CSW 60 Tue15

Today's Reports

A gender perspective on refugee responses. How can the rights of women and girls refugees and migrants be ensured and how can gender-based violence be addressed?

Sweden, UNFPA

2016-03-15          Christine Volet-Sterckx

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

The goal of the meeting was to share about ways to care and respond to the need of the women and girls refugees and migrants, particularly in term of their rights and their protection. Conflict situations exacerbate the inequality between men and women. It’s also puts women and girls in danger, even more than usual while they flee away, live in camps, or fight for survival.

Åsa Regnér, Minister for Children, the Elderly and Gender Equality remind us that there are 60 millions of refugees, the highest number since 2nd world war. It is due to natural disaster, conflicts and climate changes (and it impacts on resources, economy). It deepens the inequality between genders. In Sweden, they realize that a great number of refugees’ girls are married, for example. EU has to respond to these issues.
There is a better understanding of those questions.
Globally, we have taken decisions in regard of information, education but, did we all do our homework?

Sweden will certainly change its laws on migration, because the state is overwhelmed by the number of refugees. For them integration and protection of the refugees are important and they don’t want to engage themselves more if these two objectives can’t be accomplished.

Women are not only victims, they are also actors in their life: we can help them to see their potential and resources.

Reem Abu Hassan, Minister of Social Development, Ministry of Social Development of Jordan tells us that Jordan has welcomed 6 millions of refugees, including from Syria and Iraq. They represent half of the population, the refugees came in 6 waves.
What is new is the magnitude of the problem. 11 million Syrians have been displaced. It is 600 (some would say 200) thousand on a daily basis. They have opened a second shelter in the north of the country. 50% of the refugees are there. 9% of the Syrian refugees are living in host locations (by families, local people). Jordan provides access to health, security, education for those refugees.
Usually, even if one goal is to develop competences (with vocational training, for example) the refugees do not go back to their country or only after 8-10 years.
The three main issues for women and girls are:
1. Child marriages,
2. Sexual exploitation,
3. Women turn into prostitution.
Caring for the children: The nation system deal with health issues, education and social needs. They do a lot, but they need help.
Child marriage: the government does not agree with it. The age of marriage is 8 year, under special circumstances, it should be 16 and up only, for the good of the bride and the groom.
On a cultural level, it’s not that much because of a lack of education but more a way to assure protection for the girl (parents’ view). (13-14 years girls getting married)
How does it happen then? The marriage is made with a cultural form of wedding, an informal contract of marriage, it will not be registered because the state does not recognize a marriage between people aged 6- 18 year old. Then, in 10 years, for example, the young girls won’t have any rights, as wife or mother and we will face an increase number of illegitimate children.

Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations – Director of UNFPA, affirm that marriage of children is inacceptable, not even on cultural level. The Education should not only cover the basic needs such as mathematic, language but also teach the children and young people to speak about life, communication, sexuality, life partnerships and family.
“Ask yourselves: and what if it was my daughter?”

To change this situation, we have to work at community level, as we have done with other issues such as HIV.

We can form groups of discussion, work with boys and girls, parents, everywhere. It’s not impossible. We too easily accept the situation as it is, because of a lack of respect for girls and women.

Zainab Hawa Bangura, Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict: the wars have compromised a lot of things. For example there are tools, that we are proud of, that don’t fit the need of other populations. More, they can be used to reinforce the abuse against women. We have to recognize that what we see as a progress for us may be used against women.
For example:
Internet is used for human trafficking and prostitution, contraceptives may reinforce the sexual exploitation of the women. In those matters, the traffickers are one step ahead of us.

UN have developed a lot of tools and strong commitments that can help us to protect women.

Refugee’s camp: unfortunately, it is mostly the states that deal with the question of refugee camps, we don’t have enough NGO’s.
This situation increases the power of the extremist people such as terrorists. Women and girls are raped, kidnapped, subject to extreme forms of violence, sold: the youngest you are, the highest price you will be sold.
She met a young woman, 21 who has been sold 22 times in two years. At each step of her travel, the woman became a victim.
Today, you are kidnapped, discriminated against and killed because of religion, ethnic, and sexual orientation.
 

Nobody chooses to be a refugee. She was herself one of them: Imagine a woman, well educated, who is naked and “sprayed on” with water to be washed…. As we talk of Syrian refugees, let us not forget Libya, when there is no state.
Women are forced to give organs that will be sold on the market, they are turned into sex slaves. They pay with their body each time.

