gender equality

51st regular session of the Human Rights Council

Dear civil society,

The Human Rights Council will hold its fifty-first regular session from 12 September to 7 October at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, currently serving as acting High Commissioner, will present the High Commissioner’s oral update at 9 a.m. on Monday, 12 September in room XX.

Event info for in-person and/or virtual participation by NGOs:
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/regular-sessions/session51/regular-session
https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/accreditation
Panel discussions to include:
  • Biennial panel discussion on the right to development
    Theme: 35 years on: policy pathways to operationalizing the right to development
  • Annual discussion on the integration of a gender perspective throughout the work of the Human Rights Council and that of its mechanisms
    Theme: Overcoming gender-based barriers to freedom of opinion and expression
  • Panel discussion on the future of the right to work in connection with climate change actions, responses and impacts in the context of sustainable and inclusive economies
  • Annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples
    Theme: Impact of social and economic recovery plans in the COVID-19 context on indigenous peoples, with a special focus on food security
  • Panel discussion on the negative impact of the legacies of colonialism on the enjoyment of human right

The Human Rights Council:

The composition of the Human Rights Council at its fifty-first session is as follows: Argentina (2024); Armenia (2022); Benin (2024); Bolivia (Plurinational State of) (2023); Brazil (2022); Cameroon (2024); China (2023); Côte d’Ivoire (2023); Cuba (2023); Czechia (2023); Eritrea (2024); Finland (2024); France (2023); Gabon (2023); Gambia (2024); Germany (2022); Honduras (2024); India (2024); Indonesia (2022); Japan (2022); Kazakhstan (2024); Libya (2022); Lithuania (2024); Luxembourg (2024); Malawi (2023); Malaysia (2024); Marshall Islands (2022); Mauritania (2022); Mexico (2023); Montenegro (2024); Namibia (2022); Nepal (2023); Netherlands (2022); Pakistan (2023); Paraguay (2024); Poland (2022); Qatar (2024); Republic of Korea (2022); Senegal (2023); Somalia (2024); Sudan (2022); Ukraine (2023); United Arab Emirates (2024); United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (2023); United States of America (2024); Uzbekistan (2023); and Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) (2022).

The President of the Council is Federico Villegas (Argentina).  The Vice-Presidents are Andranik Hovhannisyan (Armenia); Muhammadou M.O. Kah (Gambia); Katharina Stasch (Germany); and Vice-President and Rapporteur Ulugbek Lapasov (Uzbekistan).

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@yahoo.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, please visit facebook.com/NGOCoRIP. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights/NY, please visit childrightsny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/NY, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women/Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

GF22 Global Futures Conference

Setting critical actions for global transformational change

What are the ‘must-have’ outcomes and ‘must-do’ actions that can accelerate the necessary transformations to a safe, just and habitable planet for all? This vital question is the focus of the GF22 Global Futures Conference.

Co-convened by the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory™ at Arizona State University and the Earth League, GF22 will bring together members of the public and private sectors, scientists, youth and activists from around the globe to formulate a bold and actionable agenda to push the boundaries of discourse on what can and must be done now. This will not be a passive forum. It is an opportunity to shape the agenda for governments, corporations and multilateral institutions. Conference leaders will publish and promote a roadmap that outlines the far-reaching, crucial solutions developed at this conference–solutions that are simultaneously ambitious and achievable.

We need your voice. Join us at the Javits Center in New York City to outline the levers of transformation across systems to enable all to flourish.

Registration is complimentary, but by invitation: Reserve your place today

Liberato Bautista, CoNGO President is a speaker. See speakers list here.

Full program available here: globalfuturesconference.org/program

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit csr-sustainability.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org.

WMG’s 2022 HLPF Colour Campaign

As is the feminist tradition of the Women’s Major Group, we’re calling on feminists and allies to wear and bring attention to certain colors on each day of HLPF because #FeministsWantSystemChange! Each of these colors represent feminist demands regarding systemic change in order to really achieve the SDGs! Join us in making feminist analyses heard!

