Funding the Rural Future

An interactive panel and workshop - at the Baha'i International Community Offices

First speaker - Importance of microgrant - Tanzania - multiple programs experience, 

Second speaker - nutritional counseling for maternal health in Nepal,

Third speaker - 16 year old - use photography to show lives of girls

Fourth speaker - working with UN 

Zimbabwe - speaker

Columbia - interactive discussion

Mother of 8, an accountant - helping women in east African corridor. Spoke about project, helping most vulnerable - Understanding between communities in Africa .and America. Get to talk to women. Rural women know what they want. Teaches them how to manage funds, talk about health, impact of culture. People in rural area - once they are ready - Men feel threatened by women's empowerment, even though supported by government. Rural areas very traditional, and conservative. Involving the men - see the project will support them. Defined project as anything that generates income. Example of a vegetable garden - have 198 women working on it. Impact of culture - must be considered when working with rural women. 

Nutritional Counseling for maternal health care, for those affected with HIV/AIDs. Research - nutritional counselling - eat more, protein, Specifically for women with HIV? Not know. Lack of training. Economic barriers major reason for not following advice. Made 4 recommendations - need for protocol, need for training, strengthening role of female community health volunteers - usually women come just before having birth. Identify HIV, Following a food security assessment, direct food support. 

Discussion - cultural considerations; Application research, financial resources. District decision making capacity - How does action get done in rural areas? 

Issues for Rural girls - girl's education best investment that can be made. Main reason not attending is cost. CSI - schools - providing basic resources for families. Ensuring basics are provided. Sexual health education a key necessity. Youth services in UK cut. Youth centres provided sexual health education - now cut. Rural girls ignorant, and unable to protect themselves. Education more accessible for rural girls. Forced marriages - Stopping abuse is essential.

Presentation - issues removing obstacles for rural women - importance of giving economic power to women. Studies show this - allowing women the power over their economic projects. Decrease of domestic violence. Need for separate wash rooms, and sanitary pads. No matter what country, rural women and girls are not as well off as other women. Public transportation isolates girls - high drop out rate for girls, free lunch programs, Many countries do not do gender budgeting, and lack gender sensitivity. 

Girls in rural Zimbabwe - boys are sent to school, because considered more intelligent. Girls face problem of sanitation - no sanitary pads. Shared story of widow with 3 children. Older child dies, as she goes for water. Mother devastated, no longer can attend her other children.

Columbia - girls difficulty in obtaining education, health. But the biggest problem is armed conflict. Sexxual exploitation. Last year 400 girls were killed. Why girls killed, Young women treated as a product rather than human being, many forces - 3 different forces. These men have taken a position - the women are their possession. Body of the girls, 12 year old getting political pressure. A way of security. Government not investing funds to end this conflict.

Rio +20 - including gender and equality in the upcoming conference.

UN Women speaker - speaks about Rio +20 - Brazil playing a role in organizing this side event. Renew and strengthen Gender Responsive structures, that supports voice and greater participation of women. From now until Rio +20 must concentrate our efforts. Our efforts rooted in global standards and values - though that don't know Rio - rare question. It was an integral part of Rio 21- also Beijing PfA. Normative that we reaffirm, and update. If we want development to be sustainable, women's agency and leadership in promoting social justice, and economically sustainable. Equal access to production, information, training and capacity building, and special measures - won't happen on their own. Government have to make that happen. Gender responsive budgeting must be assured. Green Economy - one of key themes of Rio  +20 - must be gender sensitive, gender responsive, and enable move forward. Institutional frameworks, must be equitable. Brazil, goals put together to post 2015, goal must include women's empowerment. More comprehensive. Targets - that capture gender empowerment - energy a concern. Tribute to global women's movement. UN Women's role, bringing women's voices to sustainable development agenda. Bring women's voices to the conference. Include rural and indigenous women. June 19 interactive exchange - and summit of women leaders - Declaration will be made. Sum up gender empowerment - Rio +20 - re visioning a new world.

