Commission for the Status of Women (CSW)
Background
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) was established as a functional commission of the Economic
and Social Council by Council resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946 to prepare recommendations and reports to the Council on promoting
women's rights in political, economic, civil, social and educational fields. The Commission also makes recommendations to
the Council on urgent problems requiring immediate attention in the field of women's rights. The object of the Commission
is to promote implementation of the principle that men and women shall have equal rights. The Commission's mandate was expanded
in 1987 by the Council in its resolution 1987/22. Following the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women, the General Assembly mandated the Commission to integrate into its programme a follow-up process to the Conference, regularly
reviewing the critical areas of concern in the Platform for Action and to develop its catalytic role in mainstreaming a gender perspective in United Nations activities.
The Economic and Social Council modified the Commission's terms of reference in 1996,
in its resolution 1996/6. In 2000, a comprehensive review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of the Platform
for Action was undertaken by the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (Beijing +5) entitled "Women2000: gender
equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century". The Assembly adopted a Political Declaration and Further Actions and Initiatives to Implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (the Outcome Document). The Commission's current and future work, as determined by its multi-year programme of work 2002-2006 is closely related to both, the Platform for Action and the Outcome Document so as to ensure their effective implementation.
FORTY-NINTH SESSION
OF THE COMMISSION ON
THE STATUS OF WOMEN
28 February to 11 March 2005
The review and appraisal will take place in the context of the 49th session of
the Commission on the Status of Women in New York from 28 February - 11 March 2005. The Commission will be focusing on two
thematic issues as outlined in its multi-year programme of work:
- Review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of
the special session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first
century"; and
- Current challenges and forward looking strategies for the advancement and empowerment of women
and girls
The Platforms Delegation consisted of Kate McCullough, Ann Marie Gray, Libby
Keys and Anne Hope.
Week 1
- The text that has been developed by the CSW Bureau was up for discussion by the governments.
- The NGOs from around the world had an opportunity in the first week to work together on the
text and to strengthen the text.
- Over the two weeks there was discussions, debates, presentations and events taking place every
day – this ranged from NGOs, governments and UN officials.
- Every evening there was an opportunity meet with UK government officials at the UK Mission to
discuss what amendments to the text that groups are pushing for and to lobby for inclusion in the outcome documents.
- The European Union Presidency held a number of meetings with European NGOs (this is usually
co-ordinated by the European Women’s Lobby of which NIWEP is the Northern Ireland member). The European women held a number of discussions and debates.
Week 2
- The Platform has organised a side event "Regionalisation not Marginalisation"
The Platform initiated the discussion using its experience of working
for women in a region of the United Kingdom which has experienced direct rule and devolved government. The discussion will touch on the effect of conflict and the work of women involved in peace building.
Outcomes
1. Governments
pledge to accelerate efforts to achieve equality for women and fulfill Beijing commitments www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/Review/documents/press-releases/Beijing%20closing%20Eng-FINAL
2. Commission on Status of Women adopts 10 wide ranging Resolutions, but fails to conclude
current session. www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2005/wom1504
Photographs
1. Annette, Cecile and Juliette from the European Women's Lobby
2. Ann Marie and Ann at International Women's Day
3. Opening Session of the 49th Session
4. NIWEP's side event - "Regionalisation not Marginalisation"
5. Libby and Kate at International Women's Day
6. Ann Marie and Ann discuss issues with the Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith MP,
Deputy Minister for Women and Equality
7. European Women's Lobby meeting with NGOs
8. UK Working Group on 1325 and the International Working Group meeting
9. Kate during a training session on 1325
