Advance Global Health- Achieve the MDGs- Soroptimists at DPI/NGO August 30-Septmber 1 2010
For only the third time in 63 years this annual UN Event- the ONLY one designed specifically for NGOs to meet with the UN Agency of DPI is meeting in Melbourne, Australia focused on the issue of Global Health and achieving the Millennium Development Goals ( MDG)s. The vision statement o, f the event said:
” In Global Health we need more integration of programs, a focus on Maternal/child issues, methods to generate outcome data, cost effective delivery, sustainability and an emphasis on prevention. Therefore this conference should emphasize the multidisciplinary, multifaceted issues in fostering health, not just managing disease.”
Our SI delegation, lead by Dawn Marie Lemonds, International Programme Director with Alice Wells- President Elect accompanied 12 other Soroptimists including Yvonne Simpson- SI SWP President, Leigh Ellwood-Brown- Immediate Past President, Robyn Cain- Federation Programme Director and 9 other Soroptimists from Australia. Our SI Mandate and work intended for this conference was to promote the inclusion of gender into the discussion and workshops so that the DECLARATION for this conference that will be sent to the Secretary General for the MDG Summit to be held in New York at the end of September would include issues that were crucial to us. Attendees at the conference included 12 young women from WAGGGS- 4 who were part of our delegation because of a UN decision that every delegation would be given extra delegate allocation if they included people under 25! Our combined forces met, strategized our attendance and participation in the 4 Round Tables, and 54 workshops as well as our intention of bringing forward specific issues which included: Achievement of the MDGs must include gender as a critical factor for all, and all data used for determination of success for the MDGs must be disaggregated by gender. Part of our strategy planning included “keeping our ears open” to additional sessions that were offered, opportunities to present information to the press, presenting questions and statements at sessions and networking with other NGOs.
Soroptimist attendees will present additional postings over the next few days to report some of their observations. The Opening Session set out the work which immediately focused on gender issues and the fact that the two MDG issues that have made the least progress are the ones that involve women and children- particularly girls. The issue of Maternal Health has actually regressed from the year 2000 with women from southern hemispere and developing Countries experiencing 5 times as much infant and woman mortality as from developed countries. Attendees were welcomed by Kiyo Akasaka- Under Secretary General from the UN on behalf of the UN. He urged participants to advaocate to their governments and the privae sector to invest in women and children- which will have a significant benefit to society. "Health is at the core of teh MDGs" Additional issues that emerged from the beginning is the imperative of involving the communities that NGOs work- in the identification, analysis, development and imlementation of all programs.
More information to come....stand by....we want you to feel present and involved in YOUR UN activity
Dawn Marie Lemonds
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
UN Press Release on DPI in Melbourne
From the UN Press Centre:(http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=35755&Cr=MDGs&Cr1=)
Joint UN-NGO conference in Australia to focus on global health
Goal 1 of MDGs: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
29 August 2010 – The joint conference of the United Nations department of public information and non-governmental organizations, which gets under way in Australia tomorrow, will this year focus on global health in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aiming to attract greater participation of civil society from the Asia-Pacific region.
Thed annual DPI/NGO Conference, which will take place in the city of Melbourne, has attracted more than 2,200 participants from some 70 countries.
The effort to give priority to non-governmental organizations in the Asia-Pacific region in the annual DPI/NGO conference and increase geographic diversity bore fruit when an unprecedented number of the region's NGOs joined the department on 30 June.
In all, 41 such organizations from the Asia-Pacific region were associated this year, including 32 from Australia, one from Fiji, five from the Philippines, and three from the Pacific Islands.
The new UN policy to offer association to non-governmental organizations in the region where the conference is being held also presents a chance for “solidifying the trend of increasing geographic diversity and greater networking opportunities for NGOs affiliated with the Department of Public Information,” said UN Chief of NGO Relations Maria-Luisa Chavez.
Holding the Conference away from United Nations Headquarters “offers a unique opportunity to intensify and strengthen our partnerships with the NGOs and civil society different regions of the world, in this case, the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.
