Proceedings Report

Commonwealth Women’s Forum 16 –18 April 2018 PROCEEDINGS OF THE Commonwealth Women’s Forum

London 16–18 April 2018 © 2018 All rights reserved. This publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or otherwise provided it is used only for educational purposes and is not for resale, and provided full acknowledgement is given to the Commonwealth Secretariat as the original publisher. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the author and should in no way be attributed to the institutions to which they are affiliated or to the Commonwealth Secretariat. Wherever possible, the Commonwealth Secretariat uses paper sourced from responsible forests or from sources that minimise a destructive impact on the environment. Printed and published by the Commonwealth Secretariat. Foreword \ iii

Foreword

The second Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF) convened in London, UK, from 16 to 18 April 2018 as one of the four forums leading up to the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) sent a strong message that the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensure the rights of women and girls remains high on the agenda of Heads. The Forum further responded to the values and principles set out in the 2013 Commonwealth Charter and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that the rights of half of humanity, including equitable access to opportunities for fulfilling potential, will not be denied.

The Commonwealth Women’s Forum, with its theme of ‘An Empowered Future for Women and Girls’, aspired to find ways to accelerate the advancement of gender equality for sustainable development, prosperity, and peace for all women and girls in the Commonwealth. The Forum recognised and applauded the significant trends and progress achieved by governments to advance women’s rights and equitable participation at all levels and across all sectors. Despite these concerted efforts to transform the subordinate position of women and girls, in many societies changes in the status of women and girls has been slow and uneven. There has been insufficient investment in efforts to address the inequalities between women and men in all areas of social, civic and economic life, including the impact of climate change. The report encompasses the new Commonwealth Priorities for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment 2017–2020 and beyond: 1) women’s economic empowerment 2) women in leadership 3) ending violence against women and girls and 4) gender and climate change. The Forum aimed to accelerate the sustainable development goals and formed the basis for engaging governments, enlightening stakeholders, strengthening partnerships and galvanising business and donors to support the delivery of policy mandates in the Commonwealth. The Rt Hon QC Secretary-General of the Commonwealth

Contents \ v

Contents

Foreword iii Acronyms vii Outcome Statement of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum 1 Day One: Leadership and Empowerment 6

1.1 Upholding the SDGs 6

1.2 Women in Leadership 8

1.3 Promoting Women’s Mediation Across the Commonwealth 10

1.4 Parallel Sessions: Leadership and Empowerment 12 Day Two: The Road to Empowerment 19

2.1 Towards a Common Future 19

2.2 Educate to Empower 20

2.3 Diversity and Women’s Economic Empowerment 23

2.4 Launch: ‘Understanding the Investment Potential of the Commonwealth Diaspora’ 26

2.5 Parallel Sessions: The Environment That Empowers 27 Day Three: Empowerment in the Community 32

3.1 Overcoming barriers – Violence Against Women and Girls 32

3.2 Parallel Sessions: Addressing Barriers to Empowerment 35

3.3 Outcomes of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum 39

Acronyms \ vii

Acronyms

AGM Annual General Meeting CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women CEFM Child, early and forced marriage CEO Chief Executive Officer COO Chief Operating Officer CPA Commonwealth Parliamentary Association CWP Commonwealth Women’s Parliamentarians CHOGM Commonwealth Heads of Governments Meeting CLGF Commonwealth Local Government Forum COL CSOs Civil society organisations CSU Commonwealth Summit Unit (also known as UK – CHOGM Task Force) CWEIC Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council CWF Commonwealth Women’s Forum DFID Department for International Development (UK) DV Domestic violence EIGE European Institute for Gender Equality EU European Union FGM/C Female genital mutilation / cutting FPTP First past the post FTSE Financial Times Stock Exchange GBV Gender-based violence GEC-UK Girls’ Education Challenge, UK GPE Global Partnership for Education HIV/AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus/Acquired immune deficiency syndrome ICT Information and communications technology ILO International Labour Organization ITC International Trade Centre LGBTIQ Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersexual or Questioning MP Member of Parliament NGO Non-government organisation viii \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

NHRI National Human Rights Institution PAIMAN Pakistan Initiative for Mothers and Newborns P-CVE Prevention and countering violent extremism PM Prime Minister PR Proportional representation QC Queen’s Counsel SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SViC Sexual violence in conflict SG Secretary-General SMEs Small and medium enterprises SRHR Sexual and reproductive health and rights SRSG Special Representative of the Secretary-General (UN) STDs / STIs Sexually transmitted diseases and sexually transmitted infections STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics UK UN United Nations UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNSCR United Nations Security Council Resolution VAWG Violence against women and girls VAWIE Violence against women in election Outcome Statement of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum \ 1

Outcome Statement of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum

‘An Empowered Future for Women and Girls’ Preamble The Commonwealth Women’s Forum (CWF) held Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). The in London, United Kingdom, from 16 to 18 April CWF applauds the first ever Joint Forum Day held 2018, and focused on the theme, An Empowered with all four forums – Women’s, Youth, People’s Future for Women and Girls. The ambition of and Business – which enabled cross-learning and the Forum was to find ways to accelerate the offered an opportunity to agree actions and share advancement of gender equality for sustainable best practices that can be carried forward to development, prosperity and peace for all women CHOGM. The CWF requests that future CHOGM and girls in the Commonwealth. meetings include more joint sessions, especially plenary sessions shared by the Business and Recognising that despite the concerted efforts Women’s Forums. to transform the subordinate position of women and girls in many societies and the progress made This Outcome Statement captures key so far towards gender equality, the advancement messages and expectations from the Heads, of the status of women and girls has been slow Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations, and uneven. Investment has been low in efforts associated and accredited Commonwealth to address the inequalities between women and organisations, businesses, development men in all areas of social, civic, and economic partners and civil society that featured in Forum life, including the impact of climate change. The discussions. The CWF believes the Commonwealth CWF calls on the Commonwealth to lead the should act decisively and calls on Heads to world by creating and strengthening an enabling implement the following recommendations and environment for women’s empowerment to requests, which will be followed up at the next achieve a sustainable, secure, prosperous and fairer Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministerial society that is free from violence and coercion and Meeting and CWF. focuses on actions to mainstream gender in all The CWF requests the Heads to: government programmes, policies and initiatives including gender budgeting. 1. Accelerate actions to invest, implement and track progress of the Sustainable Acknowledging that women face bias along Development Goals (SDGs), in particular multiple identity dimensions, including gender, Goal 5, and other international, regional and race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity national instruments to achieve gender and age, we must focus our efforts on those equality and empower all women and girls, in facing multiple disadvantages, where progress is collaboration with strategic partners and the slowest. This is a pre-condition for the promotion of Chair of CHOGM. women’s leadership, economic empowerment and equitable participation in all spheres. 2. Build on the global movement to accelerate progress on gender equity The CWF congratulates the Government of and empowerment. Use the Secretariat’s the United Kingdom for successfully hosting convening power to bring together a high the second Commonwealth Women’s Forum, profile and visible taskforce of champions and applauds the Heads for establishing the CWF as made up of both male and female leaders a permanent feature preceding the Commonwealth from political, public and private sectors at the 2 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

national, regional and local levels to champion and mentoring programmes such as gender equality and promote women’s Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians access to leadership positions across the (CWP) and Commonwealth Women in Commonwealth, and to hold governments Local Government Network (ComWLG), and businesses accountable for reaching the with particular attention given to creating global target of 50 per cent representation opportunities for young women and girls. across all levels of decision-making. 7. Violence against women in politics and 3. Carry out a systemic review and repeal of elections: Urge Heads to promote gender discriminatory laws and ensure that new laws equity in political parties and the selection of undergo a gender impact assessment on candidates, ensure that models of campaign women’s rights and participation in leadership financing do not discriminate against women, and the economy. and encourage election management bodies to develop gender sensitive policies. 4. Invest and increase technical and financial resources for data collection and analysis 8. Call on Heads to commission an independent on the implementation of the SDGs and review of violence against women in political other international instruments; research; and public life and in the home and to establish knowledge creation and sharing; capacity a funded zero-tolerance national policy to building for women’s effective leadership prohibit and prevent the specific forms of at all levels; and implementation of election-related violence (both in the public measures to advance women’s participation and domestic settings, and including online across sectors. violence) experienced by women voters, and women candidates and their teams. Women in Leadership 9. Reiterate the importance of involving men and Women’s power and decision-making in the boys in changing attitudes, social norms and political, public and private sectors are essential behaviours to facilitate women’s meaningful to achieving gender equality, and therefore crucial participation in the political, religious and for successful implementation of the SDGs. The private sector at all levels. absence of women in senior leadership positions, and their lack of participation and representation, Women, Peace and Security restricts opportunities to create policies that will 10. Urge Heads to support the implementation have a broader impact and greater benefit for the of United Nations Security Council Resolution whole of society as a result of the increased gender (UNSCR) 1325 through national and equality between women and men. regional action plans that incorporate strong 5. The lack of economic security and resulting accountability mechanisms, sustainable poverty, and women’s disproportionate role financing and strong disarmament as care givers are among the barriers to provisions, and ensure stronger links and women’s leadership and participation across complementarity to national counter sectors. terrorism and violent extremism strategies. 6. Recommend that Heads, drawing on 11. Call for more efforts to challenge gender Commonwealth good practice and norms and other injustices that contribute to experience, develop practical strategies women’s oppression and perpetuate conflict and legislation that increases women’s and insecurity, and to sensitise and empower access to leadership from the grassroots to women to be actively involved in all stages of national and international levels, to enable conflict mitigation and peace building, from meaningful political leadership, by women. conflict prevention to the negotiation and Call on Heads to commit to working with implementation of peace agreements. all political parties and systems to increase 12. Call for financial support to women’s the proportion of women candidates. This rights organisations and movements includes training, sponsorship, mentoring including the establishment of a Women’s programmes and access to networks Peace and Security fund within the Outcome Statement of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum \ 3

Commonwealth. The proposed stand- 16. Urge Heads to commit to increasing women’s alone fund would offer long-term grants to access to and use of enabling technology, in grassroots women’s rights organisations to particular information and communications support their work on increasing women’s technology, and to ensure women are included participation in peace and security and in growing the digital economy. in preventing and countering violent 17. Call on Heads to promote and support women extremism, protecting women’s rights in in economic development, from the local conflict, and undertaking relief and recovery to the national level. The Commonwealth processes that meet the needs of women and can play a key role in underpinning and girls, including their physical and mental health. promoting internal trade and investments, Women’s Economic Empowerment especially for women-owned enterprises, and Commonwealth members can drive Enhancing women’s economic empowerment economic growth, create jobs, and ensure the enables women to exercise power over their lives prosperity of their citizens. and results in sustainable and inclusive economic 18. Call on business leaders to promote a growth. The approach of gender-inclusive growth socially responsible and accountable is multi-faceted and requires the ending of private sector in line with the UN Guiding discriminatory norms, behaviours and legislation, Principles on Business and Human Rights; and gender-based violence, provision of quality to implement the UN ‘Protect, Respect education and enabling legislation and regulations and Remedy’ Framework, the International which recognise women’s disproportionate role as Labour Organization (ILO) Declaration care givers. on Fundamental Principles and Rights at There is a role for governments at all levels to create Work, labour, environmental and health enabling environments for economic participation standards, and the Women’s Empowerment of women and for implementing and monitoring Principle established by UN Women and actual change. the Global Compact; and to support the proposed ILO convention, ‘Ending Violence 13. Educate to empower: Welcome the and Harassment against Women and Men commitments made to ensure access to in the World of Work’. As change in the a minimum 12 years of free quality primary private sector is driven by transparency, we and secondary education, and encourage also call on business leaders to establish all Heads to work towards that goal. Calls and implement reporting mechanisms to for extra support to marginalised girls (for track progress. example, girls with disabilities and/or girls who have dropped out of school) – to ensure they 19. Call on Heads to create an enabling complete secondary education and training macroeconomic environment including through the adoption of appropriate policies, adoption of progressive tax regimes, gender advocacy and strategic partnerships. responsive budgeting and investment in social infrastructure. Further urge Heads to promote 14. Call on Heads to increase public spending on decent and safe work places; recognise, education in accordance with country context, reduce and redistribute women’s unpaid care and urge adherence to the international and work; address occupational segregation and regional benchmarks of allocating efficiently the gender pay gap; promote protection at least 4-6 per cent of Gross Domestic against discrimination and a living wage for Product and/or at least 15-20 per cent of women in line with international agreements total public expenditure to education by all and human rights principles; and introduce Commonwealth countries. and enforce existing legislation on women’s 15. Endorse the Girls’ Education Framework and access to, and control over, land and other applaud the creation of the Girls’ Education productive resources and services. Policy Lab. 20. Call on Heads to lead global action on developing and implementing gender responsive trade policies and economic 4 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

development in collaboration with women pervasive human rights violations and has to ensure that women are able to benefit numerous damaging consequences for the welfare equally from the opportunities trade of women and girls, preventing them from fully brings. Call on Heads to address the participating in society. VAWG also affects the systematic barriers to women’s full and families of women and girls, their communities equal participation in the economy, both in and states and, at 2 per cent of the global Gross the formal and informal sectors including Domestic Product (UN Women, 2016), it has women’s access to land, finance and markets, significant economic costs. and support investment in women-owned 24. Recognise that intimate partner violence is businesses. The Commonwealth could the most prevalent form of VAWG, in places harness trade and investment opportunities and times of conflict. Call on Heads to provide through initiatives such as SheTrades and technical and financial resources to end encourage governments and businesses to VAWG, including through development and join the partnership. implementation of legal reforms and changing 21. Commit to extending employment social attitudes and structures to ensure regulations and social and legal protection justice for survivors. to cover women workers in the formal 25. Further call on Heads to support the and informal economy including, inter alia, Commonwealth Secretariat to build a introduction of universal coverage and coalition of governments, businesses, access to social protection, not linked to civil society, human rights and faith-based employment contributions. institutions, communities and individuals to 22. Call on Heads to recognise the economic prevent VAWG through the development value of unpaid care work. of multi-sectoral tools, identification of strategies and initiatives to address VAWG, Women and Climate Change increase obligations on states to adhere to international standards and domestic laws and Recognising that women are instrumental in the enhance the accountability and rehabilitation solutions, and that women are at the greatest risk of perpetrators. of death from climate events and the greatest long- term impact on food security, sanitation, life and 26. Sexual and reproductive health and rights livelihoods from the slow burn of climate change. (SRHR): Acknowledge that SRHR for women and girls was featured at CHOGM 2018 for 23. Urge that the Commonwealth commit to the first time. Note that SRHR are inextricably establish a fully resourced commission directly linked to other relevant universal human addressing climate change in the small states rights, ensuring women and adolescent girls and all other countries in the Commonwealth, are able to lead healthy, empowered and as a matter of priority. Such a commission productive lives. should incorporate all stakeholders including business, civil society, religious communities, 27. Call on Heads to implement and uphold academia, United Nations programmes, comprehensive SRHR programmes for professional bodies, local governments women and young people and ensure that by and individuals. 2030 they have universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services, including Ending Violence Against Women and Girls for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health While many countries have made progress in into national strategies and programmes with adopting legislation to end Violence Against relevant data collection, review and follow- Women and Girls (VAWG) and harmful traditional up. Ensure adequate health service provision practices including child, early, and forced in accordance with WHO guidelines. marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/ cutting (FGM/C), substantive challenges remain 28. FGM/C: Highlight that 200 million women in preventing VAWG and in accessing justice and girls globally are living with the impacts of and service provision. VAWG is one of the most FGM/C and a further 3.9 million girls are at risk Outcome Statement of the Commonwealth Women’s Forum \ 5

of being cut every year. Recognise that with 31. Human Trafficking: Highlight that women and projected population growth, more girls will be girls are also disproportionately affected by at risk of FGM/C. human trafficking, domestic slavery, servitude and child exploitation which is a human rights 29. Urge Heads to take decisive actions to violation affecting close to 152 million children develop, resource and implement holistic engaged in child labour, while over 40 million national action plans in alignment with the people worldwide, the majority of them SDGs in order to deliver on the international women and girls, are trapped in slavery and and Commonwealth commitments to forced labour. eliminate child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/ 32. Urge strengthening of gender sensitive cutting (FGM/C). These should include work collaboration and co-operation with on education, access to community level governments, businesses, civil society resources, legislative and policy frameworks and development partners at the national and better data to deliver on commitments to and international levels to end human end both practices in alignment with the SDGs trafficking and child exploitation. Encourage and the Kigali Declaration. endorsement of the Call to Action to End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human 30. Call for more resources to support the Trafficking. Commonwealth Secretariat to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to consider the The CWF calls on Heads to consider the above complex drivers and data of CEFM and recommendations and to focus strongly on FGM/C to inform strategies and actions, implementation, including taking forward actions to including supporting schemes for women of address gender and climate change in developing all ages, and to prioritise early programming countries and small states towards realising the to respond to and prevent CEFM and Commonwealth Charter, the Commonwealth Blue FGM/C, particularly in emergencies and Charter, and the 2030 Agenda, and achieving An armed conflicts. Empowered Future for Women and Girls. 18 April 2018 6 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