Every 10 minutes, a child is born stateless, and it will be difficult to prove his identity.
26% of the girls are forced to marry old men. It is a reality, if we liked it or not, we have to accept it.

Middle East conflict: it is a conflict that has been forced on the body of women and girls. And we have to stop it.

Lina Abou Habib, ER, Director of the Collective for Research and Training on Development – Action (CRTD-A)
(She compared the today situation with the previous one in Lebanon)
What is different with this situation?   We face a lack of preparation, planning – none of us is learning the lessons of the past. That is the major reason. Some issues are repeated every time.
The interventions of the international community have not been wonderful, because you cannot have gender aware intervention of the governments themselves. The classical intervention are totally oblivious of the fact that the conflict occurs in countries that already have issues with the thematic of equality of gender and the conflicts only exacerbate the situation. This international intervention also undermined a long term action for the rights of the women. We have, in this region, the worst indicators on gender equality globally.

Patriarchy is often the roots of inequality, there is nothing good about patriarchy. We have to combat patriarchy – it is also root of child marriage.   
 
1. Intervention has to be with protection of the vulnerable population

2. We have to stop ignoring Human rights application. The convention against discrimination is becoming irrelevant.
3. Sanction the countries, the people who don’t respect the convention, independently of the resources they provided us.

Question: how can we prevent violence again women and girls in the camps?
Response (from the minister of Jordan) they have opened one camp for regular families (mother, father and children)

They create safety space for girls and women, they reunite at the same place single mother families. They also teach and train girls and women how to protect themselves.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Education: we need to hear the necessity of integrating in our Schools curriculum training and teaching on relationships, family, personal development (life skills) and sexuality both to boys and girls to prevent disrespect of the girl and woman, children marriage or prostitution. We have to include the parents into the discussions.

We can also work more with community groups to talk about the issues of gender equality, domestic violence, children’ protection.

                Refugee camp: some problems could be prevented if we take seriously the special need of the women and girls – while providing information, training and safety places, as the Jordan government do.  
 

Weblinks for More Information
On refugees in Jordan: http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49e4865

Meeting Title: Girls Voices for Change:  Putting girls at the centre of development

2016-03-15          Beth Twivey

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Panel – reps from PNG / Long Island / Mississippi / Liberia / Malawi

Embrace the word feminism – it’s about empowering women not about having it over men or wanting to limit men.  Let’s take back the word…

Each panelist were young women 18-25 years. 

Question asked of each of them – what should be the global priorities?

-              To give women the space to speak

-              How to create a safe place for sufferers of depression / anxiety

-              Invest in girls education

-              Confidence in leadership – to own your ideas / values

-              Promote the voice of girls – opportunity to speak out

-              Role of men in the narrative – educate them about what women are facing – getting men to speak up – we need them in this space – because men will listen to other men.

What advice would you give to another girl leader?

-              No one is perfect – keep fighting the good fight

-              Keep being yourself – even within the challenges

-              Be persistent in your advocacy

-              Stand up and speak out

-              Work hard – be confident in what you want to achieve

-              Take the challenges as a stepping stone

-              Often it will be dealing with your own family – but live empowered to keep going with what you believe

Question asked from attendee

What role do global corporations have?

Responsibility to understand what the need really is – not walking in presuming you already know and directing what is needed.

Jordan 18 years old “Together we create the change”.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
As a global organization can we be guilty of walking in presuming what is needed instead of carefully taking our responsibility seriously to understand what exactly the need is? – listen to the voices of our girls, boys, women and men.

Ensuring Women’s Equal Participation in the cyber revolution
2016-03-15          Beth Twivey

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Overarching question “How do we feminize the cyber revolution?”

39% of women in India regularly use internet / social media as against over 60% of men.

Team Leader for FB Safety Policy – what are they doing?

•             Policies around what is OK and what is not

•             Tools to use for privacy

•             Feedback from partners

•             Feedback from users

•             Resources to link with

Particularly impacted by Iranian Panel member speaking of her own awareness of being unsafe and in danger – standing up despite to launch her own FB page which now has 1 million followers.

