Joint statement to the 12th Session of the Human Rights Council

Joint statement to the 12th Session of the Human Rights Council
Item 8: Annual discussion on the integration of gender perspectives in the council’s work (with focus on UPR)

Geneva, 28 September 2009

Co-signers

World Organization Against Torture (OMCT)
Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF)
World Federation For Mental Health
International Council on Social Welfare
Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW)
CIVICUS
International Federation of University Women (IFUW)
Women Federation for World Peace International (WFWPI)
Inter Faith International
Solar Cooker International

On behalf of the Inter African Committee on Traditional practices Affecting the Health of Women and Girls as well as the members of the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, I would like to congratulate the President on his appointment, as well as wish him a successful tenure. We would also like to take this opportunity to commend the Council for holding this annual discussion on the integration of gender into its work of promotion and protection all human rights, civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.

However, in commending the efforts that have been made so far, it is important to continue to remind the Council of the negative impact of some traditional practices on the health, integrity and dignity of women and girls all over the world. While some traditional practices can be beneficial many are harmful and violate the human rights of women around the world.

We would therefore like to call upon the Council that in its efforts to integrate gender into its work, governments should be made accountable for the elimination of harmful traditional practices that affect the health of women and girls all over the world. This should form an integral part of the reporting back process of member states in their obligations to combating all forms of discrimination against women through the Universal Periodic Reviews.

We welcome the fact that the High Commissioner in her update report highlighted that thehuman rights of women continue to be denied or curtailed in many countries, and that overall, their situation falls short of international standards. Also, that even in cases when States have ratified international conventions, their application of the law is often arbitrary. We concur with her observation.

Furthermore, it is also pleasing to know that some member states of this distinguished forum have called for a synergy between international policies and national laws such that international commitments are duly implemented at the national level, in terms of practice and policies.

Next year, on the 6th of February 2010, IAC will be commemorating the 25th anniversary of its efforts in campaigning against harmful traditional practices on the health of women and girls. We hope that by 2015 such practices would have been fully eliminated. We would therefore like all of you, Governments and NGOs to join us in marking this special day and making our dreams a reality.

In view of the above, it is important to continue to appeal to the Council to use its power to ensure improvement towards the effective implementation of international commitments. No doubt Governments need to rise up to the challenge of domesticating existing resolutions of the Human Rights Council and the reporting back process in the Universal Periodic Reviews.

Again, I thank you Mr President for the opportunity to make this statement, and all of you for the attention.

Contact: Mariana Duarte, Violence against Women Coordinator, World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) [email protected]; +41 22 809 4939