High-Level General Discussion
on Priority Theme
24 February 2011
Member countries were invited to present their country's progress and/or challenges on achieving the 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
Australia
Support establishment of UN Women
One of first to provide core funding for UN Women
Have some women in prominent roles in science but realize that this is not the norm
Women significantly under-represented in employment in fields of science, technology and engineering - 22.3%
Girls' education is crucial
Australia helps girls in Pakistan
Closing gap between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples
Some difficulties for women accessing full employment, achieving pay equity, and having family-friendly work places with child care
First 12-year National Plan to address violence against women -" everyone's responsibility"
Have come a long way but there is a long road ahead
Recommend a Human Rights perspective mechanism in all work of the CSW
Zambia
BPA, CEDAW and MDGs - Government implementing them 2011 - 2020
Safeguards for land contracts and rights of rural women
Females shall constitute at least 30% of villages' governing bodies
Subsidies for rural women - e.g. in health and breast screening, small loans for women
Establishment of UN Women is a major milestone - all types of women's needs should be addressed; need strengthened funding for Gender Entity
Italy
Plan and funding for the inclusion of women in the labour market - child care, help for those working from home, promotion of entrepeneurship especially in the south of Italy
Only 20% of women have government positions
Participation of women and in particular middle-aged women is needed in scientific fields
Aim to achieve gender equality in the sciences
Italy has adopted a national plan to eliminate violence against women including female genital mutilation
Bahamas
Launch this evening of UN Women - an historic achievement
Initiative to implement the BPA (Beijing Platform for Action)
Domestic violence, lack of educational and employment opportunities, pay gaps, adequate health care etc. are continuing challenges
Equal education rights in Bahamas, including at tertiary institutions
Promote non-traditional training for girls - e.g. automotive and technical training
Notable achievements of women in administrative and faculty positions
Overwhelming number of girls pursue careers in the social and cultural fields
Bangladesh
Promoting the Beijing Platform Action, CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Violence Against Women) and MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)
Equal rights in state and public rights
Women are increasingly entering the more non-traditional fields
High priority of Government: the empowerment of women
Food security for poor, rural women
Support to women entrepreneurs (small business)
Increase from 4 to 6 months for maternity leave
Parity to female-led households
Maternal health - 3 ante-natal and 2 post-natal health checks available
Woman PM and the Opposition Leaders are all women
Still need to continue steps to move forward on gender equality and justice
Malaysia
Congratulated Michelle Bachelet on her appointment and pledged support of UN Women
Malaysia on Executive Board of UN Women
National Target: increase female labour force from current 47% to 55% by 2015
The three top positions of Ministry of Science are headed by women
Gender mainstreaming programs
NGOs play important role in working strategically with the Government - and receive funding to implement the NGO activities and programmes for the advancement of women
Luxembourg
Support of UN Women - 8-fold increase in core contribution to it
National Action Plan Oct. 2010 on 1325
Maternal Health Initiative for 2010 G8 Summit
Tougher laws on violence against women; investing in shelters; increased strategies to reduce violence in aboriginal,refugee and immigrant communities; addressing honour-motivated violence
Together we can make a difference. Together, we will make a difference.
Haiti
Violence against women has increased with the earthquake, and the Government is taking steps that, along with the contribution of other organizations who are helping, address violence against women
Afghanistan
With support of the global society, the Government is trying to develop a Gender Action Strategy.
Constant military threats affected the elections, but there was a 20% increase in voters - not impressive but some progress. Afghanistan has the highest percentage of women in Parliament in the world. Women have equality under the law. Have a 10-year plan of action to increase women's status.
Continue to honour our commitments to CEDAW and other conventions and to UNCSR 1325. Still have many maternal deaths and engage the international commitee to help us to close these gaps. "A stronger UN Women means a stronger support for all of the world."
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