Ms. Chavez noted that this year the Conference has been organized against a backdrop of challenges posed by a 15-hour time difference, geographical distance and even the elections in Australia. Despite this, she declared the list of participants “impressive”.
“This Conference will be different because it is the first time that a UN Conference of this size has been hosted in Australia. We are very excited to meet in this part of the world and to have the strong participation of NGOs from this country,” said Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Setting the stage for tomorrow's opening of the conference, which will last until 5 September, will be a series of public events in Melbourne under the banner “Making Health Global.”
The programme is directed by Professor Philip Batterham, Convenor of the Australian NGO Focal Group.
“Melburnians already play a role in global health. We give, we volunteer and our medical researchers are tackling the big killers like HIV, malaria, diarrhoea and dirty water,” Mr. Batterham said.
World Vision Australia, the Australian Football League and Melbourne Football Club, among others, hosted an event on today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to mark the end of the football season before the finals in a game that saw Melbourne versus North Melbourne. The game was dedicated to raising awareness around the issue of child health.
A media event featured statements and a question-and-answer period with the press and Mr. Akasaka, Tim Costello, the Chief Executive Officer of World Vision, Jim Stynes, President of the Melbourne Football Club, and Glenn Archer, former North Melbourne champion.
Thed annual DPI/NGO Conference, which will take place in the city of Melbourne, has attracted more than 2,200 participants from some 70 countries.
The effort to give priority to non-governmental organizations in the Asia-Pacific region in the annual DPI/NGO conference and increase geographic diversity bore fruit when an unprecedented number of the region's NGOs joined the department on 30 June.
In all, 41 such organizations from the Asia-Pacific region were associated this year, including 32 from Australia, one from Fiji, five from the Philippines, and three from the Pacific Islands.
The new UN policy to offer association to non-governmental organizations in the region where the conference is being held also presents a chance for “solidifying the trend of increasing geographic diversity and greater networking opportunities for NGOs affiliated with the Department of Public Information,” said UN Chief of NGO Relations Maria-Luisa Chavez.
Holding the Conference away from United Nations Headquarters “offers a unique opportunity to intensify and strengthen our partnerships with the NGOs and civil society different regions of the world, in this case, the Asia-Pacific region,” she said.
Ms. Chavez noted that this year the Conference has been organized against a backdrop of challenges posed by a 15-hour time difference, geographical distance and even the elections in Australia. Despite this, she declared the list of participants “impressive”.
“This Conference will be different because it is the first time that a UN Conference of this size has been hosted in Australia. We are very excited to meet in this part of the world and to have the strong participation of NGOs from this country,” said Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.
Setting the stage for tomorrow's opening of the conference, which will last until 5 September, will be a series of public events in Melbourne under the banner “Making Health Global.”
The programme is directed by Professor Philip Batterham, Convenor of the Australian NGO Focal Group.
“Melburnians already play a role in global health. We give, we volunteer and our medical researchers are tackling the big killers like HIV, malaria, diarrhoea and dirty water,” Mr. Batterham said.
World Vision Australia, the Australian Football League and Melbourne Football Club, among others, hosted an event on today at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to mark the end of the football season before the finals in a game that saw Melbourne versus North Melbourne. The game was dedicated to raising awareness around the issue of child health.
A media event featured statements and a question-and-answer period with the press and Mr. Akasaka, Tim Costello, the Chief Executive Officer of World Vision, Jim Stynes, President of the Melbourne Football Club, and Glenn Archer, former North Melbourne champion.
Monday, August 30, 2010
DPI/NGO 2010 -WAGGGS & SI-Women Girl Power at work!
Women and Girl Power UN/DPI Melbourne
The Soroptimist International - WAGGGS joint presentation this
afternoon was very successful.
The room was full to overflowing and the audience included several
men. Each of the five presenters did a extremely professional job and
the workshop was moderated enthusiastically by International Programme
Director, Dawn Marie Lemonds, who totally engaged the audience in the
discussion which followed the presentation. The WAGGGS presenters
talked of the strategies employed to deliver their message to women and girls
around the world of empowering women and girls. What a wonderful group these
young women have been to work alongside.
