REPORTING TO CEDAW

PACIFIC WOMEN’S WATCH (NEW ZEALAND) Reporting to the 39 th session of the CEDAW Committee

Profile of the Committee

23 members from around the world who are experts on women’s issues States nominate members who are elected to for a 4-year term serve as independent experts Currently 5 sessions each year meeting in 2 review panels Individual State reports are heard in one day

Process for Gathering data for the NGO Report

Review Committee’s Concluding Comments to the New Zealand government on its previous report Identify continuing gaps in implementation of outstanding discriminatory issues Hold discussion forums and workshops with groups of women most affected by continuing discrimination to: (1) hear their concerns (2) find solutions to their needs through suggested legislation and policy changes

Achieving a broad-based approach

Review proposed legislation and policy Make submissions and lobby for change Design a questionnaire for response across a broad cross-section of women to report how they are faring in their everyday lives

Preparing the NGO Report

Write in clear, understandable language Be concise and to the point Prepare the final draft within a few months of the Government Report being published

Preparing the NGO Report (cont.)

Write a concise Executive Summary Prepare a series of questions the committee may choose to consider Print the NGO Report with a distinctive cover and easy to read print

Preparing the NGO Report (cont.)

Seek advice from IWRAW on appropriateness of content Post the report on the IWRAW web site Ask IWRAW to send the Executive Summary and Questions the Committee may choose to consider to New York before the Committee’s Pre-session Working Group Meeting

Transparency and Consultation

Be transparent – a “no surprises” approach Seek comment on the Report from all those who are interested: (1) Ministry of Women’s Affairs (2) Agencies and organisations who contributed material

Publish an Addendum

One month before the CEDAW session begins write an update Addendum on the issues highlighted in the NGO report Ask all contributors if they have new information and data Include only new material

Publish an Addendum (cont.)

Send the Addendum by email to Make the Addendum available to the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and the Minister before they depart for New York Take to New York at least 40 copies to distribute to Committee members at the start of the session

Outcomes of the Report preparatory process

Contributors feel an ownership of the Alternative NGO Report The Minister and Ministry are assisted in moving forward the agenda to improve the status of New Zealand women The CEDAW Committee is already aware of the issues still critical to New Zealand Women

Presenting the Report at the CEDAW session

Choose representatives who are completely familiar with the issues you are bringing to the Committee Participate at the IWRAW Workshop

From Global to Local

Distribute a copy of the NGO Report to all Committee members at the start of the session

Presenting the Report at the CEDAW session (cont)

Before the session begins prepare a short oral statement – polish it at the Workshop It is most important to present your critical concerns in the oral statement to the Committee clearly in a very short time

Presenting the Report at the CEDAW session (cont)

Before the Government Report is presented give all Committee members a copy of the Questions you wish them to ask your Government Talk with Committee members about your concerns whenever possible, especially those with an interest in the kinds of issues you wish to have included in the concluding comments to the government

Lessons Learned

Complete the Report in good time Publish an update to the Report just before the session Prepare statements and questions very thoroughly Focus on a small number of critical issues Lobby the Experts during the session – they want to hear from the NGOs