CSW66. Women and girls must lead battle against ‘widespread and interlinked crises’

The sixty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) was held from 14 to 25 March 2022. The priority theme of CSW66 was “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes.” Also  review theme was “ Women’s economic empowerment in the changing world of work” (agreed conclusions of the sixty-first session).

To forge a sustainable future for us all, “women and girls must be front and centre, leading the way”. Secretary-General António Guterres told the opening session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

He described the climate and environmental crises, coupled with the ongoing economic and social fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, as “the defining issues of our time,” reminding that “our collective response will chart our course for decades to come”.

Noting that the “unprecedented emergencies of the climate crisis, pollution, desertification and biodiversity loss, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of new and ongoing conflicts, have accelerated and intensified into widespread and interlinked crises that affect us all,” he told the Commission at the hybrid opening day event that the damage would not be meted out equally.

“Everywhere, women and girls face the greatest threats and the deepest harm”.

And while they are taking action to confront the climate and environmental crises, they continue to be largely excluded from the rooms where decisions are taken.

Secretary-General António Guterres addresses the opening of the sixty-sixth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The sixty-sixth session of the CSW will take place from 14 to 25 March 2022 under the theme “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes”.

“Interlocking crises’

Women and girls living in small island nations, least developed countries, and places affected by conflict, are impacted most of all, the UN chief said.

Their nutrition and livelihoods are disproportionately affected by extreme weather, and they suffer most when local natural resources come under threat.

And with increasing climate shocks, evidence points to a link between child marriage and exploitation.

“When climate disasters strike, as they do with increasing frequency, research shows that women and children are up to 14 times more likely than men to die,” he continued.

‘Millennium of patriarchy’

Mr. Guterres expressed his deep alarm over the increase in violence and threats against women human rights defenders and environmental activists.

“Gender discrimination means just a tiny proportion of landowners and leaders are women,” he explained, saying that their needs and interests are “often ignored and pushed aside” in policies and decisions on land use, pollution, conservation and climate action.

He informed the participants that just one-third of decision-making roles under the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement are occupied by women; while they account for only 15 per cent of environment ministers.

Moreover, only one-third of 192 national energy frameworks include gender considerations, and they are rarely considered in climate financing.

“This demonstrates once more that we live in a male-dominated world with a male-dominated culture,” the UN chief spelled out highlighting “a millennium of patriarchy that excludes women and prevents their voices from being heard.”

“We cannot realize any of our goals without the contributions of all…including men and boys…working for women’s rights and gender equality”.

Future societies

The Paris Agreement addresses biodiversity loss, land degradation and pollution –vital to creating lives of dignity for all on a healthy planet.

Women and girl leaders, farmers, policymakers, economists, lawyers and climate activists are vital to build the sustainable economies and resilient societies of tomorrow.

 “But we will not get there without women’s full and equal participation and leadership,” he stressed.

Facing an ‘impossible choice’

Over the past two years, gender inequalities and injustices have been highlighted and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said.

Millions of women have been thrown out of work and confronted with “an impossible choice” between earning an income or doing unpaid but essential care work as millions of out-of-school girls “may never return.”

“Tackling these issues requires a united front, protecting hard-won gains on women’s rights while investing in lifelong learning, healthcare, decent jobs and social protection for women and girls,” the UN chief upheld.

“Gender equality and women’s rights must be at the heart of a renewed social contract that is fit for today’s societies and economies.”

Armenia resented several ongoing initiatives

In the framework of session the Commission held a ministerial round‑table discussion on the theme “Climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes: advancing gender equality through holistic and integrated actions from global to local”.

Ministers and senior officials of Member States exchanged views on how Governments are working towards advancing gender perspectives into national policies and programmes. Discussing concerns about such pressing challenges as drought and gender inclusion in related mitigation efforts, delegates presented a broad range of national examples, from cash grants to training for women in the information and communications technology (ICT) sector. They also highlighted gender-responsive policies and needs for improvement in such areas as financing.

In particular, Narek Mkrtchyan , Minister for Labour and Social Affairs of Armenia, presented several ongoing initiatives in line with his country’s commitments to such global efforts as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Armenia’s disaster management strategy outlines a series of sector-targeted actions for preparedness, response and risk reduction from national to local levels while also recognizing the need to increase women’s representation in such activities.  The Government prioritizes mainstreaming gender equality in all its projects dedicated to environmental sustainability, resilience-building, climate change adaptation and crisis mitigation.  The Gender Policy Implementation Strategy sets the Government’s priorities for women’s equal participation in all spheres of public life, including:  preventing the feminization of poverty in the context of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; involving rural women in combating climate change problems; strengthening cooperation with civil society and non-governmental organizations in the field of environmental and disaster risk management; and reducing of the impact of pandemics, in particular COVID-19.

The outcome of the Commission’s consideration of the priority theme during its 66th session was takes the agreed conclusions, negotiated by all Member States. The Commission on the Status of Women adopted agreed conclusions on “Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies and programmes” on 25 March 2022.

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. It is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Full text in Armenian