Draft Agreed Conclusions

19 February 2009
Draft presented by Bureau of CSW
Commission on the Status of Women
Fifty-third session, 2– 13 March 2009
Agreed conclusions
The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS
1.
The Commission on the Status of Women reaffirms the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the outcome documents of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly, and the declaration adopted by the Commission on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women. (agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 1).
2.
The Commission reaffirms the outcome of the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development, the 1995 World Summit for Social Development, and the 2002 Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development and their follow-up processes and reaffirms further that their full and effective implementation is essential to achieve the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS. (new text)
3.
The Commission reiterates that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and its Optional Protocol and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, as well as other Conventions and treaties, provide a legal framework and a comprehensive set of measures to promote the equal sharing of responsibility between women and men. (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 3)
4.
The Commission recognizes the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981, (No. 156) and its corresponding Recommendation (No. 165) which provides a framework for reconciling paid work and family responsibilities. (new text)
5.
The Commission welcomes the June 2006 Political Declaration on HIV/AIDS, which expressed concern that women and girls bear the disproportionate burden to care for and support those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS. (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 5; and A/RES/60/262 Annex)
6.
The Commission urges Governments, in cooperation with the United Nations system, the Bretton Woods institutions, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector and other relevant actors, as appropriate, to take the following actions:
Norms and policies
1
19 February 2009
Draft presented by Bureau of CSW
a.
Intensify efforts to fully implement the Beijing Platform for Action, the outcome documents of the International Conference on Population and Development, the World Summit for Social Development, and the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development and the outcomes of their follow-up processes; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 13(d))
b.
Ratify, without reservations, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, including the Optional Protocols thereto, and ensure the full and effective implementation of the provisions of the Conventions and the concluding comments of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee on the Rights of the Child; (E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (a)
c.
Promote the ratification and implementation of the Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention, 1981 (No. 156), and the implementation of its corresponding Recommendation (No. 165) which provide a framework for reconciling paid work and family responsibilities; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (b))
d.
Take all appropriate measures to eliminate de jure and de facto discrimination against women in relation to marriage, family, inheritance and property laws; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (c))
e.
Mainstream gender perspectives into all legislation, policies and programmes, and incorporate gender-responsive budgeting processes across all policy areas, to promote the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 14(15))
Valuing and measuring unpaid work
f.
Promote greater recognition that care work should be shared between women and men, as well as between the State, the private sector, civil society and households; and strengthen dialogue and coordination between all relevant stakeholders, including Governments, employers, civil society, including women’s organizations and trade unions, and donors in this respect; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (e))
g.
Recognize and incorporate the value and cost of care to households and society at large in national economic and social policies, strategies, plans and budgets across all relevant sectors, as well as in international development cooperation policies and programmes; (based on E/CN.6/2009/4, para 59)
h.
Measure, in quantitative terms, unremunerated work that is outside national accounts, work to accurately assess and reflect its value in satellite or other official accounts that are separate from but consistent with core national accounts; (based on the agreed conclusions on women and the economy, 1997, para 20 (a))
2
19 February 2009
Draft presented by Bureau of CSW
Labour and social policies
i.
Adopt and implement gender-sensitive legislation and policies to improve rights, social protection, working conditions, and representation of both paid and unpaid caregivers; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (f))
j.
Adopt and implement legislation and policies to promote reconciliation of work and family responsibilities, including efforts to close the gap between women’s and men’s pay, reduce occupational segregation, and increase flexibility in working arrangements such as part-time work; (based on the agreed conclusions on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality, 2004, para 6 (m), and E/CN.6/2009/2, para. 78 (h))
k.
Ensure the protection of workers with flexible working arrangements with regard to wages, social protection and other benefits; and target such measures to all workers; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (h))
l.
Ensure that both women and men have access to maternity and paternity leave, parental and other forms of leave, and provide incentives to men to avail themselves of this leave, including inter alia through earmarked entitlements for fathers; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (g))
m.
