Parallel Event on Rural Widowhood, Wednesday,February 29th, 2012; Boss Room, Church Centre, 2.30 pm - 4.00pm

To: UN, International Community, Governments, and CEDAW

• Appoint a Special Representative on Widowhood (in Conflict Zones)
• Commission a Special Report on Widowhood in Developing/Conflict afflicted countries
• UN Women should establish a special section to address widowhood issues in context of human rights/VAW/poverty reduction/conflict resolution and peace building
• Adopt a UN Resolution on Widowhood
• Acknowledge rural widows as sub-sect of women experiencing special forms of abuse that require specific  responses and remedies
• Support widows' groups through resources for their empowerment, and fill gap in data
• Acknowledge that abuse of rural widows of all ages is one of root causes of poverty, hunger, homelessness and GBV
• Address the impact of rural widowhood on the girl child
• Address widow-abuse as a major issue in combating GBV

To: Governments and UN WOMEN

• Mainstream widowhood issues in all gender/equality/Human Rights policies and laws
• Ensure implementation of International and modern laws to eliminate discrimination against widows take precedence over discriminatory customs and traditions
• Criminalise discriminatory and abusive practices perpetrated against widows
• Provide for all land registrations to be in wives' names as well as husbands'
• Prohibit "land grabbing" by multinationals and industry, or "gifts" of land to political allies, where such land could be available to women heads of households.
• Support widows' to "band together" to form their own associations so as to have:

. a collective voice to articulate needs and describe roles
. fill gap in data through "mapping and profiling" themselves
. access literacy, education, training, services, justice
. be represented in appropriate decision-making committees
. be consulted, and contribute to strategies to implement

To: CEDAW; BPFA; UN SCR 1325; MDGs

• Criminalise actions that deprive widows of their inheritance, property, and land rights: such as "chasing-off" and "property-grabbing"
• Criminalise coercion of HTPs including harmful and degrading mourning and burial rites
• Develop special "land allocation" schemes, and registration of title  to ensure rural widows can own and cultivate land for food security
• Develop extension services and income-generating strategies that will enable rural widows to remain in their villages
• Devise systems to ensure widows enjoy pensions, social security and micro- credit
• Identify economic and sexual exploitation of widows and their daughters in rural areas and as migrants to urban centers
• Protect widows from physical, sexual, and psychological violence.
• Address the specific needs for resettlement and rehabilitation of conflict widows in IDP and refugee camps
• Use all means to remove stereotyping and stigma of widowhood.

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women - BPW International-  is a non-governmental organization (NGO) that has had Consultative Status with the United Nations through the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1947. At present there are a total of twenty-one members serving as representatives of IFBPW at the United Nations and its subsidiary organs, specialized agencies and related organizations.

Since 1975, the Commission on Status of Women (CSW) of the United Nations met in New-York, during two weeks in February. At this occasion, numerous Non Governmental Organisations join New-York for the CSW NGO Forum that organise parallel events, as conferences or panel discussions. The 56th CSW session of 2012 is the most important ever organised :  618 organisations and 4300 delegates accredited, 300 side events.

Around 100 BPW join New-York to attend the numerous events, high-level meetings, network with women rights activits worldwide. BPW International has a delegation of 20 Business and Professional Women to participate to the CSW debates. The members of the BPW delegation come from Australia, Nigeria, France, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Switzerland, USA, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Zambia, Mali, UK, Mongolia, Kenya.

All reports about CSW56

Happy Birthday, Mrs President

Morning briefing on Friday March 3

Panel discussion on "The Empowerment of Rural Women in the Asia-Pacific Region", organised by the Korean Institute for Women and Politics and led by Young Hai-Park, Past BPW Regional Coordinator Asia-Pacific.

United Nations Reception Hall

CSW goes on, but the publishing team, Valerie and Cathy, will return home. Thank you to all photographers : Annarosa, Young, and Valerie.

BPW International delegates took part to the working session of the Commission on Status of Woman.

Conference room with all the National Delegations as well as the NGO Delegations

Session with Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women (in blue)

BPW Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and BPW International in the panel discussion about “Mongolian Rural Women: Common Challenges and the Government Actions” led by the Mogolian ambassador.

Tsevegrash Erdenechuluun, President BPW Ulaanbaatar, came with nomad herder and rural women. Due to visa problem only 16 women out of 33 were able to come to USA. Most challenging: 3 organizers women could not get their visa.

Livia Ricci, BPW International Past President

Liz Benham, Immediate Past President

Rachelle Guede, President BPW Côte d'Ivoire, with a young member and Huguette Akplogan-Dossa, 1st Vice-President

Liz Vanardenne, UN Representative, New-York

Carol Hanlon, BPW Australia

Cathy Savioz, BPW Switzerland

Flags are pulled up aroung the UN Headquarter: CSW goes on.

Morning briefing : BPW Japan arrived!

BPW Delegation ready to go to UN at 7:45 in the morning.

BPW Italian Delegation, with Sabine Schmelzer, Regional Coordinator Europe, at the UN Italian Mission.

Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director UN Women smiling for BPW International.

BPW Argentina integrated in the Argentinian Official Delegation.

French Delegation: Minister Roselyne Bachelot, Nicole Ameline, Vice-Chair of CEDAW, Valérie Unite, BPW France.

Sylvie Durrer, Director of the Swiss Equality Office supports the Equal Pay Day: on March 7, 2012 for Switzerland.

A hint to other symbolic places: the Security Council Hall.

All reports about CSW56

Ambassadors Reception at South-South Broadcast on February 27

With Mildred Espinoza, Manager and Public Relation Chair of BPW International. Look at the South-South News.

Raise Your Voice to End Female Genital Mutilation on February 28

Angélique Kidjo, Unicef Goodwill Ambassador, gave a concert in the General Assembly Hall of the United Nations Headquarters.

Huguette Akplogan-Dossa, 1st Vice President, and Angélique Kidjo, sisters of Benin.

Harriet and Bob Friedlander Reception on February 29

Harriet is the BPW International UN representative in New-York and invites BPW at home. Anna-Rosa Colangelo, BPW Italy, Huguette Akplogan-Dossa, 1st Vice-President, Arzu Ozyol, BPW Turkey.

Freda Miriklis, President, Huguette Akplogan-Dossa, 1st Vice-President, Jane Tatchell, BPW UK, Livia Ricci, Past President BPW International.

United Nations Representatives in New-York, Rome and Geneva of the BPW International. Harriet is the third from the left.

Claire Fulcher Dinner, on March 2

Claire Fulcher, surrounded by President and 1st Vice President of BPW International, was BPW UN Representative in New-York during 30 years.

The fashion show

The wonderful organisation committee from EPW Manhattan and EPW Long Island.

Jane Tatchell, BPW UK, red UN badge manager and Juelle Ann Boyer, EPW California

All reports about CSW56

Amany Asfour, Regional Coordinator Africa, took part to the panel discussion on "Combatting the Effect of Climate Change on Rural Women in Africa" on February 28.

"A Better Life for Rural Women: Challenges and Opportunities", panel discussion organised by the BPW International at Church Center United Nations on February 28.

Inside the United Nations Building

Giselle Obiketeki and Stéphanie Peter, BPW France, the youngest of the BPW delegation. BPW at CSW are between 28 and 88 years old.

