Kafui Kuwonu on behalf of the Women’s Major Group
Comments of the Women’s Major Group
July 27, 2015
Overarching comments:
The Women’s Major Group believes that this draft represents a substantial improvement over previous versions. In particular, we appreciate the recognition that gender equality is a cross-cutting issue and the reference to achieving gender equality in the opening paragraphs of the preamble, as well as the inclusion of the references to ICPD and Beijing in paragraph 12. Below we stress some of the key priorities that are needed in order to fulfil this Agenda, with references to specific paragraphs.
Key priorities:
Preamble: The preamble and the declaration should be viewed as a political document and not as a communication piece. We recommend a strong declaration with a strong focus on gender and human rights as cross-cutting issues in all areas.
Gender Equality: The lack of progress on the gender equality MDG should be recognized in paragraph 17. Paragraph 21 requires strengthening to address the need to reduce and redistribute unpaid care work and realize sexual and reproductive rights, both of which are fundamental to achieving gender equality; the focus of this paragraph should be on eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls, not children generally, given that girls face specific forms of discrimination and violence based on their gender that must be recognized and addressed. Retain the language on investments in gender equality in 21. The role of feminist and women’s organizations in implementation and follow up and review should be recognized in paragraphs 48, 50, 70d, and 75.
Human Rights: It is central that the document specifically list key human rights treaties in paragraph 11. Human rights commitments must form the basis of this agreement. In addition, references to human rights should be strengthened in the preamble as well as paragraphs 8, 36, 38, 43, 63 and 70b. It is important to ensure human rights are protected without any form of discrimination or distinction of any kind; specific references to non-discrimination should be included in the preamble and paragraphs 8 and 20.
Families: Language on families in paragraph 44 should recognize their diversity and the rights of individuals within them.
Climate Change: The Agenda must include a focus on climate change to address the urgency needed as well as match the ambition to address climate change, calling for holding the increase in global average temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by accelerating the phase out of global greenhouse gas emissions in paragraph 31. It should also recognize restoration and protection of our ecosystems in paragraph 10.
Common but differentiated responsibilities and the right to development: CBDR and the right to development are key principles that underpin this agenda and references to them should be retained as in paragraphs 11, 13 and 34.
Means of Implementation: Recognise that the revitalised Global Partnership is first and foremost a partnership between countries, rather than a partnership between multiple stakeholders, including non-state actors, as in the first paragraph on Partnership in the Preamble, and in paragraph 39. It is central to recognise that the primary responsibility of countries for their national development is tempered by a globalised economic system which requires a commitment to coherence between international trade, finance and monetary arrangements, global economic governance, and the obligations of governments to pursue sustainable development and the realisation of human rights, as in paragraph 38, 43, 63. A fundamental element to highlight in paragraphs 40 and 61 is that the Addis Ababa Action Agenda plays a complementary role to Goal 17 and the MoI targets in the means of implementation of the SDGs. The role of the private sector in the implementation of this agenda must be conditioned on strong regulatory and accountability frameworks to ensure the alignment of the private sector with sustainable development and human rights, such as in paragraph 38 and 65.
Follow up and review: The HLPF is indeed the follow up and review mechanism for this Agenda; however, that should not undermine the integrity of all relevant UN Conferences and processes, in paragraphs 56 and 58. In paragraph 57, The Addis Addis Ababa Action Agenda must be acknowledged in its complementary role, and therefore its follow up and review mechanism agreed conclusions and recommendations related to this Agenda shall feed the HLPF, while at the same time maintaining its own autonomous process. Participatory robust global, regional, national and local processes are fundamental to achieve the ambition in paragraphs 47, 49, 70 d., 71, and 75, including women’s and feminist organizations and major groups and civil society. The process will also be based on principles of respect for and protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, as in paragraph 49, 70 b., including accountability mechanisms for several actors in that regard, as in paragraphs 69 and 79, with the use of quantitative and qualitative data, as in paragraph 70 g.
SDG Target Revisions: The Women’s Major Group supports revisions only to those targets with missing numerical benchmarks in the document to ensure a universal benchmark for monitoring and review purposes. However, the Women’s Major Group does not support any additional revisions, particularly those that would substantially lower ambition.
Suggest additions are bolded and underlined.
Suggested deletions are struck through.