International President Elect, Alice Wells, told the audience about
our international projects - Project SIerra and Hopes and Dreams for
Everyone. SISWP President Yvonne Simpson spoke about some of the
federation projects which empower young girls to take charge of their
lives in order to live in safe and healthy environments. Included in
her examples were the SI Beenleigh "Date advice bookmarks" and SI
Westland's successful 'Cyber bullying' workshops.
Yvonne also outlined the work which will be carried out in the
Birthing in the Pacific project in Papua New Guinea. This project has
elicited quite a lot of interest as it addresses one of the major
issues of this conference - Maternal Health and Mortality.
Our WAGGGS presenters were Linden Edgell and Susanna Matters. Linden represented the global vision of the 10 million members around the world and Susanna shared several examples of girls and young women, as young as six, all working toward helping the world be free of violence for girls (and women). "If 10 million people address the "elephant in the room" which is the fact that 1 of every 10 women will be abused in their lives- the door to understanding and solution will be pushed more widely open in the world!"
Our final speaker is new friend to Soroptimists - Dr. Lyndal Trevena- from Australian Federation for Medical Women. She presented two fascinating projects: one in Africa that addresses Female Genital Cutting (FGM) and the other was a highly successful project in India that assisted women to get treatment for Cervical Cancer.
Dawn Marie then facilitated a lively interactive discussion on
strategies other NGOs use in their work getting ideas from all over the world.
All in all - a successful day.
At UN/DPI
Robyn Cain, Federation Programme Director in South West Pacific
The Soroptimist International - WAGGGS joint presentation this
afternoon was very successful.
The room was full to overflowing and the audience included several
men. Each of the five presenters did a extremely professional job and
the workshop was moderated enthusiastically by International Programme
Director, Dawn Marie Lemonds, who totally engaged the audience in the
discussion which followed the presentation. The WAGGGS presenters
talked of the strategies employed to deliver their message to women and girls
around the world of empowering women and girls. What a wonderful group these
young women have been to work alongside.
International President Elect, Alice Wells, told the audience about
our international projects - Project SIerra and Hopes and Dreams for
Everyone. SISWP President Yvonne Simpson spoke about some of the
federation projects which empower young girls to take charge of their
lives in order to live in safe and healthy environments. Included in
her examples were the SI Beenleigh "Date advice bookmarks" and SI
Westland's successful 'Cyber bullying' workshops.
Yvonne also outlined the work which will be carried out in the
Birthing in the Pacific project in Papua New Guinea. This project has
elicited quite a lot of interest as it addresses one of the major
issues of this conference - Maternal Health and Mortality.
Our WAGGGS presenters were Linden Edgell and Susanna Matters. Linden represented the global vision of the 10 million members around the world and Susanna shared several examples of girls and young women, as young as six, all working toward helping the world be free of violence for girls (and women). "If 10 million people address the "elephant in the room" which is the fact that 1 of every 10 women will be abused in their lives- the door to understanding and solution will be pushed more widely open in the world!"
Our final speaker is new friend to Soroptimists - Dr. Lyndal Trevena- from Australian Federation for Medical Women. She presented two fascinating projects: one in Africa that addresses Female Genital Cutting (FGM) and the other was a highly successful project in India that assisted women to get treatment for Cervical Cancer.
Dawn Marie then facilitated a lively interactive discussion on
strategies other NGOs use in their work getting ideas from all over the world.
All in all - a successful day.
At UN/DPI
Robyn Cain, Federation Programme Director in South West Pacific
Sunday, August 29, 2010
DPI/ NGO- UN Conference in Melbourne Day 1- WE ARE ALL CONNECTED
"We want to bring our people at home with us to this conference through frequent blogging, facebooking "...these were the words of one of the 16 bright, enthusiastic WAGGGS women coming from all over the country of Australia to participate in this historic UN event- the first UN Event ever in Australia! The Soropimists shared that same interest knowing that it is such a privilege to represent our world organizations at this historic conference. Our combined WAGGGS and SI delegation met at the World Trade Center on Sunday afternoon to strategize our activities and plan for the three day conference that officially starts 30 August 2010. This conference focuses on Global Health and Achieving the MDGs - our joint mission is to promote the reality that no part of society can be healthy nor achieve the MDGs while violence against women and girls rages in every corner of the world.