Catherine Bosshart, UN representative Geneva

Panel discussion "Young Women and the Control of their Body", Sihem Badi, Minister of Women Affairs and Family, Tunisie; Nicole Ameline, Vice-Chair of the Commission on Elimination of Discriminations Against Women (CEDAW); Valérie Unite, BPW France.

All reports about CSW56

February 28, 2012. Nice weather in New-York for the opening of the Commission on Status of Women (CSW)

CSW56: Opening Ceremony

Mrs Roselyne Bachelot, French Minister for Solidarity and Social Cohesion, hosted NGO and BPW delegates attending CSW 56 at a breakfast, at the French Permanent Mission to the UN, on Monday 28th February. She also participated in a high-level round table on the CSW 56 Theme of “The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges”. The next day the minister chaired a parallel event titled “Young Women: and the Control of their Body”.

Roselyne Bachelot, French Minister of Solidarities, with Valérie Unite, BPW France

The Italian BPW Delegation met the Minister of Labour and Equal Access to Work, Elsa Fornero, on February 28 at the Italian permanent mission for the United States.

The Egyptian BPW Delegation met the Chair of National Council of Women, Mervat El Talawy, on February 28.

All reports about CSW56

At the 56th Commission on Status of Women,  BPW International is represented by 20 delegates.

8:00 Briefing with Huguette Akplogan-Dossa, BPW UN 1st Vice-President.

10:00 Accreditation at United Nations Headquarter on February 26 for the BPW Delegation

11:00 NGO CSW Forum Consultation Day at the Salvation Army Building. Graciela de Oto, BPW Argentina.

Susan O`Malley, BPW UN representative and Vice Chair ot the NGO/CSW Executive Committee, with Asmany Asfour, BPW Regional Coordinator Africa.

All reports about CSW56

On 27th of February 2012, the Turkish Mission will organize a meeting in the United Nations building in New-York. Minister Fatma Sahin, Former Minister Gulsal Aksit and Feride Acar (member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discriminations Against Women) will be the speakers.
More information below and registration will be available soon.

Arzu Ozuol
President BPW Turkey & BPW International UN Representative to Vienna

It is with great pleasure to announce that Aminata Sidibe - Young BPW Representative of BPW Bamako (Mali) - is the recipient of the funding through a generous donation of the late Yvonne M.T. Hebert. She was selected because she of her work in a Least Developed Country and will be one of 10 individuals who have been selected by UN Women to attend the first week (27 February to 2 March 2012) of the fifty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women CSW56.

Congratulations to Aminata and to Africa!

Freda Miriklis

BPW International President 2011 -2014

Aminata Sidibé

Aminata Sidibé is the representative of Young BPW Bamako, Mali. She is a student of business administration and management. A young dynamic woman, she is the president of a women’s association that promotes women’s development and vocational training, and fights female poverty through the creation of income generating activities. Aminata is the Administrative Secretary of the Malian Association of Female Artisans and a member of the National Federation of Artisans of Mali. By participating in CSW56 she wishes above all to learn from the experiences of other countries, and exchange ideas with other members. Aminata Sidibé is an active participant in the activities of BPW Bamako.

Aminata Sidibé Statement:

CEDAW Adopts Concluding Observations and Recommendations on Reports of Eight Countries, General Comment on Rural Women and Statement on Refugee Women. more

This is the schedule of events for CSW and BPW events. The President’s Office is finalizing the BPW Activities and Events that will be made available during December. For now save the following dates and visit the website for more information.  Please note that the NGO, CSO,NY events need to be booked by 25 November. CSW56 pre-registration is limited to 20 places and the online registration process must be completed; please follow booking instructions carefully to avoid disappointment.

1. Pre-Registration for CSW56: must be done through the UN Administrator; limited to 20 places only (administrator.un@bpw-international.org)
   
   
2. Booking for NGO CSW NY Consultation Day: must be done online at: http://www.ngocsw.org [Deadline 13 January 2012]
   
   
3. Booking for BPW Claire Fulcher Dinner: must be made through our hosts BPW New York – details in December
   
   
4. Booking for all other BPW events should be made through the President’s Office (presidents.office@bpw-international.org)

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) United Nations submitted this written statement on the thematic issues considered by the Commission on Status of Woman (CSW) in accordance with Council resolution 1996/31.

BPW Endorse Statement | Statement, steering review

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) of the Human Right Council, United Nations, is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.  CEDAW Committee consists of 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world.
Countries who have become party to the treaty (States parties) submit regular reports (every 4 years) to the Committee on how the rights of the Convention are implemented. During its sessions the Committee considers each State party report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of concluding observations.
The Committee is mandated to :

• receive communications from individuals or groups of individuals submitting claims of violations of rights protected under the Convention to the Committee and
• initiate inquiries into situations of grave or systematic violations of women’s rights. These procedures are optional and are only available where the State concerned has accepted them. The Committee also formulates general recommendations and suggestions.

Sessions 2012

• 13 February - 2 March 2012, Geneva. Reports on Algeria, Brazil, Grenada, Jordan, Norway, Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe
• 9 – 27 July 2012, New York. Reports on Bahamas, Bulgaria, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Samoa
• 1 - 19 October 2012, Geneva. Reports on Central African Republic, Chile, Comoros, Equatorial Guinea, Serbia, Seychelles, Togo, Turkmenistan
  
• All sessions
  

If you are a BPW, do ask for a temporary acreditation from BPW International to assist the session.

"The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges", 24 February 2011

Panel Discussion at the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), United Nations

A panel discussion on "The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges" will be organized in the margins of the fifty-fifth session, in accordance with the methods of work of the Commission on the Status of Women (ECOSOC resolution 2006/9).
This discussion will be the first step in guiding the Commission’s approach to addressing this priority theme during the fifty-sixth session in 2012 (ECOSOC resolution 2009/15).

Read all issues paper

Information for Presidents [information en français]

Dear Presidents of Federations and Associates Clubs,

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will hold its fifty-sixth session from 27 February to 9 March 2012 at the United Nations Headquarters, New York.

Thanks to a contribution made by the late Ms. Yvonne M.T. Hebert, UN Women will provide funding to 10 members of ECOSOC-accredited Non-governmental organizations headquartered or with offices based in a Least Developed Country to attend the first week of CSW56, i.e., 27 February - 2 March 2012.

The president office would like to inform you and your members and encourage you to send your application and notice that the deadline for sending to Civil Society Section of UN WOMEN for CSW 56 is 15 November 2011.

In this case you have to send your application on 10th November 2011 to president office particulary to Michelle.

Best regards,

Huguette AKPLOGAN DOSSA, 1st Vice President UN 2011-2014

Downloads:

	Call for applications Yvonne Hebert funding.pdf
	Application form YHF.doc

Informations aux Présidentes

Objet : Appel à candidatures et demande de soumission d'applications pour la bourse Yvonne Hebert

Chères Présidentes de Fédérations et Clubs Associés,

La Commission sur le Statut de Femmes (CSW) tiendra sa cinquante-sixième session du 27 février au 9 mars 2012 au Siège des Nations unies, New York.

Grâce à une contribution faite par Mme Yvonne M.T. Hebert, ONU Femmes fournira le financement à 10 membres d'Organisations non gouvernementales ECOSOC-ACCRÉDITÉES basées ou avec des bureaux basés dans les en voie de développement pour suivre la première semaine de CSW56, c'est-à-dire, le 27 février - le 2 mars 2012.