Day One: Leadership and Empowerment

1.1 Upholding the SDGs child, early and forced marriage (CEFM) and female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), calling for The Commonwealth Priorities for Gender Equality co-operation across regions and concerted effort and Women’s Empowerment 2017–2020 and at the national level to address these issues. In beyond are aligned to the Sustainable Development addition, the SG outlined the Commonwealth Goals (SDGs), namely: 1) women’s economic Secretariat’s four priority focus areas on women’s empowerment 2) women in leadership 3) ending economic empowerment, women in leadership, violence against women and girls and 4) gender and ending violence against women and girls, and climate change. The Keynote Session highlighted addressing issues on gender and climate change, the Commonwealth added value in achieving the which were also central to the discussions at the SDGs gender equality targets by 2030, with a focus Women’s Forum. The SG highlighted the need on the role of women in leadership in all spheres. to improve women’s access to financial services One third of Commonwealth countries has (including equitable access to climate financing), successfully achieved and surpassed the recognising women’s role in the informal sector 30 per cent global target of representation and encouraging women entrepreneurs in micro- in parliaments, cabinets, and provincial and small and medium sized businesses. She also local governments. More action must be highlighted the importance of zero tolerance on taken to achieve parity for women’s effective human trafficking, and ensuring full participation of participation in politics, corporate and women and girls in education. The SG reported that leadership roles. Towards achieving the Global there was a strong correlation between improving Goals target of gender equality by 2030, the capacity of women entrepreneurs and women delegates strongly recommended that the in leadership, which were critical to gender Commonwealth take action to increase the equality. She also noted that women’s leadership representation of women in leadership roles in the private sector in the Commonwealth and decision-making positions in the political, was comparatively low, at below the 30 per public and private sectors. cent benchmark.

Moderator: Zeinab Badawi, Rt Hon , Home Secretary, UK, outlined International Journalist the working relationship between the British Government and the Commonwealth, focusing on The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC, Secretary- promoting gender equality, gender mainstreaming General of the Commonwealth (SG), in her and implementation of the SDGs. She addressed opening remarks, stated that the strengths of the need to promote women and get them more the should be used to actively involved in politics, and pledged that the empower women and girls. The strength of the UK will continue striving for an equal society where Commonwealth lies in the ease with which it can all women - irrespective of race, religion, sexual work in each Commonwealth country, particularly orientation – are included in decision-making at because they all have similar systems and all levels. She articulated the policy interventions institutions, common legal processes and shared pursued by the Government, which include new language. The 2030 Agenda provides an important legislation to prevent domestic abuse and to platform and pathway to address gender equality, protect women, and improvements for women while the Commonwealth was well positioned to at the work place among them gender pay gap link up all the dots. In 2015, the Commonwealth enactment that impose obligations on employers Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to with 250 or more employees to publish information gender equality in line with the 2030 Agenda, on gender pay gap in their organisations. As the way highlighting the prevention and elimination of forward, the UK Government launched strategic Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 7

l-r: Zeleca Julien-T&T, Zeinab Badawi-Int’l Journalist, Rt Hon Patricia Scotland QC-Commonwealth SG, Rt Hon Amber Rudd-UK, and Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua-Commonwealth, at the Keynote Session of the 2018 Commonwealth Women’s Forum, London. UK vision for gender equality which encapsulates and encouraged organisations and development measures to invest in women and girls, decent partners to replicate good international practices. education and rights to reproductive health. Hon She also urged increased investment in gender Rudd strongly recommended that the outcome equality and the promotion of zero tolerance in of the Women’s Forum should be action oriented. gender abuse. The UN remains committed to The British Government intends to work in close implementing the SDGs, particularly Goal 5, and collaboration with the Commonwealth in promoting will continue to work with the Commonwealth to gender equality. promote gender equality. Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua, Head of Gender at Zeleca Julien, Entrepreneur and Board Member the Commonwealth Secretariat delivered the from Trinidad and Tobago shared her personal speech of Hon Amina J Mohammed, Deputy experience and upbringing, of how her abusive Secretary General, United Nations. Hon father modelled her choices as a feminist, having Mohammed reiterated the ties between the UN witnessed the suffering of her mother as a single and Commonwealth, and their shared values parent. Black women are always under pressure of promoting peace, sustainable development to be recognised, especially in communities with and human rights. She commended the limited opportunities that are not conducive for Commonwealth in its efforts to address gender good upbringing. She urged governments, and inequality, but pointed out that many challenges business and civil society leaders to empower remain. She highlighted some progress made in women irrespective of their race, religion and increasing primary education for girls and declining sexual orientation. She also called for increased maternal mortality since the 1990s, and urged the support for women and girls, LGBT rights and Commonwealth to lead the way in promoting policy enactment of cultural reforms for the promotion of for universal parental care, quality childcare, and gender equality. investment in accessible and affordable childhood education. She highlighted success stories in , Rwanda and some states in India, 8 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

1.2 Women in Leadership Moderator: Dr Jo Cribb, Chief Executive, New Zealand Book Council Women’s power and decision-making in the political, public and private sectors are essential to The session centred on reviewing what works, achieving gender equality, and are therefore crucial progress achieved and how to continue moving for successful implementation of the SDGs. The the agenda for women’s leadership forward. In absence of women in senior leadership positions her address Helen Clark, Former PM of New and their lack of participation and representation Zealand, reflected on her political career, as well as restricts opportunities to create policies that will the eight years she worked at the United Nations have a broader benefit for the whole of society Development Programme (UNDP) to support through increased gender equality for women and women around the world. Despite all the efforts, men. The latest research shows that in 2018: the number of women in leadership remains rueful at just 5.2 per cent of heads of government and • The percentage of women in leadership 22.3 per cent of members of parliament. The positions in the private sector of the annual gender gap report indicates it will take 99 Commonwealth has risen to 20 per cent from years to reach gender parity in parliament. Women 14.5 per cent in 2015 should continue to battle for independence and • The percentage of women on boards has opportunities for women’s access to quality and crept up from 23 per cent in 2015 to 25 affordable reproductive and health services. The per cent gender agenda should be included in all political summits, including CHOGM, and women should • The percentage of women in cabinets has not get the support they need to become leaders, in changed since 2015 and stands at 17 per cent all Commonwealth countries. The importance of To accelerate progress, the session centred on role models was showcased in the example of New identifying strategies that have worked and lessons Zealand having three female prime ministers in learned from the Commonwealth. the last 20 years, which sends a strong message to young women. However, gender stereotypes

l-r: Advocate Mary-Ann Ooi Suan Kim-Malaysia, Rt Hon Helen Clark-New Zealand, Dr Jo Cribb-New Zealand, Brenda Trenowden-UK and Lady (Kitty) Chisholm-UK, at the Women in Leadership plenary session Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 9

and prejudices continue to hold women back. boards. To accelerate progress, the Malaysian Every political office should support the tripartite government allocated resources to train roles of women. Prime Minister Jacinda Adern was women in leadership skills, and in 2012 subjected to inappropriate questioning during the over 1000 women received training. Often political campaign about the likelihood of her having male employees feel threatened by female children while in office. Moreover, the ‘first past the bosses. Overtime, with quality mentoring post’ (FPTP) electoral system, which negatively and new opportunities, women are moving impacts on women’s participation, is the worst forward and the old-boys’ clubs are being one for women trying to break into politics. It is slowly dismantled. Other initiatives aimed also the most widely used electoral model in the at achieving gender equality includes as a Commonwealth. The big change for New Zealand requirement, the provision of childcare facilities was a reform of the electoral system to make it in new office buildings. Moreover, by the end more collaborative, instead of quotas. This crucially of 2018, all government linked companies and assured gender parity for all women - migrant statutory bodies should have a minimum of women, minorities, indigenous, LGBT. 30 per cent women on their boards. Strategies to advance change involve legislative reform Lady (Kitty) Chisholm, FRSA, COO and and mandatory targets. Initiatives such as Co-Founder Boardwalk Leadership, UK the 20 percent Club and the Malaysian code highlighted the need for behavioural and of corporate governance launched in 2016, cultural change to achieve gender parity in mandates the top 100 companies on the leadership positions. Reform should start Malaysian Stock Exchange to disclose their with legislative changes, implementing policies. Naming and shaming is another option women only shortlists, and public and being currently considered by the PM and the personal commitments from top leadership. Minister for Women. Shareholder activism is Accountability and building solidarity are of gaining momentum and having an effect, for crucial importance to ensure women no example– during annual general meetings longer feel like second-class citizens. Further, (AGMs), shareholders now enquire how the it is necessary to recognise and capitalise companies are fulfilling the 30 per cent target. on the achievements of Rwandan women who hold 64 per cent of seats in the lower Brenda Trenowden, Global Chair of the 30 percent house making Rwanda the number one Club and Australia and New Zealand Banking country for women in politics. The research Group (ANZ), welcomed participation of men in this project, ‘Closing the Gender Leadership Gap: session. She highlighted that women’s leadership Benchmarking women’s leadership across the is not a women’s issue and that she hopes that Commonwealth’, showed the Commonwealth during the next CHOGM discussions on this topic is making progress, but at a slow pace. The will be included in the programme of the Business research presented examples of innovative Forum. The 30 percent Club is a global campaign initiatives to advance women’s representation to have 30 per cent women in senior leadership and participation, such as the 30 percent through targets. In 2010, a target of 30 per cent was Club. Sponsorship for young women and role set up for the FTSE 100 - the biggest companies models of women leaders are aspirations for in the UK by boards – and had leaders signing up to women in the pipeline and interested in taking these voluntary/persuasive targets. The campaign up leadership roles. Two New Zealand women focused on the business case of why it is better were interviewed as part of the research, to have more women senior leaders including the sharing the example and influence of Helen positive impact on the economy and individual Clark’s leadership resulted in their taking up businesses. This resulted in an increase from 12.5 leadership positions. per cent to 26 per cent of women senior leaders and the goal of having 30 per cent of women in Mary-Ann Ooi Suan Kim, Advocate of senior leadership positions by 2020. Although the Malaysia, shared the experience of women 30 Per cent Club prefers to work constructively in positions of senior leadership in Malaysia, with companies, sometimes strong and mandatory which stands at 19 per cent. The Prime measures are required to realise change. When the minister of Malaysia is supportive of the FTSE 350 companies were invited to sign-up, the voluntary 30 per cent target for women on 10 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

CEOs were also informed that the Sunday Times Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace was to publish a list of companies that had and and Security (UNSCR 1325), and evidence that had not yet signed-up to the voluntary/persuasive women’s meaningful participation increases targets. Evidently, this measure of open disclosure ‘the credibility and quality of peacekeeping, the culminated in making companies understand pace of economic recovery in post-conflict the ‘business case’ for women business leaders. settings and the sustainability of peace Currently, 36 FTSE-100 CEOs have signed up for agreements’ (UNSC, 2015:4). For example, the campaign. The 30 percent Club is monitoring out of 31 peace processes surveyed between and measuring progress. 1992 and 2011, only 9 per cent of negotiators were women. Since the adoption of UNSCR Importantly, it is necessary to recognise the role 1325 the percentage of peace agreements of the media in promoting gender equality. Recent that made references to women and girls has coverage on the issues of women on boards, more than doubled from 11 per cent to 27 per reporting on the gender pay gap, the ‘#metoo’ cent. Thus, gender-blind peace agreements campaign and others, have clearly promoted remain the norm even today. The session women’s leadership as a prominent and important addressed the following key questions: What is issue. Apart from CEOs and chairs of Boards, the mediation? In what ways does the involvement 30 Per cent Club, has a 32-member investor group of women in a peace process increase the comprised of pension funds, big assets managers probability of a lasting resolution? What are the and others, worth more than £11 trillion in assets. success stories across the Commonwealth Looking at the long-term financial perspective for and how can they inform future practice? What companies, these investors clearly understand that are the obstacles encountered and how were leadership gender parity is better for business as a they overcome? stewardship and governance issue. These investors l-r: Andre J Groenewald-South Africa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon-UK, Mme Bineta Diop-AU, Hilde Frafjord Johnson-Norway and have been known to challenge CEOs on why they Lord Ahmad, UK for the Mossarat Qadeem-Pakistan at the ‘Promoting Women’s Mediation Across the Commonwealth’ plenary session have an all-male executive team, and in specific Commonwealth and the UN, stated that societies circumstances have voted against companies can only thrive if they allow every single citizen to at the AGM that have not followed the ethos fulfil their full potential; thus both men and women of gender parity. These methods have proved need to be equally engaged and work together in effective and powerful in putting companies under the mediation process at all levels of the spotlight. Therefore, relevant stakeholders, decision-making. It is important to recognise that including the public, have a responsibility to hold the exclusion of women and girls disproportionately companies to account and to track their progress. affected by conflict, results in their required skills, However, quotas may be imposed in situations experiences and perspectives to achieve global where targets are not effective. Markedly, research peace remains untapped and ignored. All has shown that women are often over mentored international forums should therefore work and under sponsored. Sponsors advocate on together to attain equality in the mediation process, behalf of women ready to take up senior leadership and events such as CHOGM and the Women’s positions and provide guidance as well. Moreover, Forum should serve as platforms to ensure women having the same sponsorship as men will women’s voices are heard and included at the peace really make a difference. tables. In fact, there is evidence to show that peace agreements reached that had women mediators 1.3 Promoting Women’s Mediation have proven to be 35 per cent more likely to last. Across the Commonwealth This is one of the reasons behind the UK pledge of £1.6 million for a network of women mediators Moderator: Andre J Groenewald, Director, working across the Commonwealth. The UK Mediation Support Unit, Department of Government is committed to advocate for women International Relations and Cooperation, to be involved in these processes. South Africa Mme Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, African Union Commission, Women continue to be marginalised from pointed out that women are the backbone of high-level peace processes despite global society when conflict erupts. Women are mostly normative frameworks such as UN Security seen on the ground taking care of their families and Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 11

Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security (UNSCR 1325), and evidence that women’s meaningful participation increases ‘the credibility and quality of peacekeeping, the pace of economic recovery in post-conflict settings and the sustainability of peace agreements’ (UNSC, 2015:4). For example, out of 31 peace processes surveyed between 1992 and 2011, only 9 per cent of negotiators were women. Since the adoption of UNSCR 1325 the percentage of peace agreements that made references to women and girls has more than doubled from 11 per cent to 27 per cent. Thus, gender-blind peace agreements remain the norm even today. The session addressed the following key questions: What is mediation? In what ways does the involvement of women in a peace process increase the probability of a lasting resolution? What are the success stories across the Commonwealth and how can they inform future practice? What are the obstacles encountered and how were they overcome? l-r: Andre J Groenewald-South Africa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon-UK, Mme Bineta Diop-AU, Hilde Frafjord Johnson-Norway and Lord Ahmad, UK Minister of State for the Mossarat Qadeem-Pakistan at the ‘Promoting Women’s Mediation Across the Commonwealth’ plenary session Commonwealth and the UN, stated that societies can only thrive if they allow every single citizen to the community. Moreover, women’s role begins 2 involves non-state actors and Track 3 involves fulfil their full potential; thus both men and women long before conflict erupts. Bringing more women people-to-people diplomacy. A combination of all need to be equally engaged and work together in into governance and leadership recognises the tracks is known as ‘multi-track diplomacy’. Women the mediation process at all levels of important role women and girls play in conflict are particularly missing in Track 1’ diplomacy, the decision-making. It is important to recognise that prevention. In the African Union, there is parity highest and most impactful level of negotiations, the exclusion of women and girls disproportionately in leadership. With women in governments, which is a huge challenge. Governments should act affected by conflict, results in their required skills, gender sensitive budgeting has proved effective to improve the conditions for women to participate experiences and perspectives to achieve global in allocating resources for social development at this level of negotiations. The more available and peace remains untapped and ignored. All (health and education). In the Democratic Republic skilled women are, the harder it becomes for them international forums should therefore work of Congo’s peace negotiations in Sun City, South to be passed over, and it is critical to increase the together to attain equality in the mediation process, Africa in 2003, President Masire, former President numbers of women leaders. There is a role for the and events such as CHOGM and the Women’s of , ensured 12 per cent of negotiators UN in getting more women into senior positions, Forum should serve as platforms to ensure were women. In order to achieve lasting peace particularly in the military and peacekeeping women’s voices are heard and included at the peace agreements, it should be mandatory to involve missions. Frafjord Johnson recommended three tables. In fact, there is evidence to show that peace women, and peace-building efforts should be ways to address this challenge. The first measure agreements reached that had women mediators gender-responsive. Mme Diop concluded that is to redefine the peace processes. Women play an have proven to be 35 per cent more likely to last. mediation is about peace and justice, and restoring important role in people-to-people diplomacy but This is one of the reasons behind the UK pledge of the dignity of women and girls. are rarely invited to sit at the negotiating table. This £1.6 million for a network of women mediators makes it difficult to establish the root causes of Hilde Frafjord Johnson, Nordic Women Mediators’ working across the Commonwealth. The UK conflict and negotiate a lasting agreement. Peace Network, former Special Representative of the Government is committed to advocate for women agreements are more likely to last when women Secretary General (SRSG) and Head of the UN to be involved in these processes. are involved in advocacy and in the negotiations. Mission in South Sudan (2011-2014) noted the Hence women should be involved in all three tracks Mme Bineta Diop, Special Envoy on Women, progress achieved against the impact of the UNSCR of negotiations. Crucially, new methods are required Peace and Security, African Union Commission, 1325 and its follow-up resolutions is dwindling. to dismantle the strong influence of the ‘old boys’ pointed out that women are the backbone of Women remain underrepresented at all levels in clubs or introspective male networks. society when conflict erupts. Women are mostly formal peace negotiations. In the three tracks of seen on the ground taking care of their families and diplomacy, Track 1 involves governments only, Track 12 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

Trends reveal a decrease in women’s participation influencing skills, and are supported so they can in mediation processes, and a decline of gender- research the conflict and understand the points sensitive provisions in peace accords. Individual around which negotiations can be built. As an countries and international organisations including illustration Ms Qadeem shared a story of how she the Commonwealth should re-intensify efforts to used her negotiation and dialogue skills to engage address this situation. Secondly, understanding the with a well-known extremist leader after two aid challenges and barriers to women’s meaningful workers were abducted. The core of the dialogue participation in peace negotiations, will determine was about relationships and was successful in the appropriate strategies for intervention. The getting the workers released. Furthermore, the constant need across gender barriers, security leader agreed to support development work on barriers and cultural barriers, is to disassociate education and health in the area. male norms and machismo from conflict, and recognise and elevate women’s perspectives, skills, 1.4 Parallel Sessions: Leadership influence and experience. This can be overcome by and Empowerment building a pipeline of mediators from early careers, and appreciate their experiences with key sectors 1.4.1 Women’s roles in preventing and outside government. Addressing gender bias countering violent extremism and and barriers that prevent women from effectively mediating in volatile environments mediating conflicts, involves inviting women to the negotiating table even though they are not Prevention and countering violent extremism (P/ current or previous heads of state and even if CVE) is increasingly becoming a priority for the they have rarely been involved in armed conflicts. Commonwealth. The importance of ensuring that Furthermore, the UN, Commonwealth and African women are actively participating in this space is Union (AU) should appoint more women as crucial. As in traditional conflict resolution, women special envoys and special representatives of the play a huge range of roles in P/CVE, mediation being Secretary-General (SRSGs). The appointment of a classic role. The workshop aimed to highlight the co-ed pairs of mediators - one woman and one man importance of recognising the full participation of – will help to ensure gender balance and encourage women and girls at all levels of decision-making women to take a more active and leading role during in the design, implementation and delivery of mediation processes. Ms Johnson congratulated conflict resolution activities, fundamental for the the UK for launching a network of women mediators sustainability of peace-building efforts. to work across the Commonwealth and the required funds to effectively support an increase in Moderator: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, UK the numbers of women in mediation processes and Minister of State for the Commonwealth produce gender-sensitive peace accords. and the UN Mossarat Qadeem, Co-Founder and Executive Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon recommended that for Director of the PAIMAN Alumni Trust, P/CVE approaches to be effective, women should recommended a multi-level, multi-layered be placed at the heart of all efforts. To achieve this, approach to mediation that should not omit gender stereotypes surrounding women and girls women. Historically in the northwest Frontier involved in P/CVE, should be dispelled. Women region of Pakistan, which borders Afghanistan, a should be involved in all parts and at all levels – woman would raise her white scarf in a conflict to from the collective efforts of working closely with stop hostilities. However, mediation and dialogue all stakeholders, including civil society, youth and processes have been taken over by extremism. faith leaders – and ensure a one-society approach Mediation is now seen as an act of cowardice, but to tackling the issue of P/CVE. Women should mediators in the region are trying to revive the be involved in the prevention strategy (tackling tradition of negotiation and peace building. Women radicalisation) as well as in the hard elements understand the history of a community and the (fighting terrorism). We must also effectively underlying reasons for conflicts, and also provide employ technology for change, and come together support to extremist groups. Engaging women is as a Commonwealth family to address the issue key to battling extremism. However, it is important of extremism. Lord Ahmad further highlighted that mediators are equipped with negotiating and the importance of education, psychology and Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 13

health in the process of deradicalisation. Lord in the de-radicalisation process. The community Ahmad applauded the assistance from the UK and should be provided with tools, skills and knowledge, Australian governments in the establishment of the but the ownership of the whole process should lie CVE Unit at the Commonwealth Secretariat. with the community. PAIMAN helped to develop the Inclusive Peace Curriculum to bridge the gap Sanam Naraghi-Anderilini, Co-founder and between two different streams of education – the Executive Director, International Civil Society elite and madrasahs. The curriculum includes Action Network (ICAN), presented ways in which the history of the sub-continent and of today’s extremist movements such as Boko Haram, Pakistan, religion, and pluralism. Similar models Hindu nationalists and white supremacists aim to should be applied in the Commonwealth, said divide and separate peoples. Gender is central to Ms Qadeem and she encouraged sharing best any extremist movement. Their core underlying practices and development of a Commonwealth ideology includes issues such as, ‘What does it framework to deal with this issue. mean to be a man, particularly a man of faith?’ Women are often portrayed as subservient. Dr Fatima Akilu, Executive Director of Neem However, women are also becoming fighters and Foundation, Nigeria, shared her experience of suicide bombers, because extremist movements understanding the approaches employed by Boko need the bodies to fight. But despite these Haram, in order to de-radicalise their members. realities, women’s peace rights activists mobilise Boko Haram has an abundance of audacity and and continue to stand up against those forces. ingenuity in using religion and psychology to divide Extremist movements understand the power families. The common thread is to create a sense of that women have and are afraid of women’s soft belonging within the ranks by ensuring the interests power of influence, so much so, that in certain of members’ matter. Separating recruits from their countries they are assassinated. Ms Anderilini families - such as instructing radicalised members further highlighted a few initiatives of ICAN including to carry out bad actions against family members dedicated support to women peace activists, and – makes it difficult for them to return to their reconceptualisation of P/CVE to include questions communities. In effect, this cements the creation such as, ‘How to address the economic, social and of new communities by Boko Haram targeting girls political factors in order to turn people away from and young women to perpetuate the movement. violent extremism?’ The aim is to advance from People assume Boko Haram is against education CVE to PVE and then to PREP (promoting peace, but their motive is to prevent the development resilience, equal rights and pluralism). of logical and critical thinking, to safeguard the authority and hold of Boko Haram leaders. Boko Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director, Haram is therefore, vehemently opposed to group PAIMAN, shared her experience of working with sports, where camaraderie is formed outside radicalised families. She narrated an incident in their influence. which a son killed seven army personnel, and the mother believed him to be innocent. Permission Understanding Boko Haram’s approach was granted by male elders for Ms Qadeem to and methodology, enabled the design for a dialogue with the mother on a one-to-one basis, deradicalisation programme that included a sensitising her and close relatives about the combination of critical thinking, sports, ethics, impact of radicalisation. Developing the women’s arts, history, dramas, etc. The approach to critical thinking and revealing the truth behind de-radicalisation of women, children and young the Taliban’s interpretation of Jihad outside adults, recognises the critical differences between the Quran, resulted in the women recognising those groups, and it encourages people of radical behaviour among other young people and different faiths to talk to each other. Community developing an internal communication mechanism based de-radicalisation programmes aimed at to address radicalisation. Ms Qadeem highlighted children have also provided learning for parents. the importance of women’s education and of safe Victims often become perpetrators: poor girls spaces for sharing their experiences as crucial become easily radicalised and groups such as in efforts to prevent radicalisation and violent Boko Haram, offer a sense of belonging, health extremism. Violent extremism is not just a security care and promise of a better future. Therefore, issue but also a social issue. Therefore, close PVE efforts should address gender inequality and attention should be given to address cultural issues provide adequate support to girls and women 14 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

to have a voice in their communities. Societies women’s issues that concern the internal workings should be sensitised to consider and accept of government. It therefore becomes easier for changes to address socio-economic issues to women to raise gender issues, and for men to enable women and girls to access education, become more aware of gender issues and start to celebrate pluralism and to be equipped with accept women in decision-making roles. Although it the skills and knowledge necessary to gain is critical to sustain efforts at increasing the number employment. Another important element is the of women in politics and public life, the presence provision of quality, affordable and comprehensive of women in parliaments or local governments is health care for both physical wounds and mental not the only measure to progress gender equality. health support. Violent extremism thrives on Gender sensitivity and awareness should be separating people while fostering pluralism builds reflected equally in policies and infrastructure of all on cohesion and belonging, which addresses many political institutions. of the problems associated with P/CVE. Multiple identities and differences should be recognised and Moderator: Helen Clark, Former New acknowledged, across religion, cultural and ethnic Zealand Prime Minister and UNDP backgrounds. Rather than focusing on reductionism Administrator, and the current Patron of and labelling of the individual, it is key to understand Commonwealth Local Government (CLGF). the role secularism can play in promoting tolerance, Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) inclusion and protection of minorities. The screened a series of short interviews discussing was commended for challenges, opportunities and the network’s funding the first Film Festival that helps encourage activities to promote women in parliament the arts to address these issues. and in political leadership at all levels in the Furthermore, for de-radicalisation and CVE Commonwealth. The interviews pointed to the efforts to be effective, investment in education strategies and actions that have enabled and and governance structures is very important. supported women in positions to influence change This involves the international community in their communities. Ms Clark urged the audience addressing structural, political and economic to write a personal pledge to support women and issues, which are some of the underlying reasons girls take on leadership roles in their communities. for radicalisation. Terrorist organisations are The Commonwealth Local Government Forum smart, but the international community should be (CLGF) recently piloted the local chapter of smarter by building a culture of belonging through the network in Uganda in partnership with the critical thinking, arts, culture, sport, and team Uganda Local Government Association (ULGA). activities. Moreover, the CVE discourse should Furthermore, CWP presented its new initiative, be demilitarised to recognise the role women the ‘Alumni Network’, which aims to harness the and women’s rights organisations play in peace skills, experience and knowledge of former women building and increase their representation in all parliamentarians for the benefit of newly-elected P/CVE efforts. Importantly, women and girls are or sitting women parliamentarians in the diverse disproportionately affected by modern slavery CWP network. This initiative is unique in that there and human trafficking which is one of the main is currently no mechanism through which to tap source of revenue for extremist organisations, and into the enormous resource of retired women becomes crucial to re-double efforts to stop this parliamentarians or women who have built a abhorrent practice. successful post-parliamentary career.

