[afro-nets] The Commission on the Status of Women

[Onyinye Ndubuisi <dnyildon@yahoo.com>]

The Commission on the Status of Women: Join our Discussion and
lend your voice!
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Dear Friends,

In preparation for the Commission on the Status of the Women
(CSW)'s fiftieth Session, from 27th February to 10th March 2005,
at the United Nations HQs, New York, the commission will focus
on two thematic issues:
(i) Enhanced participation of women in development; an enabling
environment for achieving gender equality and the advancement of
women ,taking into account, inter alia the fields of education,
health and work; and
(ii) Equal Participation of women and Men in decision making
Processes at all levels.

The woman is the pivot of the family, which is the fundamental
unit of society. Her role as the bind force of social / tradi-
tional system has often been conveniently overlooked either in
solo or as a group. As a result, she remains perpetually vulner-
able to adverse effects of social and economic changes out of
proportion with her value in society. A woman faces discrimina-
tion throughout her life cycle ­ from cradle to grave.

In development gender refers to roles, attitudes, values and at-
tributes ascribed to male and female in a given society which
differ from place to place and changes over time. They vary ac-
cording to culture, religion and tradition.

This social construction is the cause of gender discrimination
and has its roots in culture and tradition. The society's expec-
tations of how males and females should look, feel, behave and
live increase the risk in women's life in all spheres of life
and the discrimination it engenders violates women's rights.
With the advent of HIV/AIDS, gender inequalities and socially
constructed roles can contribute to young people's risk of HIV
infection. Gender issues in reproductive health abound and af-
fect girls more.

Gender equality is critical to development. Understanding how
gender issues relate to the development process arises from the
situation of gender inequality, which is both a development
problem and an obstacle to progress.

In politics and decision making, there is scarcely equality.
With heavy workload, illiteracy, ignorance and power relations
that tilt heavily in favour of men, women can scarcely raise
their heads equally with men. There has never been a level play-
ing field for both. That is the reason we have never had a woman
president. In the legislature, less than 10% of the members are
women. In some states there are none and in some only between
0.5 to 1% representation.

Despite international treaties and instruments and domestic
policies, gender discrimination still thrive fueled by custom,
laws and administrative practice. The fight against gender ine-
quality has to use combined weapons of mainstreaming, legisla-
tion, education and tougher policies.

In respect to this, Development Partnership International (DPI)
and Economic and Social Empowerment Of Rural Communities (ESERC)
will facilitate a consultation on the above listed thematic is-
sues. with special concentration on the theme of this year's In-
ternational women's day "WOMEN IN DECISION MAKING".

This consultation will last for 3 weeks. This first week, will
be looking at: Enhanced participation of women in development;
an enabling environment for achieving gender equality and the
advancement of women, taking into account, inter alia the fields
of education, health and work.

Some tips for the consultation/discussion
i. Is there really enhanced women participation in development
in your country?
ii. Are young women participating in your country? If yes what
is the level of their participation? If no Why ?
iii. Are their case studies to illustrate?
iv. Do you have at least a 40% Young women representation in
policy making positions in your country?

We welcome your inputs and suggestions during this 3 weeks con-
sultation/discussion.

We also seek young women and young men (women advocates) who
would serve as weekly co-ordinators for the consultation , this
people will help in the summary of each week consultation / dis-
cussion.

Ndubuisi Onyinye Belinda
Co-Founder and Programme Director
Development Partnership International
http://www.developmentpartnership.org
National Project Coordinator
For TakingITGlobal
Youth Programme Officer
ESERC, Nigeria
http://profiles.takingitglobal.org/gift80