Dag allemaal,
Hieronder vinden jullie onze definitieve Oral Statement die Marjan Wijers (Netwerk VN-Vrouwenverdrag) en Meyrtha Leetz-Cijntje (SEDA: Women Centre of Curacao) morgen om 16.00 uur gaan houden voor het CEDAW comité. Marjan zal het Europese deel van het Koninkrijk presenteren en Meyrtha het Caribische deel. Een link naar de PDF is hier te vinden.
Er zal een livestream te volgen zijn via http://webtv.un.org/live/
En archiefbeelden zijn te vinden op http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/
Floor van Schagen
Secretaris Netwerk VN-Vrouwenverdrag
Oral Statement of theDutch CEDAW Network
CEDAW Session 65
7 November 2016
Thank you, Madam Chair,
I will speak for the European part of the Netherlands and my colleague
will speak for the Caribbean part of the Netherlands.
will speak for the Caribbean part of the Netherlands.
We would like to point out three themes which run through our shadow
report: the lack of systematic attention for the gender impact of policies, the
discrepancies between migration and emancipation policies, and the restriction
of women’s rights and mobility in the name of their protection.
report: the lack of systematic attention for the gender impact of policies, the
discrepancies between migration and emancipation policies, and the restriction
of women’s rights and mobility in the name of their protection.
Firstly, in many cases policies are presented as gender
neutral without assessment whether this is justified. This fails to take into
account that often their impact not only affects women differently from men,
but also affects different groups in different ways. Examples are the austerity
measures following the economic crisis and the decentralization of social care
services to local governments, which have affected several groups of women disproportionally. Also,
policies on domestic and other forms of violence are still formulated as if it
were gender neutral phenomena. In other areas no policies exist at all, like
the lack of policies addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and marital
captivity, which refers to the situation in which women are not able to divorce.
Or policies directly violate human rights. This applies for instance to
policies with a severe impact on the rights of transgender and intersex
persons, such as the right to legal gender recognition and the right to
protection against unnecessary and irreversible surgery. Nor do they enjoy
equal access to healthcare, a problem they share with other groups such as
undocumented migrants.
neutral without assessment whether this is justified. This fails to take into
account that often their impact not only affects women differently from men,
but also affects different groups in different ways. Examples are the austerity
measures following the economic crisis and the decentralization of social care
services to local governments, which have affected several groups of women disproportionally. Also,
policies on domestic and other forms of violence are still formulated as if it
were gender neutral phenomena. In other areas no policies exist at all, like
the lack of policies addressing intersecting forms of discrimination and marital
captivity, which refers to the situation in which women are not able to divorce.
Or policies directly violate human rights. This applies for instance to
policies with a severe impact on the rights of transgender and intersex
persons, such as the right to legal gender recognition and the right to
protection against unnecessary and irreversible surgery. Nor do they enjoy
equal access to healthcare, a problem they share with other groups such as
undocumented migrants.
Secondly, while the government stresses the interest it attaches to promoting
self-determination of women, its migration policies on migrant and refugee
women directly opposes this principle. The extension of the period of dependent
residency from 3 to 5 years, for example, acts as a direct barrier for the self-determination
and emancipation of migrant women. Moreover, it prevents women from leaving a violent
situation even if in theory they can apply for an independent residence permit as
there is no guarantee about the outcome of such procedure. Also, the recent abolishment
of the possibility for domestic workers of diplomats to change employer severely
restricts the capacity of migrant women to stand up against violent or abusive
employers as leaving the abusive situation means either a life as undocumented
migrant or an involuntary return to their home country.
self-determination of women, its migration policies on migrant and refugee
women directly opposes this principle. The extension of the period of dependent
residency from 3 to 5 years, for example, acts as a direct barrier for the self-determination
and emancipation of migrant women. Moreover, it prevents women from leaving a violent
situation even if in theory they can apply for an independent residence permit as
there is no guarantee about the outcome of such procedure. Also, the recent abolishment
of the possibility for domestic workers of diplomats to change employer severely
restricts the capacity of migrant women to stand up against violent or abusive
employers as leaving the abusive situation means either a life as undocumented
migrant or an involuntary return to their home country.
