CEDAW State Party Commitments Implementation: Insights on the UN comparative advantages

1. CEDAW State Party Commitments Implementation:Insights on the UN comparative advantages Khadija Moalla Sahar Shawa Stein Hansen

2. An Experience From Kuwait • UNDP’s added value and comparative advantage can be easily demonstrated • Support to the implementation of the CEDAW Committee recommendations

3. 1.The Why: Technical Reporting Challenges • Governments often overwhelmed by too many ratified international instruments. • Regular reports required (2 per year on average). • The State party government staff members: • Might lack the capacity to write the jargon laden reports. • Getting the right data, checking facts… • Thorough knowledge of international law and human rights principles.

4. I. The Why: Challenges in front of Governments • Government Task Force created for the purpose. • TF already burdened by many hindrances and limitations. • No proper coordination between the Executive and the Legislative powers • Focal points from different ministries under the leadership of different Ministries. • Most of the recommendations would call for modifying the legislation.

5. I. The Why: Doubts about CEDAW • Task Force members have Lack of understanding of CEDAW Committee recommendations • Conversation going on in the back of their mind: • CEDAW is foreign to their culture • Undermine their native moral values, beliefs and even religion.

6. II. The What: Equipped Focal Points: • Governments seek the support of UNDP/UN • GFP lacks a proper understanding: • International law • CEDAW convention itself • Human Rights approach at large. • Bringing in an international consultant: Missing out on the national sensitivities and intricacies. • A well equipped GFP is a MUST.

7. II. The What: New Project Documents and/or Mainstreaming: • CEDAW lists of recommendations 1. Mainstreaming CEDAW aspects into: • Ongoing project documents • UNDPs governance or gender portfolios. 2. New project documents (or new initiatives) • Capacity building for CSOs, Media, RLs… • Capacity building for Government staff… • Governments may well be interested in funding

8. III. The How: Build Trust • Be genuine in our will to support countries we serve • Host conversations with respect, empathy and willingness to achieve transformation • Tackle and transform the negative publicity: Media, Religious & Government Leaders

9. III. The How: Continuous capacity building: A valuable chance to have minds and hearts open up to new perceptions and even allow for an evolvement of a new world view in the minds of all partners.

10. III. The How: Be the Convener of a conversation between Government and Civil Society • Facilitate a true partnership between Government and CSOs. • Team creation & leadership methodologies. • The need to shadow reports will not go away but this approach will help build a synthesis between CSOs reporting and government’s one. • Media as allies in the advocacy. • Technical assistance for the UNCT to jointly support the three State powers.

11. III. The How: One UN A unique opportunity to the Gender Theme Group and the UNCT to work together to implement CEDAW Recommendations: e.g.: UNCT, UNGTG, bi and multilateral partnerships… e.g. Addressing the needs of women refugees or implementing ILOs work place related conventions such as UNWomen, UNHCR, OHCHR…

12. Conclusion: a unique opportunity • To open the community conversation for more social accountability • To provide a practical assessment of the true needs • To provide a much needed technical assistance to the government • Tomanifest the UN real added value