1.4.2 Women’s political participation at Sunkarie Kabba-Kamara, Mayor of Makeni, all levels Sierra Leone, delivered the keynote speech. Reflecting on her personal experience, she draws There is a growing body of evidence that women inspiration from the women in her community who make a positive difference to the quality of experience similar challenges. Lack of funding is decision-making. Research shows that increased one the biggest obstacles to women in politics and numbers of women in parliament contributes business. Frequently women have to fund their to the normalisation of a more women-friendly own political campaigns, which limits the chances environment. This positive change contributes to of women’s participation in politics. Mayor Kabba- a more conducive environment in which to discuss Kamara highlighted the role of the ‘all boys club/ Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 15

network’ in supporting men’s careers, calling for should invest more in ‘Mentoring Schools’ and more mentoring programmes to encourage women extracurricular activities such as leadership vacation to venture into male dominated roles/positions of camps to prepare girls to take on political roles. leadership and build a political career. Furthermore, men and boys should be sensitised to see girls as leaders. Hon. Browne recognised the Hon Councillor Buumba Malambo Magoba, of triple burden shift faced by women: family, work Kafue District Ward, Zambia, expounded on and community commitments, and the expected the strength and unity of women’s movements. roles of women as caregivers to their children, Women should acknowledge their strengths parents and husbands. Therefore, to ensure and support each other more in order to build women’s participation in politics, especially in senior confidence to speak up and engage in politics. leadership roles, ‘work and life’ balance in politics Women should work in solidarity and gain support should be redistributed equally to enable women from their male counterparts to demystify politics to participate in politics. For example, ensuring as a bad occupation. Women should be encouraged party meetings are not held at anti-social hours to pursue their interests in politics, such as renewing for women. and updating legal frameworks, providing childcare facilities and parental leave, and advocating Professor Sarah Childs Professor of Politics and gender equality initiatives. Political parties should Gender at Birkbeck University and Director of the introduce ‘zebra’ systems to ensure gender parity in Centre for the Study of British Politics and Public parliaments and governments. Life concluded the panel discussions by recognising women’s potential for senior leadership in politics Councillor Bev Esslinger Chair of the Federation and how this can be achieved by provision of of Canadian Municipalities Standing Committee essential services such as childcare facilities, access on International Relations highlighted specific to education, solidarity and mentorship. Political barriers faced by younger women, including lack of parties and their leaders must take responsibility education. A combination of sexism and ageism for changing informal and formal rules that make it has painted a misleading picture of young women difficult for women to enter politics. Women should as unsuitable for political office or even political collaborate with key male allies to address violence participation. Young women need female role against women in both their private and public lives. models and mentors — they are not voiceless or inactive observers of political deliberations, Interventions from the floor: George Mutabazi, but have the ability to contribute effectively in all President of Uganda’s Local Government democracies. Young women should be given seats Association, recommended that electoral at the table to discuss issues and be involved in reforms be fully democratic to enable a level decision-making that affects their lives, and not playing field and thus encourage more women to as spectators to the process. Councillor Esslinger join politics. A shift in male attitudes is necessary reiterated the importance of providing women with to change the electoral and political systems to the required technical and financial resources and accommodate, encourage and support women’s mentorship to encourage participation in politics. political participation. When women get involved The 2013 Uganda elections resulted in just one- in politics, their contribution is evidenced by a fall in woman councillor taking office after having more corrupt practices, effective management of public than a third in the previous election. To address this funds and increased productivity. Lejeune Mbella issue, a programme was initiated that supported Mbella, Foreign Minister, Cameroon, reiterated the 55 women to consider running for councillorships impact of unsocial working hours in politics as one resulting in an increase of female candidates from of the main barriers for women with young children. 12 per cent in 2013 to 30 per cent in 2017. More women equal better politics, beneficial for all women, children and men. Hon Maria Browne MP, Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Renewal, Government of and 1.4.3 Violence against women in elections Barbuda, reiterated the importance of mentoring. She was mentored from the age of 26, which Violence against women in elections (VAWIE) was crucial to her success as a politician, and undermines free, fair and inclusive elections as it strengthened her ability to deal with the abuse and negatively impacts women’s equal participation. mistreatment women face in politics. Governments Research has shown that women experience 16 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

different types of VAWIE ranging from harassment, women. Discusses gender equality and issues through intimidation, physical harm or coercion, of training and empowerment in the context threats, financial pressures and even death. It of elections. may be committed in the home or other private • Political parties and women participation and public spaces. These acts may be directed in Commonwealth Africa - based on case at women in any of their roles as electoral studies of six Commonwealth countries, stakeholders (e.g. voters, media, political/state this publication shows how Commonwealth actors, community leaders, or electoral officials). countries target and retain women in the Moreover, in specific circumstances institutional political context. It also considers how to mechanisms aimed at curbing such acts have increase the number of women in political proven ineffective in preventing or enforcing laws leadership positions, including specific roles to protect the rights of citizens. An increasing of various stakeholders, civic education and focus on women’s political participation, and a awareness as a key mechanism for promoting critical mass of women’s rights advocacy groups, women’s participation in politics. have raised the visibility of VAWIE narratives at home, in political arenas and in public spaces. Session 2 – Perspectives and Context: Addressing VAWIE remains a challenge due to the Experience Sharing paucity and difficulty of obtaining relevant data and information. The session examined the successes Hon Rebecca Kadaga, MP and Speaker of the and challenges around some of the current tools Parliament of Uganda, shared several examples of and initiatives utilised to address VAWIE. It also how VAWIE intends to prevent women from taking identified opportunities and the unique elements part in democratic processes at various levels. At the Commonwealth could contribute to addressing an individual level there is the example of a female this issue. candidate whose husband tried to prevent her from running in parliamentary elections by stealing her Session 1 – Launching Commonwealth national ID. In the family if a wife supports different Publications on Women in Politics candidates than her husband, she may be forbidden to vote, it may cause the family to separate and in Moderator: Prof Attahiru Jega, former worse cases scenarios the wives are murdered. On Chairman of National the campaign trail mob violence forces a female Electoral Commission of Nigeria candidate to abandon a campaign meeting, and mob violence at polling stations is used to stop The CHOGM 2018 theme, ‘Towards a Common women voters from casting their votes, mob Future’ inspires the call to end all forms of inequality violence. Even though sanctions may be brought and discrimination. The lack of inclusiveness and against the perpetrators of these crimes, VAWIE violence targeted at women prevents the building of should be prevented from occurring in the first an inclusive future. Prof Jega launched the following instance, and that involves a lot of work in the home Commonwealth Secretariat publications, which and communities. focused on challenges and strategies to address Violence Against Women in Elections (VAWIE): Hon Hazel Brandy-Williams, Junior Minister, Nevis Island Administration, St Kitts and Nevis, • A Handbook for Gender-Inclusive Elections reiterated that in many countries, women who enter in Commonwealth: Africa Achieving 50:50 by politics and public life are met with intimidation 2030 – a well-researched, evidence based and violence. It is widely acknowledged that VAWIE publication which reviews the systems, is a barrier to women’s political participation and legislation and best practice necessary to get presents a threat to electoral processes and more women into politics and help to realise democracy. Examples include the murder of the Goal 5 of the SDGs. British MP Jo Cox in 2016, and the shooting of • Women and political parties in five small states a Mexican electoral candidate in broad daylight of the Commonwealth - aimed at by a sitting municipal president whilst she was strengthening political party governance holding meetings with electorates. Hon Brandy- in relation to participation of women and Williams also highlighted that VAWIE is not limited addresses discrimination and violence against to physical violence, but includes online sexual Day One: Leadership and Empowerment \ 17

Parallel Session on Leadership and Empowerment on Day One of the Women’s Forum harassment, verbal attacks, trolls and stalking aimed sensitising men to change their attitudes towards at dissuading women from participating in politics. inclusive politics; involving civil society in finding Furthermore, discriminatory party structures feasible solutions; and formulating intervening results in men considering women to be a threat strategies to get more women into politics. rather than an asset. When such behaviours Hon Zubaida Jalal, former MP and Minister of become normalised, female politicians face unique Education, Pakistan, acknowledged the power risks. Such acts should be abhorred, as they are of education as a gift to empower women. Hon callous, cruel and undemocratic. Essentially, Jalal was elected as Pakistan’s Federal Minister of creative energies should be employed to muster Education in 1999 and served a 3-year term. She the might of the media, and seek ways to stem the was part of a government supportive of equality, tide of VAWIE. When a woman freely participates, achieving 33 per cent of women’s participation at the nation undoubtedly prospers. local government level and 17 per cent at provincial Dame Carol Kidu, former MP and Minister for and national levels. Crucially, women in power are Community Development, Papua New Guinea more attuned to the needs of other women and (PNG), has been very fortunate – unlike the majority gender-responsive policies are implemented of women in PNG, she has not experienced when women are in decision-making positions. election-related violence. There is a reluctance In her previous role as Minister for Women’s to change the status quo, which favours men Development, Hon Jalal was the first to: recognise in politics. As of 2017, PNG was one of the few that honour killing in Pakistan is a crime; set up the countries in the world that had no female MPs. Permanent National Commission on the Status of Since gaining independence in 1975, only seven Women; ensure reserved seats for women became women have been involved in politics. Increasingly, part of the Constitution; realised changes to women want to stand for elections but they face legislation on sexual harassment in the workplace; undisputed danger and very low chances of winning. and established a non-governmental organisation To overcome this problem, PNG is implementing for Women in Parliamentary Politics. Often women a multi-pronged approach: overcoming gender who contest seats come from strong political stereotypes, which limit the aspirations of girls; families with political dynasties (a woman without 18 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

such support finds it very difficult to stand for a 4. Threats and coercion – in some cases gendered seat). Hon Jalal was heavily pregnant opposition parties can convince husbands to when she stood for re-election in 2002, giving birth threaten their wives with divorce in a bid to three days after the election. These are particular have them stand down from election. circumstances only women experience hence the However, the first step to address the problem need for political spaces to protect their special is evidence that such problems exist. NDI’s rights. Some women voters face the challenge of #NotTheCost Campaign is aimed at raising having to travel long distances with their children in awareness, collecting data and building capacity to order to reach a polling station and cast their vote. address VAWIE. The International Foundation for Parts of Pakistan have developed policies to bear Electoral Systems (IFES) has worked on VAWIE to the cost of transporting women and providing a try to understand the nature of the problem. The meal for them and their families when they arrive at approaches used include documenting individual polling stations. VAWIE cases (generate statistics), targeted training Session 3 – VAWIE Tools and on VAWIE and addressing the root causes of VAWIE Best Practice amongst others. The Forum noted the existing challenges to encourage national jurisdictions to Caroline Hubbard is the Senior Gender Advisor develop frameworks aimed at addressing VAWIE, and Project Manager National Democratic and made the following recommendations to: Institute (NDI) in the US, an organisation which • Encourage Election Management Bodies to devised a ‘Votes without Violence’ toolkit aimed develop gender sensitive policies; at raising awareness, collecting data and building capacity to address issues. Their website includes • Establish an index on ratings of 50 tools to allow people to find talking points, and up Commonwealth countries related to VAWIE; skill in areas such as media monitoring. Ms Hubbard • Research, strengthen capacities and work addressed the issue of backlash, whereby as more closely with political parties and CSOs; women enter into politics violence becomes more prevalent. VAWIE is any act of election violence • Establish partnerships to complement aimed at women because they are women and existing tools; aimed at subverting women’s participation in the • Facilitate voter education clubs in schools; and political process. This manifests itself in many different ways: • Mobilise funds to promote participation of women in the political processes. 1. Physical violence – for example, the female German mayor who was stabbed one day before the election; the Honduras councillor who was attacked by her opponent; women in Côte d’Ivoire who in 2010/2011 were harmed by opposition parties because their husbands were out protesting. 2. Sexual violence – including threats of divorce and women voters being molested in line at polling stations, dissuading them from voting. In Kenya, women have called for separate voting queues. 3. Online abuse/assault - this is the most prevalent form of violence against women in elections, and the least visible. Examples include the online campaigns against Hillary Clinton in the US 2016 election. Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 19

Day Two: The Road to Empowerment

2.1 Towards a Common Future diversity, and is uniquely placed to give all member states an equal voice. The Commonwealth More than 1,500 delegates from all over the world should commit efforts to address the challenges attended the first joint session of the Women’s, confronting humanity in the twenty-first century Youth, People’s and Business Forums. Speakers and such as trade protectionism, cyber security, delegates across business, civil society and climate change, use of chemical weapons and government sectors gathered to synergise efforts inequality. The Rt Hon May urged Leaders to agree and share insights, expertise and resources on how on the landmark Blue Charter, and presented to better deliver a fairer, more prosperous, secure the co-operation between the UN and Vanuatu and sustainable future for everyone in the on the Commonwealth Clean Oceans Alliance. Commonwealth. The joint forum celebrated culture She also announced investment in addressing in the Commonwealth with a dazzling and the vulnerability and resilience of small states. In energising 15-minute performance by 53 advancing equality, she called for a redoubling drummers from Commonwealth Resounds of efforts in tackling malaria, addressing youth celebrating music and musicians from across the unemployment, providing a 12-year quality Commonwealth. The theme of unity and education to all girls and boys, and reforming celebration ran through the opening remarks of the discriminatory laws that fail to protect women, girls Commonwealth Secretary-General (SG), Rt Hon and LGBTQI. Her speech noted ‘… colonial laws Patricia Scotland QC. The SG declared like Martin were often put in place by the British Empire, and Luther King, she and the Commonwealth ‘have a were wrong then and they are wrong now. As a dream’ that can be turned into a reality due to the family of nations, the Commonwealth must respect collective wisdom and aspirations of the 2.4 billion cultures and traditions but it must be in line with the Commonwealth citizens who are united by common values of fairness and equality. Nobody common values and a vision to lead the way to a should face persecution or discrimination because common future for everyone, ensuring no one is of who she/he is or loves. The UK will support any left behind. country that wants to reform out dated legislation.’ The Rt Hon , Prime Minister of UK, The Commonwealth recently accredited an delivered the keynote address. The Commonwealth organisation that promotes the rights of LGBTQI gathers strength from its geographical and cultural people but more needs to be done to attain equity. 20 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

Bill Gates, Co-Chair of the Bill and Melinda life skills to learn honesty, integrity and discipline — Gates Foundation, delivered a keynote message through sport and quality education — will translate applauding the Commonwealth for playing an into more equal and prosperous societies. important role in improving progress in the modern world. In almost all areas, Commonwealth countries 2.2 Educate to Empower are at the forefront of progress. Mr Gates urged According to the Global Partnership for Education, all to look for positive outliers and adopt their women represent nearly two thirds of the world’s approaches. In 2011, Commonwealth Heads of illiterate. Sixty-one (61) million girls of primary and Government met in Perth, Australia and agreed lower-secondary school age are out of school. to accelerate actions — such as improving routine Furthermore, girls are 1.5 times more likely than immunisation — and provide financial support to boys to be excluded from primary school. At the eradicate polio. India was one of the countries primary level, only 26 per cent of low-income that faced the biggest challenges to wipe out countries show gender parity in enrolment; 58 per the disease, yet India has been polio-free since cent show disparity and 16 per cent do not have 2014. Mr Gates also highlighted Commonwealth recent data available. The session highlighted efforts in driving down child mortality rates and successful work achieved and impact on learning cutting malaria deaths by half. The Commonwealth outcomes for the most marginalised, supported continues to be at the frontline to completely and implemented by Commonwealth partners, eliminate Malaria. Mr Gates quoted success stories CSOs, women’s rights organisations, and in bilateral including Singapore’s education system, which and multilateral partnerships (UN, business leaders, has become a global role model, and lauded the World Bank, GPE), foundations and business leaders efforts of Caribbean states and global campaigns in partnership with governments to ensure policy to take climate change seriously: ‘Commonwealth uptake and scalability. best practices, if adopted worldwide, would revolutionise the world and help us solve Moderator: Julia Gillard, Chair, Global Partnership many problems. Progress is not inevitable but for Education (GPE) and former Prime Minister Commonwealth countries’ desire to progress and of Australia to co-operate means that we can all get ahead.’ Despite the profound changes achieved through , Prime Minister of , the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), which focused his remarks on the sustainability of counts 20 Commonwealth countries among its Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The members, more than 130 million girls have no Commonwealth shares a common language, opportunity to attend school. Quality education common law, a belief in democratic governments is so low that children exit school not able to and transparent institutions, shared principles, read or write and girls continue to face violence human rights and freedom, while acknowledging when they try to get an education. Barriers and its diversity. Viewing the Commonwealth’s solutions, including breakthroughs that can collective challenges through the prism of fair and accelerate progress for women and girls, was sustainable solutions, will lead to increased security the main focus of the session. A copy of the and prosperity. PM Holness highlighted the threat Girls’ Education Framework was presented to of climate change as a current reality for SIDS, delegates for their endorsement, to take forward including Jamaica. Countries considered as middle- to Heads of Government. Peace Ayo, Malala income countries lose their GDP growth rates Fund Girl Ambassador, said her main motivation overnight from events caused by climate change. for becoming an advocate for girls’ education in The conversation around climate change, as an Nigeria, was that the voices of schoolgirls were imperative, should be treated as an investment rarely heard. Of critical importance is the lack for the resilience of affected countries. Therefore, of adequate resources and support in schools. funding for resilience, adaptation and mitigation Several barriers to girls’ education in Nigeria include should not be treated as aid. Furthermore, PM extreme poverty, making it difficult to access Holness focused attention on emerging threats menstrual products, thus forcing girls out of such as obesity and non-communicable diseases education and into early employment. Ms Ayo called and should be addressed in both developed and for investment in 12 years of free, safe and quality developing countries. Enabling young people with education for all girls. Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 21

l-r: Rt Hon Julia Gillard-Australia, Farah Mohammed-Canada, Julia Lalla-Maharajh-UK and Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt-UK at the ‘Educate to Empower’ plenary session