Today we will be giving a workshop called 'Women and Girl Power: Uniting to build healthy societies particularly through ending violence against women and girls.' We will share several citizen strategies undertaken by three different groups - SI, WAGGGS and that of our new friend Lyndal Trevena from the Australian Federation of Medical Women.
UN Events are never all work....and very often include opportunities for experiencing unparalled cultural experiences. Last night's Opening Concert brought just that kind of magic. The delegates were welcomed by Honorable Tony Lupton,Cabinet Secretary Victoria State Parliament, and Mr. Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information. Mr. Akasaka reminded us of the importance of the work in health for society using several crucial statistics about maternal mortality and disease in the southern hemisphere as critical markers of concern. Following these sober thoughts the entertainment emerged......starting with the explosion of a one person laser show that touched every corner of the auditorium!
The orchestra was an assemblage of ancient and modern instruments from cultures around the world. The concert featured a grand explosion of examples of diversity - from Maori ceremonies from New Zealand, Aboriginal dances of smoke and mystery, Break Dancing, to Bollywood..... haunting Arabic chants to the most amazing sand paintings that emerged throughout. The finale featured 130 drums of every culture - woven together through a billiant direction featuring each group with their solo and then finally - playing all together while the audience joined in a joyous singing melody - We Are All Connected!
The evening set the stage for the work of the week. It challenged us to remember our connections- our "pangea" to the land mass of this globe.... "WE ALL NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Dawn Marie Lemonds, International Programme Director Soroptimist International
Today we will be giving a workshop called 'Women and Girl Power: Uniting to build healthy societies particularly through ending violence against women and girls.' We will share several citizen strategies undertaken by three different groups - SI, WAGGGS and that of our new friend Lyndal Trevena from the Australian Federation of Medical Women.
UN Events are never all work....and very often include opportunities for experiencing unparalled cultural experiences. Last night's Opening Concert brought just that kind of magic. The delegates were welcomed by Honorable Tony Lupton,Cabinet Secretary Victoria State Parliament, and Mr. Kiyo Akasaka, UN Under Secretary General for Communications and Public Information. Mr. Akasaka reminded us of the importance of the work in health for society using several crucial statistics about maternal mortality and disease in the southern hemisphere as critical markers of concern. Following these sober thoughts the entertainment emerged......starting with the explosion of a one person laser show that touched every corner of the auditorium!
The orchestra was an assemblage of ancient and modern instruments from cultures around the world. The concert featured a grand explosion of examples of diversity - from Maori ceremonies from New Zealand, Aboriginal dances of smoke and mystery, Break Dancing, to Bollywood..... haunting Arabic chants to the most amazing sand paintings that emerged throughout. The finale featured 130 drums of every culture - woven together through a billiant direction featuring each group with their solo and then finally - playing all together while the audience joined in a joyous singing melody - We Are All Connected!
The evening set the stage for the work of the week. It challenged us to remember our connections- our "pangea" to the land mass of this globe.... "WE ALL NEED TO BE CONNECTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE"
Dawn Marie Lemonds, International Programme Director Soroptimist International
Monday, August 23, 2010
Updates from Project Punjab on the floods in Pakistan
As many Soroptimists know, SI partnered with Oxfam on Project Punjab (SI President's Appeal 2006), working to improve girls' education. Part of this work was the rehabilitation of several schools in Punjab. SI has been in touch with Oxfam to find out how these schools have been affected by the floods.
Although the schools were built to be sturdy and were built on higher ground where possible, the unprecedented floods currently affecting Pakistan have caused a huge amount of damage and it is not yet clear how the 30 or so schools built through this partnership with Oxfam have been affected.
