In this report, the MenEngage Alliance reflect on the proceedings and outcomes of the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59), including from the perspective of how men and boys have been included. MenEngage members held a number of activities, joined together at caucus meetings, developed joint messages, strategised over how to influence negotiations, and participated in panels at CSW59.
In the covering letter to the report, Joni van de Sand, Global Coordinator & Advocacy Manager for the MenEngage Alliance Global Secretariat, remarks that it was encouraging to see the broad support voiced at this years CSW for engaging men and boys; many women and men supported this as an important piece of the puzzle to achieve gender equality. The report then examines the two main outcome documents that emerged in place of an Agreed Conclusions, from a men and boys perspective:
- The Political Declaration: The report expresses happiness with the inclusion of a paragraph missing from the first draft, but which was included after input from Columbia met with widespread approval: “Recognise the importance of the full engagement of men and boys for the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, and commit to taking measures to fully engage men and boys in efforts to achieve the full, effective and accelerated implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action”. Other positive language pointed toward the need for a transformative approach. However, the report notes concern and disappointment at the way the Political Declaration was drafted prior to CSW59, excludeding NGO’s and civil society groups as a result.
- The Working Methods for Future CSWs: MenEngage members worked on a joint set of advocacy messages, in line with those developed by women’s rights activists, including that civil society participation must be included in negotiations. The final text could have been stronger, but it is not a loss compared with earlier working method agreements. MenEngage would have liked to see more explicit agreements on meaningful participation of civil society, in particular from women’s organisations and feminist groups. For example, the three-minute speaking allotment at the end of the Commission, after many government officials as well as NGO representatives had already left, was not the most meaningful participation imaginable.
Overall, the report expresses satisfaction that the topic of men and boys was well represented at CSW59, and that the idea of engaging men and boys as a crucial tool for achieving gender equality was often expressed by women and men. The rest of the report includes MenEngage’s oral statement and written statement, as well as summaries of some side-events held by MenEngage members.
[adapted from source]