NCWNZ is leading a project which includes producing an Alternative Mid Term Report which deals with four issues raised by the CEDAW Committee following our last country report and consolidating and widening interest in CEDAW both in terms of holding our Government to account but also to use in progressing issues in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
Our intention is to hold workshops, develop resources, and create an ongoing network. This is an exciting project which has tapped into a lot of interest in CEDAW and its potential to assist us in both accountability for initiatives for women and in our campaigns to progress gender equality.
The Alternative Mid Term Report has been completed and sent to the CEDAW Committee. The four issues that the CEDAW Committee sought in their Concluding Observations on the eighth periodic report from New Zealand in 2018 were: Abortion, Human Rights Commission, Gender-based Violence against women, and the Family Court System.
Download the Mid Term Report here.
We are keen to establish an ongoing network to build understanding of and interest in using CEDAW. We are clear that a strong collaborative approach from the NGO sector will strengthen the effectiveness of using CEDAW to progress gender justice. If you wish to be part of that network please contact [email protected]
WORKSHOP
Our recent workshop coordinated by Eva Hartshorn-Sanders and organised in partnership with the Māori Women’s Welfare League and Pacific Women’s Watch showed strong interest in the kaupapa of building knowledge and commitment to CEDAW processes.
120 people registered for the workshop which included a presentation by Eva Hartshorn-Sanders (NCWNZ and Hartsheba Limited) and Christine King (Pacific Women’s Watch) covering what is CEDAW, CEDAW processes, how to use CEDAW, and the idea of CEDAW Cities. The workshop included a very impressive panel session which looked at particular parts of engaging in CEDAW processes and individual reflections and experiences from four women who have been actively involved. The panelists were Dr. Jackie Blue (former EEO Commissioner), Denise Ewe (Pacific Women’s Watch and Māori Women’s Welfare League), Hellen Swales (Business and Professional Women), and Beryl Anderson (NCWNZ). The final session led by NCWNZ President Lisa Lawrence considered next steps.
A copy of the recording of the workshop and the PowerPoint presentation are available below:
Additional resources will be added as they become available.
Pacific Women’s Watch have resources available in a number of languages. Please contact Christine King on [email protected]