Le Bureau de la Présidente Internationale voudrait vous informer vous et vos membres et vous encourage à envoyer votre demande. Il est important de vous notifier que le délai pour transmettre vos demandes à la Section de Société Civile de ONU FEMMES pour CSW 56 est le 15 novembre 2011.

Dans ce cas, nous vous prions de faire parvenir vos demandes, le 10 novembre 2011 impérativement au Bureau de la Présidente et particulièrement à Michelle.

Meilleures salutations,

Huguette AKPLOGAN DOSSA, 1st Vice President UN 2011-2014

Downloads:

	Call for applications Yvonne Hebert funding.pdf
	Application form YHF.doc

Almost every CSW has concluded with the approval of an outcome document containing statements and recommendation on the specific topic of the annual CSW conference and approved by all the States that make up the Commission on the Status of Women. This document represents the conclusions reached by the participants in the CSW process. The topics of discussion by the CSW are based on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the conclusions are intended to push the agenda forward. They become part of the record of the progress made in implementation of the BPfA and serve as a powerful precedent and reference point for further action.

Negotiations about the outcome document are often quite heated, and NGOs spend much time lobbying their governments and various UN agencies to include in the document points they consider essential. Typically, the document grows from a bland four or five-page statement issued before the meetings begin and detailing fairly conventional views of a given topic, to a twelve or so page document with perspectives vastly enriched by the ongoing discussions during the conference. Rarely does the process result in a deadlock with no outcome document issued, but that did happen at the conclusion of the 49th session of the CSW 2005.

This year (2011) passage of the document was delayed by two weeks while the Commission continued to deliberate. The topic had not been expected to cause much controversy: “Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work.” However, the Commission took the opportunity to define access to and participation in education in far broader terms than the conventional understanding of going to school. Issues like the familial and cultural context of education, economic, social, cultural and political barriers were all considered. Climate change, the financial crisis, violence against women and girls, health issues, stereotypes, assumptions, expectations, the responsibilities of the family, all were included in the discussion and the outcome document.

On 14 March, 2011, the outcome document was adopted unanimously with, however, a strong dissent by the Holy See (which has Observer status only and no vote) based upon four points:
1.    that the term “gender” must be limited exclusively to “women” and “men” or “female” and “male” without allowing any other definition of sexual identity;
2.    that it is the “right” of the family to choose the education of their children with regard to educating the child about “authentic human love, marriage, and the family”;
3.    that the term “sexual and reproductive health,” as employed in the outcome document not include abortion or abortion services;
4.    and the refusal to endorse contraception or the use of condoms “either as a family planning measure or as part of HIV/AIDS prevention programs…”.
The document now becomes an important reference point for policy on the education of women and girls.

Eva Richter
BPW International UN Representative

The UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs provides monthly updates and lists of important UN meetings. The NGO Branch is the focal point within the United Nations for Non-Governmental Organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Here is a list of DESA NGO News, a monthly service of the DESA NGO Branch of the United Nations, to keep you informed about upcoming UN events. BPW Members are encouraged to use and forward the information below to other networks.

 DESA NGO News [English version] 

Calling on members that attended CSW55: Please take 5 minutes to help the NGO/CSW review NGO events during CSW 55, by filling out two very short surveys that will only take 2-3 minutes each. The surveys will only be open through 11 April, 2011 and can be accessed from the front page of their website: ngocsw.org Your input will help improve future NGO sessions during CSW.

I have just completed the surveys and couldn’t believe how easy it was! Here are the two surveys:

1. Parallel Events, Morning Briefings and Caucuses: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/parallelevents

2. Consultation Day, Handbook and: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/consultationday

UN Women -  Violence Against Women Newsletter Issue 10 - January 2011.

UN Commission on the Status of Women 55th

Session Speeches: 22-23 February 2011 [Audio] ISIS International

United Nations Webcasts on CSW 55

The BPW activities and events during CSW 55 were a great success and have now drawn to a close. The action packed two week conference was busier than ever! While we were restricted to the number of BPW delegates pre-registered for CSW55, BPW members participated in the NGO parallel events and caucus meetings where they found the real heart of the CSW -- in the women from all over the world who came to advocate for their ideas, to exchange information, to join in urging government to take stands on the topic under discussion.  President Benham said: “BPW International’s professionally organised side events contributed to the success of the two week conference”.

• A new era for women was heralded at the historic launch of UN Women with an evening that included luminaries from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, the media, music and film in the UN General Assembly Hall.
• There were record numbers of organisations registered to attend CSW 55.
• Regular BPW Caucus meetings provided the opportunity to exchange ideas/themes emerging from CSW sessions and NGO events with members of the D-20 reporting on the previous day’s activities. BPW parallel events attract record crowds!
• Guests enjoyed a great night out at this year’s annual Claire Fulcher Dinner with UN Representative, Eva Richter, receiving the 2011 BPW International, UN Pathfinder Recognition for outstanding achievement.  
• President Benham welcomed invited BPW members to the offices of law firm KLG.
• Harriet Friedlander opens her Manhattan apartment to BPW members.
• President Benham meets Joseph Deiss, President United Nations General Assembly.
  

Please visit our Photo Gallery

Launch of UN Women

A new era for women was heralded at the historic launch of UN Women with an evening that included luminaries from the worlds of politics, entertainment, business, the media, music and film in the UN General Assembly Hall.  Those present heard from UN General Assembly President Joseph Deiss; the President of the UN Women Executive Board and former Foreign Minister of Nigeria, Ambassador Joy Ogwu; Nepalese activist Bandana Rana and former Commander of the all-female Formed Police Unit in Liberia Rakhi Sahi. CNN founder and Chairman of the UN Foundation Ted Turner urged men and the private sector to get involved in achieving gender equality. Actress Geena Davis highlighted the role of the media in promoting positive images.
About UN Women
UN Women will support individual countries in moving towards gender equality in economics and politics, and ending the worldwide phenomenon of violence against women. It will assist in setting international standards for progress, and lead coordinated UN efforts to make new opportunities for women and girls central to all UN programmes for development and peace. The celebration of the launch of UN Women can be seen via webcast at http://bit.ly/unwomenlaunch

Record number of NGO events participate in CSW 55

There were record numbers of organisations registered to attend CSW 55. Over 400 organisations registered -- about 3,500 pre-registered individuals with requests for 300 (three hundred) parallel events. The NGO CSW, NY has never had more than about 200, and that's more than what could be accommodated! The commission received a total of 79 statements -- far more than ever before!

BPW parallel events attract record crowds!

BPW International’s parallel events were very well attended this year. We presented two side events that centre around the two critical areas of our work - Women in the Economy and Women in Decision Making Roles. We also co-sponsored two parallel events.

Women at the Top in Science and Technology

To coincide with the priority theme of CSW this year, BPW International also presented the Women at the Top in Science and Technology side event, moderated by BPW New York member, Susan Dorward. Special guest presenters include: Dr. Myriam Sarachik, Distinguished Professor of Physics at the City University of New York, member of the National Academy of Sciences and recipient of many outstanding Awards; Dr. Andresse St. Rose, one of the co-authors of  Why So Few?, a report prepared for the American Association of University Women on women in the sciences; Dr. Irena Atov, Immediate Past Chair of IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) Committee and Founding Chair, IEEE Victorian Women in Engineering and Technical Manager, Telstra Corporation; Ms. Emma Sabin, Vice President, Advisory Services, Partnerships, Catalyst, an organization that provides information and counsel on creating workplaces (in this case in the sciences and technology) providing opportunities to enable women and their employers to succeed.

