COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
Half-day general discussion on "gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction and climate change"
On the occasion of its 63rd session, to be held in Geneva from 15 February to 4 March 2016, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women will hold a half-day of general discussion on gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction and climate change in the context of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The half-day of general discussion has been organized by OHCHR with support from UNISDR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction) and the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation, Geneva office.
The purpose of the half-day of general discussion is to prepare the elaboration by the Committee of a "General Recommendation on gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction and climate change". The aim of the general recommendation will be to provide guidance to States parties to the Convention on the measures they should adopt to ensure full compliance with their obligations to respect, protect and fulfil women’s human rights in the context of disaster and climate change.
Date and Venue
The general discussion will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Conference Room XVI, on Monday, 29 February 2016 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
Participation
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women invites States parties to the CEDAW Convention, United Nations entities and specialized agencies, other United Nations human rights mechanisms, non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders to participate in the general discussion and to provide written submissions.
Written submissions
Written submissions on the theme of the general discussion should be sent electronically in Word format to Mr. Anganile Mwenifumbo (email: amwenifumbo@ohchr.org) indicating "General discussion on DRRCC" in the subject. Submissions must not exceed 10 pages and must be received by 4 March 2016 at the latest. Written contributions will not be translated and should, therefore, be submitted in English, French or Spanish, the working languages of the Committee.
Oral Interventions
During the half-day of general discussion, time will be allocated for oral statements. Representatives of States parties to the Convention, United Nations entities and specialized agencies, non-governmental organizations and other interested stakeholders wishing to make a statement must indicate their intention to do so and must send their statements electronically in Word format to Mr. Anganile Mwenifumbo (email: amwenifumbo@ohchr.org) by 24 February 2016 at the latest. Statements must not exceed 3 minutes. Speakers must also provide 8 hard copies of their statements for interpretation purposes to Ms. Isabelle Fleche (Room A-541) on the day of the general discussion before 9:30 am. The Committee will try to accommodate all requests for an oral intervention. However, it cannot guarantee that all stakeholders who wish to take the floor will be able to do so due to time constraints and depending upon the number of requests received. The Committee reserves the right to organize the list of speakers at its discretion.
How to register
To register, please fill out a Conference Registration Form (http://goo.gl/6zfhnx) and send a scanned copy by 24 February 2016 to the following email address: cedaw@ohchr.org.
Further information
For further information on the half-day of general discussion, kindly contact the Secretariat of the Committee by e-mail at: amwenifumbo@ohchr.org
Documentation
Welcoming remarks
Ms. Yoko Hayashi, Chairperson of the CEDAW Committee
Opening remarks
Introduction of the general recommendation on gender-related dimensions of disaster-risk reduction and climate change
Ms. Nahla Haidar, Chair of the CEDAW Working Group on gender-related dimensions of disaster risk reduction and climate change
Keynote speakers
Regional perspectives on disaster risk reduction and climate change
Caribbean: Ms. Asha Kambon
Asia: Mr. Palash Mondal
Oral statements by States parties
Oral statements by non-governmental organizations and NHRIs
Wrap up and closing remarks
