How
NGOs supported the adoption of the OP-CEDAW
International,
regional, national and local non-governmental organisations supported
the adoption of the OP-CEDAW and participated in the NGO Working
Group on the OP-CEDAW. Their representatives were able to bring
in experiences from various regions, follow negotiations consistently,
understand the issues at stake and developed expertise needed
after the OP-CEDAW came into force. At present, NGOs are encouraged
to develop common strategies for the ratification and use of the
OP-CEDAW. For details of the "Our Rights Are Not Optional!"
NGO Campaign, click here.
Some strategies
undertaken by the NGO Working Group from 1996 to 1999 were:
-
Dissemination
of information. Action alerts and updates were consistently
sent out to ensure sustained and informed participation of NGOs
in the processes leading to the OP-CEDAW. The flow of information
was needed so that organisations unable to send representatives
to New York but committed to the process, could continue to
receive updates. NGO advocacy at the national and international
level proved to be of equal value in the negotiations.
- Development
of advocacy materials. To ensure that advocacy by NGOs was consistent
and effective, advocacy tools were developed. Some materials included
(i) a commentary on the entire negotiated text designed to serve
as a reference tool for government delegates and a lobbying tool
for NGOs; (ii) a fact-sheet on the need for an OP-CEDAW and its
relevance for women; and (iii) a document on the "minimum
elements" to be accepted by NGOs which was produced and updated
as negotiations progressed.
- Capacity-building.
Members of the NGO working group organised a training session
for NGOs on first day of the Commission on the Status of Women's
meetings. It was important for all NGOs to be well informed and
lobby from a consistent position that would advance common goals.
The training provided information on the: (i) history of the OP-CEDAW
and the status of the negotiations; (ii) information on the positions
of the delegations in the 1998 discussions and (iii) lobbying
strategies.
- Networking
and Outreach. An informal group of friendly delegations was set-up
by the chair of the open-ended working group. As negotiations
progressed, the interaction of the "friends of the OP-CEDAW"
and the NGO working group strengthened. This linkage was of critical
importance since, throughout the negotiations, the presence and
participation of NGOs in the process was a point of contention
among government delegations.
|
Lessons
learnt:
- For
NGOs to contribute effectively to processes such as this,
there is a need to build up expertise by taking advantage
of opportunities to work with human rights treaties in
a consistent manner.
- Attending
UN negotiations and meetings at the last minute and without
a clear objective may not be very useful to national-level
NGOs. At the same, it is national-level NGOs that bring
the practical experience and their informed interventions
are of critical value. As such, it is important for national
level NGOs to plan their interventions and outreach beforehand.
- It
is useful to establish linkages and outreach with NGOs
and government bodies prior to negotiations. Networking
provides opportunities for NGO representatives to exchange
information and disseminate calls for action.
- The
presence of one full time person coordinating the NGO
Working Group ensured successful advocacy and exchanges
of information. Useful lobbying tools were developed.
Experienced NGOs were willing to share information and
provide general orientation to NGO delegations joining
the negotiations later on.
|
This
page was last updated on November 1, 2003
“IWRAW
Asia Pacific is an independent, non-profit, NGO in Special consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.”
©IWRAW Asia Pacific
Contact Us | Site
Map
|
