Report on International Women’s Day and the Commission on the Status of Women 61, March 2017

Prepared by Professor Jaya Dantas

International Women’s Day Event in Perth at the Perth Convention Centre It was a privilege to attend the 2017 International Women’s Day (IWD) Event in Perth on 8 March 2017. I was extremely pleased and proud that one of the panellists at the event was Ms Aleta Miller. Aleta completed her Master’s in International Health at Curtin University and I supervised her Master’s research project. The UN Women National Committee (NC) Australia hosts Australia’s largest IWD celebrations in March each year. IWD is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women. It is also a day to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development and provides an opportunity to network and mobilise funds to foster meaningful future change.

The panellists from left to right

1. Muniba Mazari, Pakistan’s National UN Women Ambassador 2. Aleta Miller, UN Women Representative Fiji Multi-Country Office 3. Tracey Horton AO, Chairman for Navitas Limited and Non-Executive Director of Australian

Institute of Company Directors National Board Tracey Spicer, ABC TV journalist was MC for the Perth breakfast

Professor Jaya Dantas with Aleta Miller (UN Women Representative Fiji Multi-Country Office, Curtin University Alumni and Master of International Health Graduate)

CSW61: The main theme was Women’s Empowerment in the changing world of work

The 61st session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) took place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, from 13 – 24 March 2017, at a critical juncture in the changing political landscape and realignment of forces mobilized around the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda (GEWE) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This year’s Commission drew the attendance of 162 Member States, including 89 Ministers. More than 3,900 representatives from 580 civil society organizations came to New York from 138 countries, attesting to the growing strength and unity of women’s voices around the world.” The priority theme of CSW61 was in itself a pioneering one – ‘Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work’. Whilst women’s economic empowerment has previously been considered in various fora including the CSW, this focus on the connection between women’s economic empowerment and the changing world of work encompassing women's right to work and rights at work, as well as the commitment to decent work and full and productive employment. The final conclusions consists of 45 key items that countries have signed to and need to be implemented to assist women in the world of work. Prof Jaya Dantas attended CSW61 as a delegate of Graduate Women International.

The NGO CSW Forum - Consultation Day: 12/03/2017 Sunday The Kaye Playhouse, Hunter College, City University of New York Brookdale Campus, New York, USA. In terms of women’s economic empowerment (WEE), justice and change is needed at the societal level as there continues to be discrimination against employing women. Feminist movements need to show solidarity with Indigenous women and migrant women. • Empowerment is laws that work for all, with a level playfield, benefit of good legislation,

and absence of norms and practices that limit benefits. • Good, affordable, engendered public education gives girls a sustainable chance to be

empowered. Women and girls are viewed as less and treated as a possession and do not have the same rights. Economic empowerment is a contributor to overcoming violence, which continues to be a universal problem.

• Multilateral platforms needed that filter into governments, NGOs, CSOs and identifying challenges so that laws can be implemented.

Lakshmi Puri, Assistant Director General of the UN, with Prof Jaya Dantas & Prof Shirley Randell Australian Government Event Hosted HE Ms Gillian Bird Ambassador and Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of Australia to the United Nations 150 East 42nd Street, New York, USA An evening reception was hosted by the Australian Ambassador to the UN, Hon Gillian Bird. The Minister for Women Hon Michaelia Cash, the Ambassador for Women and Girls, Dr Sharman Stone and Dr Kate Jenkins, Sex Discrimination Commissioner on the Human Rights Commission.

Jaya Kate Jenkins, Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission.

CSW61 seminar on Health, Education, Sport and Women’s Empowerment: Narratives from Australia, Rwanda and Bangladesh: 15/03/2017 Wednesday Parallel Session, Churches Centre of the United Nations The session highlighted how education and sport can lead to women’s economic empowerment (WEE) and improve health for women and families. WEE is a global policy priority as it contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals. WEE allows women equal access to and control over economic resources, and leads to increased investments in children’s education and health, and reduces household poverty. Similarly, sport builds leadership, self-esteem, and courage in women. The cascade effect of sport, continues off the field and women become physically stronger, and healthier and develop skills of teamwork, physical and social development. Sports challenges gender stereotypes and brings together women from different cultures and promotes respect.

The four presenters, Prof Jaya Dantas who set the scene and spoke about education and health, Prof Shirley Randell spoke on sports and sportswomen from Australia, Bangladesh, Rwanda and Afghanistan. Shirley Gillett (far right from New Zealand) and her daughter Cat who commented on being a mother and daughter bonding through hockey. The international audience included over 100 people.

A Journey across Nations: Studying Resiliency and Empowerment in Post-conflict and Transitional Nations

Queens College Event, City University of New York 16/03/2017 Thursday The seventh lecture in a series devoted to the promotion of human rights in the academy, the community, and the government, both locally and globally.

Professor Jaya Dantas and Assistant Professor Limarys Carbalo at Queens College, City University of New York

Town Hall meeting with the Secretary General of the UN – Antonio Gutierrez: 17/03/2017 Friday

Fantastic town hall meeting to hear from the new Secretary General of UN surrounded by his deputies and advisers.

Clear objective is gender parity – empowerment of women Government cannot neglect the contribution of 50% of the world population Gender Equality brings increase in global wealth and welfare The UN Secretary General is committed to have full parity at Assistant Secretary

General and Under Secretary General level.

Members of the Graduate Women International delegation, Dr Judith Saror from Nigeria, Jaya Dantas & Prof Shirley Randell from Australia. Good to hear of the strong commitment to gender parity in the

UN from the SG.

The UN secretary general, his team and the Executive Director of UN Women

Global Voices on Women’s Empowerment:

Washington DC: Women’s National Democratic Club: 20/03/2017 Monday

This comparative presentation highlighted the concepts of empowerment, resilience, mentoring and family. Our presentation showcased narratives of women’s success in Western Australia and Rwanda and provided examples of women who make a difference to the communities by navigating and negotiating complex journeys. The women represented government, academia, community, and not-for-profit sectors.

Feminist Research Methods Class: 22/03/2017 Wednesday

Women’s Studies Centre, Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia Jaya and Shirley spoke to graduate students at a research seminar at the Women’s Studies Center of Old Dominion University on Feminist Research Methods.

Jaya and Shirley with students at Old Dominion University

Prof Jaya Dantas was a delegate of Graduate Women International, seen here from L to R with Executive Director Stacy De Lara, President Geeta Desai and Vice-President Louise Mcleod at the UN

in New York.