Campaigns to End Violence against Women and Girls - Virtual ...

Practical tips: Stay informed of public conferences linked to your topic e.g. by signing
up for e-mail newsletters from relevant organizations or initiatives, such as the
Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), Development Alternatives with
Women for a New Era (DAWN), and Women Living under Muslim Laws (WLUML).
Some organizations use web networking platforms such as Facebook and Twitter to
publicize their activities – receive updates by becoming their “friend”, “fan” or “follower”
(depending on the platform they use). Find links via the website of relevant
organizations, e.g. the Center for Women’s Global Leadership, or use the search
function of online social networks, e.g. by typing “violence against women” into the
search window on Facebook.
UN global and regional conferences
Large international congresses such as UN World Conferences may include civil society
segments that bring together non-governmental groups who wish to influence the
Conference agenda and outcomes. Lobbying, networking and the full spectrum of tactics
and tools for advocacy campaigns can be applied for this purpose.
UN Conferences also offer opportunities to present a campaign, learn about others and
make new contacts. But trying to catch someone’s attention in a crowd of thousands of
activists can be frustrating. Any campaign events to be carried out during large
conferences (e.g. a workshop, a march, a performance), must be prepared and
advertised carefully – see meetings campaigners can organize.
Sessions of international commissions and treaty bodies
Apart from submitting written statements and alternative reports, NGOs can send
representatives to the sessions of the committees that monitor implementation of
international human rights instruments. NGOs that are accredited to the UN Economic
and Social Council (ECOSOC) can participate in the annual sessions of the UN
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), usually held in February-March in New
York. If a campaign organization or alliance members have consultative status with
ECOSOC or are eligible (see below), this may be a useful opportunity for lobbying UN
and government representatives, and networking with other organizations. The CSW
website offers guidance for prospective participants.
NGOs can also be accredited as observers at official state reporting sessions of
international treaty bodies. In the case of the CEDAW Committee, NGOs can not only
attend formal sessions as observers, they can also attend informal meetings for activists
and other international agencies that are organized around the formal sessions. These
informal NGO meetings with members of the CEDAW Committee can be invaluable
opportunities to bring attention to campaign causes, build partnerships with other
organizations, and share important national information.
Eligibility for ECOSOC accreditation: To participate in official UN conferences and
sessions, international, regional and national non-governmental non-profit organizations
must have been officially registered for at least two years, have an established
headquarters, a democratically adopted constitution, a representative structure and
appropriate mechanisms of accountability and democratic and transparent decisionmaking
to apply for ECOSOC registration. The website of the UN NGO Branch provides
details on registration.
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Campaigns December 2011