Penny Mordaunt, UK Secretary of State Farah Mohamed, CEO of the Malala Fund for International Development, highlighted corroborated the importance of partnership how critical education is to the achievement working. Innovative technological solutions of the SDGs and for building a fairer and allow for a more effective, efficient and more prosperous future. Hon Mordaunt fun approach to learning, evidenced in the acknowledged the barriers that have partnership between the Malala Fund and confronted governments, which include limited Apple enabling expansion of efforts to provide funds, and families frequently prioritising all girls with 12 years of free, safe, and quality boys’ education over girls’. In response, education. Ms Mohamed added that educating DFID has supported over 2.1 million girls girls is an opportunity we cannot afford to miss, in 13 Commonwealth countries to gain a as integration of women in the labour market quality education and the UK Government adds trillions of dollars to the economy. Julia is committed to continue its expertise with Lalla-Maharajh, CEO and Founder Orchid other Commonwealth countries and will Project, emphasised the role of education in deploy technical expertise to drive up the ending FGM. Over 200 million girls are living quality of teaching. Hon Mordaunt echoed in fear of being cut, a practice that robs girls commitments to unlocking 12 years of quality of their capacity to chart a future. Education education by 2030 and shared the launch of can help change decisions at individual, the Girls’ Education Policy Lab with support household and community levels. However, from Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand. girls must be at the centre of the conversation The initiative will ensure one million girls across and efforts to end FGM. Hon Otiko Afisa- the Commonwealth can access 12 years of Djaba, Minister for Gender, Children and quality education and learning. The UK intends Social Protection, Ghana, spoke about the to partner with the Malala Fund and the United Ghanaian Government’s educational efforts, Girls Education Initiative (UNGEI) to further which benefited 25,000 vulnerable girls. These support 53,000 girls who have never attended efforts included keeping pregnant girls in or dropped out of school, including young education and enabling young mothers to mothers and girls with disabilities, to enable continue their education. Minister Afisa-Djaba them achieve their full potential. also announced the Ghanaian Government’s 22 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

declared would graduate from a least developed country (LDC) to a developing country. ‘Education for all’ remains a key objective to achieving Bangladesh’s policy vision of inclusive development. International plans and policies are geared towards achieving the SDGs. HE Ret Brigadier Julius Maada Wonie, President of Sierra Leone made his first presentation since he assumed office on 4 April 2018. He promised a new direction for Sierra Leone, with free education as a flagship programme that aimed to make Sierra Leone a middle-income country (MIC). He committed Sierra Leone to delivering 12 years of Rt Hon , Prime Minister of Bangladesh at the free and good quality education by 2030, ensuring Educate to Empower Session girls and children with disabilities would have equal opportunities to complete the full cycle of primary commitment to provide free high school and secondary education. Education helps to lift education, and to be part of this great people out of poverty. It creates new opportunities programme aimed at promoting education for to address unfair income distribution. Education the girl-child. creates awareness and helps to sustain democracy Rt Hon Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of and peace. Educating girls also delivers large Bangladesh, in her keynote address, highlighted health benefits as they have fewer and healthier the work Bangladesh is doing towards a future children. However, education is a means to an end where women and men, hand in hand, act as — achieving inclusive development where no one a cornerstone for a society free from poverty, is left behind. President Wonie applauded the role discrimination and conflict. Gender equality women played in his life when his father died when is enshrined in the Bangladeshi Constitution, he was young. Clearly he understands the needs and according to the World Economic Forum, of women and guaranteed his support to achieve Bangladesh now ranks seventh in the world in the development for women and girls in Sierra Leone. political empowerment of women. Gender equality Professor Asha Kanwar, President and CEO, and women’s empowerment were two of the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), outlined the main areas of focus for Rt Hon Hasina when she COL contribution for open distance learning, which became Prime Minister. Provision of free schooling allows girls to study at their own convenience for up to grade 12, free school meals programme for a fraction of the cost. COL promotes learning for up to 2.84 million children and the world’s biggest sustainable development recognising the central free distribution of textbooks (started in 2010), role of women’s equality and empowerment in account for the remarkable gains Bangladesh has that process. However, COL recognised that made in the field of education over the past two children’s schooling can constitute a substantial decades, especially for women and girls. Similarly, cost burden to families; while open schools adopt positive change is observed in politics, with 50 seats a flexible approach that allows learners to work to reserved for women in the Jatiya Sangsad (national their own schedule. The Namibian College of Open parliament) and Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Learning (NAMCOL) costs one fifth of what it would becoming the first woman Speaker of the Jatiya cost to put a student through a campus-based Sangsad. Special economic zones for women and institution. Apart from financial obstacles, a lack market places for their products, and 190 women of safe learning spaces and biases of stakeholders working in peacekeeping missions are further inhibit the enrolment of girls in the formal school examples of Bangladesh’s focus on education and system. COL implemented the child-friendly empowerment. Moreover, education is making school environment in Nigeria, which focuses on real change to the lives of all girls and women, as safety and security, sanitation and child-centred evidenced in rural women’s improved quality of teaching methodologies. Nigeria has a partnership life, and in reduced gender-based violence and with COL to mainstream this model for educating prevalence of child marriage. The UN recently the girl-child. Political will is necessary to ensure Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 23

l-r: Arancha González-ITC, Hon Marie-Claude Bibeau-Canada, Hon Senator Kamina Johnson Smith-Jamaica, Rt Hon Dr Isatou Touray-Gambia, Olusegun Awolowo-Nigeria, Rebecca Marmot-UK, and Farhana A Rahman-Bangladesh at the Diversity and Women’s Economic Empowerment plenary session. programmes become mainstreamed — developing deprived schools in Ghana. Broadcasting lessons social capital, empowering mothers, and sensitising can reach up to 26 classrooms and allows access communities can be the most powerful ways to for children who would otherwise not have a ensure the success of girls. COL’s Lifelong Learning quality teacher. This programme is not only for Farmers initiative recognises these as key cost effective; it has improved the educational ingredients for success. achievements of students who had been displaced by conflict, and enabled reintegration into host Asyia Kazmi, Lead Girls’ Education Challenge communities. Delivering teacher training and (GEC), UK, focused on the transformative role of community engagement support the educational education and the importance of extra-curricular efforts, and the model can be replicated in many activities with an academic focus, complemented environments. Richard Mukaga, Project Manager, by family support and efficient and sustainable Cheshire Services Uganda, highlighted the need resource utilisation. Schooling helps to overcome to change our approach to education for girls with economic barriers faced by women and girls. For disabilities. To be effective, such a change must education to fulfil its potential, qualified teachers involve creating a favourable environment within are essential. Data collection plays a critical communities so that attitudes change in support of role in improving efforts to provide free and girls with a focus on improving conditions at schools quality education for all. Accessible data enables so girls with disabilities are able to get an education assessment of the current situation, supports and feel loved and appreciated. Moreover, the development of policy and other interventions, quality of teaching should be responsive to the and measures progress. Lucy Lake, CEO of the learning needs of children with disabilities. Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) International, UK, spoke about how CAMFED’s work supports marginalised girls in schools to 2.3 Diversity and Women’s become the leaders of change. CAMFED has Economic Empowerment systems in place to track the support provided to While men and women are affected differently by every girl. These systems are designed to deal with trade policies and gender inequalities, they have power dynamics and entitlements. Focusing on different skills, face diverse challenges and have good quality education for the most vulnerable is different access to productive resources. Nations the most effective way of achieving gender equality have to develop gender responsive policies to and empowerment. Muniratu Issifu, Founder and ensure women are able to take advantage of all CEO, Varkey Foundation, India, highlighted the opportunities presented by global trade. The importance of using technology for education. session – jointly delivered by the Commonwealth Mr Issifu spoke about the organisation’s ‘Teach Business Forum - discussed opportunities to Reach Remote Classrooms’ (TRC) project, which provides interactive distance learning to 24 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

presented by global trade and how women can that empowering women is the best way to position themselves to enjoy the benefits and grow end poverty and inequalities. Canada’s agenda their businesses. places emphasis on supporting adolescent girls to obtain education, to make better choices and Arancha González, Executive Director, ensure effective participation in leadership and International Trade Centre (ITC), opened the decision-making. Specific initiatives have been session and noted that despite the fact that trade tailored to women’s needs including ‘Voice and has lifted millions out of poverty the benefits have Leadership’, designed to support local women’s not been evenly spread. In specific situations, trade civil society organisations to defend their rights, has exacerbated or perpetuated inequalities. Only and include work on ending child, early and forced 1 in 5 exporting companies is a woman-owned marriage (CEFM), improving access to finance and business due to challenges such as discrimination women’s right to own property. Minister Bibeau in laws, lack of access to finance and networks, and emphasised that the Canadian government wants women bearing disproportionate responsibilities to work with local governments and grassroots for unpaid work. Ms González introduced the organisations to enable implementation of the #SheTrades initiative supported by the ITC, DFID global value chain business model not only to boost and UKAid, which aims to ensure trade becomes competitiveness and profitability but also to ensure inclusive, and focuses on quality not quantity. The long-term sustainability. Canada’s international Commonwealth is now committed to take forward trade minister is pushing the discussion on the #SheTrades as part of its agenda. Harriett Baldwin, remit of international trade, and Canada recently Minister of State for Africa at the UK Department signed its first international trade agreement for International Development, in her keynote with Chile integrating a gender element. The speech focused on how women’s economic Government also partnered with the World Bank on development raises income, provides potential the Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) to drive growth and delivers better livelihoods. to provide access to capital for entrepreneurs in Despite the fact that women’s access to markets developing markets. One of its main objectives and opportunities is essential to delivering growth is the provision of a dedicated Fund to support to everyone, women entrepreneurs and producers women entrepreneurs all over the world. Arancha face disproportional barriers such as poorer access Gonzalez added that the European Union is now to information and finance including difficulties following Canada’s lead in integrating gender into in safe depositing of money. Due to the UK’s trade agreements. current work in Nigeria and over 500,000 women have been given access to better financial The Hon Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister services, including a tailored saving service which of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Jamaica, allows women to deposit money safely. Ms Baldwin focused on the impact of trade on Caribbean urged the Commonwealth to take concrete and countries. Trade is central to economic growth in collective actions to build on the Buenos Aires the Caribbean region. Even though close to 40 Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic per cent of households in Jamaica are headed by Empowerment. She also spoke about the launch of women, integrating women in the formal economy #SheTradesCommonwealth, which over the next presents a real challenge. The unemployment two years, will develop an innovative global outlook statistics in 2017 show that female unemployment on trade, compile data for countries to act on and has doubled to 17.5 per cent, compared to men to measure progress, and increased participation at 9.3 per cent.1 However, the good news is that of women-owned businesses in international trade. women took up 70 per cent of new jobs created The programme will also offer targeted assistance and Jamaica has the highest percentage of women and develop gender-responsive future trade managers globally.2 Minister Johnson Smith policies. Funding will also be provided to improve highlighted the need to create an infrastructure competitiveness for 2,500 female entrepreneurs. to support single parent female entrepreneurs The Hon Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophone, 1 https://tradingeconomics.com/jamaica/unemployment- Canada, presented Canada’s feminist foreign male-percent-of-male-labor-force-wb-data.html 2 http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/--- policy agenda. Putting women at the heart of dgreports/---dcomm/---publ/documents/publication/ international assistance policy demonstrates wcms_334882.pdf Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 25

and the role government and businesses can is gender responsive and is working play in this endeavour. The government is closely with the International Trade Centre (ITC) developing an action plan (2017-2022) for to champion #SheTrades across and beyond the international trade policy that mainstreams gender African continent. Minister Touray concluded by throughout. This will complement the National calling for more feminist strategies in investment Policy on Gender Equality, which ensures gender and financing. is mainstreamed across government processes. Olusegun Awolowo, Executive Director, CEO, Furthermore, the ‘Women Empowered Through Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Export (WE-XPORT)”3 programme was designed presented suggestions to strengthen the to support Caribbean women in learning about Commonwealth Trade Agenda. He addressed trade and other aspects of business. Currently, 21 this issue through the prism of the experiences in Jamaican companies are being supported through Nigeria, which suffered economic collapse due to the programme to start or increase exports of their falling oil prices. At that time, the Nigerian economy products and services. Minister Kamina Johnson was driven by services (56 per cent) and agriculture further highlighted how GBV – including sexual (27 per cent) with oil contributing only 9 per cent. harassment at work - affects women’s voices, their Thus, to many, the economic impact of oil prices ability to self-actualise, and in turn limits women’s on the economy was surprising. However, Nigeria’s economic empowerment. Towards a meaningful foreign exchange earnings were due to oil exports progress for women’s empowerment, a multi- of 90 per cent. To reduce its dependency on oil and pronged approach is necessary to eliminate VAWG. mitigate future risks Nigeria decided to implement The Rt Hon Dr Isatou Touray, Minister of Trade, a ‘Zero Oil’ policy and to diversify its economy. Two Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, areas were identified for expansion, petrochemicals The Gambia, shared the opportunities and and women-led agriculture. For the latter to challenges that trade presents to Gambian women. succeed, there was a need to orchestrate efforts to Women’s participation in the economy is not a ensure women food producers and exporters were new phenomenon, but we need to recognise it, aware of international platforms supporting their own and leverage it. Women actively participate work/produce. The #SheTrades initiative became in key sectors including agriculture, fishing and a perfect platform to show women entrepreneurs trade. However, 63 per cent of medium and small the many opportunities that exist outside the enterprises (MSEs) and 90 per cent of micro Nigerian market. Mr Awolowo, Aisha Muhammadu enterprises are informal. Women own 80 per Buhari (Nigeria’s First Lady) and others are working cent of these informal entities but 75 per cent on legislation to ensure Government, the largest of women are facing inequalities. The Gambia procurement agency in Nigeria, procures from is ready to address these inequalities, to rebuild women-led businesses. Mr Awolowo further the economy and rebrand itself. A new face for shared a personal story of drawing inspiration democracy in Gambia will involve taking on gender from his grandmother who was an entrepreneur considerations. A good example is the national and fashion designer, who used her income to development plan, which now includes gender support her husband to study in the UK. Rebecca responsive programming and targets. Other Marmot, Vice President Global Partnerships and challenges include the lack of recognition of rural Advocacy, Unilever, presented Unilever’s business women’s contribution to the economy, issues model, which focuses not solely on profitability but around women’s access to land (they have user also on making positive social and environmental rights but not ownership rights); and lack of access impacts, in line with the SDGs. Achieving Goal 5, to funds to engage in mechanised farming or add on gender equality and empowering all women and value to processes. Interest rates are very high girls, is integral to the achievement of all other at 25 per cent. To solve this, Gambia is exploring Goals. Furthermore, unlocking women’s potential is the synergies between the Ministry of Agriculture Unilever’s key priority as women can help Unilever and the Fisheries Ministries and departments to to grow. The social and economic implications for increase value addition and make sure everyone including women are evident from the data showing benefits equitably. Furthermore, economic policy that women reinvest about 90 per cent back into their families and community’s compared to men 3 https://www.carib-export.com/export-development/we- xport/ 26 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

