Commission on the Status of Women Sixty-third session 11 – 22 March 2019 Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls Agreed conclusions 5/10

     34. The Commission acknowledges the benefit of implementing family-oriented policies aimed at, inter alia, achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls, the full participation of women in society, work-family balance and the self-sufficiency of the family unit and recognizes the need to ensure that all social and economic development policies including social protection policies, as well as public services and sustainable infrastructure, are responsive to the changing needs and expectations of families in fulfilling their numerous functions and that the rights, capabilities and responsibilities of all family members are respected.


35. The Commission recognizes that the sharing of family responsibilities creates an enabling family environment for women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work, which contributes to development, that women and men make a significant contribution to the welfare of their family, and that, in particular, women’s contribution to the home, including unpaid care and domestic work, which is still not adequately recognized, generates human and social capital that is essential for social and economic development.

36. The Commission acknowledges the important role of national mechanisms for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the relevant contribution of national human rights institutions, where they exist, and the important role of civil society in achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls as well as in advancing the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the gender-responsive implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

37. The Commission acknowledges that all women and girls might not be able to fully access and benefit from social protection systems, public services and sustainable infrastructure when they face multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination, and marginalisation. It respects and values the diversity of situations and conditions of women and girls and recognizes that some women face particular barriers to their empowerment. It also stresses that while all women and girls have the same human rights, women and girls in different contexts have particular needs and priorities, requiring appropriate responses.

38. The Commission recognizes that the positive contributions of migrant women and girls, in particular women migrant workers, have the potential to foster inclusive growth and sustainable development in countries of origin, transit and destination. It underlines the value and dignity of migrant women’s labour in all sectors, including the labour of domestic and care workers. It is concerned that many migrant women, particularly those who are employed in the informal economy and in less skilled work, are especially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The Commission acknowledges the importance of assisting women migrant workers at all skills levels to have access to social protection in countries of destination and profit from the portability of applicable social security entitlements and earned benefits in their countries of origin or when they decide to take up work in another country. The Commission also recognizes the need to strengthen efforts to provide, make available and disseminate accurate, timely, accessible, and transparent information on migration-related aspects for and between states, communities, and migrants at all stages of migration.

      39. The Commission acknowledges the need to address effects of armed conflict and post-conflict situations on women and girls, including victims and survivors of sexual violence, and their access to social protection systems.

40. The Commission recognizes the challenges faced by refugee women and girls and the need to protect and empower them, including in countries affected by armed conflict and post conflict situations, and the need to strengthen the resilience of communities hosting refugees by providing humanitarian assistance to people in need.