gender equity

Fifth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly

2021 Theme: Strengthening Actions for Nature to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals

The fifth session of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) provides leadership, catalyzes, intergovernmental actions on the environment, and contributes to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and based broad consultations with Member States and Stakeholders, the UNEA Bureau decided on 8 October 2020 that UNEA-5 should take place in a two-step approach. The first session of UNEA-5 will be conducted virtually on 22-23 February 2021 with a revised and streamlined agenda that will focus on urgent and procedural decisions. Substantive matters that require in-depth negotiations will be deferred to a resumed in-person session of UNEA-5 in February 2022 in a format to be defined and agreed on at a later stage.

The theme calls for strengthened action to protect and restore nature and the nature-based solutions to achieve the SDGs in its three complementary dimensions (social, economic and environmental). UNEA-5 provides Member States and stakeholders with a platform for sharing and implementing successful approaches that contribute to the achievement of the environmental dimension of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, including the goals relation to the eradication of poverty and sustainable patterns of consumption and production. UNEA-5 will also provide an opportunity for Member States and Stakeholders to take ambitious steps towards building back better and greener by ensuring that investments in economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic contribute to sustainable development.

The President of the UN Environment Assembly, in close cooperation with UNEA Bureau and the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its Bureau will continue to work in an open and participatory manner to ensure a successful and impactful two-step UNEA-5.

For further information, contact the UNEP Secretariat at unep-sgb@un.org.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee for Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

The International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development 2021: Inclusively Creative, for Global Recovery

Setting the Scene

· The resolution 74/198 on International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development, 2021, was envisioned as a rallying point behind the development of a creative economy as a way to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth, foster innovation and provide opportunities, benefits and empowerment for all and respect for all human rights.

· With the COVID-19 pandemic, there are some boom and bust creative industries. Some industries have shown tremendous growth, such as virtual music and apps development; some industries face tremendous challenges, for instance, industries dependent on the tourism sector, such as performing arts and crafts.

· Most creative industry players are either small-medium enterprises, self-employed people, and freelancers, who have more limited financial capacity to weather the impacts of a prolonged crisis.

· It is important to ensure a meaningful and impactful implementation of the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development toward a sustainable and resilient recovery by among others optimizing opportunism and addressing main challenges in creative economy.

The virtual side event will discuss:

· Outcome of the Friends of Creative Economy (FCE) Meeting 2020 held on 11-12 November 2020.

· Outcome of the Creative Forum held on 30 November 2020.

· Implementation of the resolution, including roadmap for the implementation of the resolution.

· Expectation by countries, possible collaborations, relevant events, with a summary of the discussion.

On Dec. 9, join the Zoom meeting here. 

Agenda

9:00 – 9:10 Opening Remark by H.E. Dian Triansyah Djani, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations in New York

9:10 – 9:50 Panel Discussion
Mr. Candra Negara, Director for Inter-Institutional Relations, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Indonesia

  • Briefing on the outcome of the Friends of Creative Economy (FCE) Meeting 2020

Ms. Petra Kežman – Head of Department for Public Diplomacy and International Cooperation in Culture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

  • Briefing on the International Conference, “Symptoms of Creativity”

Marisa Henderson, PhD – Chief, Creative Economy, Division of International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD

  • Implementation of Resolution 74/198

Mr. Ernesto Ottone – Assistant-Director General for Culture, UNESCO

9:50 – 10:25 Discussion
10:25 – 10:30 Virtual Photo Session & Closing

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

[UN Observance] International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation

Each year on February 6, the United Nations Commemorates the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

Over 200 million girls and women alive today have experienced FGM. In 2019, an estimated 4.1 million girls were at risk of being cut. In 25 countries where FGM is routinely practiced and data are available, an estimated 68 million girls will be cut between 2015 and 2030 unless concerted and accelerated action is taken.

To learn more about UNFPA & UNICEF’s Joint Programme to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, currently in Phase III, click here.

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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.

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women will commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November. The International Day and virtual event will kickstart the global mobilization of the 16 Days of Activism campaign – running from 25 November until 10 December – under the theme: “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”

Even before COVID-19, violence against women was one of the most widespread violations of human rights, with almost 18 percent of women and girls experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner within the last year. During COVID-19, calls to violence against women helplines increased up to five fold in the first few weeks of the pandemic. For every 3 months the lockdown continues, an additional 15 million women are expected to be affected by violence.