Speaker from CEDAW - Protection of climate - driver of sustainable development. Protection of planet - examine our traditional roles. Women are at core of this issue, particularly rural areas. They have to use this - How we do it is the question. Women as part of the decision making - must be guaranteed. Gender equality - in terms of social services. CEDAW has built a legal framework. CEDAW has contributed to ending discrimination. Other countries approaching gender approach that Rio is recommending. Drives a new society - CEDAW committee looking forward to participation, and contributing to the Rio process.

Speaker from Brazil - In 2012, Brazil will host conference on sustainable development - Crisis lived in majority of countries. Financial, economic, social and environment. Women fundamental role with managing resources. Rural women here at CSW, not accorded a fair distribution of resources. Shared by whole of society. Sustainable development -  linked to a new development paradigm. linked to equal distribution of work and resources. Brazil economy, looked at increasing income of the poor. Emphasizes sustainable development in the rural areas. Topics of Rio 20 fit nicely into Brazil goals. We also hi light discussion on sustainable development not unlinked from rights, and services. Perpetrators of violence, starts with girls and outside the houses. Development processes overcome difficulties of accessing public health services - access to reproductive health service. Health professional in rural areas, very difficult.

Through voice of rural women organizations from Brazil - emphasis on traditional women necessary - access to services, ensure these rights. Invite all delegates to fight at their countires the agenda of Rio +20, can only contribute to a sustainable world, if outcome includes development and equality. Sustainability of life - Link the development with resource distribution and input of work. Commitment to women, to make sure debate on economic development has a strong emphasis on equality between men and women.

Why has so little happened. Change in mindset - very often white middle aged men - have to address inequalities, and power.

Existing MDGs - taking them forward, transforming them - right kind of indicators and targets. Comprehensive SDGs. Including energy, and other new issues to be included in the new framwork. Partnerships with corporate sector. How do we get private sector to be more sustainable - in their foot print. Have very strong commitment to gender sustainability. Gender empowerment principles - UN Women program to encourage private sector to sign on.

Live Blog, from Conference Room 4, North Lawn Building, New York

Statement by Canada's Minister, Rona Ambrose.

Statement by the Delegation of Canada to the 56^th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/med/spe-dis/2012/0229-eng.html

Reaffirm obligations under the Beijing Platform for Action.

Canada's Rural Partnerships - transforming ideas to economic realities.

Economic empowerment of women - Canada reaching out to women and girls around the world. Grassroots projects for rural and aboriginal women - has been a call for proposals by Status of Women Canada.. Job preparation training, training in non traditional work. Involve men and boys with eliminating violence against women. Leadership role with Plan Canada - Oct. 11th - International Day of the Girl -and working with Turkey and Peru - UN General Assembly's resolution.

NGO members of the Canadian Delegation

Amber Fletcher (Women's Information Network Saskatchewan)  

Judy Unterschultz (Multicultural Heritage Centre)

Marie Kenny (Federated Women's Institutes of Canada)

Shannon Joseph (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) 

This is exhilirating, interesting, challenging, and tiring - but very worthwhile

It is Tuesday evening, and the women NGOs that are here at the 56th meeting of the Commission on the Status of Women are working extremely hard. There are over 4,000 of us! And over 300 parallel sessions, and all the main presentations by the countries, and the panels of experts. The physical space continues to be a challenge, with most of the formal sessions held in the out of bounds for NGOs, in a temporary building known as the North Lawn Building - a huge temporary tent. Across the street is where most of the NGOs hang out, in what is called the Church Building. Here is where the NGOs put on workshops, roundtables, presentations on a wide range of topics. Although the theme is Rural Women, the workshops cover the gamut of topics of interest to women and the lives they lead. Here too is where there are Conversation Circles (i've attended one on Communications), and also Regional Caucuses (I attended the one on Europe/North America tonight) The difference in culture between the UN building and facilities, and the NGO space is quite apparent. And the real work is how to engage the UN system in a process to affect the changes that women want, and in fact are demanding.

