Teenage Girls Breaking Stereotypes

One of the parallel events organized by CSW62 was titled, "Rights, Voice, Dreams, and Friendship: How Teenage Girls Achieve Empowerment". A group of teenage girls from Chechnia and the leaders of the organization Young Women Development Program (YWDP) came to share their experience,  challenges and the changes they bring.

The girls have presented how hard it is to live in their hierarchical and patriarchal culture, where women do not have enough voice to express their needs, where young girls cannot stand up for themselves. The girls shared how hard it was for them to live in their culture, be accepted by the society while trying to develop their own careers.

One of the girls said: "I am blessed to have the right family, where the education is valued. My parents motivated me to pay attention to my future and seek a degree. Unfortunately, not a lot of girls are as fortunate as I am. A lot of them, especially those living in the rural areas, even do not finish their school. They drop it and get married since it is what the society and family expect them to do. It is hard to go against this cultural mentality. People may not understand you in the right way. That's why it is important to have supportive individuals next to you".

Another adolescent girl shared her challenges when she wanted to pursue a degree in the department of architecture. She said: "All the teachers, professors, classmates, men I knew were telling me that I had a very bad idea and should not pursue a degree in it. All of them were saying that the profession of an architect was not for women and that I would not be able to find a job in the future. However, with the help of YWDG, I could improve my self-esteem, believe in my skills and abilities and follow the call of my heart. As a result, I am in the second year of the department of architecture and I believe that I will be a good architect."

The organization has carried out a number of projects, worked with a number of girls, and made a great amount of impact on the lives of a lot of teenagers. It was breathtaking to hear how women are helping, motivating and inspiring each other to raise, fight for their rights and dreams, and be empowered."

Women and Environment in Nigeria

The final day of the Commission on the Status of Women conference offered just as powerful messages as the first day. It was fitting to end the conference knowing that the next generation is actively working towards the sustainable development goals. Lehigh’s United Nations Youth representatives, De’Anna Daniels and Lyasha Bishop, ’16, presented on behalf of the Center for Women’s Studies and Intervention (CWSI) based in Abuja, Nigeria. This NGO educates women in Nigeria about world problems and how to create change or be part of the solution. Daniels’s and Bishop’s presentation, called Women and Environment in Nigeria, discussed the ways in which women can be part of the solution to the organization’s goal of sustainable development. Daniels pointed out that Nigerian women are absent from all levels of policy making, and one goal of the CWSI is to address this gap. “This presentation will present a strategic action plan needed for sound environmental management that will require involvement of women,” Daniels said. The CWSI began work in 1999 in Abuja, Nigeria on social and legal rights, specifically women’s rights and the elimination of gender based violence and training.

The presentation for the CSW focused on the strategies for action for Nigerian women to be active in policy conversations with a critical role of woman and as stewards of the environment. Daniels and Bishop addressed the strategies by categorizing each issue and solution based on the SDGs. The main focus being SDG#15, Life on Land. Due to gender divisions of labor, women in many parts of the world shoulder responsibility of agricultural work, water, and fuel collection in order to provide food for their families. Environmental degradation and lack of access to, and control over natural resources, have consequently, had an especially severe impact on women.

The United Nation’s charge on the environment calls for women to play an import role, given that they are the ones that have a hand in the ecosystem and access to resources. Women’s contribution as a critical determent for the implications of the environmental policies, as noted in the the first World Conference of Women in 1975 in Mexico City and conference there after have brought up these issues. The conversation continues to points towards the need to step up gender equity in environmental decision making like water collection, especially in areas heavily affected by HIV AIDs given that the lack of water expedites deaths.

Daniels and Bishop shared six specific ways Nigerian Women are affected by environmental problems by grouping them with the sustainable development goals,in order as presented:

-       The principle fuel for cooking in rural areas in Nigeria is wood. Such extensive reliance on wood causes erosion and changes in microclimate, this is a concern of SDG#7 Affordable and Clean Energy.

-       Deforestation, the illegal logging and clearing of forest has depleted the forest in Nigeria and large scale construction were women primarily engage in agricultural activity and depend on the resources, without regard of environmental effects, this is a concern of SDG#15 Life on Land.

-       Decertification, or coastal entrenchment and erosion this has resulted in migration, dysfunctional family loss of villages, conflict, lose of livelihood and internal displacement, cultivation of land in inappropriate places, this is a concern of SDG#14 Life below Water coastal environment.

-       Lack of information on environmental issues, so many Nigerians are unaware of environmental issues and very few women are involved in natural disaster management this is a concern of SDG#4 Quality Education.

-       Absence of gender mainstreaming and environment, Nigerian women are absent in all levels of policy formulation and decision making in discussions on policies including environmental issues such as pollution and population explosion, this is a concern of SDG#16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

-       Exploration of solar minerals has led to loss of land property decline in economic activity, particularly affecting women, changes in social life of women, increase of poverty level, this is a concern of SDG#12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

The strategies for action put fourth by CWSI are holistic, multidisciplinary, and intersectional approach.

-       Awareness creation, education is key in order to understand environmental issues and take action

-       Government and civil society action need to play a large role

-       Funding alternative energy sources for cooking, as a direct action

Overall, the presentation laid out the issues women in Nigeria currently face, where those issues concern the sustainable development goals, and specific strategies for action. The call for action is clear, and our youth seems well equipped to take them on.

