Written by Kate Lappin
The UN Commission on the Status of Women this year took place in a hostile climate – both inside and outside the UN. Temperatures outside fell below zero and Blizzard Stella shut down the UN for a day. Inside, there was a hostile culture with registered ‘hate groups’ included in the official US delegation and repeated state references to rigid concepts of family, suggestions that unpaid care work are ‘cultural’ and a pleasure for women as well as familiar resistance to sexual reproductive health and rights, sexual orientation and gender identity.
APWLD members at the Women Major Group Strategy Meeting that took place in the backdrop of CSW61
The focus of the meeting was “Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work” and, as is often the case, much of the time negotiating was taken up trying to defend existing language and commitments. Russia and the US teamed up to oppose inclusion of language around labour rights, arguing against references to specific International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions and obligations as well as the role of the ILO in implementing obligations to deliver Decent Work for women. They also blocked the inclusion of the right to a ‘living wage’, something the US has opposed for years.
But within this hostile climate there were some wins. And we should celebrate our wins, given that they are increasingly rare and hard fought. Four things that were achieved for the first time in the Agreed Conclusions:
- Committing to gender responsive just transitions in the context of climate change
- Recognising the role of trade unions in addressing economic inequalities and the gender pay gap
- More detailed methods to ensure the redistribution of unpaid care work
- Referring to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIP)
Full article: http://apwld.org/four-wins-at-csw-this-year/