The Canadian NGOs are fortunate, in that the official delegation, which the Minister, Rhona Ambrose leads. There are 4 NGO delegates on that delegation, one being a representative from the Women's Institutes.The following photos are from the Briefing today -

Tonight was the reception at the Canadian Mission - i got there, but late - i wanted to attend the Regional Caucus, and was glad i did - lots of issues that need to be discussed together, in terms of the Agreed Conclusions, and the relationship with UN Women. Tomorrow is another day - and a busy one - breakfast tomorrow morning with the DG of Status of Women Canada.

Parallel Event – “Women, Media, Revolution: Amplifying Voices on the Frontlines” Where women use IT, and how.

Women Peacemaker Program – speaker – awards 4 women leaders in conflict country given a 2 month internship – we try to disseminate the stories – Free and open to the public. Present at a conference of at a forum – at local Santiago university. This year, with the stories of the revolutions – how they are covered, and when they are covered – the nature of the coverage. What happened to the women  in Egypt. What was the rest of the story. Conference to discuss – women in conflict situations. 

Women, Media, Revolution – conference. 

Jina Moore – Christian Science Monitor – trauma reporting – work in Africa – doesn’t fit in cliché. Work in post conflict counties. Does seem to be something that female reporters get – see it in conflict coverage. Telling of stories when gender part of it. West and southern Africa – Maternal health – African writers – Reproductive health – how to present topics to editors. Critcal way of telling story so subject is safe. Journalist, reader, and the subject – morally outraged by the story. Jackee Batanda – spent 6 months on internship, number of opinion pieces. Need for opportunities for African reporters to work in US. Following what is happening in Uganda. Freelance journalist. Women who are doing amazing things – Facing hardships but doing amazing things – refuges living in Uganda – who had lived in camps, then coming to the city. Give people an opportunity – Ethiopia – ended up hiring someone from Uganda. Women doing important work. Social rights issues. Uganda in a recovery process – women making a contribution – Jennifer Pozner – Women, Media and the News.  Contact analysis, and look at how issues reported across the board? Women’s voices – almost virtually absent – except for lifestyle coverage. 50% was in lifestyle – what clothes to buy etc. Least was foreign affairs. Women’s voices – no complete story without women’s voices. Work with journalists – connect them with women experts – from academia – when journalist looking for an expert – women in every field – women economist for example. Power Process Project – model the diversity of women’s voices. Morning TV programs – Sunday morning programs – women only 14% of guests. Blindness – by major stations. Policy work – reregulate the media conglomerate. Every issue a woman’s issue – is a really key thing – so why content is problematic. 

Women Make Movies – have operated for 40 years – we need the films – Kristen Fitzpatrick. Conference in 1975 with a statement – there is so much more to do. Internship, over 600 films – use collections for film festivals. The Price of Sex – used as training tool – Hip Hop movie – using movie and telling story about ending female genital mutilation.

Suggestion – of a topic of absence of war, and nuclear destruction.

Social media power – pushing agenda in own way.

Why does US not report international news.?

Media justice question – much cheaper to run a story from US.  Think that is the level of American interest. Idea that profit the most important factor. 5 or 6 white American men own most of American newsoutlets. Finding access to media – Christian Science Monitor – Democracy Now – Atlantic Monthly – etc. Response to Hate – movies for free – 

Government influence – journalists – access for preemptive reporting. Tips for NGOs – Start with independent press. Framing – something that is relevant – develop relationship with editors, journalists.  Not seen as newsmakers – Thank you’s important to recognize a good writer. On line petitions.

Investing in Women, Investing in Peace: Financing 1325, Gender Equality and Peace

 Excellent session presented by ICAN – International Civil Society Action Network & The Global Network of Women Peacebuildiers – Bridging Global Policy with local action on Women, Peace and Security

Photos from the sessions

Yes, joining us in the audience was Leymah Ghowee, Nobel Peace Prize recipient!