3rd Equal Pay Day workshop: Closing the Pay Gap

President Benham opened this year’s 3rd Equal Pay Day workshop: Closing the Pay Gap which was moderated by Vice President Freda Miriklis and highlighted the fact that our commitment to equal pay remains stronger than ever. Attendees heard about the progress made by BPW affiliates world wide with presentations made by Dr Bettina Schleicher, Chair, BPW International’s EPD Taskforce, Sabine Schmelzer, President, BPW Switzerland and Dr Herlin Chien, Secretary General, BPW Kaohsiung City and Young BPW Taiwan. Special guest appearances by Dr. Daniela Bankier, Head of Unit: Gender Equality, Directorate General Justice, European Commission and Ms Marie Mairi Steele, Director of Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) who spoke about a new on-line pay equity course and Australian Standard on Gender Inclusive job evaluation.

BPW co-sponsored events

Access to Education in Science and Technology: Building Capacity in Migrant Women and Girls
Our UN Representatives arranged for BPW International to co-sponsor two very good side events that were held during the second week. In conjunction with the NGO Committee on Migration, BPW presented a workshop on Access to Education in Science and Technology: Building Capacity in Migrant Women and Girls. Carol Hanlon, BPW Australia, spoke about the Multicultural Women’s Sewing Project; Sarah Ak Ahmed, Iraqi Refugee now living in Syriaas, spoke about the Iraqi Student Project; and Dr Jean D'Cunha, the UN Women representative and advisor on migration spoke about UN Women's plans in this area.

Girl Power: Voices Without Borders - A Dramatic Presentation & Talkback
This Dramatic Presentation & Talkback was organised by Project Girl Performance Collective and was a real high point of CSW. It was particularly impressive that all monologues, scenes, music and dance presented were the original work of the Project Girls. Inspired by this year’s CSW theme, the young women - aged 12-21 - addressed topics such as: body image, popular culture, identity (race, class, sexual orientation, ability) and violence against women and girls.

BPW Affiliates in Africa and the Asia Pacific also organised events during CSW 55.

The Claire Fulcher Dinner

The Claire Fulcher Dinner was a great highlight for members again this year. Having represented BPW International at the highly successful launch of UN Women, President Benham, addressed guests on the key messages delivered at the UN General Assembly earlier that evening. A special message written by Claire Fulcher was read out to guests. Attendees were treated to a special guest appearance by Past President Dr Antoinette Ruegg, Dr Katerina Bosshart-Pflinger and their students of the Friebourg University. UN Representatives present were honoured for their continued commitment and service to BPW International with Eva Richter, Permanent, UN Representative to the United Nations in New York, receiving the top honours for the 2011 BPW International UN Pathfinder Recognition.   

Read Claire Fulcher’s Message here

KLG Welcome Gathering

President Benham welcomed invited members to the conveniently located offices of law firm KLG - Karaahmet Lug & Greenberg LLP - in the Grand Central district of midtown Manhattan. The reception was held in honour of Founding President, BPW Ankara, Arzu Orzyol and members enjoyed listening to a fabulous line up of speakers and relished over delicious delights! Guests learnt about Kabbalah for Women and received a copy of God Wears Lipstick.

Harriet Friedlander Reception

This year members were invited to attend a private reception at the home of newly appointed UN (Alt) Representative, NY, Harriet Friedlander. Members enjoyed the warm hospitality of Harriet and her husband Bob at their apartment on Park Avenue and adored the ambiance of this historic building.

President Benham meets Joseph Deiss, President, United Nations General Assembly

One of the high points during CSW 55 for President Benham was meeting with The President of the 65th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, His Excellency Joseph Deiss. This private meeting was organised by Past President Dr Antoinette Ruegg and Dr Katerina Bosshart-Pflinger - lecturers at the Friebourg University which took place in His Excellency’s UN office.  Mr Deiss holds a Ph.D. in economics and was an economics professor at the Friebourg University and was delighted to meet with a strong Friebourg delegation of 11 students, attending CSW 55 for the first time. Mr Deiss also welcomed President Liz Benham, Vice President Freda Miriklis and spoke about his role as President of the General Assembly. Responding to what steps he would take concerning the reform of the Security Council, Mr Deiss said that the role of the president of the GA was not to bring in the solution and that the solution was up to the member states. His theme for the Annual Ministerial Meeting to take place later this year will be based on why Global Governance needs to get its legitimacy. Mr Deiss also outlined the main priorities for the next year which included: progress on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), reform of the United Nations and the promotion of environmentally sustainable development. He is in full support of the creation of UN Women and has stated that “We cannot address the world’s most complex problems without the wisdom and full participation of women.”

About His Excellency Joseph Deiss

Joseph Deiss was elected President of the sixty-fifth session of the United Nations General Assembly on 11 June 2010. An economist and politician with extensive experience in multilateral affairs, Mr. Deiss served in the Federal Council of Switzerland (Swiss cabinet) from 1999 to 2006. During this period, while holding the post of Economics Minister (2003 to 2006), he was elected, in 2004, to serve as President of the Swiss Confederation—a position which is rotated annually among Cabinet members— and headed his country’s presidential delegation to the United Nations General Assembly. Earlier, while serving as Foreign Minister, from 1999 to 2002, he spearheaded Switzerland’s accession campaign to the UN.

Carol Hanlon, BPW Australia | Sue Dorward, EPW USA | Sabine Gerhard, BPW Germany | Clara Ihekwoaba BPW Nigeria | Valérie Unite BPW France  Angela Ajala BPW Nigeria |

Carol Hanlon, President of BPW Belmont, Australia was the speaker of two sessions:

Date: Feb.23 | Title: Multicultural Society in Asia
The workshop was about the migrant women’s education & training programs, income generating programs, IT communication technology training programs and peace culture programs.
Carol Halon spoke on the economic development of women in the Philippines and a project she has initiated in Ormoc. The TCF Global community sewing project TCF Ormoc aims to assist women to start a small sewing business in Ormoc and the project provides sewing machines and raw materials to the locals to assist develop their creativity and produce eveningwear, childrenswear, uniforms, and homewares.

Date: Mar.03 | Title: Access to Education in Science and Technology: Developing Capacity in Migrant Women and Girls
Increasingly over the last few years, there has been recognition of migration as a very important factor in world economic and social development, but it has generally been defined only in economic terms.
Carol Halon spoke about her experiences in developing capacity with Migrant women. This included Multicultural Business Support Services that she has initiated, such as providing specialised support and workshops for Muslim Women, and the Multicultural Women’s Sewing Project to assist CaLD women starting a fashion business in Perth, and in Ormoc, Philippines.

Sue Dorward - member EPW New York

Date:  Feb.22 | Parallel Event : Title:  Climate Adaptation Challenges from a Gender Perspective (Parallel Event)
organizer:  Heinrich Böll Foundation (Germany) (with UN-NGLS, IATP, WOCAN) My favorite speaker was Shiney Varghese from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, based in MN.  She showed a slide depicting water stress around the globe, and it is already present at high levels in all regions.  It is predicted that agriculture production will be down 50% by 2080 as a result of climate change/water issues.  She referred to "the feminization of food insecurity."  Water, climate and food are a triple threat, and we need an integrated solution. What can BPW do?  Have a voice at meetings about the implementation of the Global Climate Fund.  We need more women's voices there.

