The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has released a report, titled ‘Ways and means to further enhance the impact of the work of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)' (E/CN.6/2014/14).
The report reviews the CSW's work and makes recommendations on, inter alia, its methods and programme of work as well as its outcome format.
19 December 2013: The UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has released a report, titled ‘Ways and means to further enhance the impact of the work of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)’ (E/CN.6/2014/14). The report reviews the CSW’s work and makes recommendations on, inter alia, its methods and programme of work as well as its outcome format.
The report recommends that the CSW enhance its role in supporting gender mainstreaming throughout UN areas of work by: the exchange of information on programmes of work and session outcomes; joint informal panel discussions; participation in intergovernmental processes; and interaction with UN Women’s Executive Board on operational activities.
On the CSW’s organization of work, the report generally recommends the CSW continue its current approach, including: using a multi-year thematic approach, which encompasses one priority theme and one review theme per session; requesting the UN Secretary-General to prepare two reports on the selected priority themes each year; and holding a general discussion on its priority theme, with participation of experts and high-level representatives.
The report reviews different outcome formats used by intergovernmental bodies, and highlights several occasions on which the CSW failed to reach consensus or adopt its ministerial declaration. Noting the CSW “is the only functional commission that continues to use the format of agreed conclusions as the outcomes of intergovernmental negotiations,” the report suggests the CSW consider possible alternatives for the outcome on its priority theme.
On its review theme, the report recommends the CSW: continue its method of evaluating progress on implementing agreed conclusions; and expand the review’s interactive nature through, inter alia, national presentations, written assessments of progress by Member States, and analysis.
Other recommendations focus on: emerging issues themes; stakeholder participation, including expanding opportunities for NGOs to contribute to its work; and interaction with other committees.
The report includes sections on the CSW’s: mandate; terms of reference; programme of work; importance; role; organization; and methods of work. It also includes a section on implications of ECOSOC reform on the CSW. [Publication: Report of the Secretary-General] [UN Women Documents] [CSW Website]