Addressing Sexuality to end Child Marriage

There is an important need to talk openly about sexuality and how it relates to child marriage, how sexuality is closely linked to gender roles and how understanding and addressing this link can help achieve sustainable development goal number 5, Gender Equality. Many have claimed that “talking abut sexuality” is a “personal matter” and not one that is discussed in the public eye, particularly in certain cultural context. However, the United Nations has been talking about sexuality for over 20 years, in negotiation rooms and spaces dealing with women’s health and other important issues. The panelist in the session Why Addressing the control of sexuality is critical to ending child marriage? address the topic with a cultural, social and professional lens noting the values and norms and how it relates to complex women’s issues. The idea that in order to address practices such as child or forced marriage, girls and boys need to be properly educated in order for them to take control of their own sexuality. The key is in programs that work closely with the community, men, women and most importantly religious leaders. Understanding the use of ‘language’ and how to talk to the community in a way that doesn’t add to the taboo and challenge of speaking openly about sexuality even in “safe spaces”.

Archana Dwivedi, Director of the NGO Nirantar in New Delhi, India stated that sexuality is not an issue it is a perspective, as is gender and we need to find a wholesome way to view those norms in order to understand its construct. Dwivedi goes on to say that, sexuality has no beginning or end point, and is informed by gender and sexuality norms and gender norms are informed by sexuality norms. Research in India mapping early and child marriage found that poverty is linked to gender and sexuality norms, however, many young people are marrying out of their own choices, and young people are concerned about many issues other than sexuality. Gender and sexuality norms are linked, and at the same time are constantly challenged by changing cultural views of gender and sexuality which impact girls much deeper, without losing sight that boys are also affected. Panelist Anthony Keedi noted that, if we continue to look at women as the ones we need to provide for, ones that can not provide for themselves, that creates a perpetual need for paths such as child and forced marriage on a social, cultural and economic basis. The concept of taking control of one’s own sexuality and allowing for that control to be given to women is a step towards eradicating child and forced marriage.

Prostitution is the Oldest Oppression

Prostitution, Sex-Trafficking, and the Human Rights Abuse Inherent to the Sex Trade panel was the most emotional of the CSW 2015. The panel was arranged by SPACE International (Survivors of Prostitution-Abuse Calling for Enlightenment) and Women’s Front of Norway. In her introduction, the chair provided examples of Norway and Sweden where prostitution is illegal. In Sweden, purchasing sexual services, pimping, procuring, and running a brothel are prohibited. In addition, Norway legally banned advertisements of sexual services. The panel called other countries to follow Scandinavian example.

Some statements from the panel: “Prostitution is a fundamental violence of human rights. Prostitution is a torture. Prostitution denies women rights. Prostitution is a slavery.”

Among panelists I saw wonderful, active, and cheerful ladies. The chair introduced some of them as survivors of the sex exploitation. Each of them shared their own personal story. They faced the other side of the society where everyone turned away from them.

After years of torture, violence, and abuse, she decided to start a new page of her life and get a higher education degree. She applied and was refused twice because of her past. “I was not seen as a human being with a heart and soul,” she concluded. Now, she has a degree in social work and got a job where she is not beaten and hurt.

A girl from Canadian First Nations did not choose it, she was forced to this at the age of 12. She got a trauma, it was a hell, her dignity was taken away. She become pregnant. “The birth of a little girl stopped me from prostitution. I decided that my girl will not go through this.” Society has failed to protect her. It labelled her as a parasite, a dangerous offender. She was beaten and tortured. He broke her jaw and arm. “I want to be reborn.” Her pimp is still free and continues to kill young girls’ future. In Canada, she says, indigenous girls are sold at the age of 8 and 9. They are called "blueberries because they are wild". Comparing to other girls, they are paid less. Human trafficking, prostitution, and pimping should be criminalized in every country. It can be stopped. Think of slavery or a death penalty.

Panelists ended saying: “Prostitution is not the oldest profession, it is the oldest oppression.”   

ООН за права женщин

8 марта, в Международный женский день, в Нью-Йорке состоялся марш за половое равноправие и права женщин. Марш был организован структурой Организации Объединённых Наций “ООН-Женщины” и призывал покончить с насилием в отношении женщин, производить равную оплату труда, обеспечить половое равноправие и расширить права и возможности женщин.   

В этом году марш был посвящен двадцатилетию принятия Пекинской декларации на четвертой Всемирной конференции по положению женщин (4-15 сентября 1995 г.). Марш начался с митинга на площади имени Дага Хаммаршёльда с участием Генерального секретаря ООН господина Пан Ги Муна и его супруги госпожи Ю Сун Дэк, первой леди города Нью-Йорка Билла де Блазио и других деятелей культуры и искусства. Генеральный секретарь призвал к 2030 году добиться полного равноправия женщин и мужчин.   

Среди участников марша за права женщин были студенты, преподаватели, представители различных неправительственных организаций, работники ООН, жители города Нью-Йорка и участники 58-й сессии Комиссии ООН по положению женщин. Марш прошел по второй авеню, 42-й улице и завершился на площади Таймс-сквер.

Марш, прошедший в Нью-Йорке 107 лет назад 8 марта с участием 15 000 женщин, призывавших за право участвовать в выборах, лучших условий оплаты труда и сокращения продолжительности рабочего дня, послужил к учреждению Международного женского дня. С 28 февраля 1909 согласно заявлению Социалистической партии Америки праздник начал отмечаться на всей территории США до 1913. 27 августа 1910 года в Копенгагене на Второй международной социалистической женской конференции представительница Социал-демократической партии Германии Клара Цеткин выступила об учреждении Международного женского дня. (Из http://www.internationalwomensday.com, www.un.org)