DECLARATION FROM THE 63RD UNITED NATIONS DPI/NGO CONFERENCE

The Declaration is now available online at:
http://makinghealthglobal.com.au/media/conference-releases/the-declaration/#more-468

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

Global Forum for Women:  Beijing + 15
NGO/CSW/NY 27-28 February 2010
UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN
CSW 54 NEW YORK 1-12 March 2010

Themes and Issues/Concerns for the 54th Session

Theme 2010:  “Preview and Appraisal of the Implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Outcome of the Twenty-third Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly” and its contribution to shaping a perspective towards the full realization of the Millennium Development Goals. 

I record the representation of Catholic Women’s League Australia at the Global Forum for Women: Beijing + 15 and the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 54).  It is appropriate to recognise and thank members of the Government Delegation for their communications, electronic and personal, and for their inclusiveness of NGO representatives during CSW 54 and the Global Forum.

On Tuesday of the first week, the Commission on the Status of Women adopted a short political Declaration recognising the significance of the Anniversary of the 4th World Conference on Women and requesting that it be brought to the attention of the Economic and Social Council for transmission to the General Assembly for its endorsement. The Declaration re-affirmed the Beijing Declaration & Platform for Action; Welcomed the progress made thus far towards achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women; Emphasised that the full and effective implementation of the BD & PfA is essential to achieving the internationally agreed goals; Recognised that the implementation of the BD & PfA and the fulfilment of the obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) are mutually reinforcing in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women; Called upon the United Nations system …… to fully commit themselves and to intensify their contributions to the implementation of the BD & PfA …….. Debate on unresolved and new issues was heard only at Side Events.     

The NGO Global Forum for Women was held at the Salvation Army Hall, New York. Days 1 and 2 were dedicated to Key Note speakers supported by their topic videos and Open Forums, concluding with “A Call for Action”.

CSW 54
There were many thoughtful, insightful, and indeed powerful presentations during CSW 54. The following are just some of the sessions I attended -

Striking a Better Balance between Family and Work: 
Eyes on Gender: Regional Perspectives on the Impact of the Financial Crisis
GEAR:  (Gender/Equality/Architecture/Reform)
Getting with the Media
Women in Northern Ireland
Declaration of Essential Rights of Afghan Women
Pacific Women Decision Makers in Action
Sharing of Good Practices to Achieve MDG #3
Pro-Life/Pro Family NGO Coalition “Maternal Mortality
Human Trafficking
Gender and Indigenous People
Women and Climate Change
Women as Economic Change Agents of our Time
Billings Ovulation Method Workshop

My comments on those sessions, as well as my full report, were distributed to CWLA National Executive and Member Organizations International Secretaries and are available from me on request.

UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon pledged to lead by example in the struggle for gender equality by establishing a strong entity within the world body to champion women’s rights. The promise to establish this body by September follows a four year campaign that had gained momentum during the Beijing + 15 review.  Hundreds of women queued for up to three (3) hours to get into the official commemoration of International Women’s Day to hear this announcement and to press home their Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) campaign,  that aims to get the seven disparate gender agencies and units within the UN consolidated into one strong body with a budget of $1 billion annually.  Within the time the Secretary-General attended the Session, women made it clear that this year’s IWD theme – “Equal rights, equal opportunity: progress for all” would be lost if the UN fails to pass a resolution by the time of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) review meeting in September 2010, calling for the establishment of a UN agency for women. 

Each day at CSW, I carried the WUCWO Asia Pacific Regional Conference bag; this was recognised and created quite a number of opportunities for interaction with other women. One of these women, a delightful lady, was the President of Catholic Women of Zambia.   We spoke at length about our respective organizations, exchanged contacts and planned to meet in Jerusalem for the WUCWO General Assembly in October 2010  ~  all this as we queued for the compulsory “second ticket.”  

On March 12 the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 54) adopted by consensus, seven (7) Resolutions as follows –

1. Women’s Economic Empowerment
2. Eliminating maternal mortality and morbidity through the empowerment of women
3. Strengthening institutional arrangements of the UN for support of gender equality and the empowerment of women by consolidating the four existing offices into a composite identity
4. Women/the girl child and HIV/AIDS
5. Release of women and children taken hostage, including those subsequently imprisoned in armed conflicts
6. The situation of and assistance to Palestinian women
7. Ending female genital mutilation.

Australia co-sponsored resolutions on women’s economic empowerment, maternal mortality and the establishment of the new UN composite gender entity and actively participated in their protracted negotiation in line with priorities outlined in Australia’s Negotiations Framework.  Other important outcomes included: (i) A Joint Statement on National Human Rights Institutions (ii) Asia Pacific Caucus Statement (iii) Strong engagement by Australia in resolution negotiations.

For a more detailed report please click here (169KB PDF)

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

WUCWO CENTENARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY - JERUSALEM: 5-12 OCTOBER 2010

The WUCWO Centenary General Assembly is now only four months away and full capacity has been reached for this historic event.   WUCWO is therefore unable to accept any further registrations.   Members who have expressed interest by forwarding their registrations and deposit are reminded that the remaining amount must be fully paid by 5 July or their reservations will be cancelled and their places given to members who are presently on a waiting list.

At date, it is anticipated that thirty members from Australia will make the journey. We will gather in Jerusalem to celebrate this event, with plans to lay the groundwork for the next 100 years of service to women and the Church. It is exciting to know the number of and the resolution topics that have been submitted. It is expected that the finalised proposals will be forwarded to the delegations by 5 September.

Since the beginning of 2010, the WUCWO Secretariat has sent out monthly Reflections on the Celebration of the WUCWO Centenary: “Road to Jerusalem”. This together with a Novena to Mary, Queen of Peace for 22-30 September, has been distributed through Member Organisation International Secretaries to members. We are walking these steps in our prayerful preparation for the Assembly.

“In order to fulfil the mandate and mission of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organisations, we must always strive to proclaim the “Good News” by the witness of our words and deeds. May the example of Mary of Magdala inspire us to announce that we have “seen the Lord” and share with others His Spirit and Truth”. (Karen M Hurley, WUCWO President General)

I ask your prayers for the CWLA Delegation and all who will participate in the WUCWO Centenary General Assembly.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~

For information on the World Union of Catholic Women's Organisation Centenary Assembly please click here (570KB PDF)

Thora Regan  AM
National International Secretary
Catholic Women's League Australia Inc
June 2010

Go to Top