Calling for a “cease-fire at home”, the UN Secretary-General urged governments earlier this year to make the prevention and redress of violence against women and girls a key part of national response plans for COVID-19. While UN Member States responded, and 135 countries have adopted measures to prevent or respond to violence against women during this global crisis, only 48 countries – less than a quarter of the 206 analysed in a recent study – treated violence against women and girls-related services as an integral part of their national and local COVID-19 response plans, with very few adequately funding these measures. The culture of impunity still prevails widely, and the pandemic is threatening to undo any progress as women are not being able to access the live-saving care and support they need.

The commemoration will be an opportunity for Member States, civil society, influencers and the UN System to spark a renewed sense of urgency and bolster global action to end violence against women and girls by calling on all to: fund essential services on gender-based violence and women’s organizations who are at the forefront; to respond to the needs of survivors, including during the global pandemic; to prevent gender-based violence from happening in the first place by challenging cultural and social norms, mobilization campaigns and a zero-tolerance policy; and to collect data to improve services, programmes and policies. In the lead up to the commemoration, UN Women has appealed to Member States to make concrete, tangible commitments during the 16 Days of Activism.

Join the kickoff event on Wednesday, 25 November 2020, from 10:00 am – 11:30 am EST

Participants:

Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres
Member States representatives
Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka
Under-Secretary-General and UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem
UN Women Goodwill Ambassadors Nicole Kidman and Cindy Bishop
Co-Hosts Zahra Al Hilaly and Stuart Moir
With the musical performance of Ensemble Corona, Bosnia and Herzegovina

How to watch:

Please note that the event will be held in English with simultaneous interpretation provided in all official UN languages. Participants need to pre-register and attend the event through the Zoom platform to be able to access the language interpretation.

Live Webcast of the event will be available on UN Women’s website and UN Web TV. Follow the online conversation using the hashtags #orangetheworld and #16days and follow @SayNO_UNiTE and @UN_Women on Twitter.

Stories and more: We handed over the mic to survivors and those on the forefront of response efforts. Read and share stories of change, videos, interactives, and social media messages, and check out the 16 Days editorial content at https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/in-focus/end-violence-against-women.

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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.

[deadline to participate] 31st UNGA Special Session

Dear colleagues,

As you are aware, the General Assembly decided to host its 31st Special session in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic on 3 and 4 December 2020. The modalities of participation for the session are established in resolution 75/4.

In order to participate in the Special Session, the following categories of relevant entities not in consultative status with ECOSOC must express their interest and apply for special accreditation.

  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Civil society organizations
  • Academic institutions
  • Private sector organizations

The deadline for the expression of interest to participate in the Special Session is set for 16 November 2020, s. Accreditation is now open at the following link: https://indico.un.org/event/35461/

As per resolution 75/4, stakeholder applications will be reviewed by Member States. Accredited entities will be informed and receive further instruction to finalize their registration, as representatives will need to register individually to secure their participation in the event.

Please feel free to share this information with interested partners and colleagues.

Kind regards,

OHCHR New York Office

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Rare Diseases, please visit ngocommitteerarediseases.org. 

Progress Towards Gender Equality: A Data and Policy Dialogue

As we mark the 25th anniversary of the landmark Beijing Declaration to advance women’s rights, new data from the UN Secretary-General’s report The World’s Women 2020: Trends and Statistics show that hard-earned gains in gender equality are being challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic. UN DESA is holding a global data and policy online dialogue to discuss how much the world has risen to fulfill the strategic objectives of the Beijing Platform for Action and address policy actions needed to build a New Social Contract and improve equality for all.

Register here by Nov. 23: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_66PQaqQpTy-uraC-tJziIw

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CoNGO Notes: 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-New York, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The UN Secretary-General’s UNiTE Campaign to End Violence against Women is pleased to invite you to the United Nations Official Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.

Date: 25 November 2020 | Time: 10:00 – 11:30 AM (EST)

The Official Commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women will be a virtual multi-stakeholder event with the participation of high-level representatives of Member States, United Nations agencies, Goodwill Ambassadors, and civil society organizations. In the current context of COVID-19 and in line with the SG Political Engagement Strategy on Gender-Based Violence, the event will:

  • Highlight achievements and initiate additional commitments by Member States on the issue of ending violence against women;
  • Honour women’s organizations as first responders and acknowledge their leadership in ending violence; and
  • Activate UN-wide mobilization under the umbrella of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign and promote zero tolerance across all spheres of society everywhere.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres will participate live alongside UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka and UNFPA Executive Director Natalia Kanem. Heads of State, UN Women Goodwill Ambassadors Ms. Nicole Kidman and Ms. Cindy Bishop; SDG Advocate, UNODC Goodwill Ambassador and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Ms. Nadia Murad; and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and Rise Founder Ms. Amanda Nguyen will participate via video.The event will be co-hosted by Zahra Al Hilaly and Stuart Moir and feature a performance by Ensemble Corona.

