What steps will advance the development agenda post-2015? AWID presents this analysis of the United Nations Secretary General (SG) Report “A Life of Dignity For All” in order to contribute to debates from a feminist and human rights perspective. It is noted that the SG Report goes beyond the goal of eradicating extreme poverty to provide a more holistic view of the root causes of poverty and the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that perpetuate and hamper efforts to break the cycles of marginalisation and inequality.
AWID emphasises the need to apply a human rights framework for a development agenda to take root and argue that the post-2015 development agenda should be holistic, inclusive, just, equitable, people-centred and universal, and should aim to eradicate poverty, promote social inclusion, women’s rights and sustainable development within a rights-based framework. They highlight the concern around the lack of concrete mechanisms and financing of implementation and monitoring framework of the post-2015 development agenda. AWID’s reflections also stress the need to put gender equality and women’s rights at the centre in any development framework beyond goals setting.
Recommendations made include: a more ambitious and bold agenda that includes profound reforms in key structural areas such as the model of production and consumption, the global financial architecture, global governance and monitoring framework to align with human rights, and particularly with women’s rights commitments. The notes urge the UN and its member states to recognise civil society and women’s rights advocates and organisations as development actors in their own right, ensuring they are included in every stage of the shaping and implementation of a post-2015 sustainable development agenda.