Ensure that social protection measures such as health insurance, child and family allowances and information on these benefits are widely available, that these measures do not inadvertently reinforce gender biases, that workers are not discriminated against when they avail themselves of the benefits available (based on E/CN.6/2009/4, para 52), and that these benefits cover new, flexible and emerging forms of work, including in the informal sector; (based on Outcome Document of 23rd special session, paragraph 74 (b)) (based on para E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (i))
n.
Develop minimum pensions independent of years of contribution to ensure that basic minimum needs are met, and recognize leave periods for caregiving in calculation of pension benefits; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (j))
o.
Strengthen efforts to protect the rights and regulate the working conditions of domestic workers, including working hours and wages, and to improve access to health-care and other social and economic benefits; (based on E/CN.6/2009/4, para 53)
p.
Take measures to address the special needs of girls, including migrant girls, employed as domestic workers and of those performing excessive domestic chores in their own households, and develop measures to prevent their labour and economic exploitation and sexual abuse; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 14.6 (b)) 3
19 February 2009
Draft presented by Bureau of CSW
Provision of services/ infrastructure
q.
Develop and/or expand the provision of quality and affordable care services for children, the elderly, the sick and people living with disabilities; and ensure that such services meet the needs of both caregivers and care-recipients in terms of proximity, opening hours and cost; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (k))
r.
Increase investments in quality and affordable public services, including schools and health services; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (l))
s.
Increase access to public infrastructure, such as transportation, water, sanitation and energy, in particular in rural and slum areas, to reduce the care burden on households; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (l))
Caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS
t.
Integrate caregiving responsibilities of both women and men, including in home-based care, into all national HIV/AIDS policies, strategies, action plans and programmes; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (n))
u.
Significantly scale up efforts, in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, towards the goal of universal access to comprehensive prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010, and ensure that those efforts promote gender equality and take into account the caregiving responsibilities of both women and men; (based on (E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (m); and A/RES/60/262 Annex, para 20)
v.
Strengthen and improve public health care services to alleviate the current demands on women and girls to provide unpaid care services in their households and communities in the context of HIV/AIDS, including in rural areas; (E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (o))
w.
Increase resource allocations to strengthen and support home-based care providers, including through improved access to information on HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, as well as training, basic equipment and resources; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78(p))
x.
Take measures to encourage and support men’s responsibility for home-based care in order to address the disproportionate burden borne by women and girls in caring for the chronically ill; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 14.5 (e))
y.
Identify and address the needs of girls heading households in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, for, inter alia, protection, access to financial resources, access to health care and support services, including affordable HIV/AIDS treatment; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 14.5 (e)) 4
19 February 2009
Draft presented by Bureau of CSW
Eliminating gender stereotypes
z.
Implement comprehensive and coordinated informational campaigns, involving, inter alia, educational institutions, workplaces in both the public and private sector, the media and civil society, to challenge stereotypical gender roles and promote greater sharing of paid and unpaid work between women and men; (E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (q))
aa.
Encourage decision-makers at all levels, including those with responsibilities for policies, legislation, programmes and allocation of public resources, as well as parents, religious and traditional leaders and employers, to play leadership roles in challenging and eliminating stereotypical views of women’s and men’s roles and promoting increased sharing of paid and unpaid work between women and men; (based on the agreed conclusions on the elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child, 2007, para 14.3 (a-b))
bb.
Create and improve training and education programmes to enhance awareness and knowledge among men and women of their roles as parents, legal guardians and caregivers and the importance of sharing family and caring responsibilities; (based on agreed conclusions on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality, 2004, para 6 (c))
cc.
Encourage men, through training, education and peer programmes, to participate fully in the care and support of others, including older persons, persons with disabilities, sick persons, children and other dependants; (based on agreed conclusions on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality, 2004, para 6 (n))
Data collection, research, monitoring and evaluation
dd.
Conduct research and collect sex- and age-disaggregated data, to inform policy making, measure progress in the sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including in the context of HIV/AIDS, and identify the barriers men face to assume increased caregiving responsibilities due to stereotypical expectations; (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (t))
ee.
Strengthen the capacity of national statistical offices to effectively conduct and utilize time-use surveys, which provide comprehensive information on all categories of activities, to inform policy development that facilitates the sharing of unpaid work between women and men. (based on E/CN.6/2009/2, para 78 (s) and E/CN.6/2009/4 para 58)
5