Date: Feb.22 | NGO Event: title: Women, Climate Change, and the New Green Economy
Dr. Rubenstein from the Earth Institute spoke about water stress and Milennium Villages in Africa.  Africa loses $9 billion per year due to desertification.  It is projected that by 2030 half of the world will be under extreme water stress.  The UN is in its 5th year of the Milennium Villages project, which has been rolled out in all types of environments in Africa as demonstration projects.  They are applying known solutions for agriculture, education, infrastructure, etc.  They provide subsidized fertilizers, mobile phone networks, internet access, rechargeable (solar) lanterns, mobile schools (teachers that live nomadically with the tribes and teach the Kenyan national curriculum). Danish Soroptomists trained 36 Kenyan Soroptomists on how to make small/mid-size businesses more energy efficient and use less water. Deforestation accounts for 20% of CO2 emissions. Green Microfinance (based in US) is helping in Kenya by providing composting toilets/biodigesters to help create saleable natural
fertilizers/slurry as well as decent toilet facilities in the slums. The captured methane heats water for showers.  Clean stoves use 90%
less wood. What can BPW do?  Involve governments and large companies to help support these initiatives at a larger scale, find partners in
government.

Date: Feb. 23 | Parallel Event: Title: Rebuilding the Global Economy: Towards sustainable and gender equitable development
Climate change is a crisis multiplier. Health initiatives are needed for water-borne illnesses associated with flooding. The new UN Green Fund is not enough at $100b.  The Pakistan floods cost $15b, other floods are similar. Rather than targeting lower inflation, target increased employment.

Date: Feb.23 | Caucus Event: Title:  Women and Climate Change Caucus:  Gender Perspectives on Cancun Accords - Issues, Outcomes, and the Role of Advocacy
Recently there have been three UN conventions - UNFCCC (only one without gender language), biodiversity, and desertification
Kyoto '97 expires in 2012 - it is missing human rights language, and Annex 1 countries are legally bound, developing countries are not
Want next agreement to have gender equity language.
The 600-600-600 rule:  the pre-industrial world emitted 600 gigatons, 1880-present emitted 600 gigatons, and the world can only take another
600 - who gets to emit it?  This is an ethics/justice issue. NGOCSW Subcommittee on Women and Climate Change recommendations about
adding gender language to agreement texts, got it into all but finance, focusing on that now. What can BPW do?  Help get gender-sensitive languages into texts, like this subcommittee has.

Date:Feb.25 | Title: NGO Event - The Green Women's Economy: Creating a Sustainable South Bronx
The Bronx in New York City has 1/5 of the recommended park land per capita, 60,000 trucks pass through per day and there a major health
problems such as widespread asthma.  Sustainable South Bronx is a non-profit that has a program with 3 pillars:  1) training (green roofs, retrofitting buildings - 80% trainees employed, 40% had criminal record)  2) greening 3) environmental education.  They obtained a city grant for the 1st Bronx waterfront park in 60 years, and this led to a larger South Bronx Greenway project.  They have partnered with MIT to create South Bronx Fab (Fabrication) Lab, where they build small solar and other environmental projects.
Ibrahim Abdul-Matin was another invited panelist, but he could not attend and was represented by his wife (another panelist) Fatima Ashraf.  Both work for New York City's Mayor's Office  in the Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability.  Mr. Abdul-Matin is author of _Green Deen_, a book encouraging Muslims to protect the environment.  His work builds on traditional  Islamic tenets "the earth is a mosque"and  "leave it better than you found it."  He uses faith as way to make deep connection for environmental work, religion as environmentalist.


Date: Mar.1 | Title:  UN Event - Gender equality and sustainable development
Henrietta Elizabeth Thompson, Executive Coordinator of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, said that women are
more likely than men to buy recycled products, energy efficient products, and pursue green opportunities.  She also said that we need a set of sustainable development indicators to help see and address problems. Robert Freling, Executive Director of nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), talked about "energy poverty" in Africa and spoke about their work bringing solar power to developing African countries.  He said that financing (such as microcredit) is a critical component to making solar affordable, so people can pay the upfront cost.  They can pay the loan with the money that they no longer have to spend on batteries and kerosene.  Albina Ruiz Rios, of Peru Waste Innovation and Healthy Cities which won the UN Habitat prize, spoke about their training program for poor slum women to become certified recyclers & offer low cost trash and recycling service.  They use foot-pedaled bicycles and wagons sometimes cars) with a series of recycling bins in the back, like a little recycling truck.  Her organization is a guarantor with the bank for loans.  (Otherwise, the poor have to pay above market interest rates of 40%!).  She has a 0% default rate.  As a result of this employment opportunity, women are not turning to prostitution, kids are proud of their entrepreneur moms instead of being ashamed of their former living in trash, kids and moms have higher self-esteem.  The Jordan delegation  suggested that the UN have a rapporteur on the Right to Energy.

Sabine Gerhard - BPW Munich, Germany

Date: Feb. 28 | CSW Discussions in the morning
(Every country talked about how their programs are and that they move strongly toward equality of Gender...)

Muslim Women and Challenges of Violence and Marginalization (NGO-Church Center)
( Women of Iraq talked about their history of oppression in their country. The UN-Ambassador of Iraq was also there. It seemed that because of his presence the women could not talk openly)

Violence against Women in Iran
( At the beginning there was an incident with a man from Iran who wanted to tape the lecture. This tape could have been used in Iran on persecute the lecturer. He didn't get the permission so he screamed at the women organizing the talk and behaved very badly. Therefore he was asked to leave the room which caused the man to curse the lecturer. This incident showed that even at the UN women talking about the real situation in their country are persecuted) The lecturer talked then about Child abuse, women trafficking, forced marriages and women's self-immolation, honor killings, incest rape, girls running away from home and prostitution of women in Iran. You usually never hear about that only about women in veils... The real situation which was described at the talk is embarrassing. Both workshops (about women in Iraq and in Iran) were very helpful to learn that the information policy in these countries are controlled from the government and doesn't show the real situation of the women

Women's Spiritual Leadership:A resource for Global Change!
( The lecturer organized that the participants talked with each other about the situation in their countries and how spiritual leadership contributes to a change for a better world for women)

Date: Mar. 01 | NGO Caucus:
Women shared their experience about the information policy at the CSW. Everybody was dissatisfied about the decreasing possibilities to influence the process of CSW and to inform the official participants of  governments at the CSW about the real situation of women in different countries. Especially women who where attending several CSW's were very concerned about the decline of influence of NGO's at the CSW

Date: Mar. 02 | A social Mandate for Girls and Women increasing Scientific Technological Participation
Students of Social Work and a female scientist of medical genetics talked about what helps women to equal participation in science and technology such as adequate behavior of teachers toward equal behavior against boys and girls, support of parents, participation in girls programs (such as of girls scouts) and strong emphasis in pursuing the own career as a student and scientist.

Clara Ihekwoaba from BPW Nigeria

I have attended so many programs in the Church Center. The topic of much interest to me was 'The Mucus Patterns Of Fertility And Infertility’ (The Billings Ovulation Method). It says to manage fertility, naturally, one must learn to observe ones body's signals, you can soon discover that nature clearly indicates times of fertility and infertility.

