Strengthen accountability and oversight mechanisms for gender equality 3/6

RECOMMENDS that Adherents strengthen accountability and oversight mechanisms for gender equality and mainstreaming initiatives across and within government bodies. To this effect, Adherents should: 1. Consider establishing or strengthening capacity of independent institutions (such as Independent Commissions, Supreme Audit Institutions, Ombuds Offices), and advisory bodies (e.g., Government councils)...

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Mainstream gender equality in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of relevant public policies and budgets 2/6

I. RECOMMENDS that Members and non-Members having adhered to the Recommendation (hereafter the “Adherents”) mainstream gender equality in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of relevant public policies and budgets. To this effect, Adherents should: 1. Secure leadership and commit at the highest political level, at the appropriate level of government, to the development and implementation...

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Recommendation of the Council on Gender Equality in Public Life 1/6

There is growing awareness among the global community that gender equality is a cornerstone of inclusive growth. Gender-balanced leadership and gender-responsive policy making are more likely to ensure that the benefits of growth are shared equally. Women’s full involvement in decision-making and agenda-setting are crucial for adequately reflecting the priorities and needs of all members of society. It also...

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Burundian women’s voices

It took almost four years for Burundian women’s voices to be heard in the peace process. In the first round of the negotiations, women were absent. Eventually, women were allowed in as observers but with no right to take part in the talks. However, when the negotiations began, women were prevented from entering the negotiating room. A breakthrough was reached when UNIFEM and the Mwalimu Nyerere Foundation...

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Feminist: Stories from Women’s Liberation

A film by Jennifer Lee Structured as a personal journey of rediscovery by filmmaker Jennifer Lee, this documentary brings the momentous first decade of secondwave feminism vividly to life. Its trajectory starts with the earliest stirrings in 1963 and ends with the movement’s full blossoming in 1970—from the Presidential Commission’s report on widespread discrimination against women and publication of Betty...

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Caste and Prostitution in India. Conclusion 7/7

There exist an intimate relationship between caste, culture and prostitution that reinforces the structured and hierarchic powerrelations which are the reflections of caste system in India. The logic of poverty as being the primary driver for compelling woman to engage into this profession of prostitution is perhaps misplaced and half - baked truth. The poverty argument misses the link that Dalits are...

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We Applaud Ireland for Law Targeting Buyers of Sex Survivors of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Lead Groundbreaking Campaign

International Human Rights Group Applauds Ireland for Law Targeting Buyers of Sex Survivors of Prostitution and Sex Trafficking Lead Groundbreaking Campaign New York, Feb. 15, 2017 - The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (CATW) commends the Republic of Ireland for the historic passage of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, which decriminalizes prostituted people and penalizes the purchase of sex....

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A feminist critique to Dalit interpretation 6/7

Interestingly, the non-brahman and Dalit movements are discredited not only for contributing to the decline of much-celebrated economic independence, cultural significance and sexual autonomy of the devdasis. The antagonism of men from the devdasi communities has been located in the internal divisions within the community in terms of family structures and performance traditions, and the men’s envy for...

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Resistance to the shame and exclusion: voices from dalit movements 5/7

Some of the international bodies like Human Rights Watch have also acknowledged prostitution as a form of oppressive caste-based labour, along with scavenging and bondage. However, this voice has the complication of leading to marginalization and stigmatization of particular castes, instead of highlighting its exploitative underpinnings. A controversy had arisen over a UNICEF – supported study, which...

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Caste and ritualized prostitution 4/7

Devdasi is an established practice in South India where a girl is dedicated to serve the god at the very early age. Originally, these women were associated with the singing and dancing, however, with the disintegration of feudal empire they lost their traditional patrons. This made them vulnerable and they were forced to indulge in the prostitution. Traditionally, they enjoyed high social status as being...

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Caste and forced prostitution: A study of Bedia tribes 3/7

While India’s loathing of daughters leads to more than a million female feticides each year, and the killing of thousands of new born girls, the Bediais are one community that wants girls. But do they want girls because they have a sense of equality? Certainly not. When a woman is pregnant, the family hopes it will be a girl. Not a boy. What makes the Bedia’s stance on girls different from that of...

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Caste and forced prostitution: A case of Nat community 2/7

Caste as a principle determinant of the forced prostitution is most visible in case of Nat communities, Bedia and Bachra tribes of North India. Nat community, the lowest in the traditional caste system were associated with the acts of performing folk arts. During the Monarchy days the women of this caste assumed the role of entertainers. But with the colonial encounter and subsequent weakening of the...

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Caste and Prostitution in India 1/7

Changing Forms and Realities: An Introduction Prostitution in simple terms means ‘selling sexual services for material/commercial/economic gains. This profession has existed in India since many ages. The ancient roots of it may be found in many historical accounts of Buddhist literature, Kautilyan Arthashastra, Vedas, Puranas, Mahabharta etc. The Purana states that very sight of prostitutes brings good...

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Combating violence against women in the framework of European Union – Egypt cooperation

Violence against women is a priority for the EU, as demonstrated by the fact that there are specific EU human rights guidelines on violence against women. Therefore, the EU-Egypt Action Plan of 2007 (still in force), which was negotiated between the EU and the Egyptian government, includes several commitments relating to VAW, including the commitment to eradicate FGM through legislation and public...

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6. PROMOTE THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION IN THE UN SYSTEM

Understanding that transparency and integrity are feminist principles, within the first 100 days, announce system-wide reforms to increase transparency within the UN and to reinforce public trust in the UN system. Announce that, in the next year, the UN will: Š Institute universal Gender SWAPs (UN Systemwide Action Plan on Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women) for all UN agencies and bodies, including...

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Day 304 #FreeNazanin - Letter to my daughter

1 DE FEB. DE 2017 — There is much for me to update you on – news of Nazanin’s life in the general cells, what happened at her appeal, that false ransom demand. There is a lot to say. But the first words I wanted to be from Nazanin. Last week Nazanin managed to write a letter in Farsi to Gabriella, or Gisou as is her Farsi name.It was published by an Iranian human rights organisation, who notified...

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5. ENABLE A FEMINIST TRANSFORMATION FOR CSW AND UN WOMEN

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is at once the symbol of all that is possible for feminism at the UN and emblematic of all that is wrong with the system as it currently stands. It, and UN Women, should be a platform for civil society activists to access the UN, petition for their states to act, and to work in coalition to meet common goals. Both have been a shrinking space for civil society and...

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