Mavic Cabrera-Balleza – welcome, and background on GNWP

2010, SGs, 10^th anniversary of 1325, identified 2 key factors, 1. Lack of political will, 2^nd. Inadequate financing for implementation. About 35 countries, or 16% of the countries. Study – Costing 1325 – how much does it cost to implement 1325. Not enough resources to implement 1325. Took up recommendations and piloted them – established a platform for resources. Platform of performance for accountability. Using resources properly. Mulitstakeholders financing – want more resources from donor community. All saying 1325 important, now need financing. Telling countries to put into budget. Started multi stakeholders financing – Look at UN system – UNDP – price of peace, financing gender equality for post conflict recovery. Saw Netherlands – actual support for developing action plans. Outcomes of workshop – to go into outcomes document.

Catherine Mabobori – Burundi – national action plan adopted Dec. 2011.

Was activist, now in government – Context of adopting 1325 – Burundi – post conflict country. Benefited from special post conflict process. 2005 – emerging now to developing country. Peacebuilding – include poverty reduction. No development without peace, and no peace without development. 

Policies VS R 1325. Constitution calls on equality and non discriminatory principle between men and women. CEDAW is incorporated in the Constitution. Have affirmative action – quota system for participation making. Burundi Vision 2025 – Development of Action Plan

Planning – Budgeting and Financing Process – specific budget line – increased from $44,000 to $100,000. Also budget to deal with violence against women, and have project from the Trust Fund.

Challenges, economic empowerment, ongoing gender based violence, integrating gender in security sector reform and peace missions, transversality, capacity budgeting, research, women and transitional justice. Multistakeholder financing mechanism: a model of financial cooperation. The ultimate success of national action plans on SCR 1325, and 1820 depends on their funding and commitment to ensure their full implementation. Although NAP was recently adopted it’s implementation was already in progress.

Other commitments – Sept. 2011 – embassies, Netherlands recently adopted the 2^nd NAP and is ready to take the lead for the MSHFM. MSHFM will insure more transparency and accountability. Best way to coordinate is  by establishing a technical coordinating mechanism. One of the very few multistake holders funders – 

Peter van de Vliet – Netherlands – Supporting women’s empowerment in emerging democracies. Investing in Women – UNDP – gender gap one of the reasons for lack of development – in countries own advantage to have women in power structure, Had their first action plan in 2007 – emphasized complementary work of government and NGOs. Successful training courses – Spanish and dutch officials. Netherlands launched 2^nd Action Plan. Aligned with 3 pillars – freedom, security, and economic growth. 2^nd plan to support women’s role in post conflict countries. Expertise not enough – without money, action plans never implemented. Dutch Action plan where many partners commit resources – financially and expertise. 10 million euros per year. Some joint initiatives. Dutch contribute to multistakeholders – other partners commit too. 

Coraid’s WPS   programme

Facilitation multi stakeholder mechanisms for NAP UNSCR 1325 implementation. Enhancement of women’s political participation in peacebuilding process. Integration of WPS issues in national and international security strategies, protection of Women Human Rights Defenders. Civil Society Organiations (CSO) participation is crucial. Women’s organizations involved – a precondition for inclusion and local ownership leads to sustainability. Women’s organizations have a lot of resources to commit – mobalizing the society. Guiding Principles: Locally owned frameworks, based on comprehensive and accurate assessment of needs, resources and capacities. Earmamark 1325 funds, review military and other government budgets and identify windows through which 1325 implementation could be funded. Engage private sector – where we can find resources. 

Process for establishing multistakeholders mechanism –

Assessment: needs, benchmark analysis

Joint planning process, government, and others.

Budget eamaked specifically for CSOs, linking and learning, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation. 

UNDP – Dr. Ozonnia Ojielo

Just came from a meeting with Fiji – Stand by generator. Help us to learn from the past. Easier when gone thru major events – spirit of 1325 – need to go thru war? Challenges of postconflict recovery. Reintagration of community members – also related, security – unskilled – need for effective financing for gender advancements essential Legacy of violence – must deal with this. Recovery of livelihoods – social capital, financial capital. NDPP – reminds us of this – Decades of work by women’s global movement. Attn. to women’s empowerment post conflict – fairly widely accepted society hasn’t supported women and girl  post conflict. UNDP supported women thru all parts of the process. Inclusive development – 10 gender advisors – in many countries affected by conflict. UNDP in 177 offices, comply with UNDP Steering committee-  Recovery assets better placed with women who made better use of the resources when invested in women. 