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CoNGO Notes: 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-New York, please visit ngocsw.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit ngocswvienna.org.

NGO CSW-NY Youth Leaders & Young Professionals Launch Event

Come learn how young people can engage in the gender equality discourse during 2021!

NGO CSW/NY has recently revamped our Youth Leaders & Young Professionals (YLYPs) Program. To introduce our new program, we’re hosting a launch event to inform and prepare for youth engagement in the NGO CSW65 Forum and the Generation Equality Forum. Come ready to share your ideas and how NGO CSW can support your work in 2021.

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: 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.

COP26: Ramp Up Ambition!

Faiths Unite: Visions for Transformative Climate Action

A 3-part interactive online series organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC Every Tuesday from October 27th to November 10th

The Interfaith Liaison Committee welcomes friends from around the world to learn, discuss and explore climate action in the run up to what should have been COP26. We welcome members from different religious communities, alongside scientists and policymakers, to meet and share their visions for faith-based climate action in 2020.

Join us for part 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 3 – COP26: Ramp Up Ambition!

4:00-5:30 pm GMT / 5:00-6:30 pm CET / 11:00-12:30 am EST

Register here.

The second event in a 3-part interactive online series organised by the Interfaith Liaison Committee to the UNFCCC. This webinar will discuss what needs to be on the agenda of COP26 and what does it mean for climate action now.

The postponement of COP26 creates a challenge to keeping up the tempo on climate action. States’ Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are not even close to ensuring global temperature rise remains below 2°C, let alone the necessary 1.5°C.

Inaction from governments is no longer an option. 2020 is the year when the GHG emissions curve must begin to fall in order to have a chance of attaining the Paris Agreement goals. Climate actions undertaken by States must contain a mechanism to compensate for loss and damage. Finance, technology transfer and capacity building for adaptation must be made available to least developed and climate vulnerable countries. Covid-19 has shown the world that there is finance available to respond to an emergency. The climate emergency needs to be met with the same determination. There is no real alternative – continuing to stall action will eventually lead to catastrophic loss and damage.

Moderator: Lindsey Fielder Cook, Representative for Climate Change, Quaker United Nations Office (Geneva)

Speakers:

  • Sarmad Iqbal, Islamic Relief Worldwide (Pakistan)
  • Neil Thorns, Chair of the Climate Coalition and Advocacy Director at CAFOD (UK)
  • Prof Joyashree Roy, Bangabandhu Chair Professor, Asian Institute of Technology, IPCC Author (Thailand)
  • Moema de Miranda, Churches and Mining, Franciscans, Brazil
  • Ovais Sarmad, UNFCCC Deputy Executive Secretary (Bonn)

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns, please visit csvgc-ny.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 Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com. 

[Application Deadline] Online Course: The Gender Impact of Technological Upgrading in Agriculture

In an effort to increase awareness on the links between trade, gender and agricultural technology innovation, UNCTAD developed an online course on “The Gender Impact of Technological Upgrading in Agriculture”. The course builds on UNCTAD’s portfolio of online courses on trade and gender and on the framework developed in previous teaching modules. This new course bears on two interrelated topical areas of great significance for women’s economic wellbeing and participation in trade: agriculture and technology.

The online course will be offered from 23 November to 13 December 2020. It is open to all stakeholders from developing countries. A limited number of applications from developed countries’ stakeholders will be considered. The course will be managed and tutored by the Trade, Gender and Development Programme of UNCTAD.

Applications should be submitted by following the instructions at this link: research.net/r/3RKC52R

Applications must include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of nomination from the applicant’s institution indicating its support for the application and explaining how the applicant’s participation in the course will contribute to his or her future work and the work of the institution.

Requests for further information or clarification about this course should be sent to:

Ms. Simonetta Zarrilli Chief, Trade, Gender and Development Programme Division on International Trade and Commodities, UNCTAD, at simonetta.zarrilli@un.org

A selection committee will review each application and select the course participants based on the supporting documents and the relevance of the course to their work. Participants will be advised of their selection by 16 November 2020.

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CoNGO Notes: 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 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. For more information on the NGO Committee on the Status of Women-Vienna, please visit https://ngocswvienna.org/.

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