BRIEFING NOTE FOR 9 MAY 2000

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ACTING AS THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE FOR BEIJING +5

SUMMARY

On Tuesday, 9 May, Working Group II met from 3pm to 6pm to consider Section IV of the outcomes document, on further actions and initiatives. Chair Bhattacharjee noted that paragraphs on health, including 107 (a) – (k), would be discussed in a small working group at the next session, at 3pm on Thursday, 11 May.  Following a G-77/China consultation, Working Group I met from 8:30pm to 10pm to negotiate Section III, on current challenges affecting the full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and POA.

The following covers only text negotiated in the current sessions.

WORKING GROUP II: SECTION IV: FURTHER ACTIONS AND INITIATIVES

In paragraph 100 (a), on achieving gender balance, JUSCANZ accepted a reference to time-bound targets, and the paragraph was agreed. Delegates considered paragraphs 102 (d), (e), and (f), on CEDAW, together. The G-77/CHINA introduced new language for 102 (d), calling for governments to consider ratifying CEDAW, limit reservations, and withdraw those contrary to the convention or otherwise incompatible with international treaty law. JUSCANZ noted that original language called for governments to ratify rather than consider ratifying CEDAW. The G-77/CHINA agreed to accept the original formulation if the chapeau of Section IV could be changed to encourage rather than require governments to act. JUSCANZ and the EU accepted, and the paragraph was agreed.

The G-77/CHINA proposed deleting 102 (e) and (f). The EU, with JUSCANZ, opposed deleting 102 (e), on CEDAW compatibility. The HOLY SEE suggested incorporating a 102 (f) reference to states' parties, where appropriate, into 102 (e), and adding a reference to all other international human rights instruments and norms. The EU added a reference to policy. The paragraphs remain bracketed. In 102 (l), JUSCANZ accepted G-77/China text on protection for gender-related persecution, after adding a reference to assessing grounds for granting asylum under the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

In 103 (e), on violence against women, JUSCANZ, with the EU, agreed to a G-77/China proposal to refer to undertaking rather than continuing research. In 103 (f), on racially motivated violence, delegates agreed to text on racism and racially motivated violence against women and girls. Delegates agreed to consider 103 (g) with other relevant paragraphs on indigenous people. In 103 (h), on gender-based violence, the EU proposed, and JUSCANZ supported, adding a reference to developing gender-sensitive support programmes. The G-77/CHINA opposed the reference to gender-sensitive, and the text remains bracketed.

The G-77/CHINA indicated that they would propose reformulated language on trafficking for paragraphs 104 (a), (b), (c), and (d). Delegates agreed to consider paragraph 105 (a), on policies to address family disintegration and insecurity, with other paragraphs on family. In 106 (a), on the Convention on Biological Diversity, the EU, supported by the HOLY SEE, specified where appropriate. The G-77/CHINA opposed, and the reference remains bracketed.

In a new paragraph merging 109 (a), (b), (c), and (d), on budgetary processes, the EU proposed deleting reference to establishing specific allocations and ensuring adequate budgets. Delegates agreed to references on: design, development, adoption and execution; adequate budgetary allocations; and programmes that enhance women's empowerment. Proposals still in brackets include a JUSCANZ reference to developing tools and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, and a G-77/CHINA reference to these processes as appropriate.

WORKING GROUP I: SECTION III: CURRENT CHALLENGES

In paragraph 28, on the context of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and POA, JUSCANZ supported a reference to insufficient political commitment to gender equality; it remains bracketed. In paragraph 29, on the globalization process, delegates agreed to a G-77/China proposal that the process has resulted in, rather than caused, inter alia, policy shifts. They also agreed to a G-77/China specification of in some countries. Delegates then met in negotiating groups to discuss the balance of a number of elements in the paragraph, but came to no conclusions before the session ended. The elements included references to, inter alia: the changing roles of the private sector; the gender impact of changes aiming at a better balance between economic, employment and social policies and sustainable development; globalization and cultural values; political changes, including new forms of governance and the growth of international civil society; marginalization; and employment trends and working conditions.

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