Liberian leader – take both Christian and Muslim sectors together. Heal divisions. 

Fiji – truth and reconciliation – rules that restrict – women not comfortable talking with men. So much fear – how can consultations happen? Fear of torture. Answer – women have to be vigilant – women have to think it is their business – not accepted – did have observatory status – could observe, and interact – support from UN women – have to mobalize together – women were united to be part of peace negotiations. Do we take revolutionary process or step by step process. Success of change of political process  MDGs not being achieved in post conflict and fragile states. What will be our agenda after 2015 when MDGs expire. When preconditions lacking for development- have poverty. 

Janis Alton – bloated budgets on military arms, compared with what supporting 1325.

Speaker from Ghana – countries going from yellow to red. Saw machetes – conflict is for others. Need to be vigilance – pay attention to warning signs. Military expenditures compared with development expenditures.   Plan well ahead of time capacity building for elections. Working on sexual and gender based violence -

Girls: Control of their body and access to development

Presentation and discussion on this topic - by France, and Tunisa

Welcome and acknowledgement of Tunisa's recent changes - by Roselyne Bachelot, French Minister for Solidarities and Social Cohesion.

Access  to control of their bodies essential for education and independent life. Early pregnancies increase early mortality. Access to education and occupational training. Must have access to family planning - this is France's international policy. Investing more dollars through UN Women and UNICEF. Many are living in rural areas.

Girl's untapped resource for development - part of France's policy of equality.. Review of France's actions with CEDAW, which includes child care, and France's influence of the workplace - need for occupational equality plan for businesses. Hypersexualization of children - charter of media to deal with this, just announced. 

Tunisa - going thru a period of reviewing laws - Courts ensures civil rights. Women most developed rights - but not sufficient. Need to revise laws - a law that women can have more than 25% of seats in national legislature. Legal age for marriage is 18. Reproductive rights - abortion and contraception is available.  Average of 2 children - women's health insurance - rejected by traditional Tunisa society. Has ratified CEDAW. Women as Ministers. Still far from our objectives. Must be present in all positions of decision making - must review laws.

France - Marie-Pierre Martinet - Chair of the French Movement for Family Planning. Feminist in nature.

Taken in the room where this presentation was given

Need for more action for rural areas - to contact services a problem in small societies. Actions in 3 countries - Cameroon, Tunisa, and France. First pregnancy - young girls - Share our experiences. Strong emphasis on new program - focus on young girls - and boys. Go to early detection centers encouraged.  Women benefited from early education. Work with men and boys - Quotes - talk to leaders - to get their support - not interested in starting a feminist revolution, we are ambassadors - using popular education. Using different topics - education - an important part of making change to society. Many agreements refer to this need for young women and girls have access to family planning. Rio plus 20 for example.

Question from Canada - government - access to abortion services - enact new laws - religious right putting pressure on access to abortion.  What to do - from Tunisia. Response from CEDAW Chair - we need this kind of meeting on this major issue - need to control your body - issue of young women and girls - stereotypes and culture. CEDAW - want to be empowered - there are risks of regression - see in some countries, never had so much need to have strong sense of support for women's rights. All forms of violence against women - Stronger visibility - rights of young women - 180 have signed. Public aid must support this violence, and needs of young women and girls - Fundamental and can't be separated. It's a cross issue, we must work on this issue. 

Do you think Arab Spring a spring for women? Many concerned about rights of women in Tunisia Unfortunately everyone has rights - including fundamentalists. Confidence in Tunisia, because she is the Minister and this will not happen while she is the Minister.

Question from Belgium - choices for young women and girls - funding access to these services so good to see. Need to define a feminist position - appreciate presentation because gives us hope. Concerning abortion, not going backwards. With schools - have challenges with funding for family planning education. Difficulty for girls to even get to school. Costs for families. Monetary issue, need to set priorities.

