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CSW 55 

The fifty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from Tuesday, 22 February to Friday, 4 March, and on Monday, 14 March 2011. 

  • Priority theme: Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work 
  • Review theme: The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child 
  • Emerging issue: Gender equality and sustainable development 

Read more here.

Text reading Commission on the Status of Women 55 with a stylized symbol resembling a dove and a gender symbol on a light blue background.
Image credit: WILPF International
  • 7 min
WILPF International Secretariat
22 February 2011

Highlight  

WILPF organized two main events at CSW55 (2011). First, we partnered with UN Women and OneVoice to discuss “Gender, Technology & Peacebuilding: Bridging the Israel-Palestine Divide,” on February 22nd 2011. The event featured the voices of two extraordinary young women peace leaders, Roza Helou and Dana Sender. Second, we partnered with Global Action to Prevent War (GAPW) and Soka Gakkai International (SGI) to host a reception and discussion on peace activism and women’s leadership on February 24th with Felicity Hill and Gillian Kitley. 

The PeaceWomen team also monitored select events and resources specifically related to the Women, Peace and Security agenda throughout the 55th Session. Event highlights included the launches of the new UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), and Nepal’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Both events reaffirmed the commitment to the advancement of women. 

Approximately 70 events directly involved main themes related to women in conflict and post-conflict societies. Some of the WPS events took up the official theme of CSW55, which intersected with WPS mainly with regard to participation and how education and training in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT-training) can empower both women and men to further strengthen the pursuit of the WPS policy agenda. As stated during the Global Women Parliament: “The concept of participation needs to be expanded to include not only women’s presence, but access to real, meaningful power. Participation must be about strategic presence in order to successfully maneuver a typically male-dominated arena.” 

Participation, Education and ICT-training 

Women’s participation received greatest attention among WPS topics discussed. Several NGO’s presented research, programmes and initiatives, which focused on women’s participation in peace processes and in decision-making. Education and ICT-training were often presented as essential means to enhance women’s empowerment, capacity and awareness rising. In contemporary socio-economic and political contexts, meaningful participation is dependent upon having access to ICT tools. 

Women’s access to media and the representation of women in media represented a dimension of the ICT-participation discussion. For example, WILPF’s event, “Technology & Peacebuilding: Bridging the Israel-Palestine Divide”, showed how gender inclusive media can enhance women’s participation in the peace movement. Similarly, the event “Empowering Women to Document”, showed how basic ICT-training enable rural and/or illiterate women to find tools to get their voices heard. Other events presented education and ICT training from the prevention dimension of WPS, particularly the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, by explaining how ICT training facilitates early warning systems. 

A large majority of the WPS events did not directly intersect with the CSW55 theme but instead dealt more generally with the implementation of 1325 and other subthemes of the agenda. The organization of civil society organisations around 1325, conflict and post-conflict issues during this year’s CSW demonstrated once again civil society’s commitment to move the WPS agenda forward. As stated by representatives from Femmes Afrique Solidarité (FAS): “It is important to continue to advocate for SCR 1325 and the prevention, participation, protection of women in the context of human rights and security”. 

Implementation 

The official CSW events largely referenced WPS in the context of the new UN entity UN Women, which announced the full implementation of SCR 1325 (2000) as one five core areas of work. Subsequent CSW events discussed agency, political will, and the balance of responsibility between Member States, UN offices, and civil society. Civil society voiced their concerns relating to the policy implementation, both within the UN and among Member States, of 1325 (2000), CEDAW and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPFA). The event “Implementing UNSCR 1325 on Women and Peace and Security”, Global Network for Women Peacebuilders (GNWP) presented an open letter to the Member States of the Security Council on SCR 1960 (2010). 