who reinvest about 30-40 per cent.4 Furthermore, (ensuring equal opportunities for women), inclusive economic parity is estimated by the McKinsey of branding, and product distribution. Ms Marmot Global Institute to be worth about US$28 million highlighted that success of the SDGs depends on in the global economy.5 Equally important is the co-operation between businesses, governments, business case: women control 64 per cent of supra-national bodies and NGOs. consumer spending, and are the vast majority of Farhana A Rahman, Chairperson and CEO, UY Unilever’s consumers. Systems Ltd, Bangladesh, described how trade Unilever is the second largest advertiser in the impacted her as a woman entrepreneur. Globally world and one third of the world’s population uses women’s presence in ICT is very limited, and in its products every day. This offers an opportunity Bangladesh women’s businesses are frequently to effect a lasting change and Unilever’s examples regarded ventures not to be taken seriously. These include changing the way goods are provided limitations inspired her to enter international trade. to help lessen the burden of unpaid care. By This has proven to be a game-changer as it showed working with UN Women to eliminate out dated Bangladeshi businesses and other Bangladeshi stereotypes in advertising, Unilever has contributed women, the benefits of including women in their to normative change. Other examples include workforce and in Boards. Ms Rahman was the developing life skills through the Dove Fund and first Director of the Bangladesh Association of lobbying for separate male and female toilets in Software and Services. This industry had female schools (the lack of such facilities is one of the entrepreneurs but no single woman on the trade main reasons for girls dropping out of school). body. Although many challenges remain, including Unilever also partnered with DfID on an initiative access to finance and markets, industry and country called TRANSFORM,6 which applied private branding, and retention of employees, Ms Rahman’s sector solutions and approaches to solving influence has realised change in the ICT business global challenges, especially within the context in Bangladesh over the last 15 years, with the of developing economies, to drive the progress potential of further increasing women’s interest in on SDGs. Unilever just finished a programme in the industry. India where mobile content was developed for women farmers – portraying women as leaders, 2.4 Launch: ‘Understanding the and discussing what agro inputs they might need. Investment Potential of the The gender lens is applied, for example, by making women team leaders and involving men in the Commonwealth Diaspora’ project work. Gender lens enabled knowledge Amelia Kinahoi Siamomua, Head of Gender on the impact of violence against women as an Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, presented important barrier to economic empowerment the Commonwealth Secretariat’s thinking about and trade. To overcome this, Unilever is now leveraging diaspora networks for prosperity. To working with women and men on safety in tea better understand diaspora communities across estates including appointing women as team the Commonwealth and to boost their investment leaders, which constitutes a big change culturally. potential, the Secretariat conducted a flagship An and Ford Foundation partnership in survey. Six UK-based High Commissions – India works with women farmers to find solutions Bangladesh, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Kenya and Nigeria to barriers and to provide innovative financing. – collaborated with the Commonwealth Secretariat Focusing on integrating gender in the value chain, on the report. These countries represent the Ms Marmot stated that Unilever takes gender Commonwealth’s diverse membership, have under consideration starting from farmers and high remittance inflows and are actively pursuing the sourcing through to Unilever’s own operations initiatives to leverage diaspora finance. Faiyaz Siddiq Koya, Minister for Trade and Tourism, 4 https://unwomen.org.au/our-work/focus-areas/ Fiji, recognised the report, titled ‘Understanding economic-empowerment/ the Investment Potential of the Commonwealth 5 https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/ Diaspora’, will assist all Commonwealth countries, employment-and-growth/how-advancing-womens- equality-can-add-12-trillion-to-global-growth especially small island states, to have a better 6 https://www.unilever.com/news/news-and-features/ understanding of diaspora investment ambitions. Feature-article/2018/unilever-partnership-pledges-40- Minister Koya thanked the Secretariat for including million-pounds-to-support-social-enterprises.html Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 27

Fiji in the survey aimed at giving a true picture of Malta has made fantastic progress on women’s situations on the ground. This is a crucial first step participation in the workforce (now at par with to realise the true potential of diaspora investments European Union’s average and aiming for more). and outlining the deterrents that diaspora The key was empowerment and understanding communities currently face. Fiji has introduced the obstacles to women joining the labour force. ‘It various policies to incentivise diasporas to invest in makes economic sense to free the huge potential Fiji, such as the dual citizenship scheme. Fiji looks of women… it’s a common sense economic forward to working closely with the Secretariat approach’. A key policy change Malta made was to further diaspora investment, including the the introduction of free and universal childcare for development of a diaspora investment toolkit. all working parents — an expensive programme but it ‘freed so much potential that it is now paying 2.5 Parallel Sessions: The for itself’ as many more women joined the labour Environment That Empowers market, especially single mothers who received benefits. Within five years of undertaking this 2.5.1 Getting the policy environment feminist approach to poverty reduction, Malta right for women’s economic succeeded in reducing the number of people in empowerment severe and material deprivation by two-thirds to 3.8 per cent of population, which is below the Research has shown that enabling women to EU average. achieve their full economic potential — through the HE Vice President of the supply of decent work, reducing barriers that hinder United Republic of Tanzania affirmed women’s women’s participation such as unpaid care work, economic empowerment as a sound investment and increasing investment in social infrastructure and good economics, a moral imperative and — could add as much as US$12 trillion (or 11 central to justice. Countries’ progress should be per cent) to the global economy in 2025. The measured by looking at the status of its women, session presented an invaluable opportunity to disregarding GDP figures as the standard. The full learn from high-level government officials about empowerment of women includes the removal initiatives to improve the policy environment for of social, cultural, economic and political barriers women’s economic empowerment, the positive to growth including access to land and credit, as results as well as the challenges experienced. The well as lack of investment in women and their Moderator Joanna Roper CMG Special Envoy businesses. To overcome these challenges, for Gender Equality, UK, in her inspiring opening Tanzania implemented a number of policy reforms comments, stressed the importance of achieving including establishment of a land tribunal where 3 an enabling environment for women’s economic out of 7 members are women; establishment of a empowerment through a multifaceted approach, women’s development bank; and ring-fencing 30 which includes long term work to change social per cent of government procurement for women and cultural norms and the political will to effect owned businesses. Despite these improvements change. Women are disproportionally represented in the public sector, the private sector lags behind in the informal economy and disadvantaged in with only 20 per cent of businesses led by women. terms of job security, social protection and pay, The public and private sectors have to work jointly with marginalised groups (including people with to ensure the empowerment of women is more disabilities) affected the most. When women meaningful. Charlotte V McClain-Nhlapo, Global participate and contribute to the economy, they Disability Advisor, World Bank, acknowledged bring self-sufficiency, pride, and 90 per cent social that ‘Women with disabilities do not constitute a investment for future generations (e.g. health, homogenous group… they really are part of our children’s education, sports development). Central human diversity’. It’s estimated that 1 in 5 women to shifting from words to actions, Governments worldwide have a disability or will experience one should work closely with CSOs to support women’s form of disability in their lifetime, and only 17 per economic empowerment. HE Dr , cent of girls with disabilities are finishing primary Prime Minister of Malta stressed the importance school, according to a World Bank study. Women of ensuring girls get access to decent education as and girls with disabilities are among some of the education is the essential foundation for women’s most vulnerable and discriminated against groups in economic empowerment. In the last five years, 28 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

the world. Critical challenges to the empowerment women, and enactment of legal protections of women with disabilities include stigma, social that recognise rewards and redistribute unpaid norms, discrimination and infantilisation. Women care work, as well as redistribution of assets and and girls also face larger barriers in their access to strengthening of collective representation and credit and assets, as well as to improved physical visibility. There is ‘amazing value in sharing and environment. We need to take active measures learning from each other’ — women’s economic to remove the systemic barriers that women with empowerment is a win-win for everyone, men, disabilities face and build robust global architecture. women and children. A systematic review of legal It is important to accelerate the progress made and regulatory frameworks is necessary so policies under the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons are transparent and inclusive when designed and with Disability, especially Article 6, and the SDGs, implemented. Accountability is key in conducting through policies implementation and strengthening systematic impact assessment of policies (ex-ante of normative and legislative framework, including and ex-post), and assures voice, representation and gender-responsive budgeting to ensure that agency for women. budgets work for everyone including women with disabilities. It is also critical to collect disaggregated 2.5.2 What works with business to data on disability, pursue equal pay for equal work, progress inclusive economic and utilise new technology that offers a fantastic empowerment? opportunity for inclusion because, ‘When we invest Empowering women economically helps advance in empowering women with disabilities, we build a welfare for all. Women are particularly active in more sustainable society for all’. Use a gender lens the informal sector and in small and medium when doing gender budgeting, including women sized enterprises (according to the International with disability. Finance Corporation, women own close to 10 Shirley Pryce, President, Jamaica Household million businesses worldwide). Women also Workers’ Union, shared a personal and powerful suffer from occupational segregation, often story of empowerment and of growing an being clustered in the low-paid, low-return jobs impressive network and Union of domestic workers or parts of the value chain. The session explored from national to regional and international levels. concrete actions that businesses throughout the The aim of the union is to give voice to the most Commonwealth are taking to improve diversity in exploited, vulnerable, invisible and least protected the workforce and assist women-led businesses, and empowered (estimated to be 67 million women employees and women-owned SMEs, as worldwide) in society. ‘If domestic workers stop well as promoting LGBT rights and the equal and working, the world stops working’. Ms Pryce urged active participation of other marginalised groups, Commonwealth Governments who are yet to such as people with disabilities. Richard Burge, ratify the International Labour Organization (ILO) CEO, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Convention 189 (also known as the Domestic Council (CWEIC) opened the session, which was Workers Convention) to follow the example of jointly managed with Commonwealth Business Jamaica and 28 other countries to ratify the Forum. Mr Burge described diversity as an issue Convention to show their commitment for the to be tackled across the spectrum and not just protection of vulnerable members and ensure the in business. Chief Executives can and do make a welfare of domestic workers are safeguarded. Dr difference and ensure equitability, equality and a Margo Thomas, President and CEO Women’s better environment for women to work in. The Rt Economic Imperative, quoted Christine Lagarde, Hon Baroness Prashar, Deputy Chairman, British Managing Director of the International Monetary Council, stressed the need for more support Fund: ‘Women’s empowerment is not just a from the multinational corporations towards small moral imperative; it’s an economic no-brainer’. enterprises to encourage inclusivity. Dr Thomas stated that the lack of economic Theme One of the parallel workshops focused empowerment and recognition of women’s on creating an inclusive environment. Tracey contribution to the economy, amounts to ‘imposing McDermott, Group Head of Corporate, Public a tax on the forgone economic growth’. A multi- and Regulatory Affairs, Standard Chartered pronged approach is required to tackle adverse Bank, highlighted the importance of women’s norms and practices that negatively impact involvement in developing healthy businesses Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 29

Parallel Session on ‘The Environment That Empowers’ on Day Two of the Women’s Forum and achieving thriving economies. To create an thereby promoting women business leaders as inclusive environment, we need to begin with brand ambassadors. Women’s networks should adolescent girls and focus on quality education be strengthened and serve as opportunities to that encompasses financial literacy and key connect women with employers and contractors. business skills, for women to set up and manage Moreover, diversity efforts made by corporations businesses. Partnerships with communities, in the US, Europe and the UK, should be extended families, and schools and NGOs, should encourage beyond these regions through work with businesses the development of necessary skills to reduce and partnerships with NGOs. barriers, and strengthen inclusion and women’s Theme Two of the workshop centred on Women access to finance. Christine Svarer, Team Lead: in Leadership in corporate and public boards. Sue The Work and Opportunities for Women (WOW) MacDonald, Executive President of People and programme and Director Women’s Empowerment Organisation, Wood PLC, recalled the first time she BSR, encouraged businesses to improve women’s was treated differently as a woman, upon entering economic opportunities using a simple framework employment, working on off-shore oil rigs. Despite such as WOW, to ‘Act’ — companies should the progress in the oil and gas industry, including 40 institutionalise inclusivity and consider women in all per cent of women on the boards, the majority of roles and positions; ‘Enable’ — systemic progress the 55,000 employees across all companies in the such as building mutually beneficial relationships industry are men. The industry should encourage with companies; and ‘Influence’ change across more women to join through simple methods such sectors at all levels — companies should endeavour as sharing reports and inviting them to meetings, to showcase women’s empowerment and their and ensuring women on maternity leave continue to values and contribution in the global supply be involved. Flexible policies would ensure women chain. Archana Bhatnagar Managing Director are valued, needed and wanted in the workplace. of Haylide Chemicals Pvt. Ltd, India, called for Governments also have a role to play by amending lessons learned, actual images and stories of the and creating workplace policies that promote positive contribution of women-owned enterprises women’s economic empowerment, including the should be publicised and widely disseminated, role of fathers in tackling gender stereotypes and 30 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