July 27, 2015
Overarching comments:
The Women’s Major Group believes that this draft represents a substantial improvement over previous versions. In particular, we appreciate the recognition that gender equality is a cross-cutting issue and the reference to achieving gender equality in the opening paragraphs of the preamble, as well as the inclusion of the references to ICPD and Beijing in paragraph 12. Below we stress some of the key priorities that are needed in order to fulfil this Agenda, with references to specific paragraphs.
Key priorities:
Preamble: The preamble and the declaration should be viewed as a political document and not as a communication piece. We recommend a strong declaration with a strong focus on gender and human rights as cross-cutting issues in all areas.
Gender Equality: The lack of progress on the gender equality MDG should be recognized in paragraph 17. Paragraph 21 requires strengthening to address the need to reduce and redistribute unpaid care work and realize sexual and reproductive rights, both of which are fundamental to achieving gender equality; the focus of this paragraph should be on eliminating discrimination and violence against women and girls, not children generally, given that girls face specific forms of discrimination and violence based on their gender that must be recognized and addressed. Retain the language on investments in gender equality in 21. The role of feminist and women’s organizations in implementation and follow up and review should be recognized in paragraphs 48, 50, 70d, and 75.
Human Rights: It is central that the document specifically list key human rights treaties in paragraph 11. Human rights commitments must form the basis of this agreement. In addition, references to human rights should be strengthened in the preamble as well as paragraphs 8, 36, 38, 43, 63 and 70b. It is important to ensure human rights are protected without any form of discrimination or distinction of any kind; specific references to non-discrimination should be included in the preamble and paragraphs 8 and 20.
Families: Language on families in paragraph 44 should recognize their diversity and the rights of individuals within them.
Climate Change: The Agenda must include a focus on climate change to address the urgency needed as well as match the ambition to address climate change, calling for holding the increase in global average temperature below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by accelerating the phase out of global greenhouse gas emissions in paragraph 31. It should also recognize restoration and protection of our ecosystems in paragraph 10.
Common but differentiated responsibilities and the right to development: CBDR and the right to development are key principles that underpin this agenda and references to them should be retained as in paragraphs 11, 13 and 34.
Means of Implementation: Recognise that the revitalised Global Partnership is first and foremost a partnership between countries, rather than a partnership between multiple stakeholders, including non-state actors, as in the first paragraph on Partnership in the Preamble, and in paragraph 39. It is central to recognise that the primary responsibility of countries for their national development is tempered by a globalised economic system which requires a commitment to coherence between international trade, finance and monetary arrangements, global economic governance, and the obligations of governments to pursue sustainable development and the realisation of human rights, as in paragraph 38, 43, 63. A fundamental element to highlight in paragraphs 40 and 61 is that the Addis Ababa Action Agenda plays a complementary role to Goal 17 and the MoI targets in the means of implementation of the SDGs. The role of the private sector in the implementation of this agenda must be conditioned on strong regulatory and accountability frameworks to ensure the alignment of the private sector with sustainable development and human rights, such as in paragraph 38 and 65.
Follow up and review: The HLPF is indeed the follow up and review mechanism for this Agenda; however, that should not undermine the integrity of all relevant UN Conferences and processes, in paragraphs 56 and 58. In paragraph 57, The Addis Addis Ababa Action Agenda must be acknowledged in its complementary role, and therefore its follow up and review mechanism agreed conclusions and recommendations related to this Agenda shall feed the HLPF, while at the same time maintaining its own autonomous process. Participatory robust global, regional, national and local processes are fundamental to achieve the ambition in paragraphs 47, 49, 70 d., 71, and 75, including women’s and feminist organizations and major groups and civil society. The process will also be based on principles of respect for and protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, gender equality, and environmental sustainability, as in paragraph 49, 70 b., including accountability mechanisms for several actors in that regard, as in paragraphs 69 and 79, with the use of quantitative and qualitative data, as in paragraph 70 g.
SDG Target Revisions: The Women’s Major Group supports revisions only to those targets with missing numerical benchmarks in the document to ensure a universal benchmark for monitoring and review purposes. However, the Women’s Major Group does not support any additional revisions, particularly those that would substantially lower ambition.
Suggest additions are bolded and underlined.
Suggested deletions are struck through.