6
February 2009
The following statement by the UN Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women was issued in Geneva on Friday
"The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination
against Women expresses its concern on the effects of the current
international financial and economic crisis and its impact upon the full
realization of human rights of women and girls worldwide. While the scale of
the current crisis is still largely unmeasured, it is expected that women and
girls in both developed and developing countries will be particularly
affected by the potential social and economic consequences, such as
unemployment, increase of responsibilities both at work and at home, decrease
of income and potential increase in societal and domestic violence.
"In such a context, it is necessary to identify and
respond to specific needs of women and girls. Gender perspectives should be
taken into account in relation to the impacts of the crisis on both a long
and short-term basis, including in relation to education, health, security
and livelihoods. Particular attention must be paid to providing women with
access to programs aimed at immediately alleviating poverty and hunger, with
a view to guaranteeing that national and international efforts effectively
reach those most in need and that funding of programs for women's empowerment
is not eroded.
"The Committee underscores the importance of
recognizing the unique contribution that women can make in the timely
resolution of the crisis. It calls upon States parties to include women in
the dialogue and decision-making processes around these issues. The Committee
further urges States parties to comply with all their obligations under the
CEDAW Convention in spite of the global financial crisis."
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