Recently, a number of feminists, and feminist organizations met to analyze the root causes of the unequal access to health and life-saving vaccines globally. A key factor contributing to this injustice is the hoarding of vaccines by wealthy Northern States and the interference of powerful transnational corporations and philanthrocapitalists in the efforts to secure an affordable global Covid-19 vaccine.
On September 23rd and October 13th, 2020, a small group of diverse feminist activists working toward transformative change, met to discuss how feminism has shaped or is currently shaping systemic alternatives. We present these notes from what was a very rich conversation, with gratitude to all those who shared their experiences, knowledge, and passion to build a better world.
The Covid-19 crisis has laid bare deep inequalities within and between societies borne from interlocking oppressions that predate the crisis. Responses to the pandemic have demonstrated how market, religious and nationalist fundamentalisms consolidate and collude to expand the political, social and economic power and influence of anti-rights actors and corporations, at the expense of the most marginalized.
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the foremost intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
The 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council takes place from 25 June 2021 - 13 July 2021, in Geneva.
The HRC is presented with thematic and country reports from UN experts and where Member States debate and pass resolutions on cross-cutting human rights issues and human rights situations in particular countries.
47th Session of the Human Rights Council Side Event
Date: 13 July, 2:00pm - 3:30pm CEST
Ishita Dutta, IWRAW Asia Pacific and the Observatory on the Universality of Rights
The Human Rights Council (HRC) is the UN’s main “political” human rights body, meaning it’s the main place where governments discuss human rights issues, negotiate human rights standards, and hold one another accountable for human rights violations. The HRC meets a few times a year, and recently concluded its 47th session in July.
On 13 July, as part of the 47th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC), the Observatory on the Universality of Rights held a side event, ‘Rights at Risk: Time for Action,’ along with the Center for Reproductive Rights, ILGA World, International Service for Human Rights, International Planned Planned Parenthood Federation and the Permanent Mission of Sweden to the United Nations, Geneva.
COVID19 measures continue to be hotspots to the spread of disinformation with disastrous consequences for women, sexual and gender minorities.
This article was originally published on the LSE WPS blog.