by Carole Shaw (JERA International)

Today saw the beginning of the CSW 54th session. The 15 year review and appraisal of the Beijing Platform for Action. It was reported that over 8,500 NGO delegates are registered for this CSW session. Review years are extremely important as this allows governments, NGO’s UN agencies and bodies to measure progress on the Beijing Platform for Action.

Despite renovations in the UN building, large numbers of women and some men queuing for long periods of time to get their entry passes to the UN, cold weather and packed conference rooms, the CSW 54th session started on time in Conference ‘Room 1. Many countries, including Australia have large delegations attending this year, and there are only 2 seats per country in the conference room. Some countries do not use their seats and so it allows a flexibility for larger delegations. However, this morning delegations were stopped from entering the conference room. Standing room only at the back of the hall and this was for those delegates with the ‘red pass’ indicating they are present with an official delegation. NGO’s who are issued a ‘brown pass’ found limited space and no headsets for translation or audio in the packed balcony to the conference room. An overflow room which afforded both good quality sound and video was also full, so many found themselves waiting in the corridors. Luckily a packed and high quality parallel presentations were being held in both the Church Centre (opposite the UN building) and in the new temporary UN building. Lacking this year was the usual NGO “hub” – near the coffee shop (Vienna Café) as this area was closed off due to the renovations. This left the smokers having to step outside, and NGO’s wandering the corridors to find a place to congregate. It will be interesting to watch where and how NGO’s claim their space in this new environment.

A High Level Panel started the day with key high level UN personnel committing to continue the commitments made in the Beijing Platform for Action and the B+5 Special Session. Gender Equality is key for economic development and peace and security, Elimination of Violence Against Women is a priority and injustice persists in all areas and all regions. Gaps in legislation and implementation strategies exist, There has been limited progress on reproductive health and there is a need to move from rhetoric to commitment. The new UN Gender Entity (GEAR) could be used to strengthen accountability for gender mainstreaming and empowerment of women. NGO’s and women’s groups play an important part in keeping governments accountable for the commitments they have made.

Despite advances in education in most countries of the world, these advances do not translate in to economic empowerment for women. Women remain in the majority of low paid work. There are key constraints in women’s economic development where gender perspectives are largely ignored in macro economic policy.

National mechanisms play a key role in Gender Equality. Strengthening of such mechanisms are essential to forward the BPFA.

Despite many advances in women’s empowerment it is uneven across countries and regions. We are beginning to witness a growing problem of trafficking in women and children. Emergency situations such as we are seeing in Haiti and Chile increase the risk of trafficking. Trafficking for the removal of organs is abhorrent and a new report has been commissioned on this issue E/CN6/2010/2.

Following the High Level Panels, regional statements were presented. Hon Minister Naomi Fiame Mata’afe, Minister for Women, Community and Social Development, Samoa presented the Statement on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum at the 54th Session of the UN CSW.

While for many after this session they headed off to get lunch/coffee and then raced into one of the multiple workshops being presented, the Australian delegation (or which I am part this year) headed off to the Australian Mission to meet with the new Ambassador to the UN HE Gary Quinlan and other members of government and NGOs from the Pacific region and to hold a Pacific regional preparatory luncheon meeting to highlight the key issues and directions from the Pacific region. This well structured and informative session allowed an informal opportunity to discuss direction.

Several International NGO’s have commented on how impressive the Australian Government Delegation have been in the commitments and hard work they have done in the regional forums leading up to CSW 54th and how they are a good model for working with NGO’s. Daily briefings between Gov’t and NGOs take place to share information and to provide opportunity to share positions, language and issues.

Following the Pacific meeting, it was back down to the UN to hear the High Level Panel on economic development for women. In an, at times, frank and straightforward question and answer session, governments shared their frustrations and challenges. This session allowed governments to also request support on key issues being faced in their countries.

As 6pm dawned, Johanna Adriannse set off to present the session on the World Conference for Women and Sport – Using CEDAW best practices, some NGO;s headed up to the daily briefing with govt to share views and exchange ideas.

Back to the rooms, dump the bags, which seem to grow in both size and weight as you push just that one extra briefing paper, booklet or flyer into your bag to read later…!!! As I sat, taking 5 minutes before heading out for dinner, my eyes felt like lead and it was very hard to get out of the chair. However, once outside the room there is a cacophony of sound of women talking in excited tones about their experiences that day and a festival of colour from the clothes from all nations prominent in the spaces around the hall.

Exhausted, jetlagged, writing reports in the middle of the night…. And looking forward to what tomorrow will bring….. stay tuned……