encouraging girls to aim high and enter traditionally Ola Abu Alghaib, Deputy Director and Global male industries. Folorunso Alakija, Vice President, Head of Policy and Partnership, Leonard Cheshire Famfa Oil, Nigeria, pointed out that non-inclusion Disability, focused on the exclusion many people of women is a huge waste of potential since with disabilities are facing in the workplace, companies with women in leadership positions especially in lower middle-income countries are more financially stable and generally perform (LMICs). The promotion of the economic case for better. Companies should recognise the benefits inclusion and partnership between NGOs and the of promoting women to leadership positions and private sector can help employers identify people understand that women are powerful drivers of who are excluded, and help source training and economic growth when given the opportunity. skills required to access employment. Jazz Shaban, Companies need to challenge cultural expectations Policy and Advocacy Advisor, Humanity and to enable women to believe in their own potential to Inclusion (formerly Handicap International) UK, take up leadership positions, and provide required also mentioned the importance of inclusive hiring, support for women to succeed at home, work retention and promotion. Businesses should work and in the market place. Ms Alakija recommended closely with their staff to assess and promote the that the corporate sector partner with high appetite for diversity and inclusion, and develop and schools and universities to provide scholarships implement relevant policies. to girls in industries with low female engagement; institutionalise gender sensitive policies, including 2.5.3 Enabling women’s access to assets provision of childcare facilities; and implement Ensuring all women’s access to assets is essential modern working policies, such as flex-time, job- for women’s economic and wider empowerment. sharing and remote. Importantly, assets should not be considered in Recommendations drawn from the session isolation. To be truly transformative, women require included enhancing the promotion of women’s access to land and financial services. Ensure strong leadership at a junior level through mentoring, legislative frameworks for women’s equal access to shadow leadership and delegated authority to assets are in place and implemented in all countries. manage their careers and family responsibilities. This requires challenging discriminatory norms, it Profiling of middle level women managers shows being critically important to reach those women the pathway women can get into senior leadership facing multiple forms of discrimination (including positions. Inclusion of women on interview panels LGBTI women). Participants shared positive not only promotes inclusion and diversity, but examples from across the Commonwealth such as showcases women as effective leaders. Other the changes to land titling in Rwanda, which resulted successful policies include supporting women in women securing 30 per cent of land titles. returning from maternity leave by offering part-time Dr Cheryl Doss, University of Oxford, UK, and flexible working arrangements. recognised there is an increasing body of evidence Theme Three of the workshop focused on A demonstrating women’s access to assets, which Broader Diversity Agenda. John Miller, Director, can improve women’s livelihood, families and Open for Business, stated that companies that communities, and leads to economic growth and support diversity and inclusion are better able to structural transformation in societies. Women compete for talent and perform better. Of the top should be enabled to get involved economically 100 fastest growing companies, 29 have positive and have a voice in their communities and policies on inclusion and business is leading the governments. Women also need stronger property way on diversity and seeing the benefits. Diversity and land rights in order to generate income, not just and inclusion are also associated with higher levels own lands but also invest in agricultural and non- of entrepreneurship. However, a lack of diversity is agricultural sectors. Land rights for women featured detrimental, and discrimination against LGBTQI is in the presentation by Odenda Lumumba CEO, correlated with corrupt societies. Mark Anderson, Kenya Land Alliance. Women’s empowerment Vice President Virgin Atlantic, explained that is anchored on land, which is a source of wealth, businesses could be better at diversity and inclusion security and status to women. In Kenya, women by collectively collaborating to find solutions and dominate the agricultural sector and small-scale elevate changes, such as ensuring gender-sensitive farmers. Women can access land but 95 per cent policies are updated and effectively implemented. of landowners are men due to the inheritance laws Day Two: The Road to Empowerment \ 31

that are enacted by traditional rulers— mainly men. Religious leaders rarely include women’s issues on the agenda and tend to isolate women in terms of access to land. It is necessary to amend detrimental customary laws, working with civil society and traditional and religious leaders, to enable women to own land and achieve gender equity. Anne-Marie Chidzero, CEO AfriCap Microfinance Investment Company in Mozambique / South Africa appreciated women as creative and enterprising. In Africa, 95 per cent of businesses are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and in Nigeria alone 41 per cent of adult women are in business. Just 2 per cent of women’s SMEs have access to assets or finance, while most women usually fund their businesses from personal savings. Women represent the most disruptive force in the economy and are the least served in the markets. Ms Chidzero shared positive trends such as private equity funds applying a gender equity lens in their decision-making, which favours women. Another positive example is the work undertaken by renewable energy companies to improve women’s access to assets through the sale of solar kits to rural communities, allowing payment over a period of time. These solar kits have enabled women to expand their businesses. The generated income is subsequently reinvested into women’s communities. Debra Mallowah, General Manager East Africa, GlaxoSmithKline Plc, focused on the opportunity women and their businesses can play within the value chain. Empowering women in value chains presents a unique opportunity for businesses that need to plan how to support women in reaching their full economic potential. Women need to be given opportunities in technical and management positions. Women frequently have no credit history and their businesses do not hold much physical collateral, therefore promoting financial inclusion for women, and granting access to finance and other financial tools will help grow their businesses. 32 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

Day Three: Empowerment in the Community

3.1 Overcoming barriers – Violence are narrowly misconstrued or subjugated to the Against Women and Girls patriarchal paradigm. This narrow construction of the female gender should be overcome. For VAWG is the most widespread human rights instance, no rites of passage should justify genital violation and a fundamental barrier to the mutilation/cutting or child marriages contracted empowered future for women and girls. The plenary to encourage the dominating role of the husband. session looked at key solutions to addressing Toxic forms of masculinity that include subjugation VAWG including the evidence emerging from DfID’s and degradation of women, do not only harm ground-breaking ‘What Works to prevent VAWG’ women and girls but also confine men and boys programme, looking at overcoming barriers to to this narrow-minded paradigm, and restricts women’s empowerment. The session focused on human potential and creativity. We also need best practices emerging from the Commonwealth, to pay special attention to the intersectionality with a particular focus on intimate partner violence, of gender and other forms of identity, to include which is the most widespread form of VAWG. women with disabilities, those living with HIV, ethnic minorities and lesbians facing additional Moderator: Mmapaseka Steve Letsike, disadvantages. Women and girls have the right to Deputy Chairperson South African National live free from violence and realise their full potential AIDS Council (SANAC) and the Commonwealth should seek to have a gender-based justice. Hate is learned, and it can The session acknowledged violence against be unlearned. Therefore, standing up for universal women and girls (VAWG) is a serious crime that and indivisible human rights is for our common is widespread and a human rights violation. Ms good, our common interest. It is the true common- Letsike posed key questions to panel speakers wealth. Everyone should feel equal in dignity and to address how to tackle VAWG, and describe in rights. measures to ensure VAWG is stopped across the Commonwealth? Kate Gilmore, United Lord Bates highlighted how VAWG held women Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human and girls back from their economic, political and Rights and Rt Hon Lord Bates, Minister of State social rights. VAWG, including domestic violence for International Development delivered the (DV) is not limited to any jurisdiction, culture or keynote speeches. religion but wide spread and should be addressed. British research revealed that in South Sudan Ms Gilmore pointed out that since the adoption 60 per cent of girls suffer violence before the of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights 70 age of 25, mainly due to the ravages of war. The years ago, women are still subjected to the most greatest challenge to addressing gender-based unimaginable forms of rights’ deprivation. Denial violence (GBV) is lack of data, ignorance and lack of women rights are rife as attested by evidence of education. To overcome these problems, we in the way doctors treat their female patients, need to work together. The British research and teachers treat their female pupils or students, and innovating programme ‘What works to prevent reflected in the way politicians, chief executives, violence’, partners with leading international and others in positions of authority, treat their experts to produce effective interventions to female employees or counterparts. Evidence reduce VAWG rates. The programme has started shows a calculated effort to deny women and to bear fruits as illustrated by the reduction of girls access to sexual reproductive health and VAWG in Afghanistan. In Tajikistan, the promotion rights, even though situations can lead to death of of economic empowerment and changing of mother and new-born. It is important to re-iterate social norms through communication resulted in a that health and reproductive rights is the basic reduction in the proportion of women experiencing rights of women and girls. Women and girls’ rights Day Three: Empowerment in the Community \ 33

l-r: Steve Letsike-South Africa, Kate Gilmore-UNHRC, Rt Hon Lord Bates-UK, Hon Otiko Afisah Djaba-Ghana, Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti-Wells-Australia, Pramila Patten-SRSG:VAW, Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya-Swaziland, and Iqbal Ali Jatoi-Pakistan at the ‘Overcoming Barriers - Violence Against Women and Girls plenary session. intimate partner violence. Similarly, the work in Hon Otiko Afisah Djaba, Minister for Gender, Afghanistan resulted in a reduction in peer violence Children and Social Protection, Ghana, presented in the home and use of corporal punishment, and scenarios of how Ghana promotes gender an increase in girls’ school attendance. Progressive equality and measures to eliminate VAWG such as results from the programme should be escalated legislation, in collaboration with several institutions across the Commonwealth. Furthermore, women seeking to address women’s rights in Ghana. and girls with disabilities require additional support, Ghana’s Constitution is based on the principle as they are twice as likely to suffer violence in their of non-discrimination and equality. However, lifetime. To be effective, all forms of violence - perceptions of women as weak and less educated domestic, social and economic – should be legally endure. Reporting of incidents of VAWG, including recognised. The new Domestic Abuse Bill enacted domestic violence and rape, is on the rise, but by the British Parliament, includes coercive control agencies responsible for tackling these issues and in its definition of violence. Ending VAWG will not provision of support services face limited funding succeed without the involvement of men and and capacity. Psychological violence – which has boys and should be included in all efforts to build a hugely detrimental impact on women – is also societies free from violence. The late Jo Cox MP, a addressed. Minister Djaba acknowledged that men passionate humanitarian, said: ‘There is more that and women should be treated equally and all forms unites us than divides us’. This is also true for the of violence are unacceptable. The conversation Commonwealth—though VAWG is experienced in to end all forms of VAWG should continue in the all countries, through co-operation and partnership, home, schools and workplace. Women and girls relevant actors can address VAWG and create a should be allowed the space to fulfil their ambitions better future for all citizens of the Commonwealth. and reach for their dreams. Iqbal Ali Jatoi Country Director-Pakistan, Right To Play International, presented on ‘Right to Play’, an international NGO with headquarters in Toronto, which uses sport and play to build life skills in children such as critical 34 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

thinking, communication and expression. Such empowerment offers protection to women and methods have helped reduce the likelihood of girls. The focus should be on livelihood support for conflict and violence. Most of the organisation’s survivors to rebuild their lives, and in giving women work is in public schools. Some of the challenges and girls a voice to report crimes and share their encountered include lack of physical facilities. For stories. Continued heinous crimes such as violence example, in Pakistan, 33 per cent of educational against Rohingya women and girls, some of whom institutions do not have drinking water or sanitation were raped to death, compel us to intensify our facilities; 50 per cent have no walls; 80 per cent efforts to end such crimes and support survivors are overcrowded. These issues prevent effective and their communities to rebuild shattered lives. education and contribute to violence in schools, VAWG is not just a women’s issue; employ all which remains high, with 91 per cent boys and 64 resources available to tackle it including the Inter- per cent girls experiencing violence, while 94 per Parliamentary Union recommendations on sexual cent of boys and 89 per cent of girls’ experience harassment against women in politics and legally peer violence. Children are also subjected to binding tools such as CEDAW. corporal punishment both in school and home. Bishop Ellinah Wamukoya, First Anglican Woman This is very concerning for children who are not Bishop in Africa, spoke about the role of churches just passive recipients, but carriers of norms and in supporting women and girls and promoting change for future generations. Experience shows healthy relationships and families. Within faith that violence stays with children into adulthood and communities many survivors first speak out about perpetuates VAWG. their experiences and receive support. In specific Pramila Patten, United Nations Special situations, perpetrators have used scriptures to Representative of the Secretary General on justify abusive behaviour. Faith leaders should Sexual Violence in Conflict (SViC), spoke about prevent the misuse of scriptures and be a voice for ways to tackle sexual violence in conflict, and how women and girls and speak the truth in power and the international community ensure perpetrators love. Furthermore, faith leaders serve as advocates are brought to justice. UN Security Council for social and political change with the responsibility Resolution 1888 on Women, Peace and Security to influence positive thinking, attitudes and (2009), mandates peacekeeping missions to behaviour. Faith leaders come from different protect women and girls from SViC. However, backgrounds and traditions and require training. despite the resolution SViC continues to destroy They should be included in current conversations the lives of affected women and girls and their to understand the issues around VAWG and communities. The stigma surrounding SViC intersectionality. Bishop Wamukoya called on results in serious under-reporting of this crime and faith leaders to become the prophetic voice for eventually kills women. As a response to addressing women and girls, and support the enactment, SViC, Ms Patten’s presented three strategic areas: popularisation and implementation of appropriate policies and laws aiming to end VAWG. 1. Take a human rights, survivor-centred approach: strengthen engagement Australian Senator the Hon Concetta Fierravanti- with survivors to ensure their needs and Wells, Minister for International Development perspectives directly drive strategies. and the Pacific, focussed her presentation on good practices in addressing gender-based 2. Create a culture of prevention and deterrence violence (GBV) and violence against children in the through justice and accountability to address Pacific region. Hon Fierravanti-Wells highlighted the root causes of sexual violence. the cost of violence goes beyond survivors, to 3. Reduce stigma in recognition that stigma impact on families communities and countries. makes sexual violence a cheap but In Australia, violence against women and children lethal weapon. was estimated at AUD$22 billion in 2015-2016 alone.7 Understanding the economic costs of It is important to recognise that survivors’ thirst for VAWG is crucial in the implementation of the justice is as urgent as their needs for psychological and medical support. Accountability and justice 7 https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/ should be the rule and not a rare exception. documents/08_2016/the_cost_of_violence_against_ Investing in gender equality and economic women_and_their_children_in_australia_-_final_ report_may_2016.pdf Day Three: Empowerment in the Community \ 35

Parallel Session on ‘Addressing Barriers to Empowerment’ on Day Three of the Women’s Forum

