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CEDAW consultation with UK Government
Members of Wales Assembly of Women attended a consultation on CEDAW being run by the UK Civil Society of Women’s Alliance in conjunction with the UK Government’s Equalities Office (GEO) on Thursday 29 April 2021.
The event was designed to highlight to the GEO examples of how CEDAW is and is not being implemented across the UK – especially the different experiences in different parts of the UK. It kicked off with a brief overview on CEDAW for those who are not conversant with the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women. This enabled those new to the Convention to understand better the consultation with GEO. After ten minutes of presentations Government representatives joined to respond to points made.
The UK Alliance of Civil Society – of which WAW is a member – aims to be the voice of women and girls across the UK to Government. In particular, it seeks to monitor the implementation within the UK of the international agreements to which the Government is signatory. The Alliance also shares with Government its concerns in regard to domestic policy and practice and how that affects the lived experience of women and girls across the UK.
Best practice for CEDAW is when States Parties consult with civil society on the Concluding Observations of the Committee from previous examinations and work with civil society to work out how best to implement this guidance in that country. Thus far, the experience of civil society in the UK is that this depth of consultation has not yet occurred.
It is our hope that through this event and the one in the autumn, both of which are envisioned to be annual events, we can develop the consultation between civil society and the UK Government. Of course, every four years the Government is examined by the Committee and in this regard our Alliance must be the voice to power that holds up a light to the lived reality of women and girls across the UK. And that voice must be robust.
This is a new opportunity for civil society to voice concerns, gaps and challenges, as well as achievements, to the GEO directly, as part of strategic discussions, rather than responding to an existing report by Gov to CEDAW, as hoped participation was diverse and challenging.
Wales Assembly of Women is an NGO (non-governmental organisation) accredited to the United Nations Economic and Social Council. Its representatives regularly attend the annual meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (UN:CSW) in New York and WAW makes quadrennial reports to the Commission.
Established in the early days of 1946, UN:CSW is a commission of UN ECOSOC. In 1996 ECOSOC expanded its mandate to taking a lead role monitoring and reviewing progress on the Beijing Platform for Action and mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.
Recognised as the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, UN:CSW promotes women’s rights, documents the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shapes global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, the Commission now also contributes to the follow-up of the Agenda so as to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
During the annual two-week sessions of UN:CSW, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organisations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, together with emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women.
In the UK, WAW is a member of the UK Civil Society Women’s Alliance, set up in 2011 after the demise of the Women’s National Commission, to help facilitate and coordinate attendance at UN:CSW. Advocacy is vital throughout UN processes
The Alliance has a strong working relationship with the UK’s Government Equalities Office (GEO) which represents the UK Government at CSW. In the period leading up to CSW and during CSW the Alliance works closely with the GEO to influence negotiations and the agreed outcomes. Post CSW it seeks to influence the Government’s implementation strategy.
Increasingly the Alliance is broadening and strengthening its domestic focus to campaign and influence Government policy and advocate for action to address issues and concerns that stem from international legal obligations. The National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO) of which WAW is a member provides the secretariat for the Alliance
Established in the early days of 1946, UN:CSW is a commission of UN ECOSOC. In 1996 ECOSOC expanded its mandate to taking a lead role monitoring and reviewing progress on the Beijing Platform for Action and mainstreaming a gender perspective in UN activities.
Recognised as the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women, UN:CSW promotes women’s rights, documents the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shapes global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.
Following the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, the Commission now also contributes to the follow-up of the Agenda so as to accelerate the realization of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
During the annual two-week sessions of UN:CSW, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organisations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York to discuss progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, together with emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women.
In the UK, WAW is a member of the UK Civil Society Women’s Alliance, set up in 2011 after the demise of the Women’s National Commission, to help facilitate and coordinate attendance at UN:CSW. Advocacy is vital throughout UN processes
The Alliance has a strong working relationship with the UK’s Government Equalities Office (GEO) which represents the UK Government at CSW. In the period leading up to CSW and during CSW the Alliance works closely with the GEO to influence negotiations and the agreed outcomes. Post CSW it seeks to influence the Government’s implementation strategy.
Increasingly the Alliance is broadening and strengthening its domestic focus to campaign and influence Government policy and advocate for action to address issues and concerns that stem from international legal obligations. The National Alliance of Women’s Organisations (NAWO) of which WAW is a member provides the secretariat for the Alliance
WAW Timeline
- 2010 Beijing + 15, New York
- 2005 Beijing + 10, New York
- 2000 Beijing + 5, New York
1997 Vienna. Annual Commission on the Status of Women, UN, New York.
WAW conference, ‘Power Matters’ (new Welsh Assembly election impending)
1995 Wales Assembly of Women (WAW) had official representation at the UN Global Conference on Women in Beijing. WAW was accorded full membership status of the WNC.
1994 WAW conference ‘From Beijing to Pontnewydd.’
1985 UN Conference in Nairobi
1984 with the help of the Women’s National Commission (WNC)* this was achieved. Also this year, the new South Glamorgan County Council established a Women's Committee - the only one in Wales.