Legislation 

Several events focused on national legislation specific to the needs and rights of women and women’s subsequent access to justice. Notably, the event “Protection and Restitution for Survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence”, given by the Agency for Co-operation and Research in Development (ACORD) presented the findings of a judicial audit, conducted in five African countries, regarding laws against sexual and gender based violence. Echoing the conclusions of other CSW55 Panels, ACORD stated that though countries have existing laws prohibiting sexual and gender based violence, institutional gaps inhibit the implementation of existing legislation. Furthermore, insufficient political will to ratify and implement international laws such as CEDAW perpetuates the legal disempowerment and insecurity of women. 

Violence against Women (VAW) 

Violence against Women received much attention among CSW events. Although significant efforts have been made by both civil society and the international community, this problem continues to have a severe impact on women and girls. In conflict and post-conflict countries, women are uniquely at risk of and targeted by violence and human rights violations, including sexual and gender based violence and political violence. 

Protection and Impunity 

CSW55 events addressed impunity for VAW in the context of the protection dimension of WPS. Panelists discussed how civil society could train women to protect themselves, through early warning mechanisms and documentation. In parallel to CSO efforts, speakers cited the roles and responsibilities of governments, international organizations and religious leaders. 

The CSW55 highlighted numerous country and region-specific issues. Geographic focuses included: 

  • Nepal, which internationally launched their first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security at CSW55. 
  • Middle East, due to the recent uprisings in Egypt and countries in the region. Women’s participation and civil society organizing drew much discussion, particularly the topic of young women organizing through social media, and concerns for regression in the participation and inclusion of women and their rights. 
  • Sudan, after a peaceful referendum, which finalized the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, many discussions stressed the importance of including women and civil society in the organizations of the two new states. Participants emphasized that in Southern Sudan, efforts are needed to ensure the continued advancement and participation of women. 
  • Israel and Palestine: Civil society in New York and the region demonstrated the engagement of individuals from both sides of the conflict in the promotion of a two state solution as well as the efforts to include women in the peace movement. 

Read PeaceWomen’s full report. 

Analysis  

The 55th Commission on the Status of Women took place between the 22nd of February and 4th March 2011. Representatives from Member States, the United Nations and the civil society gathered to discuss the theme of this session; “Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work”. In addition to the official CSW events and the United Nations’ parallel events, civil society arranged many Panels, workshops and roundtables. These provided a unique forum for the global civil society to voice issues regarding gender, education, science and technology. 

The Commission drafted, negotiated and voted on three resolutions (to be recommended by ECOSOC): “Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women” (E/CN.6/2011/L.2), “Women, the girl child and HIV and AIDS” (E/CN.6/2011/L.3), and “Mainstreaming gender equality and promoting empowerment of women in climate change policies and strategies” (E/CN.6/2011/L.1). Regarding the resolution on the situation of Palestinian women, there is clear mention of the need for women in decision-making, as well as a reference to SCR 1325: “Emphasizing the importance of increasing the role of women in peacebuilding and decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and the peaceful resolution of conflicts as part of efforts to ensure the safety and well being of all women in the region, and stressing the importance of their equal participation and involvement in all efforts for the achievement, maintenance and promotion of peace and security…”. The voting pattern differed little from CSW54; United States and Israel voted against the resolution, and about ten Member States abstained. Among those abstaining was the European Union, with an “explanation of vote”. 

The Commission welcomed the establishment of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women). It also reaffirmed the importance of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA), CEDAW and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Negotiations leading up to the agreed conclusion proved difficult, as the Holy See (the Vatican), with observer status, attempted to narrow the scope of interpretation for the word “gender”. Delegations worked to maintain agreed language and advancement of the women/gender agenda. 

Read PeaceWomen’s full report here. 

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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

Matt Mahmoudi

Matt Mahmoudi (he/him) is a lecturer, researcher, and organizer. He’s been leading the “Ban the Scan” campaign, Amnesty International’s research and advocacy efforts on banning facial recognition technologies and exposing their uses against racialized communities, from New York City to the occupied Palestinian territories.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

A woman in a blue, black, and white dress smiles radiantly in front of a leafy green background.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.