Please note the CSW53 Planning meetings will be
12 – 2 :00 PM on February 24. (Not 11 AM – 1 PM as noted in the minutes.)

We will use the first hour to discuss the draft agreed conclusions in relation to the Consultation Day Break out sessions. These conclusions are posted above.

The Planning meeting will be from 1 – 2 PM.
Please alert Loretta James or Catherine Ferguson if you cannot attend.

Minutes from 2/17/2009 Meeting

Planning Committee
February 17, 2009
Bahai’i International Conference Room

Co-chairs: Loretta James
Jackie Shapiro
Catherine Ferguson is in India
Present: Amber Baker, Susan Bos, Louise Cleary, Victoria Edmonds, Emily Goldman, Katherine Mayer, Lillian Oats, Susan O’Malley, Vivan Pender, Eva Richter, Katherine Ronberg, Jackie Shapiro, Fulya Vekiloglu, Anita Wenden, Polly Woodward, Soon-Young Yoon

The meeting convened at 10:27 a.m.

I. Packet Committee

This is the week to have flyers prepared and copies made for the packets, to be delivered to the CSW office this week.

Volunteers to make copies:
Joy Peterson
Victoria Edmonds
Catherine Ferguson

Registration for Consultation Day is at 600, they will cap it at 650. Please make 650 copies of your designated flyer. Katherine Ronberg and Emily Goldman are coordinating the volunteer process for making copies.

Parallel events are up on the website. Don’t know breakout numbers yet.

Volunteers needed to stuff the packets on February 26th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
at CSW office.
Volunteers are Woods, Richter, Woodard, and Edmonds, Shmigel, James.
If a second day of stuffing is necessary on Friday, February 27th, volunteers will be Woods, Donovan, Woodard, Salua Kadi, Chen, Baker, and Edmonds

Packets will come by James van from CSW to Consultation Day

II. Handbook Subcommittee

Tuesday and Wednesday at each Morning Briefing March 3 and 4 handbooks will be available for people who did not get them on Consultation Day.

Handbooks will be delivered directly to NYU Medical Center. We may have to reconsider how many we are printing. We were going to print 1000 and have half sent to NYU, we may have to print 1500 now.

III. Round Tables

Round Table Two
Eva Richter
Thanks to everyone that has worked so hard. Things are set for today. Lunch with speakers is scheduled for 11:30 with 15 people. Katherine Ronberg will prepare a summary for the packets.

Round Table One
Soon Young Yoon
Soon Young wrote a draft summary of the Round Table. Jackie will look edit it and then it will be placed on the blog, and copies need to be made for the packets Bills to be reimbursed can be given to Jackie Shapiro for the moment.

IV. Breakout Sessions

Each breakout session will have a chair, a facilitator, a reporter – get people from your own group to do these things. If you need something else, ask Vivian and we can help you with it.

A. Women, Care-giving & HIV/AIDS
a. Susan Weissart not present
B. Women, Education and Training
a. Carolyn Donovan not present
C. Violence Against Women
a. Carl Murrell not present
D. Older Women
a. Judy Lear not present
E. Women & Climate Change
a. They have used Catherine’s frame work. They have four facilitators for small groups and Katherine Ronberg is helping them with technical needs.
F. Review Theme: Equal participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels
a. Mariam Nigosian arrived later at the meeting
G. Emerging Theme: Women and the Global Financial Crisis
a. Rosa Lezarde not present
H. Women & Poverty
a. Mary Ann Strain reported that they are in good shape. They have a worksheet and a plan and will get together after this meeting to make further arrangements.

V. Consultation Day

There are currently almost 600 people registered. We may have to cut the number off at 650, which is the capacity of the two auditoriums. The Alumni Hall B must be used as the overflow room. Thus an alternative space for the girls will need to be assigned.

Loretta will let volunteers know who have signed up to work that day for registration. They are: Beilin, Brecher, Cleary, Edmonds, Ferguson, James, Maloney, O’Malley, Richter, Shapiro, Themm, Woodard, Woods.

Please arrive at 7:00 a.m. at the NYU Medical Center. Registration will start at 8:00.
We expect 20 Pace students (“Pacers”) to assist help for the day.

Badges
The printing works, a few people have printed their badges. The message that accompanies the e-mail could be more specific that the badge will get them into Consultation Day, and the Reception if they registered for it, etc and clarifying the message that they don’t need to wait in line at registration. You don’t need the registration code to print your badge.

We need to make signs for two lines at registration.

There will be volunteers walking around with the CSW bags full of badge holders and scissors ready to help people cut out their badges. We can have two sections directing people to the area if they need badges or if they need badge holders.

There will be a coatroom and they will charge $1 to check. Coat racks from back of auditorium should be removed
We need to get tags for the coat check.

VI. Reception

Currently there are 250 registered for the reception.
Vivian working on donations for the wine.

Starbucks is definitely donating the coffee for the networking coffee/ tea during Consultation Day

VII. Fundraising

Bags will be sold for $10, pins $5, notebooks $10

Parallel Events

There should be a list of parallel events available in the lobby of the Church Center to those attending events there.
Capacity limits must be enforced at Church Center. Vivian will send an email saying that the leaders are responsible to enforce the number of attendees within the room capacity limits. If one meeting room is full people must be advised to find another. have to observe these limits and exit the room on time.
Morning Briefings
If you bring flyers for the morning session you must remove them from the conference room.