1980 in Copenhagen at the UN Conference on Women, the possibility to establish an all-Wales official organisation to be responsible for input to the United Nations was discussed.
1975 a group of women from Wales travelled to Brussels to present the first petition, which was on Women's Rights, to the European Parliament calling for changes in the European Commission's Draft Directive on equal treatment for men and women workers.
Early 1970s a group known as the Wales Women's Rights committee was established which lobbied for the Sex Discrimination Legislation and the setting up of the Equal Opportunities Commission. It held regular conferences on Women at Work in Wales, and was involved in the Miners' Gala and was appropriately active in campaigning for Women.
*Women’s National Commission (WNC) 1972-2010 an organisation providing a means of communication and coordination between women’s organisations throughout the UK
WAW conference, ‘Power Matters’ (new Welsh Assembly election impending)
1995 Wales Assembly of Women (WAW) had official representation at the UN Global Conference on Women in Beijing. WAW was accorded full membership status of the WNC.
1994 WAW conference ‘From Beijing to Pontnewydd.’
1985 UN Conference in Nairobi
1984 with the help of the Women’s National Commission (WNC)* this was achieved. Also this year, the new South Glamorgan County Council established a Women's Committee - the only one in Wales.
1980 in Copenhagen at the UN Conference on Women, the possibility to establish an all-Wales official organisation to be responsible for input to the United Nations was discussed.
1975 a group of women from Wales travelled to Brussels to present the first petition, which was on Women's Rights, to the European Parliament calling for changes in the European Commission's Draft Directive on equal treatment for men and women workers.
Early 1970s a group known as the Wales Women's Rights committee was established which lobbied for the Sex Discrimination Legislation and the setting up of the Equal Opportunities Commission. It held regular conferences on Women at Work in Wales, and was involved in the Miners' Gala and was appropriately active in campaigning for Women.
*Women’s National Commission (WNC) 1972-2010 an organisation providing a means of communication and coordination between women’s organisations throughout the UK
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2020 WAW conference, ‘Women Breaking Barriers.’ 2019 WAW conference, ‘Women's rights are human rights: Enhancing Women's rights in Wales.’ 2018 WAW conference, ‘The Great Leap Forward: Embracing the Istanbul Convention in Wales to end violence against women and girls!’ 2017 WAW conference, ‘BREXIT really is a Women's Issue.’ 2016 WAW conference, ‘The Women of Wales Care about Europe.’ |
2015: WAW conference, ‘Women's Rights matter: Past, Present and Future.
2013: WAW conference, ‘Visible Women: Empowering Girls and Women in Wales.’ This conference was dedicated to the memory of the late Jennifer Cole, past chair of WAW. Video presentations: http://vimeo.com/album/2419166
2011: WAW conference, ‘Do Women in Wales Matter, Does Government care?’
2013: WAW conference, ‘Visible Women: Empowering Girls and Women in Wales.’ This conference was dedicated to the memory of the late Jennifer Cole, past chair of WAW. Video presentations: http://vimeo.com/album/2419166
2011: WAW conference, ‘Do Women in Wales Matter, Does Government care?’
Former WAW Committee Members
Women's Heritage Walks, Wales
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Archif Menywod Cymru / Women’s Archive Wales has prepared walks for 12 towns/cities in Wales and if you live in Wrexham, Llandudno, Bangor, Aberystwyth, Carmarthen, Narberth, Swansea, Pontypridd, Abergavenny, Cardiff, Barry or Penarth there is a walk for you. Go to the Women's Archive website www.womensarchivewales.org to read more and to download the free booklet to organise your own group to walk the walk https://www.womensarchivewales.org/en/womens-heritage-walks-2021 Historians in these towns have researched and recorded the histories of ten interesting but often forgotten or neglected women or groups of women, whose stories can be followed and interpreted along a specific route. Altogether we have unearthed the stories of circa 120 different women around Wales. These walks usually take about an hour and a half. So don your walking boots and some suitable clothing and learn more about more notable and remarkable women in Welsh history. |
This image shows a female prisoner in Swansea Goal, a munitions worker killed in 1917, Amy Dillwyn business woman and novelist and Kate Bosse Griffiths German Jew who fled to Swansea and established the Egyptian Centre in the city
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April 2018 TAKING THE BATTLE TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN FROM WALES TO THE WORLD. Dr Eleri Evans and Dr Jean Silvan Evans report from the United Nations Commission on the status of women.
July 2018: Women from Wales call for a global UN Treaty to combat violence against women and girls (VAWG) at the UN annual conference of its Commission on the Status of Women, Jean Silvan Evans from Wales Assembly of Women tells us more
https://www.bevanfoundation.org/commentary/women-wales-press-global-un-treaty-vawg/
https://www.bevanfoundation.org/commentary/women-wales-press-global-un-treaty-vawg/