Entire press and media are associated with the state which impose their constraints on it through censorship / decreasing bandwith and widespread filtering

Pop. 75 million – 55,564,820 users of the internet

3 dimensions to the way forward:-

•             Empower women to find and enjoy the freedom of the space

•             Educate people

•             Invite men into spaces to speak about it – to hear from women

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Are there any constraints on Salvation Army cyber policies which limit our ability to reach out to women in developing countries?

Challenging Social Norms
Oxfam, Due Diligence

2016-03-15          Eirwen Pallant

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Panel presentations from human rights lawyer with Due Diligence, Human Rights specialist with Oxfam, Community orker from Mexico working with Indigenous people and Chinese woman working with gender theatre to engage with traditional gender norms.

Points made    

• Confusion of social norms with culture, tradition and religion common
• Influence of patriarchy,  macho male culture and gender stereotypes on cultural norms
• The state has a role and an interest in investing in the social norms. It is the centre of power and therefore has a responsibility.
• Move from responsibility for what I do to responsibility that does not happen in my country (gender inequality and GBV)
• Programme  for GBV contain elements for prevention, protection, prosecution, punishment and provision for redress
• Due diligence produced guide book for nations of what is required
• There is an implementation gap in nations between policy and practice that needs to be addressed – needs political will, resources and organization
• Laws may change ahead of attitudes resulting in lag time for implementation
• Implementation can alter social norms
• Social norms have been shown to be more influential than individual attitudes
• Provision of ‘safe spaces’ needed to allow conversations for change
• Campaigns to show positive masculine attitudes
• Start attitude change with youth
• Legislation is more about punishment than attitude and behavior change
• Measurement of behavior change – can use indicators such as length of schooling, early pregnancy rates, less early and forced marriage
• Example of good prevention plan – SASA! In Uganda
• Attention to intersecting issues of migration, disability, increased GBV in conflict areas, HIV and desensitization to violence
• Difficult to hold media to account for part played in attitudes and behavior of GBV without ability to link specific cases to specific media productions.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?

Complex contributors to social norms

Legislation can be helpful but is a blunt instrument

Change of attitude needed from responsibility for individual actions to communal responsibility for what happens
in my community/country

Weblinks for More Information
www.acasac.org.mx

www.duediligenceproject.org

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Forced Migration,  Human Trafficking, and Child Armies: How ISIL is Exploiting the Conflict in the Middle East

Greek orthodox Archdiocesan Council (GOAC), World Council of Churches, Lutheran Office for World Community

2016-03-15          Jane Paone

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

There is great concern regarding the use of tactics of extreme violence towards children in countries of conflict, particularly by extremist groups like ISIL.  There is  massive forced recruitment of children, abduction, indoctrination and violent treatment of children who are taken to military training centers.  Children are even used as executioners. 

Muslims declare that DAESH does not uphold Islamic values and a number of Islamic scholars have written an open letter to the leader of DAESH in which they condemn the violent actions which are packaged in religious lingo. 

At a local level, community and religious leaders are encouraged to counter the hate and violence with counter narratives of peace. Mothers can influence children and be sensitive when their sons show radicalized behavior.

In the fifth year of the Syrian conflict, there have been a quarter of a million casual,ties in Syria, 11 million displaced people, mass executions, rape, tortures, mutilations, destruction of cultural property. Sexual violence has been used as a tactic of war.

An international law exists stating that 'No child should be detained on any condition' (UNHCR Guidelines 9.2).  However, at present many countries detain unaccompanied minors.  These children are at great risk from traffickers.  The children themselves are not given adequate information and may not even realize they are being detained.  Also, these children are not prepared when they are released, causing a unique vulnerability.  There is an uncoordinated response from the global community and much political rhetoric. 

There is an urgent need for organisations within the platform of the UN to speak up, especially for unaccompanied minors.

Governments are responsible for protecting and providing care for citizens. The Human Rights of children must be taken into serious consideration and action taken.  Processes to protect people, especially on the point of danger, must be set in place before asking 'are you a migrant or a refugee'?

Traffickers should be made to be accountable for their actions. 

The UN Counter-Terrorism Committee seeks to take concrete measures against the unprecedented threat and the growth of DAESH, mass killings and abuses against children (forcing children to become soldiers) - crimes against humanity.  There is a responsibility to protect Syria and Iraq.  In the Resolution 2253 all member states denied funding.  Members of DAESH were included in sanctions (eg no international travel).  This committee seeks to Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) by empowering local community leaders, creating strategic partnerships.  They aim now at Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE). Progress must be made in reaching people to change their thinking, violent ways, finding who are the credible messengers and passing on positive counter messages.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Children and young refugees, migrants, people arriving in Europe may be those who have been forced to migrate.  They may be severely traumatized by their experiencing violence. Anyone offering services needs to be trained to respond well. 