Document Room

Ideally there would be 1800 single documents (6 languages) and bundled in 500 groups of copies of each of these documents.

If we have racks that would hold at least 1200 that would be helpful. Vivian is making this request, because last year’s equipment was not adequate.

Next Meeting

February 24 11 AM Priority Theme, 12:00 Planning Meeting

Meeting adjourned at 11:06 a.m.

Minutes drafted by Amber Baker

Secretary-General’s Report Review Summary

The equal sharing of responsibility between women and men,
Including care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS

Possible points to raise from SG Report in Breakout sessions

• The Report gives a good overview of known policies and legal frameworks and trends in this area and outlines commonly understood causes and consequences of unequal sharing.
• Their application to HIV/AIDS context is made in general terms. However the document does not convey the urgency of the situation nor propose significant/new remedies.
• Some aspects which could be highlighted in general:
1. Exploration of the physical, social and psychological consequences of unequal sharing is needed in addition to the economic dimension.
2. Economic goals which could come from greater sharing of responsibilities could be more explicitly linked to the achievement of the MDGs.
3. Issue of access to work for women is not adequately addressed. Lack of access accentuates the inequality and pushes women into situations of taking greater responsibility for domestic and caring roles.
4. Some specificity about the kinds of education and training proposed is needed e.g
~ in human rights for all, but particularly for women and girls
~ in confronting and breaking down gender stereotypes;
~ in adequate training for carers in HIV/AIDS context
• The contribution of older women, particularly in their role as key carers in the context of the HIV/AIDS pandemic is overlooked.
• Greater attention needs to be given to the role of Girls in their role as carers.
• Priority needs to be given to establishing and implementing policies that aim to redistribute the balance of responsibility between men and women.
• The Conclusions communicate passivity on the part of women. They are ‘acted upon’ rather than being seen as agents of change. There is need for more powerful Conclusions that point to possible remedies.

In developing their talking points it is recommended that Breakout Sessions focus on

1. Developing strategies for change
2. Generating examples of best practice.

It is advisable to read the Final Report of the Expert Group Meeting, especially sections 4-6 at
http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/egm/equalsharing/FinalreportEGMFeb.pdf

Update 2/17/2009

CSW Planning Meeting Minutes 2-10-09

CSW 53 Planning Committee
February 10, 2009
Baha’i International Board Room

Co-chairs: Loretta James
Catherine Ferguson is in India
Attendees: Meghana Agni, Amber Baker, Lois Beilin, Susan Bos, Madeleine Brecher, Keiko Chevray, Deanna Chitayat, Louise Cleary, Winifred Doherty, Bani Dugal, Victoria Edmonds, Claire Fulcher, Emily Goldman, Sharon Josira, Judy Lear, Rosa G. Lezarde Catherine Moore, Krisy Moore, Mariam Nigosian, Victoria, Vivian Pender, Sorosh Roshan, Eva Richter, Katherine Ronberg, Jackie Shapiro, Eleanor Solo, Polly Woodard, Joan Woods

I. Comments Eleanor Solo, DAW liaison

It was a really successful panel last week with a great turnout and focused questions. Planning for the next one is on schedule.

Current Registration for CSW
5225 Representatives
460 Organizations
60 Parallel Events for UN Missions
237 Parallel Events for NGOs

Eleanor has 600 copies of the Secretary General’s report for Consultation Day and 600 copies of maps.
She will copy NGO note for the packets as well. The hours of registration have not yet been worked out, when finalized they will make the copies.

Eleanor presented several pictures of last year’s organization of the NGO documents. They will do what they can to make sure displays are back up this year.

Madeleine commented that having two speakers was great because it left time for a great dialogue.
Lois asked when the list of parallel events would go up on the website. Eleanor does not yet know, it will go up on the website when it is ready.
Soon Young asked if the final report from the expert group meeting is ready yet? Eleanor said that if it’s not on the website, it may not be ready.

E/CN6/2009/1 – Agenda

II. Packet Committee

Volunteers needed for making copies for the packets.

Judy Lear doesn’t yet know the actual number of copies needed for Consultation Day. Currently 400 are registered and 500 are expected.

Those that have offered to make copies, please make 600 copies because we have 600 folders. Katherine has a list and has put the necessary information in chart form.
Thursday, February 19th is the deadline for submitting items for the folder.

