[Ict4women] Gender Architecture Reform at CSW

[Sophia Huyer]

 From IWTC Globalnet:


GENDER ARCHITECTURE REFORM AT CSW

The issue of the gender architecture reform process was vigorously  
discussed by government delegates and NGOs alike.  The basis for much  
of this discussion was the recently released report "Institutional  
Options for Strengthening the Institutional Arrangements for Support  
to Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women."   This paper  
outlines funding, governance structure, and staffing issues for the  
four institutional options (see IWTC's GlobalNet #341http://www.iwtc.org/gnets/341.html) 
  with an emphasis on the fourth option, the composite entity.  The  
composite entity would bring together the four existing women-specific  
agencies within the UN, i.e. the UN Development Fund for Women, Office  
of the Special Advisor on Gender Issues, the Division for the  
Advancement of Women, and the International Research and Training  
Institute for Women.  This report can be accessed at http://www.un.org/ga/president/63/letters/swcgenderequality.pdf

Government delegates addressed this issue in the Agreed Conclusions.  
In particular, paragraphs 14 and 15h of the outcome document support  
the process moving forward and acknowledge the need to address under- 
resourcing for gender equality in the UN system.  Although there is  
not complete agreement among Member States, a growing number of States  
are favoring the composite entity.

NGOs have been a strong force in keeping discussion of the gender  
architecture reform process alive and on track.  More than 300  
organizations have become part of a global campaign  known as the GEAR  
campaign which is spearheaded by the Center for Women's Global  
Leadership  and WEDO -that has been working with women in every world  
region to pressure governments for action. The GEAR campaign supports  
the creation of a composite entity that would be led by an Under- 
Secretary General, be "ambitiously funded" and which would include  
meaningful participation of civil society.

During the CSW, the GEAR organizers convened workshops and strategy  
sessions in addition to launching a petition to be signed by  
individuals that calls for the creation of a new women's entity at the  
UN and for significant civil society participation to be integrated  
into all stages of its development and functioning. To sign the  
petition, visit http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/GEAR.

To keep current on progress on the gender architecture reform process  
and to access information from the GEAR site, contactgearcampaign at gmail.com 
  with your organizational affiliation to request an invitation to the  
website.

To become an active member of the GEAR campaign in your country,  
contact your regional focal for information.  Regional focal points are:
- Africa:   African's Women Development and Communication Network  
(FEMNET),
- Asia:  Asia Pacific Women's Watch (APWW) ,
- Latin America:  Foundation for Studies and Research on Women (FEIM),  
- South Asia:  South Asian Campaign for Gender Equality (SACGE)/ 
SAATHI, and
- Europe:  European Women's Lobby: Globalising Gender Equality and  
Social Justice.
For a complete list of the WG see  http://gear.collectivex.com/uploads/files/x/000/017 
  /033/March_2009_GEAR_Campaign_Working_Group.pdf 
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