Valérie Unite, President BPW Côte d'Azur, France

Plenary Sessions in the UN North Lawn Building :

Date: Feb. 23  Title: Key policy initiatives and capacity-building on gender mainstreaming. The main topic of this session was a speech by a UNESCO Board Member.
Interesting points she made included :

• In developing countries, families often send boys to school while girls stay at home and do domestic work,
• In response to this, many countries have started programs to encourage girls to attend schools or vocational trainings, in particular after pregnancy which often interrupts schooling (Cameroon, Indonesia)
• In conclusion, she  provided some statistics, for example World spending on Education totals 16 Billion USD, whereas spending on weapons totals 1600 Billion USD, 100 time more !

Date: Feb. 25
Evaluation of progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions on “The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child”. This session started with a presentation of the areas of concern:

• Sex mutilation, violence against girls even in school (from boys and teachers), sexual harassment and abuse, forced prostitution by family, early pregnancy.
• Next, we heard testimony from school girls from 18 or 19 years Indonesia, Cameroon and Sierra Leone.
• These girls told provided examples of these kind of abuse, as well as the lack of help from police when reporting these crimes, (society refuses to accept that these offenses occur). An effect of this situation is a very high drop-out rate for girls
• Proposed solutions included providing information to girls, training the teachers, and teaching boys about the abuse of power towards girls and not to confuse violence and love (Portugal).
• Date: Feb. 25 Parallel event, Salvation Army : Non registration at birth (Regards de Femmes NGO) It is estimated that 52 million children do not have their birth registered (76% in Nepal, in Turkey only the 1st child is required to be registered) and therefore have no legal identity (making them vulnerable to slavery and trafficking), 68 million do not attend school, 6 million in slavery, 2.5 million have AIDS.

Date: Feb. 24
Breakfast session for French Ngo’s with French Ambassador to United Nations and Ms Bachelot, French Minister of Women’s equality. Each NGO provided a status update.  I mentioned BPW and our involvement in Women Empowerment Principles and Equal Pay Day. Ms Bachelot and the Secretary acknowledged BPW activity in France. I was invited to join the French Delegation at the UNWomen launch during which I got to know  people in the French Foreign Affairs Team. I was asked to consider participation by BPW in a project to develop Leadership and Business Skills for Women in Africa,  which has support from the African Central Bank. We agreed to follow-up on the session on our return to France. The BPW agreement with ITC could be utilized.

Angela Ajala BPW Nigeria

1. The Empowerment Support

Initiative: Presented by Judith Amaechi from Nigeria. The main objective being the provision of Education.
The adage, catch them young is the philosophy. Education is provided at that level in the rural and urban areas of Rivers State Nigeria, as part of their plan for achieving education for all in 2015. The public is encouraged to partner by providing fees for a period of time for a number of children.
The belief is if the foundation of a child doing well at the Nursery level, the chances of the child succeeding and going on to higher level of education is brighter.

2. Nigeria’s side event was very motivating.

The focused areas of priority were:
•    Women-Leadership and decision making.
•    Health-Maternal mortality and HIV/AIDS.
•    Education, Science and Technology.
•    Protection of woman’s rights and elimination of violence through legal reforms.

Making the link between Women’s education and empowerment through political participation is key to Nigeria’s agenda. Moving from commitment to action, and action to tangible plans. Two stunning programs were unveiled :
A. A coalition of female political aspirants which came up with a communiqué of four clearly defined issues:
(i) 15% of Government’s funding to go to maternal issues.
(ii) Youth empowerment.
(iii) Economic empowerment for women through microcredit for women & the abolition of customary laws stifling women. CEDAW to be enforced.
B. 100 Women Initiative:

A support group providing:
•    Power of systematic mobilization.
•    Documentation of issues.
•    Fund raising strategies.
•    Social networking.
•    Support during court cases by mobilizing thousands of women to be in court when a woman is taken there for political injustice.

3. Raising up Women’s Peace Building Skills:

Facilitators: Madelyn Mackay, Canada
This was an interactive, creative and thought provoking programme.
Aim: The 1325 key to peace. UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
This resolution calls for all women to be involved in the negotiation for peace and war resolution objective. To show that women bring something special to war situation. A call to all women to participate at all levels of peace and war decision making.
Collaborative skill building was also modelled through a “Circle of Truth Activity”.

4. Mental balance:

How women can cope with work at home without breaking down.
Objective: It is very important to know how to cope with the various roles we hold as women and how to keep our mental balance so we do not lose it.
Conclusion: I deliberately attended the sessions from Nigeria mainly, because it is at such fora that deep partnerships can be established and built back home.
Recommendations: We need clear cut instructions and timetable especially when secondary passes are in short supply.

Violence against women remains widespread across the world, exacerbated by traditions and customary practices that determine the way women are treated in families, places of work and communities, according to a United Nations report unveiled today.

The scourge “is an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of equality, development and peace,” according to The World’s Women 2010: Trends and Statistics, published by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). More

Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic Development

The BPW CSW Handbook is now complete and available online.

	Download E-Mail Version (6.56 MB)
	Download Low Resolution (13.70MB)
	Download High resolution (70.63MB)

BPW activities, events, workshops

• Equal Pay Day (EPD) workshop: Closing the Pay Gap Date: -Wednesday 23rd February, 1:00pm – 3:00pm at the Permanent German Mission to the United Nations German House - Main Auditorium, 871 UN Plaza (1st Avenue and 49th Street)
  
  
• Putting Gender on the Agenda: Women at the Top in Science and Technology - Thursday, February 24, 12:00pm – 1:30pm in the Salvation Army building on 52nd Street.
  
  
• GIRL POWER: VOICES WITHOUT BORDERS A Dramatic Presentation & Talkback - Tuesday, March 1, 2:00 to 3:30 PM, in the Salvation Army Auditorium on 52nd Street.
  
  
• Access to Education in Science and Technology: Developing Capacity in Migrant Women and Girls - Thursday, March 3, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m at the Church Centre.
  
  

• Register here for Claire Fulcher Dinner, 24 February 2011 at 7 pm, user pay.
  

  
  

NGO Consultation Day

The annual NGO Consultation Day will be held on the 21st Feb 2011 - we encourage members not attending the BPW Leaders Summit to register for this event. Please note that this clashes with the BPW Leaders Summit (20-21 Feb). More information is available at:  http://www.ngocsw.org/

There is no limit to the number of members allowed to take part in the full CSW NGO programme at the Church Centre and other venues nearby that enable a full exchange of ideas with other NGOs and delegates. Timely updates and information will be provided regularly at the Church Centre. The NGO/CSW programme, together with the planned BPW activities, will ensure that members are well informed of UN developments. The BPW CSW Handbook should be ready in February.

Freda Miriklis

2nd Vice President and Chair of the UN Status of Women Standing Committe.

La 55ème session de la  Commission sur la Condition des Femmes (CSW 55) aura lieu au siège des Nations Unies à New York du 22 février au 4 mars 2011. Le thème prioritaire cette année est “L’accès et la participation des femmes et des filles à l’éducation, la formation, les sciences et la technologie, y compris pour la promotion de l’accès égalitaire des femmes au plein emploi et au travail décent”.
Dû aux rénovations en cours dans le siège de l’ONU et aux limitations d’espace dans le North Lawn Building ou se tiendra la prochaine session, le nombre de participantes de la société civile officiellement accréditées pour les sessions formelles du CSW Nations Unies qui se tiendront sur le site de l’ONU, a été limité à 20 représentantes par organisation.  Néanmoins, chaque membre BPW intéressée à participer au CSW55 à New York pourra participer à toutes les manifestations des ONG planifiées et aura accès aux résultats CSW.
Demandes des visa: La BPW International mettra à disposition des lettres d’appui pour les demandes de visa pour les membres intéressées à assister aux manifestations des ONG parallèles et à s’inscrire aux programmes BPW durant CSW 55.