The most recent report from the Oxfam programme team in Rajanpur where 4 of the schools are, is that all four schools are submerged in 6ft of water. However, unlike the Government schools in the area, the schools have not collapsed and so the team is hopeful that it will be a case of waiting for the schools to dry out and then carrying out repairs rather than having to rebuild.
The team reports that the flood waters across Punjab seem to be subsiding.
Friday, August 20, 2010
News and updates from the Stop the Traffik Campaign
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Instead of feeling downhearted about what you're missing, get your party clothes on and have your own Festival of Freedom instead! Here are a few reasons why your own festival will be more fun anyway.... - You choose the bands / Djs/ Artists / performers yourself so will like them all - You do not need to fly anywhere so it is more environmentally friendly - Tickets will be cheaper - You do not need to sleep in a field (unless you want to) - You can use clean toilets - You do not need to climb a fence to get in - You will be fighting human trafficking! Click HERE for everything you need to know about FESTIVAL of FREEDOM and click HERE for inspiration | |||||||||||||||
Campaign updates..... | |||||||||||||||
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Thursday, August 19, 2010
SI UN Rep, Vienna, attended Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, 19th Session
The Thematic discussion was on protection against illicit trafficking in cultural property. However, the theme of Violence against Women was discussed as well as Women in Detention (Bangkok Rules). The resolutions are listed in the report below.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICAL ACTION BY SOROPTIMISTS:
Wherever Soroptimists are in the respective position they should make those responsible aware of their commitment to these UN conventions.
The thematic discussion this year was on Protection against illicit trafficking in cultural property.
However there was again the chance for governments to ratify the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and the Protocols thereto, the Ratification of the UN Convention against Corruption, the Ratification of International Instruments to Prevent and Combat Terrorism, World Crime Trends and Emerging Issues and responses in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice.
Among the 15 topics on the agenda was also the Consideration of the conclusions and recommendations of the 12th UN Congress of Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Salvador/Brazil.
The main theme of the congress had been Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Systems and their Development in a Changing World. Violence against Women is an ongoing theme.
(A/CONF.213/18, chap. I, resolution 1; E/CN.15/2010/11)
An excellent report on the “Activities of the NGOs and the Ancillary Meetings” at the Congress has been issued by ISPAC, a source of inside information on the Congress and for any further participation or partnership at a future UN Congress on Crime Prevention
Under item 7 of the Commission (Use and application of United Nations standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice) the resolution “Strengthening crime prevention and criminal justice responses to violence against women” had significant discussion again this year. The resolution has been worked on since 1997. Two years ago a similar resolution was not adopted but reduced to a decision to revisit this issue in two years. This year the debate was again lively and heated about gender equality and the various interpretations (e.g. gender justice) of that concept. One has to realize that a resolution, once adopted, is supposed to be implemented in all 192 countries that are UN members. It must be worded in a way that it fits each of the respective criminal systems. The frustration of ongoing debates of a few countries against the masses is also understandable.
The resolution was closed in the Committee of the Whole (a smaller group of debating Commission members) without full agreement and moved to the floor of the Plenary where it was adopted. China Cuba Iran Saudi Arabia
(Resolution E/CN.15/2010/L.2/Rev.1)
The resolution entitled “Measures for achieving progress on the issue of trafficking in persons, pursuant to the Salvador Declaration on Comprehensive Strategies for Global Challenges: Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Systems and their Development in a Changing World“ calls on Member States to make changes to their laws and/or enforce demand reduction, punishing those who use the services of victims of trafficking. Mentioned is the frequent lack of visibility in our society of various forms of exploitation, such as sexual exploitation, illicit removal of organs, forced labour, slavery and practices similar to slavery. The current inability to disaggregate the slave trade into its component parts, such as demand, supply and related prices is of concern. While there was considerable negotiation and changes, the final version was adopted.
(Resolution E/CN.15/2010/L.12/Rev.1)
The “Bangkok
Some of the Bangkok Rules equally apply to men, for instance keeping children from visiting “parents” as a form of punishment of the parents – this should not be used because of the best interest of the child. This is included in the Bangkok
(Resolution E/CN.15/2010/L.3/Rev.1)
The Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice is composed of 40 members, they are elected or re-elected by ECOSOC. The three-year term of office expires on 31 December of the given year.
