The WNC is thrilled to be entering its 40th year, and to mark this momentous anniversary, the UK Ambassador to the UN, Sir John Sawers presented the WNC Chair, Baroness Joyce Gould a celebratory cake during CSW 53.

WNC Events 2009 – An Interactive Approach to CSW and CEDAW 

The Women’s National Commission were delighted to hold a number of pioneering regional events throughout January and February 2009. Commissioned and funded by the Government Equalities Office (GEO), and developed by WNC, these events focused on the UK’s international commitments and activities at the United Nations (UN).

These innovative events aimed to raise awareness about, and engage WNC Partners and other key stakeholders across the four nations, in discussions around international obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Each one-day event specifically addressed post-CEDAW activities following the UK’s examination by the CEDAW Committee in July 2008, and engagement with stakeholders in preparation for the annual CSW Conference in New York. The priority theme for the 53rd session held from 2 March to 13 March 2009, focused on “The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving, in the context of HIV/AIDS”.

All the events had an excellent turn out, with WNC Partners and key stakeholders representing a diverse range of WNC partners working on gender and equality issues participating. In addition, authorities from the respective Devolved Administrations, WNC commissioners, as well as relevant Whitehall departments were present.

Each event followed a similar structure, with a panel of expert speakers providing specialist insights into CEDAW and CSW. However, there was an opportunity for sharing knowledge and each event contained a breakout session where delegates were able to discuss and feedback on questions related to the 53rd CSW priority theme. Although each event followed a similar format, the wealth and depth of responses highlighted the intricacies of the issues that affect women differently in various geographical regions.

 The first event took place in London on the 29th January 2009, to a tremendous attendance of partners and interested stakeholders. Guest speakers for the day included WNC Commissioner Brita Fernandez Schmidt who gave an overview of CEDAW and CSW, Hannana Siddiqui from Southall Black Sisters who gave an NGO’s perspective on the CEDAW examination and Annette Lawson who gave an NGO’s perspective on CSW participation. Other speakers included the WNC Chair Baroness Joyce Gould, and Helene Reardon -Bond and Galit Wolfensohn from the GEO. As many of the delegates attending this event were planning to attend CSW in New York, the day offered some excellent practical advice. This was given by WNC International Policy Lead Shelly Dowrich who has been working tirelessly to plan the logistical elements for the WNC and attending Partners for CSW 53 and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. The breakout groups addressed a number of prevalent topics, including the effect of the economic downturn on women, knowledge building for NGOs and understanding CEDAW’s Optional Protocol. 

The WNC were delighted to be able to hold the second event in Newcastle on 12th February, to listen to, and speak with, women and women’s organisations from the North East. The day was facilitated by the WNC Commissioner for the North East, Ranjana Bell. We were pleased to welcome Sue Robson from the NEWomen’s Network who gave a regional view on gender issues whilst CSW regular Valerie Evans provided a personal perspective. Following the success of their speeches in London, Brita and Hannana again discussed CEDAW. Representing the GEO were Galit Wolfensohn and Daisy Sands. The afternoon breakout session focused on the use of CEDAW and from this, a number of issues arose, including concern about the allocation of funding for women’s groups, increasing women’s representation in public life, and finding ways for women’s organisations to work together.

  The next location was Glasgow on 20th February, with WNC Commissioner for Scotland, Ann Henderson facilitating the day. WNC Chair Baroness Joyce Gould spoke about the work of the WNC and WNC Director Barbara Collins gave an overview of CSW 53. Representatives from the GEO, Galit and Daisy also spoke. We again welcomed Valerie Evans, who gave a humorous account of her experience at the Beijing Platform for Action. Issues particular to Scotland were addressed by Kath Davies and Marsha Scott from Engender, Isabelle Gray from the Scottish Women’s Convention and Yvonne Strachan, Head of the Scottish Government’s Equality Unit. Kate McCollough from Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform gave an extremely interesting presentation on CSW from her personal experiences. Eunice Sinyemu of HIV Scotland gave a very poignant speech concerning the issues faced by Scottish women living with HIV/AIDS with regards to caring. The breakout groups for the day were very fruitful, with lots of lively discussions that highlighted a number of significant issues regarding childcare, caring and education.

The final event was held two days later in Belfast on the 23rd February and was facilitated by the WNC’s Commissioner for Northern Ireland, Bronagh Hinds. Liz Law from the Northern Ireland Women’s European Platform (NIWEP) gave a comprehensive overview of the CEDAW and Optional Protocol. Helena Macormac from the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities gave an NGO experience of participating in the CEDAW examinations. Eileen Sung, from the Office of the First and Deputy First Minister looked at CEDAW one year on and periodic reports. Dr. Ann Marie Gray from NIWEP examined the priorities from CEDAW’s concluding observations. Turning to CSW, Kate McCullough again provided a fascinating personal account of CSW and Bronagh Hinds looked at the WNC and NGO’s involvement in CSW. This was then followed by presentations from Marie Cavanagh from Gingerbread NI and Pauline Buchanan from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, who gave a more specific analysis of the issues related to the CSW priority theme for 2009, which was care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS. A diverse range of themes emerged from the breakout sessions, ranging from increasing women in public life, NGO awareness of CEDAW, violence against women, 1325 and childcare.  

The WNC were due to hold an event in Cardiff on the 6th February 2009. However, due to adverse weather conditions, this had to be postponed. However, a CEDAW and post-CSW is due to be rescheduled in the coming months. Details will be published on the WNC website. 

The planning and logistical arrangements for these events were considerable, and we would like to thank Barbara Collins, Mutanser Ashraf and Erin Brooks. We would also like to thank the WNC team who helped at each event; Shelly Dowrich, Sarah Priest, Katharine McIntosh, and Sylvia Namata 

CSW 53

Following these highly successful events, the WNC Chair Baroness Gould and the WNC Director Barbara Collins were able to synthesise all of the responses, discussions and priorities which were identified at these events straight out to New York for the 53rd CSW. This was forwarded to the UK Delegation as the basis of discussions with the European Union.  The focus then moved to the negotiations at CSW in New York. Barbara, through support from Shelly Dowrich and Sarah Priest in the International Team at WNC in London, were able to distribute changes to the emerging text as the negotiations got underway and welcomed comments and contributions from participants at the events to influence the direction of the text. It was a fast moving agenda, and NGO’s input was welcomed, and valuable, particularly to clarify differences in care-giving arrangements across the four nations and programmes to address HIV and AIDS.  Many people have commented on how fascinating it was to see the process from start to finish for the first time, and felt really involved in the process. Other people told us that they found the technical aspects of the negotiations bewildering but were grateful for the opportunity to view the developments at first hand. So this has given WNC lots to think about for next year as we move forward to next year’s theme which will be Beijing +15.   The innovative interaction between the delegation and women’s organisations back in the UK made a significant positive impression on the other member states. This fresh approach to making CSW a truly interactive event is one the WNC hopes to continue with in the future, and has set the precedent for other member states.