National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women women with disabilities, those living with HIV/AIDS, and their Children 2010-2022 (the National LGBTQI+. Violence prohibits women’s participation Plan). Another initiative aimed at the reduction economically, socially and politically. To succeed of violence against women and children is the in creating a future for women and girls free of national prevention campaign: ‘Stop it at the violence, spaces should be open to challenge and start’. The campaign’s goal is to illuminate how involve leaders to impact and realise change for the disrespectful and aggressive attitudes by young benefit of all. men towards young women and girls may lead to VAWG. It encourages conversations about 3.2 Parallel Sessions: Addressing respect between boys and girls, and seeks to end Barriers to Empowerment the cycle of domestic violence. Such attitudinal change programmes should be accompanied by The parallel sessions explored solutions and effective implementation of legislation, training successful approaches employed across the provided to frontline workers, and an increased Commonwealth to address specific forms of VAWG number of women in leadership positions to realise such as harmful practices (child early and forced change favourably. marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting), human trafficking and child exploitation. Sexual and Intersectionality between gender and disability Reproductive Health Rights should be explored as leaves women and girls with disabilities are at a a cross cutting, enabling factor for women and girls’ much higher risk of VAWG. Dangers posed by new empowerment and for the full enjoyment of women forms of violence include image-based abuse and girls’ rights, including the right to live a life free such as non-consensual taking, distribution, or from violence. threat to distribute, of intimate, nude and/or sexual images, (cyber)bullying and harassment. Working 3.2.1 Eliminating harmful practices: Child, collaboratively with governments, faith groups, civil early and forced marriage and female society and other actors can lead to the eradication genital mutilation/cutting of traditional and new forms of VAWG. Empowering a woman, in turn, empowers her family, community According to a report published by Plan International and country. Strategies and initiatives to address UK and the Royal Commonwealth Society, ‘around VAWG should involve women in all their diversities – 375 million women alive today were married or 36 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

entered into union before their 18th birthday – commitment to have 95 per cent of every dollar this is over 16 per cent of the Commonwealth’s spent to be gender integrated or targeted towards population and 52 per cent of women aged women and girls. The money allocated for SRHR over 18 years old in the Commonwealth. At the will be doubled, and taking into consideration current prevalence, 43 per cent of women in partners’ contribution will bring the total spend to the Commonwealth are married before they over C$1 million. Mr MacLennan recognised the reach 18 years old. This amounts to more than centrality of women’s organisations in influencing 44 million 20 to 24-year-olds were married as positive change on this agenda, and the Canadian children. Approximately 8.8 million women in the government will commit 150 million dollars over Commonwealth are married as children annually.’ next 5 years to support women’s organisations. All This equates to 24,000 girls every day, or 17 girls these steps, and conversations with partnerships every minute. following from the Forum, will take one more step in ending FGM/C. Professor Asha Singh UNICEF estimates that around 200 million women Kanwar, President and Chief Executive Officer, and girls globally are living with the consequences Commonwealth of Learning (COL), Canada, of FGM/C with around 3.6 million girls at risk of highlighted the particular challenges of reaching being cut in the next year alone. Moreover, available and supporting girls in remote or conflict affected data from large-scale representative surveys show areas and the need for innovative local solutions that the practice of FGM/C is highly concentrated such as boat schools. Education enables girls to in a swath of countries from the Atlantic coast to postpone marriage as well as decide and plan for the Horn of Africa, with Commonwealth member children. However, there is a need for more than states’ Sierra Leone and The Gambia having just training and empowerment – a holistic model prevalence rates above 75 per cent, while Nigeria of education should involve families, communities is the Commonwealth country with the highest and in-country partners. COL aims to harness absolute number of those affected (20.1 million). the potential of existing and new technologies This affects the well-being of girls and prevents to achieve development outcomes and to use them from completing of 12 years of schooling. this technology to ‘reach the unreached.’ COL The pain and complications increase the risk of further trains girls in non-traditional occupations, school dropout rates. The session highlighted thus changing gender stereotypes. One example best practices, to raise the voices of survivors, of innovative educational programmes is ‘GIRLS activists and champions in addressing CEFM and INSPIRE’, which has prevented 453 child marriages. FGM/C, and to create collaborative networks of However, provision of training alone is insufficient expertise that could be scaled up in Commonwealth for transformative change hence the creation of countries. To end FGM/C a multi-pronged approach opportunities for girls to realise their potential, and from the local level working with community engage families and communities through cultural gatekeepers is crucial, so women and girls are free performances. Finally, boys and men – fathers, to speak about their experiences; and prioritising grandfathers and community leaders should be partnerships at the national and international engaged in efforts to end harmful practices and levels. For example, the efforts in Kenya are yielding act as male champions of gender equality. Julia positive results with 850,000 communities having Lalla-Maharajh OBE, CEO and Founder, Orchid confirmed abandonment of this horrific practice. Project, highlighted the link between FGM/C, Child Christopher MacLennan, Assistant Deputy Marriage and high levels of school dropouts. FGM Minister for Global Issues and Development at is seen as preparing girls to be wives. Currently, Global Affairs Canada, set out the priority and an estimated 3.9 million girls are at risk of FGM practical approaches of the Canadian government every year, and new data shows that the number is in placing gender equality (as its top-3 policies). Mr increasing. Collaborative effort is critical to stop the MacLennan emphasised that a holistic approach FGM trajectory, or many more girls will be cut. Apart is taken for improving women’s empowerment. from a holistic community-based approach, sharing Within the context of addressing FGM/C, entire of evidence and best practices from across the systems have to be addressed simultaneously, world have proved effective. Hence working with rather than trying to challenge sequentially from governments is critical to increase data collection childhood up. For that reason, the Canadian capabilities for empirical evidence to effectively Government made few pledges including combat the practice. Furthermore, tackling social Day Three: Empowerment in the Community \ 37

norms that make parents believe their daughters Development and the Beijing Platform for Action will be ostracised if they are not cut should be and the outcome documents of their review strongly addressed. conferences.’ The specific indicators speak directly to the empowerment of women and legislative and 3.2.2 Sexual and reproductive health policy reform on SRHR. To this end, the 2016 Global and rights Strategy for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016 – 2030) is critical as it provides a Advancing the sexual and reproductive health and comprehensive human rights-based roadmap rights (SRHR) of women and girls is inextricably to SRHR of women and girls. It emphasises that linked to other important human rights, including ‘investing in such interventions for the health and the right to life, the right to be free from torture, well-being of women, children and adolescents has the right to health, the right to privacy, the right to many benefits: first and foremost, it keeps them education and employment, and the prohibition of alive and healthy. In addition, it reduces poverty, discrimination. These rights have been crystallised stimulates economic productivity and growth, in various international and regional agreements. creates jobs and is cost-effective.’ SRHR for women and girls featured at CHOGM 2018 for the first time, and was moderated by However, despite these obligations, violations Marianne Haslegrave, Director, Commonwealth of women’s SRHR are still pervasive and take Medical Trust (Commat). The keynote was various forms, including the denial of access to delivered by Kate Gilmore, United Nations health care services that speak to the needs of Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. women, subjecting women’s access to services Panel speakers included two survivors, with Neha to cumbersome administrative procedures, and Chauhan, Senior Technical Advisor Advocacy forcing or coercing women and girls to undergo and Accountability, South Asia Regional Office, procedures against their will, including forced International Planned Parenthood Federation; sterilization, forced virginity examinations, and Matthew Jackson, Director, UK Office, United forced abortion. The UN estimates that during Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); Tanya Barron 2013, 289 000 women died in pregnancy and OBE, CEO, Plan International UK childbirth, while more than 200 million women have an unmet need for family planning.8 Moreover, the With the adoption of Agenda 2030, member same report highlights that 52 per cent of maternal states agreed to a far-ranging and ambitious deaths (in pregnancy, at or soon after childbirth) are programme of action that included three targets attributable to three leading preventable causes – on promoting SRHR. Target 5.6. calls on states to haemorrhage, sepsis, and hypertensive disorders. ‘Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive The World Health Organisation estimates that health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of 8 United Nations, (2016) Global Strategy for Women’s, the International Conference on Population and Children’s and Adolescents’ Health (2016 – 2030). 38 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

about 1 in 3 (35 per cent) women worldwide have privacy, the right to education, and the prohibition experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate of discrimination. The strategy should further partner violence or non-partner sexual violence recognise that realising SRHR increases the rates in their lifetime which negatively affects women’s of education, reduces health costs and results in physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health, stronger economics for countries. Free spaces and may increase vulnerability to HIV.9 should be allowed to listen to the needs of the young citizens of the Commonwealth and make Sexual health in terms of maternal health featured a special effort to reach the most marginalised in the past on the Commonwealth agenda but this and vulnerable - rural, young, and disabled girls - was the first time for SRHR to be discussed at a to ensure no one is left behind. SRHR should be Commonwealth. The issues discussed included incorporated under the universal health coverage limited access to information and services related supported by sustainable financing. The ultimate to SRHR which result in high rate of contraction of goal should be a zero-preventable maternal deaths, STDs and STIs and prevent adolescent girls and zero-gaps in SRHR provision and zero-VAWG. women from deciding when and how many children Of the economics gain, environmental and social they have. This does not only take women’s agency sustainability of the Commonwealth depends away but can lead to premature death. In fact, c. upon every , young person 529,000 girls died each year from issues related and child having age appropriate, comprehensive, to SRHR. We should make efforts at reducing inclusive of sex and reproductive health education stigma related to SRHR, whilst simultaneously and services delivered by well trained teachers, increasing quality and reducing costs of the support health professionals and youth advocates. and services. Double standards in countries work against the interest of girls and young people: 3.2.3 Eradicating forms of exploitation: countries would rather legislate against consensual Tackling human trafficking and relations between adults, instead of tackling issues child exploitation across the of paedophilia and child marriage. Girls are seen old enough to marry, but not to have education on Commonwealth sexual health. Data availability is a challenge as well The UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish – despite the fact that puberty now begins at about Trafficking in Persons defines human trafficking age 10, sexual data is only collected for those age in Persons as the recruitment, transportation, 15 and above. Older women are also penalised, as transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons by there is no data collection for those above 49 years, coercion, force, fraud or abduction, for the purpose despite the fact they are the fastest growing group of exploitation including forced labour, slavery or of STI transmissions. sexual exploitation. The Global Estimates indicate that women and girls are disproportionately The Commission on the Status of Women affected by modern slavery, accounting for 28.7 highlighted a rollback in positions on unsafe million, or 71 per cent of the overall total. More abortions. The challenge is rising up the agenda precisely, women and girls represent 99 per cent again. Twenty-five million women a year have of victims of forced labour in the commercial sex unsafe abortions in both developed and developing industry and 58 per cent in other sectors. State countries. Of those 68,000 die and many more authorities impose forced labour on 40 per cent have complications. Family planning is the most of victims of forced labour, and 84 per cent of effective intervention any economy can make. cases involve forced marriages. The session was Globally it cost $535 million a year to deal with the moderated by Dr Aidan McQuade, Human Rights effects of unsafe abortion. Simple interventions Consultant. Panel speakers: Kevin Hyland OBE, like family planning would save a huge amount United Kingdom’s Independent Anti-Slavery of resources. To overcome these problems, a Commissioner; Dr Howard Taylor, Executive stronger Commonwealth strategy is needed, which Director, Global Partnership to End Violence recognises SRHR is related to multiple human rights Against Children; HE Arthur Peter Mutharika, violation, including the right to life, the right to be President of Malawi and UN HeforShe Campaign free from torture, the right to health, the right to Global Champion; Beate Andrees, Chief of the Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work 9 http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/news-events/ Branch; Jasmine O’Connor OBE, Chief Executive csw-2017/en/ Day Three: Empowerment in the Community \ 39

Officer, Anti-Slavery International; Grace Forrest, across the Commonwealth. Increased investment Founding Director Walk Free Foundation; and in research and improved data collection processes Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt, Secretary of State for will determine appropriate strategies and policies International Development, UK. that work best and scale up protection services and interventions for those most at risk. Furthermore, One million children were victims of commercial businesses need to play their part by understanding sexual exploitation in 2016. An estimated 37 the ramifications of recruitment fees which are per cent of victims living in forced marriage were a gateway into debt and causalities of modern children at the time the marriage took place. slavery. Among child victims, 44 per cent were forced to marry before the age of 15 years and almost all child There is a need to be pragmatic and hold business victims were girls. Boys account for 58 per cent of all leaders to account on such ramifications, and children in child labour and 62 per cent of all children imperative solutions are always informed by in hazardous work. However, girls are much more survivors, who are best placed to inform on likely to shoulder responsibility for household chores practical interventions. Hence, it is critical to listen - a form of work not considered in the child labour and engage with survivors to avoid unintentional estimates (ILO, 2017). Girls are also more likely harm. It is important to raise a movement of many than boys to perform “double work duty”, meaning voices that will speak out in unison, and provide both work in employment and in household chore. consistent messages from governments and civil They are also likely to be present in less visible and society to create an environment where slavery therefore under- reported forms of child labour, is not acceptable. Only then will the social norms such as domestic service in private households. In that permit slavery be eroded. It is absolutely order to promote and protect human rights and clear that not one country or institution can end individual freedoms of women and girls worldwide, modern slavery on its own, but should involve the gendered nature of human trafficking and a wide range of stakeholders from civil society, child exploitation should be recognised, as well including anti-slavery groups at grassroots level, as the root causes of extreme poverty and lack mosques, churches, trade unions, and international of economic opportunities. Without access to NGOs. Partnership and cooperation to supporting education and economic opportunities, women a stronger international response to eradicating cannot freely participate in modern society. One exploitation are also of crucial importance. of the most effective ways to protect women and Countries should join the UN Call to Action to girls is education, as it empowers women and girls, End Forced Labour, Modern Slavery and Human and directly reduces their vulnerability to modern Trafficking, and co-operate regionally to amend and slavery in all its forms. This can be achieved through pass new domestic legislations such as the Modern targeted investments in the provision of education Slavery Act in the UK. Other initiatives could involve through sustained action and political commitment signing up to ‘Inspire Agenda’, which is a framework 40 \ Commonwealth Women’s Forum

for activity that is proven to end violence against The keynote was delivered by Jude Kelly, Artistic children if implemented in its entirety. Currently, 19 Director, Southbank Centre, who highlighted the countries globally in over 18 months have signed up need to build optimism and stamina in addressing to be “Pathfinder countries”, trying to implement issues around women’s empowerment and the Inspire framework. gender equality. She encouraged women, including those affected by VAWG, to be brave and vocal Whilst there are many reasons for celebrations about their experiences and highlighted the - including India halving the rates of child marriages role of the Forum in addressing the challenges in the last decade through access to education and women face. Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of community empowerment - there are still millions Cornwall, emphasised the lack of voice and silence of women and girls being affected by modern surrounding VAWG in her address, and it is because slavery and the urgency is real. No country can of silence that the domestic abuse remains a develop sustainably whilst more of 50 per cent of hidden problem in society. This silence is corrosive their population is held back. The Commonwealth is and leaves survivors’ carrying the burden of shame. a diverse and powerful family, and should continue In order to end VAWG, affected women and girls to work together to secure a prosperous, fair and are supported and encouraged to speak about their secure future for the next generation of women experiences. Arts and media, including innovative and girls, men and boys, working towards achieving radio shows and soap operas, can play an important Goal 8.7, calling for the elimination of forced labour, role in breaking this silence and saving lives. human trafficking and particularly recruitment of child soldiers, and Goal 16.2 to end abuse, Delegates were free to choose out of four exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence and group workshops to review the Outcome torture against children. Document on one of the following areas: 1) Women’s Economic Empowerment; 2) Women 3.3 Outcomes of the in Leadership; 3) Violence Against Women and Commonwealth Women’s Girls; 4) Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Climate Change. The facilitated Forum break-out sessions lasted 45 minutes, The Commonwealth is committed to gender and changes recorded using a laptop and equality and women’s empowerment as critical to overhead screen, by a Rapporteur. The Forum realising the Agenda for Sustainable Development reconvened in Plenary, and each Groups’ 2030. This is evident in the Commonwealth Charter spokesperson reported back on key highlights and four priority areas on gender equality and of the Group’s review of the document, women’s empowerment. The Zero Draft Outcome including general comments on whether Statement set out the Women’s Forum asks of the outcome fairly captured key priorities/ member states, civil society, Commonwealth asks. The Groups’ specific changes and (organisations and member states), multilateral suggestions were reflected to strengthen the partners, and the private sector to realise the outcome document and integrated into the ambitions for gender equality and women’s final version of the Outcome Statement of the empowerment in the 2018 CHOGM Communiqué. Commonwealth Women’s Forum”, and posted These priority actions and commitments emerged online on Thursday, 19 April 2018.10 from the discussions at the 2018 Forum and will be reviewed at the next Women’s Forum in 2021. The session’s objective was to ensure that the key highlights, recommendations and asks were fully captured by the Zero Draft outcome document; it provided solid and strong recommendations as well as highlighted pertinent issues raised by the Forum on key themes; and that it included practical and action-oriented calls and recommendations.

10 http://thecommonwealth.org/chogm Commonwealth Secretariat , Pall Mall London SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom thecommonwealth.org D16377