CSW58 AGREED CONCLUSIONS

This year’s negotiations at the CSW were hotly contested, as usual, and very important because of the new development framework that is being put forward to replace the MDGs when they expire in 2015. As such, women’s rights advocates, organisations and movements worked extremely hard to retain existing language and tried to push forward language so that the Agreed Conclusions contained clear commitments for gender equality and women’s human rights.

"Given the continued unacceptable levels of poverty and the impacts of climate change, the sense of urgency is here" said the ambassador from Kenya and co-chair in the opening day of the 5th session of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A group of government representatives, civil society and other stakeholders are in New York to discuss how to shape a set of sustainable development goals as part of the implementing a Rio+20 recommendations and looking into the United Nations development agenda beyond 2015.

The 58th session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 10 - 21 March 2014. The priority theme was "Challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals for women and girls". AWID submitted the following statement as an input ahead of the debates.

"Despite all the expectation, the event was a missed opportunity" concluded AWID and WEDO in reference to the Special Event organized by the President of the GA on 25 September that fell short of meaningful political discussion and was weak on mentioning women's rights as a priority for a post-2015 sustainable development agenda.

The side event "What kind of a Post-2015 development framework will bring about the real change we need?" was co-organized by CIDSE, the Global Policy Forum, and Social Watch on the opening of the UN General Assembly in New York on 23rd September 2013 to identify gaps in the official Post-2015 agenda when held against the views and aspirations expressed by civil society. AWID reports on the discussions that took place including on alternatives that could make a vision of greater justice and equity a reality.

Report from the last session on the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as it transitions to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) including reflections on opportunities and challenges for women looking at a future development agenda post-2015.

Report by Alejandra Scampini, AWID20 September 2013, UN Headquarters

“Mission delivered. Next chapter open!” Said Achim Steiner, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP.

New York, NY, September 18, 2013—At the moment when world leaders gather in New York to review development agendas and plan for the coming decades, a group of grassroots and feminist organizations, networks and social movements from different backgrounds and contexts will share their visions and proposals for a just world, where all are able to live with freedom from fear and want.

FRIDAY FILE – As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaches, the United Nations, Member States and civil society have started consultations on a new development framework that will succeed the MDGs. AWID spoke to UN Women’s Laura Turquet to help us better understand the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda and related processes.

By Susan Tolmay

What impact is the rise of religious fundamentalisms having on women’s rights and freedoms? How are activists fighting back?

What complications has the use of religion presented to the normative system of human rights? How can we better ensure that the system and language of human rights is not appropriated and misused? What are some innovative measures that can be used to bring accountability to challenge and expose fundamentalisms?

20 Apr. 2012, Istanbul, Turkey

Speakers:

Shareen Gokal

Pam Spees

Dawn Cavanagh

Zainah Anwar

Maria José Rosado Nunes

Sunila Abeysekera (moderator)