Consultations for the Asia-Pacific region, held in preparation for the 58th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 58), have recommended a stand-alone goal on gender equality in the post-2015 development agenda and integrating gender equality across all goals.
18 February 2014: Consultations for the Asia-Pacific region, held in preparation for the 58th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW 58), have resulted in an outcome document that recommends a stand-alone goal on gender equality in the post-2015 development agenda and integrating gender equality across all goals.
The consultations took place from 12-13 February 2014, in Bangkok, Thailand. Addressing the meeting, John Hendra, UN Women, said “women – in particular the most vulnerable and disadvantaged women – continue to be excluded from full access to the benefits of development and Millennium Development Goal (MDG) achievement.” He stressed that Asia-Pacific women face severe deficits in education, health, access to power, rights and voice and participation in decision-making that need to be addressed in the post-2015 agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants called for a gender equality goal with the “same urgency, stature and significance as the eradication of poverty and maternal mortality” and education for all. They agreed a gender equality goal should: prevent and respond to violence against women and girls; expand women’s access to and control over resources; and promote equality in decision-making in households and public and private spheres. They recognized rising inequality threatens: MDG achievement; realization of the economic and social rights of women and girls; and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
Women’s rights civil society organizations (CSOs) convened at an Asia-Pacific CSO consultation before the meeting. They recommended: a stand-alone gender goal that reflects commitment to transform power inequalities; and targets on eliminating violence against women and ensuring women’s roles in decision-making. They called for a transformative development framework and an agenda guided by principles of accountability, human rights, inclusion, implementation and non-discrimination.
The UN Women Regional Office for the Asia and the Pacific and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) organized both consultations. [UN Women Press Release] [Hendra Statement] [CSW 58 Website] [IISD RS Story on LAC Consultations] [IISD RS Story on Africa Consultations]