Question from Iraq - Happy to attend meeting - Have good laws, and amended civil state in Kurdistan as happened in Tunisa. Law against violence - these laws are considered amongst most important laws. Proposed that regions need support. Environment in Iraq - the situation is different - Affects officials attitudes - more pressure needed so officials must respond. How to support our action. Working with NGOs, and UN. Courses for judges. Adapt our laws to international convention. Strategy last year, but need to make it official. Economic aspect, and economic ability of women very important. going thru great transition in country - Graduates, but no work - must have access to market. International agencies have to pay more attention to these aspects. Have information about CEDAW but it is wrong - ?? 

South Africa - part of Social Law - included with health, education - balance availability of contraceptives, and access to abortion. Issue of contraception - a right and gov't must ensure girls and young women access this right. Cervical cancer - Promote intergenerational dialogue.A lot of families with out elders - Child headed households, headed by young girls - given self defence, and girls in conflict with the law - access for girls to access sanitary pads - especially problem in rural areas. Forced marriage - to accept dowry. Traditional authorities - ensure that women part of it - because men see violence against women a traditional practice. Talked about many others from adjoining countries to SA, but protecting children born in SA.

Morocco - Listening circles - for girls - Movie to be shown on March 2nd - story of young woman who has got a PhD, and now teaching girls.

Response from CEDAW - question from Iraq - raised access to justice - can't move without the law, need action plan, and concrete results. support of all vital parts - can't move forward if still living in patriarchial system, early marriage & older traditions. Help with doing plans, very important. Move forward at own pace, Fight all forms of violence - next year's theme for CSW. Girls very first victims. Start as soon as possible, so in line with convention - help as much as possible.  

Young woman who spoke - increase of STDs, very important today - re examine some of the teaching.  

Ambassador - access to health - long way to go. realize all our issues are similar. Why is it taking so long?? With all the energy - struggle still going. Maybe issues still talking among women - men are absent. Men should be educated - this patriarchial society and imposing their way. We must work with men. If we can convince men, if they see their future in hands of wives, daughters, then can move forward. Need to work together. Feminism must take more modern forms. Still talking about inequalities of salaries - should not exist in modern world. Huge evolution in parts of the world - we need to ask a lot of why questions.Can't just talk to women and young girls, but talk to all of society. We have a legal apparatus - very substantial - CEDAW. Signed a convention that will help Have niches - specific helpful approaches. Importance of listening - we need to have open discussion. Education - support friends from Iraq. Helping each other.

Strong speech by Michelle Bachelet - calls for rural women's participation and sustainable development

Rural women comprise 43 percent of the agricultural workforce worldwide, and in some parts of the world, about 70 percent. They are on the frontlines of climate change, managing natural resources so they can feed their families and communities. As they directly benefit from their natural environment, so too do they contribute to its safeguarding.

Yet, as we heard in the Commission this morning, they continue to confront barriers—lack of equal access to education, healthcare, land, finance, markets and technology, and gender-based discrimination, that hold them back. This not only limits their own personal prospects, it limits the prospects of their nations and our global community.

How do we unlock their potential? We need to empower them and this means changing policies and laws to protect their rights and expand equal opportunities. We need to address the issue of access to and control of resources. Rural women have been hard hit by export oriented agriculture, climate change, and volatility in food and energy prices. They lack equal access to technology and infrastructure, clean water, and national and international markets. And they need to participate in decision-making.

This is our call and our priority at UN Women as it is only through economic and political empowerment that women, and particularly rural women, will be fully empowered to reach their potential.

Around the world, there are many encouraging practices.  Three technologies currently making a difference in the lives of rural women are mobile phones, solar power and energy efficient cook stoves. There is no stopping a good idea and useful product once people can enjoy its benefits.

In Fiji, women are adopting new eco-friendly farming methods. In Kenya and Zimbabwe, women are planting and protecting indigenous and medicinal trees; establishing bee populations in arid areas; and learning how to maintain them sustainably.

