The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005 – 2015 the COMMONWEALTH PLAN of ACTION for GENDER EQUALITY 2005-2015
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The Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005 – 2015 THE COMMONWEALTH PLAN OF ACTION FOR GENDER EQUALITY 2005-2015 Commonwealth Secretariat Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Commonwealth Plan of Action for instrumental in co-ordinating civil society Gender Equality 2005–2015 would not have participation in the process of developing been possible without the invaluable the PoA. They convened the Partners’ contribution of member governments as Forum at 7WAMM which included civil well as numerous partner organisations society organisations (CSOs); and individuals: parliamentarians; magistrates, judges and lawyers; women entrepreneurs; and donor Commonwealth Governments agencies. They also facilitated CSO contributions to the brainstorming and Commonwealth Ministers Responsible for discussion of the first draft of the PoA in Women’s/Gender Affairs took the lead in New York, and the final negotiations at developing the Plan of Action, negotiated 7WAMM. Particular thanks are due to Rudo and agreed the final PoA at their 7th Chitiga, Sharon Robinson, Katie Tiller and Meeting (7WAMM) held in Fiji Islands on 30 Helen Dalton. May – 2 June 2004. A number of Commonwealth associations Heads of National Women’s Machineries contributed to developing the PoA. Thanks brainstormed the PoA and discussed a first are due to Denis Marshall, Niall Johnston draft at their annual meetings held in New and Meenakshi Dhar of the Commonwealth York in 2003 and 2004 in the wings of the Parliamentary Association (CPA), Karen 47th and 48th Sessions of the Commission Brewer of the Commonwealth Magistrates on the Status of Women. The meeting of and Judges Association (CMJA), Claire Senior Officials on the eve of 7WAMM was Siobhan Martin of the Commonwealth critical to negotiating the second draft PoA, Lawyers Association, Sudha Singh of the Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat resulting in the tabling of the PoA for Commonwealth Business Women’s Network Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom discussion and agreement by Ministers at (CBWN), and Hazel Brown of the Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6461 Fax +44 (0)20 7930 1647 7WAMM. Commonwealth Women’s NGO Network. Email: [email protected] Website address: http://www.thecommonwealth.org/gender Members of the Commonwealth Gender Civil Society Organisations Reference Group contributed their ideas, © Commonwealth Secretariat 2005 knowledge and experience to the web- Special thanks are owed to the over 200 based group discussions of the PoA. civil society organisations, including a large contingent from the Pacific, who dedicated Commonwealth Inter-governmental time and effort to the PoA process by Organisations and Associations working with their governments at country level and during the 7WAMM, by The Commonwealth Foundation was participating in the Commonwealth Gender 2 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS Reference Group and in the Partners’ Maryse Roberts – Adviser (KBN for Gender Forum at 7WAMM. Mainstreaming, Good Governance and PoA Acknowledgements 3 Monitoring) Other Partners Foreword by the Commonwealth Secretary-General 6 Sarojini Ganju Thakur – Adviser (Gender, Thanks also for assistance from a number Poverty Eradication and Economic Executive Summary 9 of other regional bodies and multilateral Empowerment) organisations, including the Asian 1 Introduction 15 Development Bank, British Council, Elsie Onubogu – Programme Officer 2 Assessing Commonwealth Progress 19 CARICOM Secretariat, CIDA, IDRC, Pacific (Gender, Democracy, Peace and Conflict) 3 Critical Areas for Commonwealth Action 25 Islands Forum Secretariat, OSAGI, I. Gender, democracy, peace and conflict Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC), Cindy Berman – former Programme Officer II. Gender, human rights and law UNDAW, UNECA, UNECLAC, UNESCAP and (Gender, Human Rights and HIV/AIDS) III. Gender, poverty eradication and economic empowerment UNIFEM. IV. Gender an HIV/AIDS Pindra Kaur – Programme Officer (Admin) 4 Implementing the PoA 52 Commonwealth Secretariat Musonda Mwila – Programme Assistant Acronyms 58 The Commonwealth Secretariat assisted with the development of the PoA through Justina Mutale – Programme Assistant Appendices two Secretariat-wide consultations of staff representatives and gender focal points of Consultants I. The Millennium Development Goals 60 Divisions. These meetings included, II. The 12 critical areas of concern of the Beijing Platform 61 importantly, representatives of the The Secretariat would like to thank Mandy for Action Commonwealth inter-governmental Macdonald, Judith May-Parker and III. International and regional instruments relating to human 62 organisations and associations. The Christina Johnson for their contribution to and women’s rights Secretariat also serviced the annual the process of preparing and editing the IV. