Young feminists from around the world joined together at the 59th sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59), forming the Young Women’s Caucus and releasing a collective statement to round off two weeks of activities and intense discussions. The statement makes clear that as young feminists, it is their job to hold governments accountable for their commitments. It is in this context that the document communicates deep disappointment at the exclusion of the majority of Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs), and women’s rights and feminist organisations from the process of negotiating the Political Declaration.
The statement reiterates the importance of human rights for young people, and women in particular, by reminding us of the 250,000 child soldiers, the 92 million girls who have suffered female genital mutilation, and of the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS. Social, cultural, structural, and religious barriers remain prevalent throughout the world, preventing all women, girls, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities from achieving their full potential. With this in mind, the document demands a number of actions to be prioritised at future CSWs and in the Post-2015 process, including but not limited to:
- The protection and meaningful participation of young women and the girl child, including those from all marginalised and/or minority groups
- The full realisation of sexual and reproductive rights, including through the repeal of discriminatory laws and policies
- The provision of comprehensive, accessible, affordable, non-discriminatory, non-judgmental, confidential, gender-sensitive and youth-friendly information, education and services on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR)
- Expanding the definition of violence against women to include the specific vulnerabilities faced by young women and the girl child, with an emphasis on legal protection, to account for the emerging and multifaceted forms of violence
- Support young women’s leadership in conflict situations, climate change and natural disasters to address young women and girls’ needs and problems, especially violations of their SRHR in such crisis situations
- Formulate and effectively implement laws and policies to end discriminatory traditional and harmful practices, such as early and forced marriages, by enforcing laws to criminalise it in the absence of full and informed consent.
- Ensure all measures are taken to end female genital mutilation and the trafficking and forced labour of girls.
[adapted from source]