In Ecuador, UN-Women works with indigenous women’s groups to ensure their involvement in the sustainable conservation and management of the natural and cultural heritage of the Yasuní Biosphere Reserve.

In Nepal, the Women’s Environment Preservation Committee manages 963 tons of waste per year that supports 40 waste-fed biogas plants to meet local communities’ demand for renewable energy.

Together with the Barefoot College of India, UN Women is empowering rural and illiterate grandmothers. By providing necessary equipment, technical support and training — the grandmothers become effective and self-sufficient solar engineers.

There are many innovative practices by rural women and men around the world. I am eager to hear more from the other panelists as well as the audience today.

Yet despite their resilience and resourcefulness, the situation of women in rural areas remains particularly challenging.  We have to do more and we can do more. We can all contribute in our own way through our institutions and connections.

Now we are at a crossroads, the international community is heading to Rio in June to reaffirm commitments to sustainable development and also to possibly launch a framework for a new international post Millennium Development Goals, post 2015 framework.

We must build on the agreement 20 years ago at the first UN Conference on Environment and Development, where nations affirmed that gender equality and women’s empowerment are integral to sustainable development. In 1995, the Beijing Platform for Action issued by the Fourth World Conference on Women in China upheld this notion.

Today there is growing momentum. The Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on Global Sustainability recently stated, “Persistent gender inequality in particular has to be addressed as part of any serious shift towards sustainable development.”

UN Women is playing a strong role to ensure that women’s empowerment and gender equality feature prominently in the Rio+20 agreement. We are encouraged by the support we are getting from stakeholders, including the organizers of this event.

Today world and business leaders, citizens and activists increasingly recognize women’s vital roles in a healthy society and for a resilient planet. I am confident that with our commitment and action, the agreed conclusions from the Commission on the Status of Women will pave the way to Rio to empower rural women and advance development that is sustainable.

Session Monday Afternoon on the Arab Spring

U.S. Federation for Middle East Peace – Connecting Continents for Peace

Facilitator, Mrs. Sally Kader

Arab Spring: Voices of Women

Welcome by  Sally – relationship between gender and politics and religion – women refashioning their role, long suppressed under patriarchal regimes. Tunisia – lit a fuse – Tunisia became known as the vanguard - Rising wave of protest. Women felt liberated – able to discuss their ideas – speak to more new audiences then ever before. Significance incredible. Women offered their thoughts during Arab Sring. No one knows better than women, the abuses and suffering. Women’s actions in the name of human rights are part of trend world wide. They put safety on the line – made others realize change has to happen, but it’s not easy. Caretakers of corrupt governments, Women – always non violent. Shameful attach by military , but believ Egypt can become better place. Recent Dec. 20^th many women expressed outrage. Women that were protesting, they were young old, mothers, grandmothers. Directed violence against them. In the court of public opinion, women are winning. No amount of violence can hold Arab Sring down. Enabled ordinary people to challenge status quo. Examples outside prison in Libeia, woman   in Arab Spring turned into gain. Issues of empowerment – inheritance, land, now reachable goals, women long believed to be under utilized. Chanelled into peace. Equal opportunity – to make it happen. Has been a toll on economy – loss of 600,000 jobs in Egypt alone, tourism, any change is good change – in Egypt, Sally met with over 300 organizations – all parts of society.  Illiteracy – unimagina ble – stories now there is hope, all share in this revolution. Sustain what they have started. The Arab Spring stimulated a major mobilization of women. Global  revolutionary movement. We have to change their belief system. Brought women’s voices in direct contact with their government. Wonderful change – sparked way more than ever dreamed of.

