New York meetings to build on gender equality initiatives

Two high-level meetings are being convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat in New York this weekend to review and enhance its work on gender equality.

On 24 February 2007, the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action Monitoring Group will review a draft monitoring and evaluation framework for the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality 2005-2015.

The meeting will also discuss the proposed formation of the Commonwealth Working Group on Gender, Peace and Security that aims to monitor the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. The resolution calls for increased participation of women in peace negotiations, democratic processes and post-conflict reconstruction.

On 25 February, the Consultation of Commonwealth National Women’s Machineries will look at the agenda of the 8th Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting (8WAMM) to be held in June this year in Kampala, Uganda.

Rachel Mayanja, the UN’s Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, is scheduled to address the consultation on the 8WAMM theme, ‘Financing Gender Equality for Development’.

“These meetings are critical for the effective planning of 8WAMM and the implementation of the Commonwealth Plan of Action for Gender Equality,” said Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Ransford Smith.

The two Commonwealth meetings are scheduled to take place prior to the 51st Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women from 26 February to 9 March in New York.

The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action Monitoring Group was constituted at the 7WAMM in Fiji Islands in 2005.

It comprises of representatives from 14 Commonwealth countries and five civil society organisations. This number is expected to change at this year’s meeting following a membership rotation agreement.

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