Section 3 - Educating and Partnering for CEDAW

• Coordination with concerned units/groups (Human Resource, Learning
Committees and Staff Associations) within the UN system on possible
learning activities and training packages for capacitating GMC/gender
focal points and the UN staff towards effective gender mainstreaming in
policies, projects and processes and their staff/personal development.
Following these goals and functions, the UN-GMC proceeded to implement
activities and develop project proposals that eventually shaped the elements of the
UN Joint Programme (UNJP) on CEDAW. (Terms of Reference, UN Gender Mainstreaming
Committee [internal documents])
“Sisterhood” in the UN-GMC
Being a GAD focal person in the UN system is an add-on function to programme
officers who also have workloads up to the brim. There is no standard logic on
how one becomes appointed GAD focal person – perhaps a combination of
gender expertise, professional interest and commitment to the issues, or sheer
luck that no one else was available and willing. All UN agencies were called to
have a gender focal person but only some came forward with someone, but not
always.
Not all UN GAD focal points are gender experts but you become one in the
process of the UN-GMC work. Those who get designated have different disciplinal
background and experiences. Somehow they seem to have a bit more gender
exposure than the others in their respective units and are open to learn, to share
and to do more than what is required. It also helped a lot if their supervisors
and agency heads are most supportive to recognize their UN-GMC activities as
part of their workload, to support their going to meetings and workshops, and to
contribute funds and counterpart activities for joint activities when required.
It worked out like a process of self-selection that a core group of UN-GMC
members emerged from among those who persisted but still keeping the doors
open to welcome those joining in. We stuck it out together because we have
invested much in putting our ideals to work and gained more in expertise, skills
and friends in the process. Even on shoe-string resources, we pulled through
simple but productive activities for both in-house and external partners.
In May 2006, we gathered nearly 60 UN programme operations and administrative
staff for a three-day gender sensitivity workshop in a conference center in Antipolo.
It was a most appreciated break for office secretaries, clerks, finance and drivers
to be oriented on what the UN policies and programs are on gender, and how
these are reflected in office work load, staff relations and personal and family
relations. UN-GMC members volunteered to take turns as facilitators, resource
persons and documentors. For example, UNIFEM took up the technical inputs
on gender, UNAIDS on HIV/AIDS, ILO on life-work balance; UNICEF on gendersensitive
child rearing and VAWC law with Atty. Katrina Legarda. UNICEF pooled
funds for meals and venue while the rest of the agencies took care of the transport
and daily allowance of the staff.
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