Etes-vous intéressées à suivre les procédures et l’évolution de CSW Nations Unies?

La 55a Sesión de la Comisión de las Naciones Unidas para la Condición de las Mujeres (CSW 55) tendrá lugar en la sede de las Naciones Unidas en Nueva York del martes 22 de febrero al viernes 4 de marzo 2011. El tema prioritario este año es “El acceso y la participación de las mujeres y las niñas a la educación, la formación, la ciencia y la tecnología, incluyendo la promoción del acceso equitativo de las mujeres al empleo pleno y a un trabajo decente”.
Debido a los trabajos de renovación de la sede de las Naciones Unidas y el limitado espacio en el North Lawn Building, donde la próxima sesión tendrá lugar, el número de asistentes de la sociedad civil acreditadas oficialmente por la CSW para asistir a las reuniones formales de CSW ONU que tendrán lugar en la sede de las Naciones Unidas, ha sido limitado a 20 representantes por organización. Sin embargo, cada socia BPW interesada en asistir a la CSW 55 en Nueva York, podrá participar en todas las manifestaciones planificadas para las ONG y podrá incidir en los resultados de la CSW.
Solicitud de visa: La BPW International pondrá a disposición cartas de apoyo para las solicitudes de visa para las socias interesadas en asistir a los eventos paralelos de las ONG y en inscribirse para los programas BPW durante CSW 55.

¿Están interesadas en seguir los procedimientos y evolución de CSW ONU?

BPW International has submitted two statements for distribution as official United Nations documents for the 55th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 55) and has endorsed the statement by the NGO Committee on UNIFEM. The UN team is currently considering the program of events [including next year's parallel sessions] so visit us soon!

Statement submitted by IFBPW (International Federation of Business and Professional Women), a non-governmental organization in general consultative status with the Economic and Social Council

Statement submitted by Project Five-O, a non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council

For the 10th anniversary of 1325, Peacewomen launched the ‘Women, Peace and Security Handbook,’ which examines the degree to which the Security Council has internalised the thematic agenda of Women, peace and security in its geographic work over the past 10 years, specifically in the Council’s country-specific resolutions.
Divided into thirteen thematic chapters, the handbook is a reference guide for both progress made and action to be taken on the Women, Peace and Security agenda. The analysis assesses the consistency with which Council resolutions reflect the language and intent of SCR 1325. Good practice extracts from resolutions are presented and critical recommendations are made.
This Handbook, like the 10th anniversary itself, is a call to action and a sincere effort to enhance the implementation of the Women, peace and security agenda. The recommendations call for the incorporation of more comprehensive language on women and gender in future country-specific resolutions.
WOMEN, PEACE & SECURITY HANDBOOK, Full 73-Page Handbook - 23.89 MB

The Gender Inequality Index (GII) - UNDP

24 pages report by Ann Warner, 2010
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) provides an important tool for countries to use in realizing the potential of women and girls. In the three decades since this convention was adopted by the United Nations and ratified by 186 of 193 nations, countries have incorporated CEDAW principles in their national constitutions, legislation and administrative policies. Countless civil society organizations and individual women have relied on the principles of the convention to improve the lives of women and girls.
This report describes some examples of the impact CEDAW has had around the world and focuses on select cases and countries where CEDAW ratification and implementation have led to concrete changes in the opportunities afforded to women and girls.
The paper focuses on the following areas:

• Ending violence and trafficking in women and girls
• Improving conditions for women's economic opportunity
• Increasing women's political participation
• Advancing human rights of women by promoting equality

Report of the NGO Working Group (NGOWG) on Women, Peace and Security: Monthly Action Points For 2009-2010

The NGOWG has launched its NGOWG Monthly Action Points report: “Mapping Women, Peace and Security in the UN Security Council.”

The report includes an overview of the results of the first year of our MAP project, indicates where the Security Council has had success and where it still faces challenges in implementation of resolutions 1325, 1820, 1888, and 1889, and provides suggestions on how the Council can better fulfill its mandate by incorporating Women, Peace and Security issues in its daily work.

Download Executive Summary | Download Full Report

M Ray, Organization of American States (OAS) Reps for North America, recently presented this powerpoint at North America Regional Conference. It is wonderful explanation of OAS.

Registration open for BPW delegation to UN CSW 55 & General BPW Programme of Events

Click here to register for Parallel Events

The fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 55) will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from Tuesday, 22 February to Friday, 4 March 2011.  The priority theme this year is “Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work”.
Due to ongoing renovations at the UN Headquarters and space limitations in the North Lawn Building, where the next session will take place, the number of CSW officially accredited attendees from civil society permitted to attend the formal UN CSW meetings that take place on the UN site has been limited to 20 representatives per organization.  However, every BPW member interested in attending CSW 55 in New York will be able to participate in all the planned NGO events and will have input into CSW outcomes.
Visa Applications: BPW International will make available letters in support of Visa applications for members interested in attending NGO parallel events and registering for BPW programmes during CSW 55.

Interested in following UN CSW proceedings and developments?

Guidelines for Shadow Reporting on Women's ESCR issues under CEDAW and the ICESCR, developed by ESCR-Net and IWRAW Asia Pacific.

ESCR - Economic, Social & Cultural Rights. ICESCR - International Convenant on ESCR.

Dear all,
We are pleased to bring to your attention that the CEDAW Committee has adopted two new General Comments (General Recommendations) at its 47th Session which just ended on 22 October 2010.

The Chairperson in her closing statement shared that the CEDAW Committee has adopted:
i) General Comment 27: Older Women and Protection of their Human Rights
ii) General Comment 28: on Article 2

The General Comment on Older Women extrapolates the multiple forms and intersectionality of discrimination experienced by older women and provides a comprehensive interpretation of State obligation in this context. In particular it highlights the fact that the "discrimination older women experience is often multidimensional, with age discrimination, compounding other forms of scrimination based on sex, gender, ethnic origin, disability, levels of poverty, sexual orientation and gender identity, migrant status, marital and family status, literacy and other grounds. Older women who are members of minority, ethnic or indigenous groups, or who are internally displaced or stateless often experience a disproportionate degree of discrimination. The general recommendation also provides guidance to States parties on the inclusion of older women's situation in the reporting process on the Convention and points out that discrimination experienced by older women is deeply rooted in cultural and social norms.

Similarly, IWRAW Asia Pacific also sees the adoption of the General Comment on Article 2 as a paramount step forward in our collective activism on issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity. The CEDAW Committee reaffirmed that discrimination of women is inextricably interlinked with other factors which includes sexual orientation and gender identity. In the current environment where cultural specificity and relativism, neo-liberal economic development and fundamental beliefs often undermine principles of human rights, the CEDAW Committee further emphasises that the states are obliged to "proclaim their total opposition to all forms of discrimination against women and that they should pursue their policies in this regard by all appropriate means and without delay". Most importantly the adoption of this General Comment lends support to our call to all states to withdraw reservations, in particular those on Article 2.