Roswitha Benesch
SI Representative to the UN Vienna
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Floods continue to devastate Pakistan
“It has been a very bad time for and the situation is still not under control. The weather is not helping and the flood waters are moving towards Sindh where Karachi is located. The north of Pakistan is already facing devastation and we are now bracing for a worsening of the situation in the south as well. Your support means a lot to us and the members of SI clubs of Pakistan.” (Talat Pasha, SI. Karachi Central, FPAC Pakistan)
To see the devastation in photos, visit http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/severe_flooding_in_pakistan.html
According to the latest figures, about 14 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan, and with the waters surging to the south this number is likely to increase. Yet compared to other natural disasters, aid mobilisation is far slower. The UN is launching an urgent appeal for millions of dollars to aid the 13.8 million Pakistanis impacted by the country's worst flooding in 80 years. The scale of the destruction has now eclipsed that of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Pakistan's 2005 earthquake and the Haiti quake in January, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, although the number of deaths is much lower.
If you would like to help, please visit http://soroptimist-gbi.org/ for a link to the SIGBI Emergency Relief Fund.
To see the devastation in photos, visit http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/08/severe_flooding_in_pakistan.html
According to the latest figures, about 14 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan, and with the waters surging to the south this number is likely to increase. Yet compared to other natural disasters, aid mobilisation is far slower. The UN is launching an urgent appeal for millions of dollars to aid the 13.8 million Pakistanis impacted by the country's worst flooding in 80 years. The scale of the destruction has now eclipsed that of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Pakistan's 2005 earthquake and the Haiti quake in January, the UN's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said, although the number of deaths is much lower.
If you would like to help, please visit http://soroptimist-gbi.org/ for a link to the SIGBI Emergency Relief Fund.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Advocacy in action: SI speaks out again the stoning of women
Earlier this week, SI President Hanne Jensbo signed a letter on behalf of SI expressing our grave human rights concerns over the sentencing meted out to Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani, who has been condemned to death by stoning for adultery. SI has joined other organisations in calling upon Iranian officials to do everything in their power to address similar concerns for other women, named and unnamed, awaiting execution.
Of note, President Hanne's letter closed with the following:
"Soroptimist International, as an organization working to improve the status of women and girls around the world, is also gravely concerned at the disparate treatment of women in the Iranian criminal justice system. As women are found to be disproportionately charged with adultery and fornication in Iran, Soroptimist International urges you to work for the removal of all provisions in the Iranian legal codes that discriminate against, or have a discriminatory impact on women because of their gender, thus putting them at risk of unfair trials and convictions."
For more information, please visit the campaign's website at http://www.stop-stoning.org/
Of note, President Hanne's letter closed with the following:
"Soroptimist International, as an organization working to improve the status of women and girls around the world, is also gravely concerned at the disparate treatment of women in the Iranian criminal justice system. As women are found to be disproportionately charged with adultery and fornication in Iran, Soroptimist International urges you to work for the removal of all provisions in the Iranian legal codes that discriminate against, or have a discriminatory impact on women because of their gender, thus putting them at risk of unfair trials and convictions."
For more information, please visit the campaign's website at http://www.stop-stoning.org/
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Soroptimists Participate in CEDAW Country Review
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
SOROPTIMISTS PARTICIPATE IN CEDAW
The 46th session of the CEDAW committee ( Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) was held at the UN/New York, July 6 – August 6, 2010. The CEDAW committee of 23 experts examined eight state parties: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Fiji, India, Papua New Guinea, the Russian Federation and Turkey during the session. The state governments prepared a full report on the status of women and girls in their country. The Committee of experts currently includes a Soroptimist from Jamaica, Dr. Barbara Evelyn Bailey, an international expert on gender and development studies at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
The CEDAW experts examine state parties, using the articles of the Convention, the Optional Protocol and recommendations (see www. CEDAW convention) at the end of this session CEDAW will add a new recommendation on older women at the end of this session. Each state government submits a report providing information on the status of women and girls according to articles of the convention as well as responding to issues raised in the state’s prior report.
