WOMEN’S HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE CEDAW as a Tool for Achieving Equality Equality & Social Inclusion in the 21 st Century 1 st – 3 rd February 2006

Presentation What is CEDAW? What is CEDAW? The Reporting Process to the UN The Reporting Process to the UN The 33 rd CEDAW Session July 2005 The 33 rd CEDAW Session July 2005 The Concluding Comments The Concluding Comments The Role of NGOs The Role of NGOs

Within the UN Structure

The CEDAW Convention Adopted in 1979 by UN General Assembly – 180 countries have signed it Adopted in 1979 by UN General Assembly – 180 countries have signed it International Bill of Rights for Women International Bill of Rights for Women “Defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets out an agenda for national action to end such discrimination” “Defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets out an agenda for national action to end such discrimination”

CEDAW A radical treaty that aims to: A radical treaty that aims to: transform the structural barriers to equality transform the structural barriers to equality address multifaceted nature of problems women face address multifaceted nature of problems women face

CEDAW – core principles Equality Equality Non-discrimination Non-discrimination

Substantive Equality Promoting - Equality of opportunity through law, policy, programmes and institutional arrangements programmes and institutional arrangements - Equality of access by eliminating all obstacles that prevent access to the opportunities & taking positive steps to ensure goal of equality is achieved - Equality of results

Non-discrimination Based on the principal that discrimination: is socially constructed is socially constructed Is not a natural principal of human interaction Is not a natural principal of human interaction Recognition of the need for concerted action against inequality and the institutional mechanisms that perpetuate it

What CEDAW says… The Articles Discrimination Discrimination Special measures Special measures Cultural practices Cultural practices Trafficking Trafficking Politics Politics Nationality Nationality Health Employment Education Law Marriage Family benefits Rural women

Article 1- Definition of Discrimination “Any distinction, exclusion or restriction, made on the basis of sex, which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human and fundamental freedoms, in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field”

Article 5 – cultural practices “A change in the traditional role of men as well as the role of women in society is needed to achieve full equality between men and women”

Article 12 - Health 1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure…access to health care services, including those related to family planning 1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in the field of health care in order to ensure…access to health care services, including those related to family planning

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Deal with issues related to specific articles GR 19 Violence against women GR 19 Violence against women GR 21Marriage & family relations GR 21Marriage & family relations GR 23Women in public life GR 23Women in public life GR 24Health GR 24Health GR 25Temporary special measures GR 25Temporary special measures For information on CEDAW visit I W R A W –

How does CEDAW work? the reporting process When a a government ratifies CEDAW, it commits to put in place legislation & policy to ensure women’s equality When a a government ratifies CEDAW, it commits to put in place legislation & policy to ensure women’s equality Every 4 years government submit a ‘progress’ report to the CEDAW Committee Every 4 years government submit a ‘progress’ report to the CEDAW Committee Government is then examined at a session of the CEDAW Committee Government is then examined at a session of the CEDAW Committee

The CEDAW Committee 23 experts on women’s issues from around the world 23 experts on women’s issues from around the world Meet twice annually at UN in New York Meet twice annually at UN in New York 8 governments report at a session 8 governments report at a session After a government has been examined the Committee produce ‘Concluding Comments’ outlining concerns & recommendations After a government has been examined the Committee produce ‘Concluding Comments’ outlining concerns & recommendations

Role of NGOs Submit ‘alternative’ or Shadow Report – a critique of the government report Submit ‘alternative’ or Shadow Report – a critique of the government report Attend CEDAW session in NY to lobby Committee members Attend CEDAW session in NY to lobby Committee members Observe government examination Observe government examination Carry out follow up work to monitor recommendations Carry out follow up work to monitor recommendations

Irish Government examination 13 th July 2005 – all day Delegation led by Minister of State, Frank Fahey - presented ‘Ireland’s Statement’ Delegation led by Minister of State, Frank Fahey - presented ‘Ireland’s Statement’ Government commended on progress, challenged on lack of progress in range of areas…….. Government commended on progress, challenged on lack of progress in range of areas…….. ‘Concluding Comments’ issued - highlighting concerns and making recommendations ‘Concluding Comments’ issued - highlighting concerns and making recommendations

The Concluding Comments Areas of concern Violence against women Violence against women Stereotyping Stereotyping Poverty & social exclusion Poverty & social exclusion Under-representation of women in politics Under-representation of women in politics Trafficking Employment Reproductive Health National Women’s Strategy

Stereotyping Concerns: Persistence of traditional stereotypical views of women & men in family & society, reflected in: Persistence of traditional stereotypical views of women & men in family & society, reflected in: - Article 41.2 of the Constitution. - Women’s educational choices. - Women’s employment patterns. - Women’s employment patterns. - Women’s low participation in politics - Women’s low participation in politics

Stereotyping – recommendations: Eliminate traditional stereotypical attitudes through education, training, & sustained awareness-raising campaigns directed at men and women. Take CEDAW fully into account in considering amendments to Article 41.2, & include obligation of State to actively pursue substantive equality. Replace male-orientated language in the Constitution. Encourage the media to represent women more positively, to help foster cultural change.

Role of NGOs….Holding the government accountable Using the Concluding Comments: In policy documents, submissions, research, action plans In policy documents, submissions, research, action plans In funding proposals In funding proposals In lobbying and campaigning work – letters, meetings with TDs and in media work In lobbying and campaigning work – letters, meetings with TDs and in media work In training & education programmes In training & education programmes LOCAL …REGIONAL….NATIONAL levels LOCAL …REGIONAL….NATIONAL levels

CHALLENGES ahead Lack of information on CEDAW Lack of information on CEDAW Lack of understanding of and resistance to principal of ‘substantive equality’ Lack of understanding of and resistance to principal of ‘substantive equality’ Resistance to human rights based approaches Resistance to human rights based approaches Managing the backlash and keeping women’s issues on the agenda Managing the backlash and keeping women’s issues on the agenda

CEDAW is a powerful too to articulate, advocate and monitor women’s human rights It’s not…. What can CEDAW really do for women? But… What do you plan to do with the CEDAW? WHRA

CONFERENCE “TAKING CEDAW SERIOUSLY” Thursday, 23 rd March, 2006 GALWAY

UK and CEDAW… UK Government signed CEDAW in 1981 UK Government signed CEDAW in 1981 Submitted 5 th periodic report June 2003 Submitted 5 th periodic report June 2003 Waiting to be examined Waiting to be examined Download copy of report: United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Homepage (country reports) United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Homepage (country reports) United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Homepage United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women Homepage