AWID and WEDO First Reflections on the President of the General Assembly's Special Event towards achieving the MDGs

"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.

What kind of a Post-2015 development framework will bring about the real change we need?: AWID reports on CSO side event

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.

From melancholy to a time for celebration: Report on the 20th Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development, (CSD 20)

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.

Civil Society and Feminist Movements Speak Out on the Need for Governments Meeting at the United Nations to Prioritize People Above Profit

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.

AWID condemns the repeated efforts to pass the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda

The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) strongly condemns the repeated efforts, now for the third time, to introduce the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda’s Parliament. We stand in solidarity with Ugandans who are calling for their government to withdraw this bill, once and for all, and respect the human rights of everyone.

The Post 2015 Development Agenda – What it Means and How to Get Involved

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

Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Defenders Initiative at the 52nd CEDAW Committee Session

Women human rights defenders organizations presented a shadow report to the CEDAW Committee of Experts, highlighting the Mexican Government’s lack of compliance and demanded a special investigation on violence against women human rights defenders and journalists in Mexico. The Mesoamerican Women Human Rights Defenders Initiative contributed to the report and was part of the delegation to New York, along with Consorcio Oaxaca, Red Mesa de Mujeres de Ciudad Juárez, and Just Associates (JASS).

Unmasking Religious Fundamentalisms: Women’s Rights, Freedoms and Resistance panel session - 12th AWID Forum

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

Ongoing Dilemmas: Religion, Fundamentalisms and Human Rights panel session - 12th AWID Forum

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)

The Struggle for Justice: Religion, Development and Women’s Rights panel session - 12th AWID Forum

This session sought to further a collaborative dialogue between development and women’s rights organizations in the area of religion, rights and development. What is the impact of religion and on rights-based development work and what has been the response? What are some challenges and possible ways forward?

21 Apr. 2012, Istanbul, Turkey

Speakers:

Shareen Gokal

Everjoice Win

Shaista Gohir

Jessica Horn