How do I participate on social media / virtually?

  • Snap a selfie or take pictures with your organization or feminist friends wearing the color of the day or holding up a sign with the demand/color of the day, post the picture on Twitter, Instagram & Facebook!
  • Download & post the daily color campaign graphics on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook with the key messages shared for the day. Encourage others to join too!
  • Use the Zoom backgrounds in your virtual meetings and when speaking in a related virtual event!
  • Check out the WMG HLPF 2022 Comms Kit!

How do I participate in person?

  • Wear some clothes or accessories in these colors on each corresponding day while you’re at HLPF!
  • Wear one our color scarves, which will be distributed daily in our WMG morning caucuses

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@yahoo.com.

27th Session of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities

The twenty-seventh session of the Committee will be held at the United Nations Office at Geneva, in Room XVII at the Palais des Nations, from 15 August to 9 September 2022. The 1st meeting of the session will be convened on Monday, 15 August, at 10 am. A representative of the Secretary-General will open the session. The Committee will consider matters concerning the organization of the twenty-seventh session, in particular the adoption of its programme of work.

Registration available here: https://indico.un.org/event/1001249/

At its twenty-seventh session, the Committee will:

  • Consider the initial reports of Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and Singapore and the combined second and third reports of China, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea. In pursuance of established practice and in conformity with rule 41 of the rules of procedure, the Secretary-General has informed the parties concerned of the tentative dates on which their reports have been scheduled for consideration by the Committee. A schedule for the consideration of the reports will be set forth in the tentative programme of work, which will be made available on the web page of the Committee.
  • Discuss how to strengthen cooperation with United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations, including organizations of persons with disabilities, and other competent bodies in order to enhance the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, including the empowerment and promotion of the rights of women and girls with disabilities. Representatives of such organizations and bodies may seek to address the Committee.
  • Continue its work on drafting a general comment on article 27 of the Convention, on the right of persons with disabilities to work and employment. The Committee will review the progress made by the working group established to draft guidelines on the deinstitutionalization of persons with disabilities, including in emergency situations, to supplement the Committee’s general comment No. 5 (2017) on living independently and being included in the community.

Provisional agenda

  1. Adoption of the agenda
  2. Organizational matters
  3. Report of the Chair on activities undertaken between the twenty-sixth and twenty- seventh sessions of the Committee
    Submission of reports by parties to the Convention under article 35
  4. Consideration of reports submitted by parties to the Convention under article 35
  5. Cooperation with other United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, organizations of persons with disabilities and other competent bodies
  6. General comments
  7. Methods of work of the Committee
  8. Activities under the Optional Protocol to the Convention
  9. Future meetings
  10. Other matters
  11. Adoption of the report on the twenty-seventh session

*Remote participation in private briefings may be granted only on an exceptional basis and under compelling reasons. Please contact Jorge.araya@un. org no later than 15 July, 2022.

However, civil society, including organizations of persons with disabilities and other civil society organizations may observe the dialogue in-person at in Room XXIII Palais des Nations. They can also follow all constructive dialogues on the UN Web TV webpage.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bobbinassar@yahoo.com or bknotts@uua.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Mental Health, please visit ngomentalhealth.org. For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, please visit ngocsw.org.

Nelson Mandela International Day

What is Mandela Day?

On 18 July every year, we invite you to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in your communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better! Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change.

Since November 2009, in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom, the UN General Assembly has declared 18 July “Nelson Mandela International Day.” Resolution A/RES/64/13 recognizes Mandela’s values and his dedication to the service of humanity in: conflict resolution; race relations; promotion and protection of human rights; reconciliation; gender equality and the rights of children and other vulnerable groups; the fight against poverty; the promotion of social justice. The resolution acknowledges his contribution to the struggle for democracy internationally and the promotion of a culture of peace throughout the world.