Please find attached the official version of the General Comment 27 and final version of General Comment 28. Attached is also the statement and press release from the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR).

International Women's Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific (IWRAW Asia Pacific)
80-B, Jalan Bangsar
59200 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Tel: (603) 2282 2255
Fax: (603) 2283 2552
Email: iwraw-ap@iwraw-ap.org, iwraw_ap@yahoo.com
Website: www.iwraw-ap.org

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) provides an important tool for countries to use in realizing the potential of women and girls. In the three decades since this convention was adopted by the United Nations and ratified by 186 of 193 nations, countries have incorporated CEDAW principles in their national constitutions, legislation and administrative policies. Countless civil society organizations and individual women have relied on the principles of the convention to improve the lives of women and girls.
This report describes some examples of the impact CEDAW has had around the world and focuses on select cases and countries where CEDAW ratification and implementation have led to concrete changes in the opportunities afforded to women and girls.
The paper focuses on the following areas:

• Ending violence and trafficking in women and girls
• Improving conditions for women's economic opportunity
• Increasing women's political participation
• Advancing human rights of women by promoting equality

Anne Warner, 2010

Women' United Nations Report Network - WUNRN

International Center for Research on Women - ICRW | Direct Link to Full 24-Page ICRW Report

CEDAW Coalition Website

Adoption of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 27 on Older Women and Protection of Their Human Rights

By the United Nations CEDAW Committee, 19th 0ctober, 2010

IMPORTANT: NGO Shadow Reports can usually be accessed by direct clicks to the reports listed, BUT for STATE PARTIES/GOVERNMENT REPORTS and related GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS, and some Shadow/Alternative NGO Reports, FIRST CLICK to the above website Link for the CEDAW Committee and then click the reports desired and in the language translation preferred.

NGO Shadow Reports are posted under "Information Provided to the Committee."
Please check this website Link for eventual posting of CEDAW Committee Country Review Concluding Observations.

CEDAW Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - 47th Session

Women UN report network

The NGO Committee on the Status of Women, New York, advises that a Calendar of Events including CSW 55 Planning Committee Meetings and other Sub-Committee Meetings is now available on the Activities and Events page of their blog.  Note that the calendar is still subject to change. Before attending an event, please check back on the Activities and Events page for the most up-to-date version of the Calendar.

New-York, 22 February - 4 March 2011

Written statements for the fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW55) may be submitted by NGOs in general consultative status and special consultative status with ECOSOC on the thematic issues considered in accordance with ECOSOC resolution 1996/31.  Written statements shall be submitted in one of the official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, Spanish).  Statements by organizations in general consultative status should not exceed 2000 words; statements by organizations in special consultative status should not exceed 1500 words.  Please note that the word count should include headers, footers, titles, and agenda item.

Written statements by individual organizations should be submitted by 11 November 2010.  The deadline for joint written statements is 18 November 2010.  Written statements either by NGOs on the roster or joint statements that include NGOs on the roster should be submitted by 4 November 2010. Submission deadlines must be strictly observed in order to ensure timely processing and issuance of the statements as official United Nations documents for the Commission.  Statements must be submitted through the designated email address for CSW - csw@un.org with subject line "Written Statement: Name of NGO/General or Special Consultative Status".

Qi Song
Coordination and Outreach Unit
Division for the Advancement of Women
Department of Economic and Social Affairs  
United Nations
2 United Nations Plaza, Room DC2-1282D
New York, NY 10017

Gender, Science & Technology

CSW-55 2011 Theme Expert Group Meeting, Paris, France - 28 September - October 1, 2010

In accordance with its multi-year programme of work for 2010-2014, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will consider ‘Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work’ as its priority theme during its fifty-fifth session in 2011.

In order to contribute to a fuller understanding of the issue and to assist the Commission in its deliberations, the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW, now part of UN Women) in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will convene an expert group meeting (EGM) on ‘Gender, science and technology’ from 28 September to 1 October 2010 in Paris, France.
The EGM will explore the gender dimensions of science and technology, and identify policies and programmes that can accelerate progress towards the internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs. It will examine strategies for:

• Increasing women’s access to and use of technology, including more gender-responsive products
• Increasing women’s access to and participation in science and technology education and training
• Eliminating barriers to women’s participation in science and technology employment

BACKGROUND PAPERS

Londa Schiebinger, Stanford University, USA, Gender, science and technology
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Women’s and girls’ access to and participation in science and technology

EXPERT PAPERS

Monia Cheikh, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunisia,
Women’s and girls’ participation in science and technology in North Africa

Flavia Franconi, University of Sassari, Italy
Sex and gender analysis in medical and pharmacological research

Sophia Huyer, Women and Global Science and Technology (WIGSAT), Canada, Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW)
Science, technology and innovation policies and funding

Kong-Ju-Bock Lee, National Institute for Supporting Women in Science and Technology (NIS-WIST), Republic of Korea
Effective policies for supporting education and employment of women in science and technology

Jeffry Mallow, Loyola University Chicago, USA
Gender, science anxiety, and science attitudes: A multinational perspective

Verdiana Grace Masanja, National University of Rwanda, Rwanda
Increasing women's participation in science, mathematics and technology education and employment in Africa

Klaus Schroeder, Design-people, Denmark
Gender dimensions of product design

Mereseini Seniloli, Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Federated States of Micronesia
Gender dimensions of science and technology in agriculture and climate change: A case study

Nikolina Sretenova, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Bulgaria
What has worked in Europe to increase women's participation in science and technology

Viswanath Venkatesh, University of Arkansas, USA
Advancement of women in rural India

Judi Wakhungu, African Centre for Technology Studies, Kenya
Gender dimensions of science and technology: African women in agriculture

Judith Zubieta García, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico
Women, development, and the knowledge society

OBSERVER PAPERS

International Labour Office
French Association of Women Engineers (Femmes Ingénieurs)

American Association of University Women (AAUW)
Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSDW)

BPW INTERNATIONAL
63RD ANNUAL UN DPI/NGO CONFERENCE:
ADVANCE GLOBAL HEALTH - ACHIEVE THE MDG’S

BPW International: Members’ Record

Session or event details

BPW attendee(s) details

Margaret Styles, a delegate for International Federation of BPW

Information

Alice Wells discussed a project that Soroptimist International was conducting in Sierra Leone, Project Sierra: A family and a future. This project aims to help disadvantaged women and children in Sierra Leone face their futures with confidence. Many women in this country suffer domestic violence or neglect and are literally thrown out on to the street and then forced into prostitution to survive.

Sierra Leone is one of the poorest nations on earth. Following a bloody 10 year civil war, more than 70% of the population are unemployed and live below the national poverty line. Life expectancy for women is 42 years and nearly a third of all children die before their fifth birthday.

Alice Wells discussed the success they were having with this project by proving a safe house for homeless women and children and providing them with life skills and healthcare training. This greatly reduces the risk of human trafficking of these homeless women & children and reduces the risk of HIV infection from forced prostitution.

A note to all those planning to attend the 55th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.  Please be aware that the event will take place on the following dates and begins on a Tuesday rather than a Monday:  Tuesday, 22 February 2011 to Friday, 4 March 2011.  The focus of the 55th session will be “Access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work”.

Freda Miriklis – 2^nd Vice President BPW International