53rd Session of the Human Rights council — Morning panel: Gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life

30-06-2023

Reva Kulkarni, V. Sivasankar

Team UN Geneva Researchers,

Global Human Rights Defence    

On June 30th, 2023, the 53rd Session of the Human Rights Council held the morning panel on the Annual Discussion on Women’s Rights, with a sub-agenda of gender-based violence against women and girls in public and political life. The High Commissioner opened the session by noting the need to dismantle structural barriers to women’s empowerment, and the existence of harmful gender stereotypes perpetuated against women. Several statistical highlights were presented, such as how 81.8 percent of women in parliament experience psychological violence, and 44.4 percent receive death threats. Moreover, a UNESCO report showed that 74 percent of women journalists have experienced online violence through doctored images and fake news, for example. Thus, the High Commissioner called for the need of quotas and capacity-building programmes for women, since “gender equality is a collective pursuit that benefits everybody”. 

Next, the panellists for the session were introduced. Ms. Reem Alsalem, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences spoke of how women’s intelligence is constantly challenged in political spaces, and that this intention of silencing women’s voices was not constrained to any specific regions. Recent developments in this area also include attacks on women for asserting their needs based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Ms. Alsalem ended her statement by proclaiming that a society’s prosperity can be determined by how they treat women. Next, Ms. Nicole Ameline, a member of committee on elimination of discrimination against women cited countries’ commitments to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) as well as UNSC R esolution 1325, which addresses the impact of violent conflict on women, and the crucial role women should play in conflict prevention and peacebuilding. Ms. Cristina Solano Diaz, a representative of the National Political Assembly of Indigenous Women (Mexico), spoke of the structural violence faced by indigenous women. This is further worsened by permanent discrimination and governmental racism which hinders progress in women’s public and political life. Then, Ms. Yvonne Apiyo Brandle-Amolo, a Swiss parliamentarian, noted the importance of discussing intersectionality in discrimination. She spoke of her experiences as a woman of colour, and dangers of being stereotyped as the “angry black woman”, and having one’s clothes criticised for being “sexy” or “unprofessional”. She claimed that marginalised women running politics challenge the status quo, which is why they face so many barriers. Lastly, Ms. Houda Slim, the President of the Arab Women Parliamentarians Network for Equality, also listed statistical points such as how Tunisia used to have 37 percent female members of parliament, but now it is only 16 percent. Moreover, in Sudan, the war has affected women’s ability to participate in public life. She highlighted the importance of social media in changing mindsets, and the need for legislation to prevent and deter violence. 

Subsequently, the floor was opened to the first speaking slot of countries. Canada noted that women’s participation has a profound and positive impact on all of us, thus portraying women’s rights as an issue that impacts everyone rather than only women. They also asked the panel to share examples of targeted interventions to eliminate discrimination. The European Union spoke of the rise in harassment through digital technologies, which in turn aid in pushing women out of public spheres. They condemned the rise in violence and threats against women journalists, women-led trade unions and other women leaders in general. Latvia pointed out that there is normative progress in the elimination of violence against women, however, this has not translated into tangible results yet. Pakistan, on behalf of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, spoke of the importance of religious, social, and legal models in protecting women. They criticised the rise in hijab bans, obstruction of political empowerment, and in the past, even the denial of inheritance for women. Lastly, Belgium, on behalf of a group of countries, focused on how gender-based violence could lead to self-censorship of women and lead to their withdrawal from public life. 

The second speaking slot included countries such as Luxembourg, which asked the panel what special responsibilities they think political parties had in fighting root causes that underpinned systematic exclusion of women. Costa Rica praised the fact that they are in the 8th position in women’s equality in the parliament, and the significance of promoting co-responsibility for childcare, because the majority of domestic and childcare burden is on women. Venezuela mentioned how they believed in how both equality and equity can be achieved through a paradigm shift in human relationships. Lastly, Monaco also praised how their administration consisted of more than 44 percent women, and almost 65 percent of their ambassadors are women. They credited this to their ambitious social policies that allow women to reconcile with their demands.  

Following the countries’ statements, the floor was given to non-governmental organisations present at the panel. The Danish Institute for Human Rights brought up that 69 percent of female members of parliament face harassment on social media during campaigns, and the importance of applying international law to guarantee women’s participation in politics without fear. Action Canada for Population and Development decried the criminalisation of reproductive rights in Poland, as well as the rise of anti-migrant laws across Europe and the United States of America. On the note of reproductive rights, they highlighted the need to reject the notion that the rights of cisgendered women conflict with those of transgendered women. The Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom claimed that it was neoliberal austerity measures that undermine women’s economic and social rights, along with the downside of tokenistic inclusion of women in politics, as it does not truly benefit women, citing Iran as an example. The International Lesbian and Gay Association brought forth an intersectional perspective, proclaiming how today we see a discouragement of LBTI women running for office, as they face digital abuse to undermine their participation in society. Lastly, the Institute for Human Rights brought up current events in Ukraine within the context of the Russian invasion, where displacement and sexual violence has disproportionately affected women and girls. 

In the concluding remarks, Ms. Ameline recommended a new action plan to be enacted by 2030 in order to reach the goal of seeing women not just as victims, but as leaders to drive sustainable development. Ms. Diaz noted the significance of supporting women based on their linguistic and ethnic identities. Ms. Brandle-Amolo pointed out the importance of quotas for marginalised women in parliament, a system many countries had also spoken of during their statements. She once again emphasised the importance of intersectionality as a factor of consideration during policy decision-making. Lastly, Ms. Slim proclaimed how fighting against discrimination cannot be an individual action and must be cooperative. She brought forth mid-term and long-term solutions for states to enact in this regard. Mid-term solutions included voting laws, and her previously mentioned preventative and punishing laws to deter violence against women. Long-term solutions included education to prepare new generations with new beliefs and ideas of equality, use of conventional and social media to influence progressive ideas, and use of religious platforms, as many people listen to religious leaders. The session was closed with Ms. Slim also calling for a budget to be prepared, since otherwise all the ideas would only remain as words, “and we can’t change anything with just words”. 

For more relevant information, please read:-

United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Res 1325 (31 October 2000). UN Doc S/RES/1325, https://www.un.org/womenwatch/osagi/wps/#resolution