International

September 2009 - International Update 2009

Through much of 2008 and into 2009 the focus for the National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) has been on the Millennium Development Goals. The global recession will inevitably delay implementation of the Goals but it is still unclear on the precise effects.

A second focus has been the work of ICW-CIF and other National Councils. NCWNZ is part of an international organisation comprising many National Councils in different countries but with common aims. It is encouraging to learn of the ways that other councils are progressing the rights of women and makes us stronger in that we are not alone.

The next General Assembly of ICW-CIF will be held in Johannesburg in October and the President will be attending to represent us.

Other international meetings have contributed to NCWNZ‘s work and in particular several women (members, but not representing NCWNZ) attended the Commission on the Status of Women in New York in March 2009. This is a valuable opportunity to meet other like-minded women and discuss issues of common concern. The reporting subsequent to the meeting is always of interest and NCWNZ was delighted that the delegates were willing to share their insights to inform future work for us.

From March 2009 we have seen the beginning of the work on CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women) and this will continue to be a major focus through into 2010. The Government is due to report to the Monitoring Committee of the United Nations next year and NCWNZ has taken on the task of co-ordinating the production of the NGO Shadow Alternative Report to be presented to the Monitoring Committee at the same time.