Council that began 19 June, and now for future Council
sessions..
The Committee has followed and supported the work on women’s
human
rights of the former Commission for over four decades under
different
items and titles of the agenda. At this juncture, the
members of the
NGO Committee would particularly like to emphasize the
importance of
retaining the substance of agenda Item 12 of the former
Commission -
the integration of the human rights of women and a gender
perspective –
onto the agenda of the new Council. Behind this item is
a history of
struggle of women’s national movements and the results
and
recommendations of world conferences on women, which elevated
and
enhanced the status of women from 1975 to 2000.
In
addition, during the latter part of the 20th century, an
international
edifice of decisions, instruments and standards has
systematically
evolved new norms and regulations to promote gender
equality. In this
period worldwide, women’s protests have transformed
national and
international policies and laws. And yet there are serious
difficulties and obstacles in the processes of enforcement and
implementation in almost all countries. The intensity and degree of
violence against women indicates that in several countries most women
are trapped in traditions that protect the perpetrators of this
violence – considered as punishment for women.
The members of this
committee representing different international
organizations with
national affiliations are extremely anxious about
this period of
political uncertainty that might lead to marginalization
of the
achievements and contributions of the advancement of women with
half a
century of history of coalitions and solidarity across
communities,
countries and continents. Recent UN data and information
show that
governments are slow in promoting and implementing the 12
Areas of
Concern of the Beijing Platform for Action. There is also
reason to
believe that the Millennium Development Goals, which reflect
global
consensus and promote women’s human rights are being sidestepped
and
diffused.
The core theme that human rights and more particularly the
special and
specific women’s rights are an integral part of economic
and social
policy is not disputed at the official government levels.
However it is
urgent to recognize the gravity of the procedures and
mechanisms that
would ultimately eliminate inequalities and inequities
between women
and men. The special rapporteurs have already
collated data and
consolidated information which directly and
indirectly urge the
governments to take action.
When the
Council's agenda continues with subsequent sessions and relevant items
on women’s human rights are agreed upon, the members of the Committee would
wish
strengthening of the national mechanisms and international
mandates
to enhance the status of women. Through this letter we
appeal through
you to the UN Human Rights Council to give its full
consideration.
International NGOs and women’s organizations focusing
on issues of
women’s human rights look forward to working with your
office,
especially the newly created gender unit and the government
members of
the new Council to support their efforts to strengthen
gender equality
in the processes of development.
Dr Krishna
Ahoojapatel
President, NG0 Committee on the Status of Women - Geneva
48
Chemin Ami Argand
1290 Versoix, GE
Switzerland
Tel +41 22
755 1634
Fax: +41 22 755 3348
E-Mail:
kpatel@iprolink.ch