Thursday, February 26th is stuffing day at CSW office from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
708 3rd Ave., 5th floor
Please call Judy Lear if you are coming after 1 to make sure they are not finished already. 917-714-9319

III. Breakout Sessions

The number of registrants for breakout sessions will not be known until at least next week. Each breakout session leader should provide copies of handouts for their session.

IV. Handbook Subcommittee Weishan

Everything is finished and the final proof reading is done. The handbooks will be picked up on February 27th. The price estimate for 120 pages was $2400, but we only did 100 pages so it should cost less.
$6970 has been collected for sale of ads.

Both NGO and Mission side events are listed as one file in the handbook.
Interns will have to be available at the craft fair to hand out handbooks.

V. Round Tables Update/Status:

Feb 17 – Eva Richter

4 Speakers:
Mr. Moses Rugema, 2nd counselor of Rwandan mission
Joan Sandler
Sunita Rathore Indian student
Collette Tamko

Invitation letters were sent out and Lois is arranging for them to take speakers to lunch at staff dining room.

Feb 3 – Soon Young

A summary will be prepared for the packets.
Thanks to everyone. 115 people came and it went well.

VI. Breakout Sessions updates/Status: Each sub committee chair to report
A. Women, care-giving & HIV/AIDS
a. Susan Weissert not present
B. Women, Education and Training
a. Carolyn Donavan not present
C. Violence Against Women
a. Carl Murrell – concerned about what type of room they get, preparing for a lecture hall setting, AV presentation followed by guided discussion, will have handouts for audience
b. Media – Carl knows someone from the media that would like to attend and report
D. Older Women
a. Judy Lear informed the group that Patty Day (co-chair) fell and tore her rotator cuff and will have to have an operation so Judy will be leading the session
b. General recommendation to CEDAW on older women
c. Will have copies Madeleine brought up the review of the SG report that lacked much info on older women
d. CEDAW will be here in July – one of the days they will talk about the general recommendation on older women
E. Women & Climate Change
a. Anita Wendenis not here
b. Joan spoke – really good program with good questions for the breakout
F. Review Theme: Equal participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels
a. Mariam Nigosian – Louise Cleary will be working with her on the theme
G. Emerging Theme: Women and the Global Financial Crisis
a. Rose Lezarde– small group is working on these issues – 15-20 min briefing on current situation, upcoming meetings and opportunities for advocacy and engagement, depending on size of group, two or three smaller groups to discuss strategies and guidelines to plan out what we might be doing in the next few weeks
b. Have a volunteer now, would like a power point projector, computer and a flipchart
H. Women & Poverty
a. Maryann Strain not present

VII. Priority Theme – Jackie
Reviewed SG report
There is a need for a lot of NGO advocacy – Louise and Amber will put together a few points from the Prioirty Theme discussion that are points that need advocacy to use as a basis for advocacy and focus in breakout sessions. Conclusions from Consultation Day are just the beginning of our advocacy. Each group could have a representative at the coordination caucus each day.

VIII. Consultation Day –

Volunteers should arrive at 7:30 a.m. at the NYU Medical Center to help with Registration.

A group toured the NYU Medical Center this morning and met with Michael Bloom, MC-IT Media Facilites Manager (212-263-5449) an A/V person.
The venue is spacious and pleasant.
Madeleine is trying to get Starbucks to donate coffee. Salvation army will provide cookies.

IX. Reception

Tuesday, March 3, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Vivian reported that the 8th floor has a lovely room for the reception. There will be a musician and a coat check.

X. Fund raising

Notebooks and pins from last year will be for sale as long as they last.
Tote bags will be for sale. The group voted to sell them for $10 each.

XI. Questions/Comments/Problems
Feel free to contact us

XII. Adjourned at 2:09pm

Please Note. The NGO CSW53 Planning Committee will meet from 10:00 – 11:00 AM February 17, so that Committee members may attend the Round Table discussion meeting from 1:15 – 2:45 PM in UN Conference Room 3.

Priority Theme Meeting, February 10, 2009

Priority Theme Meeting
February 10, 2009
Baha’i International Board Room

Facilitator: Louise Cleary
Attendees: Amber Baker, Lois Beilin, Madeleine Brecher, Deanna Chitayat, Winifred Doherty, Victoria Edmonds, Loretta James, Catherine E. Moore, Eva Richter, Jackie Shapiro, Polly Woodard

The meeting convened at 12:09 p.m.

Commission on the Status of Women
Fifty-third session
Report of the Secretary-General
E/CN.6/2009/1

Louise began facilitating the meeting by suggesting that the group go through the Secretary General’s report section by section, suggesting parts that would be helpful to highlight aspects, which CSW would endorse, and note aspects to which NGO CSW should draw attention.