NGOs of that country are encouraged to provide alternative reports to the CEDAW experts to have the complete information on the status of women and girls in each country,. The NGO reports may be sent to CEDAW in writing or provided orally and individuals may present violations of human rights directly to the committee. The CEDAW committee encourages NGOs, UN agencies, and other entities in civil society to facilitate participation and attendance of NGO representatives at the sessions.
The state party of Papua New Guinea was headed by Dame Carol Kidu, Minister for Community Development, who also is a Soroptimist. Two other Soroptimists were responsible for speaking and preparing the alternative NGO report on the status of women in Papua, headed by the National Council of Women. They were Soroptimist Judy Muliap and a soon-to-be SI member, Theresa Jaintong. Other members of the NGO team were Dr. Ovoru Sepoe, Tapora O and Serah Garap all of Papua New Guinea. The NGO report was well received and experts met with the NGO representatives both as a group and as individuals to ask questions, get more information and in general, to corroborate or dispute the state’s report. The thorough work of the NGO group illustrates how the CEDAW process works for the greater benefit of women and girls.
The 47th Session of CEDAW will be in Geneva in October 4 – 22, 2010 and the Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Chad, Czech Republic, Malta, Tunisia and Uganda will be the state parties examined.
The 48th Session of CEDAW will be in Geneva, January 17 – February 4 when Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Israel, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka and South Africa state parties will be examined.
State government and NGO reports, names of experts and states to be examined in the upcoming sessions are available with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights: www. OHCHR.
Submitted by Lois Beilin
SOROPTIMISTS PARTICIPATE IN CEDAW
The 46th session of the CEDAW committee ( Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women) was held at the UN/New York, July 6 – August 6, 2010. The CEDAW committee of 23 experts examined eight state parties: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Fiji, India, Papua New Guinea, the Russian Federation and Turkey during the session. The state governments prepared a full report on the status of women and girls in their country. The Committee of experts currently includes a Soroptimist from Jamaica, Dr. Barbara Evelyn Bailey, an international expert on gender and development studies at the University of the West Indies, Kingston, Jamaica.
The CEDAW experts examine state parties, using the articles of the Convention, the Optional Protocol and recommendations (see www. CEDAW convention) at the end of this session CEDAW will add a new recommendation on older women at the end of this session. Each state government submits a report providing information on the status of women and girls according to articles of the convention as well as responding to issues raised in the state’s prior report.
NGOs of that country are encouraged to provide alternative reports to the CEDAW experts to have the complete information on the status of women and girls in each country,. The NGO reports may be sent to CEDAW in writing or provided orally and individuals may present violations of human rights directly to the committee. The CEDAW committee encourages NGOs, UN agencies, and other entities in civil society to facilitate participation and attendance of NGO representatives at the sessions.
The state party of Papua New Guinea was headed by Dame Carol Kidu, Minister for Community Development, who also is a Soroptimist. Two other Soroptimists were responsible for speaking and preparing the alternative NGO report on the status of women in Papua, headed by the National Council of Women. They were Soroptimist Judy Muliap and a soon-to-be SI member, Theresa Jaintong. Other members of the NGO team were Dr. Ovoru Sepoe, Tapora O and Serah Garap all of Papua New Guinea. The NGO report was well received and experts met with the NGO representatives both as a group and as individuals to ask questions, get more information and in general, to corroborate or dispute the state’s report. The thorough work of the NGO group illustrates how the CEDAW process works for the greater benefit of women and girls.
The 47th Session of CEDAW will be in Geneva in October 4 – 22, 2010 and the Bahamas, Burkina Faso, Chad, Czech Republic, Malta, Tunisia and Uganda will be the state parties examined.
The 48th Session of CEDAW will be in Geneva, January 17 – February 4 when Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Israel, Kenya, Liechtenstein, Sri Lanka and South Africa state parties will be examined.
State government and NGO reports, names of experts and states to be examined in the upcoming sessions are available with the Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights: www. OHCHR.
Submitted by Lois Beilin
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