The 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from 25 February to 7 March 2008.
Please click on the links below for further information and resources.
Report of the 52nd session of the Commission on the Status of Women
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Participants
Themes
Parallel event on the theme for the 53rd session in 2009
Indicators on violence against women
Official programme of work
Official documentation
General Discussion
Statements
Non-governmental organizations
Parallel events
Press releases
The session was attended by the representatives of Member States of the United Nations and representatives of United Nations entities and of ECOSOC accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world.
Pre-registered NGO participants, click here for the NGO Participation Note.
As decided in the revision of its working methods and programme of work in 2006 (ECOSOC 2006/9), during the 52nd session the Commission considered a priority theme and an emerging issue. In addition, the Commission also reviewed implementation of the agreed conclusions (recommendations) on a theme considered at an earlier session.
Priority theme
Financing for gender equality and empowerment of women
(Monday 25 February 2008 – 3 to 6 pm and
Tuesday 26 February 2008 – all day)
High-level round table on “Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women” - Monday 25 February 2008, 3 to 6 pm
Moderator's summary
High-level round table assignments
Panelists
Keynote
address by Mr. Mohammed Chafik, Director of Study and Forecast, Finance Ministry, Morocco
Keynote
address by Mr. Dionisio Pérez Jácome Friscione,
Vice-Minister for Expenditures of the Ministry of Finance, Mexico
Interactive expert panel on “Key policy initiatives on financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women” - Tuesday 26 February 2008, 10 am to 1 pm
Moderator's summary
Panelists
Papers / Presentations
Interactive expert panel: “Capacity-building
for mainstreaming a gender perspective in the development, implementation
and evaluation of national economic policies and programmes and
budgets” -
Tuesday 26 February 2008,
Moderator's summary
Panelists
Papers / Presentations
Expert
group meeting on "Financing for gender equality and the
empowerment of women"
(Final report of the on-line discussion)
Emerging issue
Gender perspectives on climate change
(Thursday 28 February 2008, 3 - 6 pm)
Moderator's summary
Issues Paper
Panelists
Papers / Presentations
The emerging issue was considered through an interactive expert panel. Five to six experts on the chosen theme provided information and insights based on experience from research and analysis, policy development and programme planning, implementation and monitoring. A brief discussion guide was provided in advance by the Division for the Advancement of Women.
Member States and other participants provided information and insights, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their efforts to address the emerging issue.
Review theme
Women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peacebuilding
(Friday 29 February 2008, 10am – 1pm)
Moderator's Summary
Issues Paper
Panelists
The review of the agreed conclusions on “Women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peacebuilding”, adopted by the Commission at its 48th session in 2004, took the form of an interactive dialogue. Discussion was initiated by initial interventions by keynote speakers. A brief discussion guide was provided in advance by the Division for the Advancement of Women.
Member States and other participants provided information and insights, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their efforts to implement the agreed conclusions.
Parallel event on the theme for the 53rd session in 2009
“The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS.”
(Wednesday 27 February 2008 - 1 to 3 pm)
Moderator's Summary
Issues Paper
Panelists
Papers / Presentations
To provide initial guidance to the Member States and other actors in preparing for the consideration of the theme of the 53rd session in 2009: “The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS”, an interactive panel was organized in the margins of the Commission, as a parallel event. A panel of experts introduced the topic and an interactive dialogue followed.
Member States and other participants provided information and insights, based on their, experiences, lessons learned and good practice examples from their work in this area, to share ideas on what should be covered by the Commission at its 53rd session..
Indicators on violence against women
In response to the General Assembly resolution 61/143, on “Intensification of efforts to eliminate all forms of violence against women”, the Commission organized a joint workshop with the Statistics Commission to consider the development of indicators on violence against women during the first week of the Commission.
(Thursday 28 February 2008 – 1 to 3 pm)
Moderator's Summary
Issues Paper
Panelists
Related Expert Group Meeting
Final report of the Expert Group Meeting
Annotated provisional agenda and proposed organization of work:
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Week One: 25-29 February 2008
- Official opening
- Interactive events: on priority theme (3); the review theme (1); and the emerging issue (1)
- General Discussion where representatives of Member States make national statements and a number of 缅北禁地entities and NGOs also have the opportunity to make statements.
- Bureau-sponsored joint workshop with the Statistics Commission on indicators for violence against women (lunch-time event)
- Parallel event on the priority theme for the 53rd session in 2009 (lunch-time event)
Week Two: 3-7 March 2008
- Negotiation of agreed conclusions
- Work on the communications procedure
- Adoption of resolutions and decisions
- Other work
Official documentation
The Secretary-General prepares reports on the priority theme under consideration by the Commission, as well as on topics mandated through the resolutions and decisions of the Commission. The Bureau and the Secretariat also provide further documentation, as mandated by the Commission. All official documentation is provided on the website prior to the session, as soon as it is available in all official United Nations languages.
