Commonwealth meetings in New York to build on gender equality initiatives
21 February 2007
Two high-level meetings will be convened by the Commonwealth Secretariat in New York this week 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, United Nation'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 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women from 26 February to 9 March in New York.
Note to Editors
The Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action Monitoring Group was constituted at the 7th Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting 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. The group is chaired by Rosalyn Hazelle, Ambassador Plenipotentiary, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, St Kitts and Nevis.
For media enquiries, please contact Sarojini Thakur, Acting Head and Adviser, Gender Section, on
+1-212-490-8900 (New York) or Rahul Venkit, Communications Officer, on
++44-20-7747-6238 (London) or Email: r.venkit@commonwealth.int
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