To learn more about how and why the UN commemorates Nelson Mandela International Day, please visit un.org/en/events/mandeladay.

The Mandela Rules

In December 2015, the General Assembly decided to extend the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day to also be utilized in order to promote humane conditions of imprisonment, raise awareness about prisoners being a continuous part of society, and to value the work of prison staff as a social service of particular importance.

General Assembly resolution A/RES/70/175 not only adopted the revised United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, but also approved that they should be known as the “Nelson Mandela Rules” in order to honour the legacy of the late President of South Africa, who spent 27 years in prison in the course of his struggle.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@yahoo.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com.

Accelerating the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Implementation: Addressing Systemic Barriers, Recovery Gaps and Strengthening Peoples’ Participation

This year, the HLPF focuses on SDGs 4, 5, 14, 15 and 17, in addition to the focus on the theme of impact of COVID-19 pandemic and building back better. It is also understood that the high-level segment of ECOSOC will also discuss multilateralism and international cooperation in relation to sustainable recovery from COVID-19 and achieving the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development aspirational goals. Keeping the above context in perspective, and also building on the aspirations of the civil society community engaging in the process, this side event aims to provide a platform, perspective and dialogue space among MGoS representatives and other stakeholders from across the world, to further discuss the accelerated implementation of SDGs grounded with focus on systemic reforms such as recovery gaps and strengthening of peoples’ participation.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0pceGqrjgjHdKMkt0_4Emvo0SHg9Uv5B6p

The following questions will be interrogated through multi-stakeholder dialogue:

What are the civil society proposals on post COVID-19 recovery approaches needed to accelerate the implementation of SDGs across social, economic and environmental dimensions, leaving no one behind with human rights and gender equality in the centre of recovery approaches?

What are the civil society proposals to address structural barriers, inequalities and inequities and systemic reforms required including climate and financial injustice and ensuring inclusive public services – health, including equal access to COVID-19 prevention, diagnostic and therapeutics, education and social protection?

What are the civil society proposals towards strengthening multilateralism and expanding civic space to build back better from COVID-19 with focus on partnerships with the people, and means of implementation?

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-NY, please visit ngocoa-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Geneva, please visit ageingcommitteegeneva.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Ageing-Vienna, please visit ngoageingvie.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email its co-chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. 

Economic Empowerment of Women in Rural India

Join us for this HLPF side event featuring a lively panel discussion followed by an entrepreneurial showcase.

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApcu2tpjoiGdMZpmkCuFutzIkkr9mdBP3N?mc_cid=13e5b4d572&mc_eid=e1bba69d46

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship at the United Nations, please visit  ngocsw.org. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Migration, please visit ngo-migration.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons, please visit ngocstip.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit  ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. 

WMG’s Side Event: The Centrality of Human Rights to SDG 5 & Agenda 2030

This HLPF 2022 side event, organized by the Women’s Major Group, UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women and Girls, and the LGBTI Stakeholder Group, will look into the importance of centrality of human rights to the implementation and achievement of SDG 5 & Agenda 2030.

There are many topics that could be examined under the human rights & gender equality intersections, however, we would like to focus on four specific and pertinent dimensions, that are relevant for our current contexts throughout the world:

Policy coherence across UN spaces & beyond
Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), with specific focus on abortion
Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD)
Anti-gender & anti-rights threats

WMG has been working on emphasizing the vitality of a holistic approach to SDGs that is centered in human rights, and takes on a systemic perspective to analyzing and offering solutions for the structural obstacles and systemic challenges in front of sustainable development.

Speakers:

  • Melissa Upreti – Chair of UN Working Group on Discrimination against Women and Girls
  • Victor Madrigal – Borloz, UN Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
  • Sivananthi Thanenthiran, the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women
  • Felicite Djoukouo, Association des Acteurs de Développement (ADEV)

Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdl0S6SI4rtbi5HBua4b1E8afz-a8Qyrf9mhdSnmC_9K3sgog/viewform?mc_cid=13e5b4d572&mc_eid=e1bba69d46

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship at the United Nations, please visit  ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit  ngocsw-geneva.ch.

