This oral statement was broadcasted at the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women. Click here to watch the statement.
Thank you, Chair.
I am making this statement on behalf of the Asian-Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women, ARROW. We are 134 years, which is about 5 generations away from reaching gender parity.
We cannot stress more on the importance of discussing the implementation of the BPfA in the context of emerging issues like climate crisis, digitalisation, and shifting demographic trends.
For example, the impact of climate change is disproportionately felt by marginalised populations, particularly women and girls in all their diversities, whose SRHR are often overlooked in climate policy. ARROW and partners’ studies in Asia revealed that climate disasters have heightened the incidence of child marriage, sexual and gender-based violence, and restricted access to SRH services, especially for those in rural and vulnerable settings.
To accelerate the implementation of the BPfA, we recommend the Member States to:
- Further commitment and fast track actions on the commitments to ensure gender equality through resourcing, inclusive policy making and programming, and upholding human rights at all times including during the times of climate and conflict crises and humanitarian settings.
- Strengthen health systems ensuring universal access to quality SRHR services, information and education including comprehensive sexuality education using an adolescent, youth-centric, and disability- friendly approach.
- Promote leadership and meaningful participation of women and young people in decision-making including planning, implementation and monitoring processes including in the CSW negotiations and processes
- Recognise reproductive economy by recognising, factoring and redistributing unpaid and domestic care work.
- Introduce inclusive digital policies to bridge the digital divide that has severely impacted communities.
Thank you, Chair.
