In a new report, DefendDefenders examines to what extent, and how, the 11 States of the East and Horn of Africa contribute to the advancement of the rights of women and girls at the United Nations (UN). "Making a Difference for Women and Girls?" aims to make knowledge about States' behaviour at the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) available to civil society partners, observers and the general public, contribute to citizen engagement with governments of the sub-region, enhance scrutiny, and further efforts towards the realisation of women's and girls' rights.
"By tracking and analysing States' international behaviour with regard to women's and girls' rights, we create a factual basis for engagement and highlight areas where more can be done," said Hassan Shire, Executive Director, DefendDefenders. "This is essential to 'bridge the gap' in the fight against gender-based violence, discrimination, and abuses."
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The
report analyses State behaviour in a comprehensive manner. It looks at
States’ pledges and commitments, their voting record and overall voting
patterns on resolutions and amendments at the HRC, whether States
co-sponsor (endorse) resolutions, their behaviour during negotiations,
as well as their behaviour during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
process.
"Making a Difference for Women and Girls?” is based on
desk research and interviews with key stakeholders, including civil
society representatives and diplomats involved in initiatives on women’s
and girls’ rights at the HRC. It covers resolutions on violence against
women and girls, discrimination against women and girls, gender
equality, harmful practices, girls’ education, health, sexual
orientation and gender identity, and other resolutions that have gender
dimensions. It also includes an overview of international standards and
State obligations.
The report shows that voting patterns are
ambivalent. While some States consistently support progressive
resolutions, others support hostile amendments and cultural-relativist
initiatives that deny women and girls their rights. States of the
sub-region can play a positive role, but their overall level of
engagement is low. Some are even completely silent during negotiation
processes.
Evolutions have been observed over time. A range of
factors, including domestic policy and societal changes, regional group
positions, Council dynamics, the influence of other States, and personal
dynamics, play a role in shaping State behaviour.
As some of
the violations and abuses facing women and girls are particularly acute
in the East and Horn of Africa and national efforts have not been fully
effective, the report formulates a series of recommendations that aim at
pushing States of the sub-region to contribute more systematically and
positively to the advancement of the rights of women and girls at the
HRC.
DefendDefenders has just developed a comprehensive gender
strategy and will continue to mainstream gender in all its programmes.
"Making
a Difference for Women and Girls?” is published ahead of the 44th
session of the HRC, currently set to begin on 30 June 2020. June/July
sessions of the HRC usually have a focus on gender issues. This includes
resolutions on violence against women and girls and discrimination
against women and girls, among others
.Download report
Summaryof each country’s positive and negative contributions regarding women’s and girls’ rightsat the UN Human Rights Council.
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Acronyms:
- CEDAW: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
- CEFM: Child, early and forced marriage
- DAWG: Discrimination against women and girls
- FGM: Female genital mutilation
- HRDs: Human rights defenders
- PMMM: Preventable maternal mortality and morbidity
- SOGI: Sexual orientation and gender identity
- UPR: Universal Periodic Review
- VAWG: Violence against women and girls
- WHRDs: Women human rights defenders
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Making a Difference for Women and Girls? East and Horn of Africa countries and women's and girls' rights at the UN Human Rights Council
In a new report, DefendDefenders examines to what extent, and how, the 11 States of the East and Horn of Africa contribute to the advancement of the rights of women and girls at the United Nations (UN). "Making a Difference for Women and Girls?&