Report from the last session on the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) as it transitions to the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) including reflections on opportunities and challenges for women looking at a future development agenda post-2015.

Report by Alejandra Scampini, AWID20 September 2013, UN Headquarters

“Mission delivered. Next chapter open!” Said Achim Steiner, Under Secretary General and Executive Director of UNEP.

New York, NY, September 18, 2013—At the moment when world leaders gather in New York to review development agendas and plan for the coming decades, a group of grassroots and feminist organizations, networks and social movements from different backgrounds and contexts will share their visions and proposals for a just world, where all are able to live with freedom from fear and want.

FRIDAY FILE – As the 2015 deadline for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) approaches, the United Nations, Member States and civil society have started consultations on a new development framework that will succeed the MDGs. AWID spoke to UN Women’s Laura Turquet to help us better understand the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda and related processes.

By Susan Tolmay

What impact is the rise of religious fundamentalisms having on women’s rights and freedoms? How are activists fighting back?

What complications has the use of religion presented to the normative system of human rights? How can we better ensure that the system and language of human rights is not appropriated and misused? What are some innovative measures that can be used to bring accountability to challenge and expose fundamentalisms?

20 Apr. 2012, Istanbul, Turkey

Speakers:

Shareen Gokal

Pam Spees

Dawn Cavanagh

Zainah Anwar

Maria José Rosado Nunes

Sunila Abeysekera (moderator)

This session sought to further a collaborative dialogue between development and women’s rights organizations in the area of religion, rights and development. What is the impact of religion and on rights-based development work and what has been the response? What are some challenges and possible ways forward?

21 Apr. 2012, Istanbul, Turkey

Speakers:

Shareen Gokal

Everjoice Win

Shaista Gohir

Jessica Horn

The WHRD International Coalition was represented on the panel by Sunila Abeysekera and the Meso-American Initiative of WHRDs was represented through a video statement by Marusia López Cruz. AWID is proud to be a member of both collaboratives and congratulates the speakers on relaying the experiences and concerns of WHRDs from around the world.

HRC Resolution 16/3, “Promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms through a better understanding of traditional values of humankind” stresses that “traditions shall not be invoked to justify harmful practices violating universal human rights norms and standards”, thereby acknowledging that traditions are sometimes invoked to justify human rights violations.

Concerns with a traditional values approach to human rights

Hundreds of sessions will be taking place throughout the Forum, each one of them exploring key questions in relation to movement building in a way that enables both critical reflection and creative learning.

9 February 2011, World Social Forum, Dakar, Senegal: In this year, 2011, the World Social Forum joins with the peoples of Africa for the third time, following Mali in 2006 and Kenya in 2007. We, women from different parts of the world who have gathered in Dakar, recognizing that uniting our strengths will eventually bring change, confirm our solidarity and our admiration for the struggles of Senegalese women, African women, and women of the world.