. The discussions in these sessions emphasized the central role women play in agriculture and how they face the brunt of the adverse effects of climate change. And yet, their voices and perspectives are marginalized due to underrepresentation in echelons of power in most countries. Mary Robinson noted that it is important to recognize that women are not just victims of climate change but also have the extraordinary capacity to be agents for change. Women, at the local level, are the ones dealing directly with the problems of climate change like drought and flooding. These women have the knowledge both of the challenges climate change makes for their communities as well as solutions they have implemented to combat the negative effects. It is vital, as Mary Robinson stated, to include these voices and give these women access to power structures to share their knowledge and help combat climate change.“If we take away the barriers to women’s participation, we would solve the climate issue much, much more quickly.”

Leena Srivastava, Vice Chancellor at the Energy and Resource Institute University in India, noted that until women’s experiences and perspectives are mainstreamed policies around climate change, the challenges women faced by women will only continue to grow. Michele Bachelet, President of Chile and former head of UN Women, discussed how she is working to ensure that women’s voices are represented in the government and addressed by gender-sensitive policies.

Combating climate change will require long term high-level commitment, innovation and collective action but one thing is clear: women must be a part of the solution. We must see women as not only victims of climate change but also, and more importantly, agents of positive change. As Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, reminded the audience, “women are the first and last line of defense against climate change.” We cannot exclude half the world’s population and succeed at combatting climate change.

Rukmani Bhatia is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Research Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She received her M.A. in German and European Studies from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, and a B.A. in International Relations from Wellesley College.

Taking a Stand and Working Together: Reflections from the UN Women HeForShe Campaign Launch

“Bringing one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity for the benefit of all.”

Advocating for women’s rights has historically been viewed as a women’s issue, but a shift in perspective is on the horizon to fully engage men in this endeavor.

The HeForShe Solidarity Movement, an initiative by UN Women, seeks to “mobilize one billion men to speak up and take action in ending the persisting inequalities faced by women and girls around the world.” On September 20, 2014, UN Women, with co-host Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson, kicked off one of the largest solidarity movements for gender equality of the 21st century.

Why engage men? Because it makes sense. Just ask some of the male celebrities who have identified as #HeForShe, like Patrick Stewart: “Domestic violence isn’t a woman’s issue—it’s a man’s. Prevention lies in our hands—literally.” Or Keifer Sutherland, who has difficulty with the fact that “simply being born a girl means you don’t get to realize your full potential.” Or Wolf Blitzer, HeForShe’s moderator for the evening, who observed that in developing countries, one in nine girls becomes a child bride, “and HE should say ‘No.’”

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon began his address by noting that those responsible for acts of violence against women were often intimate partners, family members, or other men known to the victim. In fact, UN Women’s Executive Director Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka noted, “Of all women killed in 2012, almost half were killed by intimate partners or family members.” The Secretary General urged that we desperately need a change in attitude – where male leaders “will lead by example – [and] say to men and boys, ‘Do not raise your hands in violence, raise your voice to stop it.”

Violence against women and girls, however, is only one element of this global issue. Women do not receive equal pay for equal work, face disproportionate and unique burdens during times of conflict, and are overwhelmingly underrepresented in leadership positions in government and business. More women than men are living below the poverty line, millions of girls are forced into early marriages and robbed of an education, and many more are trafficked into the lucrative sex trade. This is just a sampling of the reality of gender inequality across the globe.

In his remarks, the Secretary General addressed Goodwill Ambassador Watson, teasing, “I hope you will use your magic wand to stop violence against women.” UN Women selected Emma Watson, who has a fan-base of 14.5 million, as a Goodwill Ambassador to help spread this issue broadly – especially among youth. However, Watson brings more than a following to the issue – she brings sincere passion. Watson poignantly noted that “feminism” has become a dirty word equated with “man-hating,” but “feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.”

Watson reminded the audience that not one country in the world has yet achieved gender equality. To stress the urgency of this societal shortcoming, Watson asserted, “If we do nothing, it will take 75 years before women can be expected to be paid the same as men for the same work.”

Watson’s call to action is spot-on: as a society, we must stop equating the pro-gender equality movement with an attack on men’s rights, and engage both men and women in dialogue and action. In a panel discussion on understanding gender dimensions, former President of Finland Tarja Halonen shared a story that related to this misunderstanding. When she became Finland’s first female head of state, she received correspondence from a young boy who innocently asked, “Is it true, Madame President, that boys can’t become president anymore?” to which she responded, “No, my dear, it means that boys AND girls can become president.” The idea is not women’s rights at the sake of men’s; the idea is equal rights for all. Gender equality is a human rights issue, the resolution of which will benefit everyone – socially, politically and economically.

Of course, it will take more than a magic wand to achieve gender equality; as Mr. Gary Barker, International Director of Promundo, reminded the audience, “It’s easy to click on the website…if you feel too good about tonight, you don’t know how much work we have ahead of us.”

You can learn more about HeForShe and take the first step by pledging your commitment to support gender equality here: http://www.heforshe.org. You can watch the full video of Emma Watson’s HeForShe speech here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTG1zcEJmxY.

Ashley Binetti is the 2014-2015 Hillary Rodham Clinton Law Fellow at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security. She received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2014, specializing in human rights and transnational law.