Faith-based groups can join together in providing teaching in counter-messages of love - offer solidarity and help link separated families in extreme situations. 
Weblinks for More Information
www.unhcr.org/505b10ee9.pdf  www.un.org/en/sc/ctc

Engaging Women in Sustainable Development: Family, Transformation, Co-Prosperity
Women's Federation for World Peace International, Association de Intervention pour les Meres, Family Watch International

2016-03-15          Rachel Fjellman

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Discussion regarding the role of women/mothers in sustainable development as a vital one.  The social significance of motherhood and women should be acknowledged and celebrated. Research has show that men, women and children generally do better when they reside in an intact family with a mother and father.  Women who live outside a family structure experience more violence and poverty.  "True empowerment of women comes with women do not deny their nature and become like men " - Annie Franklin (Association de Intervention pour les Meres).  The male-female complimentary roles are the model for the world, as fatherhood is an important role and should not be discounted.  The SDG's provide a plan to mobilize our world to think and act like a human family.  We need to build global empathy which results in living for the sake of others.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
The importance of investing in the lives of women and mothers.  "...Real prosperity can only come when everybody prospers." - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Weblinks for More Information
UNFamilyRightsCaucus.org

Tracking Social Norm Change in the SDGs at the Country Level: Data for Evidence Based Policymaking in Favour of Gender Equality in Uganda

Austrian Development Cooperation, the OECD Development Centre, the Uganda Bureau of Statistics

2016-03-15          Luke Cozens

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Philipp Charwath – PM of Austria

- Stereotypes are an obstacle to gender equality as are social norms and “certain concepts of masculinity put men and boys at risk of living lives of violence”.

- The Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) provides country information on gender norms.

Jane Mpagi – Uganda

- Uganda is one of very few countries to have a gender-responsive constitution which includes and act guaranteeing women’s right to land and the requirement that government departments receive a gender certificate before they submit their budgets.

- Uganda rouutinely collects data on gender through their censuses

 Keiko Nowacka - OECD Development Centre

- SIGI covers 160 countries (gives scores for 108) measuring 21 variables. The index is designed with a specific interest in discriminatory social institutions which is often difficult to quantify.

-Sigi allows comparison across regions which gives information on whether laws are applied consistently and the effects of other indicators such as income. 

- 53% of girls in Uganda are married before the age of 18. 45% of respondents supported this practice but only 15% thought boys should be married before 18.

    – There is a correlation between support for early marriage and its prevalance.

Norah Madaya -  Uganda Bureau of Statistics

- When collecitng data it makes a difference when you talk to the man and woman alone compared to speaking to them together. There are some things women will not discuss in front of their husbands.

- Funding and lack of capacity have been issues in collecting good data.

Papa Seck – for Uganda UN Women Office

- The UN statistical commission has agreed 230 indicators for the SDGs, 53 of which are explicitly gender related.

- Data on its own does not change lives but it is important to start monitoring the SDGs [asap].

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
- Social Norms and Stereotype are important issues in women's empowerment. (It's not just about laws and institutions.)

- Statistics will be an extremely important part of ensuring that the SDGs are realised and there are important gaps in capacity and funding. The Salvation Army could consider how it can advocate around statistical issues.

#Women’s Shelters 
Global Network for Women’s Shelters          2016-03-15          Eiwen Pallant

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Asian Issues

Lack of economic empowerment and housing after leaving shelters

Lack of property rights for women

Lack of funding for women’s shelters

Lack of services for LGBTIQ community, which is especially vulnerable group with extremely high suicide rate

Success when – work with authorities, long term, trusting relationship built with clients

Morrocan (MENA region) issues

Legal discrimination- married women can be divorced or repudiated and left with nothing, some countries women need husband’s permission to live apart, or go to shelter

Restriction on NGOs running shelters so often government controlled and prevents care for the women

Prevailing customs

Local perceptions (often thought to be brothels)

Seen as imposition of  Western culture and strong anti-western feeling

Rise of extremism and conservatism

Human rights defenders at risk of assault, rape and murder

Achievements –extension to shelter for single mothers and advocacy for single mothers resulting in allowing these women to keep their babies, law criminalizing assisting married women overturned

Austria Issues

Inadequate number of shelter places for women. Estimated need 1 place per 10,000 women. Means short of 47,000 places across Europe

Lack of government funding for shelters

Increased migration increased shortages – shelters taken for general refugee housing, increased number of DV victims in migrant communities (data shows alcohol abuse and DV increases with migration). Laws do not ban migrants from shelters but governments fund only for own citizens.