I. Introduction
page 3, paragraphs 1 & 2

The group noted that the report is adequate in describing the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men except when related to HIV/AIDS care giving. The report could have been more specific and pointed regarding balance between men and women in care giving.

II. Global policy and legal frameworks
pages 3-5, paragraphs 3-13

The section does not discuss HIV/AIDS specifically until the tenth paragraph.
While it addresses girl-headed households in paragraph 11, it is not followed through to the conclusions as related to developing countries.

III. Patterns and trends in the unequal sharing of responsibilities between women and men
Pages 5-11, paragraphs 14-39

In paragraph 22, the document identifies the lower status and pay of care workers being a result of the workers being predominantly female. Would this be true if it were predominantly male? How does this relationship work: causation or correlation?

Paragraph 23 raises the issue of quality of care, which identifies the need for training.

While paragraph 25 discusses the exploitation of children, it does not make a judgment or give suggested actions to remedy this.

In paragraph 27, the point is made that men are sometimes involved in care work, but the examples are mostly from middle income developing countries, the assumptions underneath cannot be easily applied to low income countries.
Additionally, it seems that the goal is more unpaid care hours for men rather than promoting more paid hours for women. It is necessary to increase the status and compensation for care workers regardless of their gender.

Statements in paragraph 28 were raised as good examples of promoting gender equality, in this case about children. It also highlights men as role models.

Causes of unequal sharing of responsibilities

Paragraph 30 draws attention to the issues of customary law and legislation, which needs a huge amount of work in developing countries. ex. DRC
The last line of this paragraph cites “limited awareness of rights,” a phrase that should be emphasized because it is so important.

Paragraph 31 is important because of the stereotypical assumptions about men’s and women’s roles, especially to employers. How must this change? How can the assumption that men are deficient as caregivers also change? Additionally access to work for women is an issue. Without work, they end up in the care-giving role. Also women need to think of themselves in a new way, not in the box of their stereotypical gender role.

Consequences of the unequal sharing of responsibilities

Much of the data referred to are linked to labor market and economic consequences with little attention paid to political, social, physical health, or psychological consequences for women.

IV. Care-giving in the context of HIV/AIDS
pages 11-13, paragraphs 40-50

Paragraph 43 should further highlight the need for vocational training and additional supplies needed. It is also necessary to give better status to the caregivers.
The document does not communicate the urgency of the matter of providing adequate care for HIV/AIDS suffers and of the need for there to be equal sharing of this responsibility. Whole countries can’t function because of this issue. How do we move forward?

Paragraph 46 should have stronger language about older women taking on the responsibility of care-giving.

There is an issue in that men tend to take on a different set of responsibilities that are more stereotypical , an idea mentioned in paragraph 48.

V. Policy responses
pages 13-18, paragraphs 51-73

Time use surveys, mentioned several times in the report, including in paragraph 73, may not be useful tools in some cultural settings.

The whole discussion needs more emphasis on human rights.

VI. Conclusions and Recommendations
pages 19-21, paragraphs 74-78
General comments:
• Some specificity about the kinds of education and training proposed is needed e.g to break down stereotypes; in human rights; adequate training for carers in HIV/AIDS context
• Economic goals which could come from greater sharing of responsibilities could be more explicitly linked to the achievement of with MDGs
• Conclusions communicate passivity on the part of women. They are ‘acted upon’ rather than being seen as agents of change
• Need to increase the focus on strategies for change and provide examples of best practice.

Our Response

How can we pick up issues that we think are not given enough attention and focus on them at the breakout sessions and in encouraging NGOs to lobby governments on these issues?

Breakout Sessions
A lot of these issues are cross-cutting for all 8 breakout sessions.
Breakout sessions could emphasize more education to breakdown agenda stereotypes of young children and training for care givers. Additional focus could be made on human rights, enforcing rule of law where it protects women, and on care for HIV/AIDS patients.

The question of access is important. How could women access new programs? Their time spent caring for people plus transportation difficulties may impede them from accessing care and education.

How does this all work into MDGs? Could connections be made between what is being advocated in this document and the MDGs? The sections of the report that focused on economic effects could also be coordinated with the MDGs.

How can women be empowered rather than observed? Many of the actors don’t give money to empower women; it is not as attractive as other causes.

People may not have read the report before the sessions. While the UN representatives must support this document, NGOs must bring up the ways this document is lacking. This is a part of the advocacy. People who are going to be there advocating governments will have ideas to drive them.