Opening statements:
Statement by
Ms. Carolyn Hannan,
Director, Division for the Advancement of Women,
United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs - 25 February 2008
Launch of the Secretary-General's Campaign to End Violence Against Women:
Statement by Ambassador Léo Mérorès, President of the Economic and Social Council, at the launch of the Secretary-General’s campaign to end violence against women, held at the opening of the fifty-second session of the Commission - 25 February 2008
Statement by Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), at launch of the Secretary-General’s campaign to end violence against women, held at the opening of the fifty-second session of the Commission - 25 February 2008
Statement by Taina Bien-Aimé from Equality Now, at launch of the Secretary-General’s campaign to end violence against women, held at the opening of the fifty-second session of the Commission - 25 February 2008
Launch of the Campaign to Eliminate
Female Genital Mutilation:
Eliminating Female genital mutilation: An interagency statement by OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNECA, UNESCO,
UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, WHO
Other statements :
Statement by Ambassador Léo Mérorès, President of the Economic and Social Council, at the fifty-second session of the Commission
Regional groups:
Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the Group of 77 and China
Argentina on behalf of the MERCOSUR and Associated States
Dominican Republic on behalf of the RIO Group
Slovenia on behalf of the European Union
Tonga on behalf of the Pacific Islands Forum Group
Zambia on behalf of the Southern African Development Community (SADC)
Member States:
Afghanistan
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Côte
d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Estonia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Haiti
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Malaysia
Mali
Malta
Mauritius
Mexico
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Norway
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Korea
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Senegal
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United Republic of Tanzania
United States of America
Uruguay
Vietnam
Zambia
Permanent observers:
African Union
European Union
Holy See
Palestine
Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, its Causes and Consequences:
Prof. Yakin Ertürk
缅北禁地entities:
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
United Nations Regional Commissions
Other
inter-governmental organizations:
Assemblee Parlementaire de la Francophonie
Economic Community of West Africa (ECOWAS)
Inter-Parliamentary Union
NGO participation eligibility
Guidelines for pre-registration of eligible NGOs
Modalities of NGO Participation at CSW
NGO participation guidelines
NGO Participation Note for pre-registered NGO participants [ E F S ]
NGO Written Statements
Parallel events organized or co-sponsored by DAW
The large programme of parallel events or activities organized outside the formal programme of the Commission, provided an excellent opportunity to bring critical issues to the fore. These parallel events were organized by Member States, 缅北禁地entities, other international and regional organizations and NGOs. Existing materials or new materials developed specifically for the Commission were distributed at these parallel events.
The majority of NGO events were held at the 缅北禁地Church Centre on 44th St. and 1st Avenue, New York, opposite the United Nations Headquarters. Any queries on these events should be addressed directly to:
Tthe NGO Commitee on the Status of Women
708 3rd Ave. 5th Floor, Room 101 New York, NY 10017
Fax number: +1 (212) 209-7161
Focal point contact: Ms. Vivian Pender
Email address: ngo_csw_ny@hotmail.com
Women’s Commission, Concluding Session, Adopts Wide-Ranging Agreed Conclusions On Financing For Gender Equality And Women’s Empowerment - 13 March 2008
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Women’s Commission Approves Resolutions On Palestinian Women, Training Institute, Women And Child Hostages, Female Genital Mutilation, HIV/AIDS - 7 March 2008
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‘Investing In Women Is Not Only The Right Thing To Do; It Is The Smart Thing To Do’, Says Secretary-General As United Nations Marks International Women’s Day - 6 March 2008
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Women’s Commission Discusses United Nations 2010-2011 Strategic Framework On Gender Issues, Advancement Of Women - 6 March 2008
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Women’s Commission Hears Introduction Of Texts On Women And Child Hostages, HIV/AIDS, Female Genital Mutilation, Palestinian Women - 5 March 2008
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‘It Is Time For The World To Make Women A Priority’ Women’s Commission Told, As It Hears From More Than 50 Speakers In Concluding Debate - 3 March 2008
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Global Anti-Poverty Goals Can Be Met ‘Only By Investing In The World’s Women And Girls’, Says Secretary-General, In International Day Message - 29 February 2008
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Women’s Full Participation In Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding Needed To End Use Of Sexual Violence As Weapon, Ensure Legal Rights, Say Commission Speakers - 29 February 2008
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Women Must Participate In All Aspects Of Climate Change Debate, In Particular Decision-Making On Adaptation, Mitigation, Say Speakers In Women’s Commission - 28 February 2008
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In Women’s Commission, Deputy Secretary-General Launches Pledge To End Female Genital Mutilation, Says Practice Unacceptable By Any Moral, Ethical Standard - 27 February 2008
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Women’s Commission Panels Discuss Ways To Ensure Development Financing Recognizes Women’s Contributions, Supports Their Economic Rights - 26 February 2008
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Violence Against Women ‘Never Acceptable, Never Excusable, Never Tolerable’, Says Secretary-General As Global Campaign Launched At Women’s Commission - 25 February 2008
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Press Conference On Ending Violence Against Women Campaign - 25 February 2008
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Commission On Status Of Women Will Hold Fifty-Second Session At Headquarters, 25 February – 7 March - 22 February 2008
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Panelists for the interactive panels on the priority theme
Panel 1: Key policy initiatives and innovative approaches to financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women
The panelists selected by the CSW Bureau included representatives of Member States, United Nations and non-governmental organizations. Panelists selected had significant experience of policy initiatives and innovative approaches in one or more of the following areas related to financing for gender equality and empowerment of women: macro-economics; public finance, including gender-responsive budgeting; mobilization of international resources, including bilateral and multilateral assistance and new aid modalities; new and innovative sources of funding; and follow-up to the Monterrey Consensus on financing for development.
Panel 2: Capacity building on gender mainstreaming in relation to financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The panelists selected by the CSW Bureau included representatives of Member States, United Nations and non-governmental organizations. Panelists selected had significant experience in capacity-building for gender mainstreaming in one or more of the following areas: macro-economics; public finance, including gender-responsive budgeting; mobilization of international resources, including bilateral and multilateral assistance and new aid modalities; new and innovative sources of funding; and follow-up to the Monterrey Consensus on financing for development.
All selected panelists prepared and submitted, to the Division for the Advancement of Women, a written statement based on their area of expertise, which was circulated at the CSW and presented at the panel, in one of the six official languages of the United Nations, to stimulate interactive discussion.