Thirdly, in other cases, measures that restrict women’s rights and
mobility are legitimised as ‘for their own good’. Examples are the introduction
of stricter criteria for family migration to protect women against forced
marriages and the prohibition for non-EU women to legally work in the sex industry
to protect them from trafficking. In practice, however, prohibitions and
creating obstacles in the name of protection often have an adverse effect and
negatively impact on the most vulnerable groups. They marginalise women, put them
in a more dependent position, increase their vulnerability for abuse and restrict
their capacity to arrange things independently. Instead of empowering women,
such policies reinforce unequal power relationships and reduce women to objects
in need of control instead of subjects whose rights should be secured.
mobility are legitimised as ‘for their own good’. Examples are the introduction
of stricter criteria for family migration to protect women against forced
marriages and the prohibition for non-EU women to legally work in the sex industry
to protect them from trafficking. In practice, however, prohibitions and
creating obstacles in the name of protection often have an adverse effect and
negatively impact on the most vulnerable groups. They marginalise women, put them
in a more dependent position, increase their vulnerability for abuse and restrict
their capacity to arrange things independently. Instead of empowering women,
such policies reinforce unequal power relationships and reduce women to objects
in need of control instead of subjects whose rights should be secured.
We ask the committee to urge the government to engage with civil society
in order to develop policies that empower women to stand up for their rights
and to prevent harmful effects of often well-intended policies. We are looking
forward to working with you and the government to follow-up on the
recommendations in our reports.
in order to develop policies that empower women to stand up for their rights
and to prevent harmful effects of often well-intended policies. We are looking
forward to working with you and the government to follow-up on the
recommendations in our reports.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Dutch Antilles …what
does that mean geographically or
constitutionally
does that mean geographically or
constitutionally
·
Since 1634 colonies of the
Netherlands and in 1954 as a group of 6 islands
a semi- autonomous status in the Dutch Kingdom: Charter of the Kingdom
of 1954. (Defense and Foreign Relations still fall under the Dutch government}
Since 1634 colonies of the
Netherlands and in 1954 as a group of 6 islands
a semi- autonomous status in the Dutch Kingdom: Charter of the Kingdom
of 1954. (Defense and Foreign Relations still fall under the Dutch government}
·
Gradually the islands Aruba (in
1986 ) St. Maarten and Curacao ( on 10th of October 2010 ) pledged
for more autonomy status in the Kingdom.
While Bonaire, Statia and Saba became the same day 3 Dutch municipalities in
the Caribbean sea.
Gradually the islands Aruba (in
1986 ) St. Maarten and Curacao ( on 10th of October 2010 ) pledged
for more autonomy status in the Kingdom.
While Bonaire, Statia and Saba became the same day 3 Dutch municipalities in
the Caribbean sea.
·
When The Kingdom of the
Netherlands speaks of the Dutch Caribbean in its report it refers to these
small municipalities. When the Kingdom speaks of Aruba, St. Maarten or Curacao
it speaks of islands with an autonomous status but with un-equal sovereignty.
When The Kingdom of the
Netherlands speaks of the Dutch Caribbean in its report it refers to these
small municipalities. When the Kingdom speaks of Aruba, St. Maarten or Curacao
it speaks of islands with an autonomous status but with un-equal sovereignty.
Oral statement: Introduction
to presentation of Curacao report to the CEDAW Committee
to presentation of Curacao report to the CEDAW Committee
Geneva 7 Nov. 2016
Thank you, madam
chair.
chair.
SEDA , the
women’s center in Curacao, wants to highlight 5 major concerns and petitions.
women’s center in Curacao, wants to highlight 5 major concerns and petitions.
1.
The advisory committee of GO
and NGO’s in 1988 advised the island Government of Curacao to institute a
governmental women’s desk for policies and actions, and to include civil
society in implementation of the Beijing strategies.
The advisory committee of GO
and NGO’s in 1988 advised the island Government of Curacao to institute a
governmental women’s desk for policies and actions, and to include civil
society in implementation of the Beijing strategies.
However, the Constitutional reforms of October 10, 2010 made local
structures with the government as initiator and support- mechanism for women,
migrant women and women’s organizations collapse.
structures with the government as initiator and support- mechanism for women,
migrant women and women’s organizations collapse.
We urge the
Committee to advice our governments to correct the omission of October, 10 2010
and incorporate the chapter on gender in putting an efficient national
machinery in place for national action plan and strategic emancipation policy.
Committee to advice our governments to correct the omission of October, 10 2010
and incorporate the chapter on gender in putting an efficient national
machinery in place for national action plan and strategic emancipation policy.
