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Programs and Events

“Without the relevant information, training and resources, our women in their local communities will not be able to rise to the challenge. We need to instill in them a belief in themselves and the belief that their knowledge and their strategies are just as important as someone who wears a tailored suit and speaks the language of policy makers.”


—Sharon Bhagwan Rolls, Coordinator femLINKpacific

 

NGO Consulation on Women, Peace and Security Indicator Development

March 12 2010

In recognition of the key role that civil society actors around the world play in the implementation and monitoring of women, peace and security measures, the NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security was invited by UNIFEM and OSAGI to convene a civil society consultation on the indicator report on SCR 1325, as requested in SCR 1889, OP 17:

“…a set of indicators for use at the global level to track implementation of its resolution 1325 (2000), which could serve as a common basis for reporting by relevant United Nations entities, other international and regional organizations, and Member States, on the implementation of resolution 1325 (2000) in 2010 and beyond”

As a result of this consultation, and despite the tight timeline, more than 150 suggestions to improve the indicators were provided by NGO colleagues from around the world. While incomplete as a consultation of all those civil society actors who have valid and useful input to give in this process, the degree of expertise reflected in this consultation demonstrates the importance of continuing to substantively engage with NGOs as the indicators continue to be honed and improved.

Because of the short time-period, and because many key civil society representatives were not able to be present in New York on this date, we sought to ensure that our consultation system allowed as many voices to be heard as possible. Our goal was to have clear, concerted, and constructive messages – from those who can attend and those who cannot – to bring the consultation on the 12th March.
In preparation for this meeting, on 3rd March 2010 the NGOWG sent NGO colleagues the TWGGI‟s background report for the selection of indicators. On 9th March 2010, the TWGGI made available the current “shortlist” of draft indicators to the participants in the consultation.

Background Information [Link]
Download Outcome Document [PDF]

Making Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) a Reality

March 11 2010

NGOWG member Women's International League for Peace Freedom (WILPF) hosted this event during the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

In Harm’s Way: Girls in Settings of Endemic Armed Violence

March 9 2010

NGOWG member International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), in conjunction with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, hosted this panel to discuss the impact of armed violence on women and girls, which is particularly brutal in many conflict zones, as well as countries where it has reached a chronic level.

Speakers:

    Rebecca Gerome, The Advocacy Project, Colombia/France
    Glynis Alonzo-Beaton, YWCA, Guyana
    Daniel Prins, UN Office for Disarmament Affairs
    Florella Hazely, Sierra Leone Action Network on Small Arms
    Bibiane Aningina Tshefu    , Women as Partners for Peace in Africa, DRC


CSW 54th: Women at the Flash Point-2: Security and Governance Concerns

March 8 2010

NGOWG Executive Coordinator Sarah Taylor was a featured speaker at this event, hosted by Gender Concerns International, which focused on UNSCR 1325 and good practices from Afghanistan and neighboring countries. A follow-up to the conferences held in The Hague on 14 January 2010 and in Kabul on 7 July 2009, the event highlighted the impact of recent international security and governance strategies and the challenges posed to Afghan, the regional and the international women’s organizations.

Speakers:

    Sarah Taylor, Executive Coordinator, NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security
    Robert Dijksterhuis, Head of Gender Division, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Head of Dutch Delegation to CSW


Making Accountability Mechanisms Work for Women

March 8 2010

Human Rights Watch hosted this panel discussion as part of the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The panel discussion and ensuing Q&A focused on the challenges to ensuring accountability for violations of women’s rights and examined the strategies for overcoming these obstacles across a variety of geographic and thematic areas.

Panelists:

    Priyanka Motaparthy, Sandler Fellow for the Women’s Rights Division and the Middle East and North Africa Division of HRW
    Sarah Tofte, Researcher in the US Division of HRW
    Sarah Taylor, Executive Coordinator, NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security
    Daniela Ramirez, Associate in the Women’s Rights Division of HRW