The points made by the breakout groups will then be put into documents that people can continue to use as they lobby governments

Relevant Documents

E/CN.6/2009/4 – this document has some good examples of action points.
E/CN.6/2009/12 – has a discussion guide they will use at the round table

Oral statements can be submitted until February 27th.

Louise will choose a couple of items from the minutes and place those at the end of the minutes as the points we would most like to highlight in the breakout sessions

Facilitators of each breakout must be told what these are in a forum outside of the minutes so that they are distinct and not lost in the minutes.

Meeting adjourned at 1:04 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Amber Baker

Planning committee minutes – 2 February 2009

CSW 53 Planning Committee
February 2, 2009
Bahá’í International Community Offices
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Minutes

Co-chairs: Loretta James and Catherine Ferguson
Present: Amber Baker, Madeleine Becker, Lois Beilin, Susan Bos, Victoria Edmonds, Martha Gardner, Emily Goldman, Weishan Huang, Vivian Pender, Joy Peterson, Eva Richter, Katherine Ronberg, Sorosh Roshan, Jackie Shapiro, Fulya Vekiloglu, Joan Woods, Polly Woodward

The meeting convened at 11:00 a.m.

I. Comments from Catherine Ferguson

Details related to Consultation Day:
Katherine Ronberg from the NGO CSW office, will be point person for Consultation Day
Judy Lear is working on the packets. Volunteers still needed to print copies of materials for the packets. Number of copies still unknown, will be 500 to 600 copies. A sign up sheet for volunteers was passed around the table.
As noted on the second page of the minutes, there is a list of the documents needed in the packet with last year’s colors. This year, volunteers will be notified of the pages and colors assigned to them.

Registration
Katherine Ronberg reported that currently there are 223 people registered for the Consultation Day, from online registrations only, and 118 people registered for the reception, online registrants only.
Volunteers are not yet appointed for registration. Katherine Ronberg is working on the specific needs for registration day Volunteers will be notified of specific assignments a week or 10 days ahead of time.
Everyone will have badges. There will also be volunteers with ASK ME badges to indicate that they can provide information.

Badges
After February 15, registrants will receive a notification telling them that their badge for Consultation Day is ready to be printed. If registrants do not print it themselves, backups will be available on Consultation Day. This process has been put in place to prevent long waits in line at registration.
Badges will show in writing who has registered for the reception and what their breakout session is.

Merchandise
There will be a table at Consultation Day with a price list and items for sale.

Breakout Sessions
Those responsible for breakout sessions will be told approximate number of people a week before. There is a current list but it is an estimate.

Volunteers
Linda Stillman will arrange for volunteers from Pace University.
There is a list of additional people who have signed up to volunteer. The committee is counting on these volunteers, so please arrive at 7:30 a.m. on Consultation Day.

Other Documents
If you have flyers, brochures, etc at Consultation Day, there will be a table where people can pick them up, they will not go in the packets.

Acknowledgements
It is necessary to develop a list of people to thank in a document, which will be included in the packet. A list was passed around for people to add their names and the names of anyone else they know who has helped. The list will be reviewed for duplications before being published.

Secretary General’s Report
The Secretary General’s report was sent out on the list serve last week. Leaders may want to look at it to see how it relates to their breakout session.

II. Breakout Sessions Report
A. Women, Care-giving & HIV/AIDS
The group is still meeting and learning the process. They are reading many various statements and papers to prepare.
B. Women, Education & Training
No current update. They do not need A/V or power point, they do need a marker board or flipchart.
C. Violence Against Women
Carl was not present at the meeting.
The group does need power point capability.
D. Older Women
Catherine talked to Judy Leer about the group this weekend. She will ask Judy about their A/V needs.
E. Women & Climate Change
The group does need A/V and power point capabilities and a flipchart or marker board.

F. Review Theme: Equal participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels.
G. Emerging Theme: Women and the Global Financial Crisis
Rosa Lezarde is responsible; Catherine will communicate with her to ask about the group’s needs.
H. Women & Poverty
Everything is coming into place. They will provide their own projector.

If anyone needs a persons with a laptop computer to help prepare the power point slide requested for the plenary, please let Catherine know.

Most rooms have dry erase boards or chalkboards. We will verify they there are pens and chalk available for writing on these boards.

Loretta James’ Comments

Round Tables – February 3, 2009 in Conference Room 3, 1:15 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Please plan to attend.

Notebooks
There will not be anther order for notebooks because of the amount left over from last year. No new notebooks have been ordered for this year. We will sell those we already have.