Creating an Enabling, Gender-Responsive Work Environment for the Future: The Role of ILO Convention 190 in Addressing Violence and Harassment in the World of Work

About: To achieve a job-rich recovery and just transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy, the UN Secretary-General is calling for a Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection that would create at least 400 million jobs and extend social protection to 4 billion women, men, and children currently without coverage. (Link to the Global Accelerator web page). A robust recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic requires an emphasis on climate-friendly, technology-focused green jobs (SDGs 9, 14.15), including in the informal sector and migrant communities.

A green, inclusive, and gender-equitable work environment that is decent, safe, and free from violence and harassment (v&h) will enhance the resilience of communities, in the face of economic and environmental challenges. ILO C-190 commits governments and employers to implement measures to protect all workers from v&h. Therefore, legislative and policy frameworks that incorporate ILO C 190, as well as strategies to promote lifelong learning opportunities (SDG 4), including awareness-raising on the prevalence of v&h in the world of work and measures to combat it, must be integral to this process. Hence the vital need for multi-stakeholder dialogue on this important dimension of “building back better” after the Covid-19 pandemic and advancing implementation of the SDGs.

Register here!

Objectives: This side event will focus on ways to create an enabling, gender-responsive, safe work environment for the future, by incorporating into its framework the International Labour Organisation Convention 190 (ILO C 190, 2019) addressing violence and harassment (v&h), in the world of work (Link: Status of Ratification).

In the spirit of SDG 17, it will bring together multi-stakeholder partners: governments, the private sector, trade unions, and NGOs with the aim of exploring strategies to promote universal ratification and effective implementation of ILO C 190, as part of a broader push that goes beyond job creation to the provision of safe, violence-free environments with decent jobs for all (SDG 5, SDG 8). This side event aims to build on the conclusions of the Multi-stakeholder Interactive Dialogue and strategy session of 8 September 2021 on promoting ILO C 190, organized by The NGO Coalition to End Violence and Harassment in the World of Work.

Speakers:

  • H.E. Ms. Mathu Joyini, Ambassador Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations
  • H.E. Mr. Carlos Amorín, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Uruguay to the United Nations (TBC)
  • Ms. Chidi King, Chief, Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Branch (GEDI), ILO
  • Ms. Maria Paz Anzorreguy, Director for ILO Coordination, International Organization of Employers
  • Ms. Rukmini V P, President, Garment Labour Union, Bengaluru, India
  • A representative from the trade union sector speaking about their efforts to support countries with the ratification process and recommendations for areas and regions where collective advocacy efforts are needed (TBC)
  • A representative from the private sector speaking about the policy measures they have taken to ensure a work environment free of violence and harassment and the importance of ratification of ILO C-190 to ensure such an environment.
  • Youth voice (TBC)

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, a Substantive Committee of the Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship at the United Nations, please visit  ngocsw.org. Likewise, for more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Migration, please visit ngo-migration.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons, please visit ngocstip.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit  ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. 

Dispelling Misconceptions & Myths: Faith Actors Advancing Gender Equality & the Empowerment of Women and Girls

Dear friends,

You are warmly invited to an HLPF side event organized by the UN Multi Faith Advisory Council, Dispelling Misconceptions & Myths: Faith Actors Advancing Gender Equality & the Empowerment of Women and Girls.

The event will be held virtually, Thursday 7th July 7:30 – 9:00 EDT.

Please register here!  We hope you will be able to join us.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-NY, please visit  ngocsw.org. For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Geneva, please visit ngocsw-geneva.ch. For more information on the NGO Committee on Social Development, please visit ngosocdev.org. 

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