2. The influence of female politicians on Curacao’s gender agenda
The high political participation of women
in politics has not necessarily led to more attention for women’s emancipation
of gender on the island.
in politics has not necessarily led to more attention for women’s emancipation
of gender on the island.
The
NGO’s are of the opinion that training programs and professional development
plans should constitute a part of the processes peripherally to the government
formation after elections. We urge the Committee to recommend this to the
State.
NGO’s are of the opinion that training programs and professional development
plans should constitute a part of the processes peripherally to the government
formation after elections. We urge the Committee to recommend this to the
State.
Understanding of the “gender concept” and
its effects is unknown. This situation is creating risks for exclusion and
discrimination including youngsters, young and single mothers, migrants and
LGBT collective.
its effects is unknown. This situation is creating risks for exclusion and
discrimination including youngsters, young and single mothers, migrants and
LGBT collective.
We urge the Committee to recommend the government to institute “social plan bureau” or “expertise
centre” to provide quantitative and qualitative data, gender specific
indicators and job-related knowledge so to prevent stereotypical views about
the role of women and men.
centre” to provide quantitative and qualitative data, gender specific
indicators and job-related knowledge so to prevent stereotypical views about
the role of women and men.
3. Strategic educational planning with attention for gender.
The educational system does not link up
with young people’s modern perception of the world. Nor is the educational
system geared to the needs of the socially disadvantaged. The educational
system brings forth a relatively large number of drop-outs, who for lack of
other options seek connection with the criminal circuit. Its impact on young
girls is :They become single mother with minimum wages or dependency for life
on welfare The Women is becoming the FACE of Poverty The future of the island
is dependent of high quality labor force and human capital.
with young people’s modern perception of the world. Nor is the educational
system geared to the needs of the socially disadvantaged. The educational
system brings forth a relatively large number of drop-outs, who for lack of
other options seek connection with the criminal circuit. Its impact on young
girls is :They become single mother with minimum wages or dependency for life
on welfare The Women is becoming the FACE of Poverty The future of the island
is dependent of high quality labor force and human capital.
We ask the committee to advice the government for a broad based
multi-stakeholder set of representatives of parents, students to develop a goal
oriented multi-year strategic action and
implementation plan.
multi-stakeholder set of representatives of parents, students to develop a goal
oriented multi-year strategic action and
implementation plan.
4.
Poverty: a multi-dimensional
challenge with multi- dimensional solutions
Poverty: a multi-dimensional
challenge with multi- dimensional solutions
Youth unemployment rate of 37% (Central Bureau of statistics 2013,
60% of the persons drawing welfare are women, 5000 households on the
waiting-list for a decent home. This is a matter of concern and it creates
opportunity for abuse and relationships of dependency.
60% of the persons drawing welfare are women, 5000 households on the
waiting-list for a decent home. This is a matter of concern and it creates
opportunity for abuse and relationships of dependency.
We ask for an application of multi-dimensional
poverty index, an option to view the poverty policy from a
gender perspective focusing attention to education, incentive measures in
labor, migrants policy, elderly, work ethics, etc.
poverty index, an option to view the poverty policy from a
gender perspective focusing attention to education, incentive measures in
labor, migrants policy, elderly, work ethics, etc.
5.
Violence against women
Violence against women
National Action Plan against violence should be a component of the
strategic gender policy, with a restorative approach for victim and offender
(sex workers, migrants, victims of violence, juveniles)
strategic gender policy, with a restorative approach for victim and offender
(sex workers, migrants, victims of violence, juveniles)
We ask the committee to advise that, as part of next
formations of government, they will take in consideration to appoint a gender
minister for the purpose of streamlining all the specified aspects of strategic
policy under a central authority.
formations of government, they will take in consideration to appoint a gender
minister for the purpose of streamlining all the specified aspects of strategic
policy under a central authority.
6.
Finally, on behalf of the island
of Aruba (fundashon “muhénan den Dificultad”)
we have a special petition regarding the delayed ratification of the
treaty of Istanbul. This is a point of concern especially for the shelters in
Aruba, Sint Maarten en Curacao.
Finally, on behalf of the island
of Aruba (fundashon “muhénan den Dificultad”)
we have a special petition regarding the delayed ratification of the
treaty of Istanbul. This is a point of concern especially for the shelters in
Aruba, Sint Maarten en Curacao.
Thank you, Madam
chair
chair