Tote Bags
An order has been placed for 300 tote bags. The price has not yet been determined, possible $10 or $12. The logo will be GOLD METALLIC…… on black, an image of the male and female symbols with text reading, “sharing responsibilities.” Below the image, it will say NGO CSW.

NYU Medical Center Tour
Arrive at 550 1st Avenue on Tuesday, February 10 at 9:45 a.m. if you are going on the tour. Please meet in the lobby of the main entrance. Afterward, the group will go to the Priority Theme and Planning Committee Meetings. PLEASE LET LORETTA KNOW IF YOU CANNOT ATTEND, SO WEDON”T WAIT FOR YOU.

Networking coffee on Consultation Day at 4:15 p.m.
Volunteer donations of cookies could be used. Lois Beilin of Soroptimist International said that, as in the past, they will bring cookies and Caroline Themm and Kathy Mayer will be the point persons for this.
Please support them by also bringing something on that day.

III. Weishan Report on the Handbook

Advertising
Currently the committee has collected $5,925 for advertising, but some checks have not been collected. The total should be around $6,000; about the same as last year.

Handbooks
Last year 2000 were printed; this year fewer will be printed.
Weishan thanked Jackie, Madeline, and Victoria for their work on seeing that a cover was designed. The cover has now been selected picturing a balance with with male and female signs, one on each tray of the scale.
Handbooks will be handed out at Consultation Day and the Craft Fair, if any are leftover they will be handed out either at the Craft Fair at the Church Center.

Deadline was January 30 for advertisements for the handbook. Please contact Weishan if you have any problems with that. There is a final proof reading today.

IV. Documents

Emily Goldman and Susan Bos will monitor the document room.
Amber Baker will also be available Monday and Tuesday of the opening week of CSW to help.
Boxes will be used to organize the documents.

Eleanor was not able to make it today but Catherine reported that we are able to get the 600 copies of the Secretary General’s Priority Theme will be available on Consultation Day. It is unsure if it is on the DAW website, it was sent around on the CSW list serve last week. If you would like a copy of the electronic version, let Catherine know and she will email it to you.

Each group is responsible for that for printing documents to handout to their breakout groups. Each group will be notified the number of people registered for their group approximately one week before meeting.

Reimbursements
If there is a great expense you need reimbursed for talk to Vivian BEFOREHAND, for a small reimbursement you can talk to Weishan.

V. Questions/Comments

Roundtable Tomorrow
Katherine Ronberg will make copies of the Consultation Day program and invitations to Consultation Day registration for the roundtable.

Eva Richter – Report on Roundtable 2
Rachel Mayanja from OSAGI will moderate and the speakers are
Joanne Sander, Executive Director a.i. UNIFEM
Colette Tamko is from WEDO and Project 50/50.
Sunita, a woman from India who was forced into marriage at a young age
Eva is still trying to contact someone from the Rwanda mission to participate.

Next meeting will be Tuesday, February 10 at the Baha’i Center Board Room
Priority Theme meeting 12 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Planning Committee meeting 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Meeting adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Minutes prepared by Amber Baker
2/2/2009

Priority Theme meeting of 27 January 2009

CSW 53 Priority Theme Meeting
January 27, 2009
Bahá’í International Community Offices
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Minutes

The meeting convened with each group meeting together. Near the end of the time, all groups came back together to report on the status of their group’s planning.

Sub Committee Meeting

Breakout Sessions Updates
I. The groups will have two questions, which people can discuss. Most of the rooms of are theater style. We are not sure how many people will be in each group, we will know the week before. It will be on the NGO CSW website.
II. Groups
a. Women, Care-Giving and HIV/AIDS
b. Women, Education and Training
i. Program is set. The introduction will outline theme and major points and expected outcomes. (5-7 min) Then break into 4 groups on different topics (25 min). Then review and selection of advocacy points and best practices. (25 min)
ii. Caroline will produce a small paper that will form a background for the discussion.
c. Violence Against Women
i. 8 min multimedia and an informal informational document for people to take with them. Still working on how the discussion will go. Assuming large group conversation with different levels of competence.
d. Older Women
e. Women and Climate Change
f. Review Theme: Equal participation of women and men in decision-making at all levels
g. Emerging Theme: Women and the global financial crisis
h. Women and Poverty
i. Good information sheet, figuring out how session will actually be structured. How does unequal sharing contribute to poverty, how does poverty contribute to unequal sharing.

Priority theme will not meet again until February 10, 2009 because it is at the same time as the roundtables next week.

Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Minutes Prepared by Amber Baker, 2/2/2009