Funding by state can result in forced reporting and prosecution which can be damaging. Often women do not want to leave partners but want them to change. Sometimes can stop physical abuse but psychological abuse continues.

Has achieved national care standards for working with perpetrators of DV

Australian Issues

Lack of shelter places, 1in 2 women requesting shelter turned away

DV leading cause of death in women and girls aged 15-44

Strong masculinity culture with negative attitudes to women with culture tending to either blame the victim, minimize the assault or excuse the perpetrator

Increased prevention with awareness raising leading to increased demand

Has achieved complex, integrated service

Is targeting prevention at youth( 10-19 years) through sports coaches, teachers, fathers, brothers as research has shown these to be the most influential to attitude change in that order

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?

Global network of shelters is open to all types of women’s shelters including those for DV, trafficking refuges, addiction rehabilitation and prisoner release rehabilitation. It is a support and advocacy network that local SA programmes may find helpful.

Migrant women are especially vulnerable

Attitude change to DV is needed and this involves both men and women. Programmes for attitude change appear more successful with children and young people, targeted using people of influence, often through sport.

Although some challenges are common to all shelters, particularly finding funding sources, some challenges are specific to locality. Attention to context is important

                                                                     Weblinks for More Information         

gnwc.org

#GirlsVoices for Change: Putting Girls at the Center of Development
Rise Up          2016-03-15          Janine Donaldson

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Panel Reflected - Many discrepencies: girls not acceped when they are assertive, have opinons and are discriminated against.

Women are still behind in equal opportunities. Nor equality in pay or education.

Girls do have the power to effect change. Don't be afraid to speak up if challenged.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Education effects change, not just for girls but for boys too.

Churches need to lead the way, parents need to have conversations with their children.

Safe places are needed for the girl-child.

Weblinks for More Information
letgirlslead.org

#GirlsVoices for Change: Putting Girls at the Center of Development
Rise Up          2016-03-15          Heidi Bailey

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

The purpose of this workshop was to identify local challenges with girl/women advocates and state global priorities that NGO's could do to facilitate girls advocates. 

"Let Girls Lead" was a theme throughout the workshop.

The panel of 5 young women (from PNG, USA, Liberia)  answered the following questions:

1. Why are you a girl advocate?

2. What are your challenges?

3.  What should NGO's global priorities be?

4.  Why is it so critical for women to be a part of decision making?

5.  What do you say to other girls to encourage them in their advocacy?

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
I found the panel of young gals very powerful and informative.  But I was most impacted by the fact that their answers to question #1, "Why are you a girl advocate?", were the same for me today, (except the first answer) as a woman leader in The Salvation Army.  They said: "I am a girl advocate because:

1. I grew up in a place that was not safe for women

2. I want to be an agent of change

3. I was discouraged by being excluded

4. I wanted to give girls/women a chance to have their voice heard

5. I discovered I was not afraid to speak up and be independent

6.  I was tired of seeing many women do much of the work, while getting the least recognition and compensation

Funny how:

... we can live worlds apart, and be the same

...we can be from different generations, and be the same

...we can have different faiths, and be the same

...we can have advanced so far with technology, but our human need is the same

 

I was encouraged by the girls' advice to NGO's when asked, "What can we do?"  Their answers a;; reflected things that we are doing in our local Salvation Army communities, or can be doing, easily!  So here is the advice from 5 girls!

1.  Provide safe places for girls (victims) where there is freedom to speak

2.  Invest in girls by developing life skills that will build ownership of their minds, souls and bodies, and will build confidence.

3.  Include girls/women at your local decision making tables  (Corps, DHQ, THQ, IHQ!!!)

4.  Provide training and advocacy programs

5.  Don't forget that boys/men have an important role in advocating for women.  Men listen to men, and their example of respect towards women is noteworthy to other men.