Fatiima – Bahrain – 7 children. Teacher –

Optimistic – as a business woman – recognize we hear and see media. Bahrain have contributed much for women, since 1920s, attended schools for women – holding jobs in government, and private sector. 2000 competence raised further ground – national action charter which safeguarded their rights. All citizens equal before the law. Charter gurarantees their rights to participate in election process. Supreme Counsel for women in 2001. Granting of full political rights to vote and run for election. Bahrain have high positions in government. Real and active participation in government positions. 5 Bahrainian women appointed to cultural affairs – College deans, head of banks, head of university, prosecutors, business woman chamber of commerce, ambassador, telecommunications – political participation of women – Charter – 2002 women participated in municipal election – 2006 – women didn’t succeed in gaining seats – women in shura council – women participation from 10% to 15%, to 25% in 2006. Bahraininan women working in private sector – number of working 48.61% participation rate of women in private sector. Have labour unions, 4 unions chaired by women. Supreme Council – SCW – manifest of promoting status of women, chaired by 1^st lady – assume a greater role – ensure rights protected. Training programs, establishing award – first of its kind in Arab world. We know women married to non Bahranian husbands, because of supreme council, children get Bahrainian passport. Challenges – stereotype of women in society, women’s issues not integrated – religious beliefs. Positions of women in organizations. Changing women thru public media, government include women in action plan, qualify women to get into job market. Rural women – have incubator system for business ideas -  supporting each women for 2 years – place to go for idea – get free training, auditing – until business is stable. Huge and practical – 2003 – rural women became business women.

2^nd Speaker from Egypt

Egypt – new face for Egyptian women. Translated – happy to be here to be here for CSW. Will speak on 1. Revolution for democratic human rights. 2.– revolution, how it relates to other revolution of Jan 25, 3. own story and what witnessed.

Begin with – applaud anyone that was arrested – about a year ago, when millions of people in the Arabic world went out on the street to demonstrate. Arabic revolutions followed Tunisia – now the whole Arabic world is changing – Young people – traditional view of Arab women as isolated has changed. Men and women’s unity. Egyptian women participated. The revolution of jan 25^th included women of all classes of Egypt. Families were in the square – facing tear gas and other forms of violence. Resolution brought out women who justice, for social justice. Pushing revolution forward. Made sure peaceful revolution. Women who have to raise a generation with the changes that were happening. Youth looking forward to rights they can hold on to. Millions gathered the square – no violence. After revolution a reconstruction group of National Council of Women. A female candidate running as president – first time – Will it b e beneficial for women? Is revolution lost? Permanent democracy to demand her rights. Transitional stage. They realized a bitter truth, pushed away from decision making positions. No women on constitution committee. Quota dropped – New election – 9 women in the parliament. Not happening get into high position. Almost impossible for women to win – only 2% representation.

Taking back all laws protecting women – claims that these laws were by a corrupt government. Women in Egypt living in fear of uncertain future. Islamist moving up to ruling chair – Prophet says respect the women – Egyptian has had this for a long time – quality of life and rights not up for discussion.

Question – Egypt recognize previous obligations? They have ratifie – human rights. New government, is a transient government – will wait – Role of UN – no one voice that speaks for government.

Question - From Iraq – hearing all the rights, and good story from Bahrain – why a revolution – clarify – what happens a very small part of Bahrain – brainwashed by other countries. Looking for something else. Outside agenda. No day did we close the schools. Media not doing a good job in Bahrain.

Question about medical students – lost rights for university. Medical students not allowed to go back to school. Students kicked out of school – they are back. Great excitement, how are you now?

Question – In Egypt, how are organizations coming together? Noone knows – haven’t police, many problems – There is a problem in Bahrain – see it in social TV – As a woman from the country – 2 sects of Muslims – lived as brothers and sisters, every house, mixed marriage. What to do to the children. Not a religion – who suffering – children. We don’t say sunni or shia – we can solve it internally, walk together. Big parade – all of them walking together. Misinterpreations of men and women – prophet Mohammed and his wife – he supported wives. Nursed sick. Don’t look at  – all equal. Organizations coming together – in Egypt.

Anything the corrupt regime did – everything misunderstood – the president’s wife – seen as her University in 1890 in Egypt and Lebanon. Not because Mrs. Mubarak – not her invention – she took claim for CEDAW etc. and many of the advances of women in Egypt, and now some people turn against the Mubarak government, and what his wife stated she had done, which was not true. It was not her, but the UN’s work, and resolutions.