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s mission statement, goals 64 meetings of NWMs in New York and various drafts of the Plan of Action. and programme areas in the 2004-2008 Strategic Plan 7WAMM. V. Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations 66 Production and associations Special thanks are due to: VI. Regional bodies 68 Rupert Jones-Parry VII. Commonwealth Secretariat publications on gender 69 Winston Cox – Deputy Secretary-General Tattersall Hammarling & Silk mainstreaming in key sectors/development issues (Development Cooperation) Nancy Spence – former Director, Social Transformation Programmes Division Rawwida Baksh – Head of Gender Section 4 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 5 FOREWORD BY THE COMMONWEALTH The PoA reinforces the Commonwealth’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the promotion of a SECRETARY-GENERAL rights-based approach to gender equality. The PoA advocates that the achievement of gender equality should Gender equality is one of the fundamental principles of the be undertaken in partnership with men and boys. The new PoA Commonwealth. The new Commonwealth Plan of Action for will also promote the involvement of young persons, since over Gender Equality 2005-2015 (PoA) provides the framework within half of Commonwealth citizens are under 30 years of age. which the Commonwealth will contribute to advancing gender equality in the decade ahead. The PoA builds on past Partnerships have been recognised as being one of the most achievements, seeks to close persistent gaps, reflects the effective ways of working towards gender equality in the context Commonwealth’s response to global changes as they impact of the Commonwealth’s areas of comparative advantage and the differently on women and men, and engages with new and principle of common values in diversity. The Commonwealth will emerging challenges. The PoA forms part of the Commonwealth’s strengthen existing partnerships and forge new ones, especially contribution to the United Nations Beijing+10 Global Review in with organisations that have expertise in the four critical areas. 2005. This Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005- The new PoA will focus on four critical areas for Commonwealth 2015 provides a template for action for the next decade. It will action: contribute to building a solid foundation for the achievement of gender equality in this century. And it reflects our I. Gender, democracy, peace and conflict commitment to ensure that, throughout the Commonwealth, II. Gender, human rights and law women are recognised as equal partners with men in shaping III.Gender, poverty eradication and economic empowerment our common future. IV. Gender and HIV/AIDS Don McKinnon The PoA recognises that socio-economic development, Commonwealth Secretary-General democracy and peace are inextricably linked to gender equality. Thus, gender equality is viewed not only as a goal in its own right but also as a key factor in enhancing democracy and peace, eradicating poverty and violence against women, ensuring education for all, improving maternal health, reducing child mortality and combating HIV/AIDS. Advancing gender equality across the Commonwealth will contribute to development, democracy and peace. 6 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005–2015 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1. This document consists of four sections. Section 1 introduces the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015 (PoA), its background and its place in the Commonwealth’s overall framework and agenda for development, democracy and human rights. Section 2 outlines the achievements of the 1995 Plan of Action on Gender and Development and its 2000 Update1, identifies lessons learned and challenges to be addressed in the next decade, and highlights the Commonwealth’s areas of comparative advantage which underpin its work programme. Section 3 analyses the four critical areas for Commonwealth action covered by the PoA, and makes recommendations for strategic actions by member governments and the Secretariat in relation to these areas. Section 4 outlines how governments and the Secretariat will implement the recommendations in collaboration with partners and how accountability will be ensured through monitoring, evaluation and reporting. 2. The PoA reflects the Commonwealth’s principles and values and incorporates its responses to the differential impacts of global changes and challenges on women and men,