Prospects of a gender equality entity hold greater promise for strenghening gender work
The Assistant Secretary -General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, Rachel Mayanja, hinted at the possibility of creating a new gender equity that would consolidate Division of Advancement of women(DAW), United Nations Fund for Women(UNIFEM), INSTRAW and the office of Special Advisor on gender issues into one strong United Nations entity . "A strenthened United Nations capacity on gender equality will significantly enhance the United Nations ability to assist countries in implementing the global gender equality goals and commitments" she said. Mrs mayanja was giving the key note address at a joint parliamentary meeting of the Inter- Parliamentary union and the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women during the 54 Commission on the status of women in New York .
The meeting attended by over 200 governments' representatives from 47 countries reviewed the progress and setbacks made in politics with the biggest focus being on the legislative framework. Significant gains were noted in the areas of education and recognition of the need to eliminate descrimination against women where 186 contries have ratified the treaty on the Convention to End Discrimination Againt women(CEDAW) . The United States has not ratified the treaty despite its initial involvement of its drafting 30 years ago when President jimmy Carter was in office, a situation that gives rise to questions over the United states commitment to gender equality. The global review shows that progress has been uneven across regions and within countries.Political parties have been identified as twin blades that act as pillars on one side and yet remain bottlenecks to the implementation of CEDAW. Quotas into political sturctures have facilitated the 30% representation of women in countires like Rwanda. Rwanda stands tall at 56.3 women representation in parliament. Only 44 parliaments have achieved the 30% women representation a situation mayanja proposes could be remedied through the repeal of laws, policies and practices that discriminate against women and girls. " This can be done through a mix of mandatory measures, incentives and awareness raising measures" she said.
the whole day session ended with recommendations to be forwarded to the General Assembly . The document proposals include Review of legislations, systematic monitoring of the implimentation of the Beijing Platform for Action, more involvement of women at the level of chairs of Parliamentary committees and collaboration with international, national civil society and private sector actors, to complete all unfinished business like signing and ratifing the CEDAW treaty. the interparliamentary union has taken the first collaborative step by joining the secretary General in the campaign to end Violence against women. Both campaigns will benefit from the Handbook for legislation on violence against women developed by the Division for the advancement of Women.
Blog submitted by
Racheal Nakitare, Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow,
Philip Merrill College of Journalism
