Section 3 - Educating and Partnering for CEDAW

On May 28, 2007, the UN Joint Programme was launched. On behalf of the UN
Country Team, the UN Resident Coordinator, represented by the UNFPA Country
Representative Suneeta Mukherjee, remarked on the significance of the launch
during the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, “Hence it is fitting that
we gather the UN family and our partners to renew our commitment and collective
action towards women’s health in its broad sense. Addressing women’s health
means addressing its roots which are: lack of recognition of women’s rights,
including her right to her body… ”
Responding for UNIFEM as Managing Agent, Jean D’Cunha clearly outlined how
the collective response to women’s rights should use the CEDAW framework and
tools to ensure state accountability and fast-track results. She emphasized that
the challenge for the Joint Programme is to demonstrate how to achieve gender
equality, not just be in terms of opportunities and access, but also in results and
benefits.
Responding to the challenges of the Joint Programme, NCRFW Chairperson
Myrna Yao reiterated government’s commitment to enhance implementation of
the Concluding Comments.
Rural and indigenous women join UN and government officials at the UNJP launch, May 28, 2007
The representatives of indigenous, rural and Muslim women welcomed the UN
Joint Programme as a long-overdue affirmative action for their sector, especially
those women in remote communities who still live in poverty, lack gainful
employment, lack access to basic services, and suffer poor health and nutrition
despite decades of CEDAW. They recognize their task of spreading and deepening
awareness among their ranks, organizing more women and local communities to
claim their rights, and working in partnership with allies outside their sectors for
stronger advocacy.
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