“Now I know I matter
and that my voice matters too”, recalling the statement, one young girl in a
rural community in the southwest region of Cameroon once said when asked to
take the UN My World Survey.
Just like this young
girl, I felt same, in the strong presence of CSO participants, women activists and youth
leaders at #ARCPD
 |
| pic source:@skowalski
Youth asking for the floor to deliver their statement at
|
A week ago, I had
the honour of attending and representing my grassroots community in Addis, for the
Africa Regional Conference on Population and Development (ARCPD) ICPD PoA
beyond 2014, for two weeks. An attendance made possible through the nominations
of four INGOs organizations: Youth Coalition, IWHC, RESURJ & DAWN.
The ARCPD, being the
last regional conference on the ICPD PoA review, was convened with the aims of
identifying strategic priorities on population and development in Africa, and
to review, discuss, draft and adopt an African common position to the ICPD post
2014 and further development transformation.
Together with heads
of governments, African Ministers, CSO representatives, researchers, academics,
youth leaders, parliamentarians, heads of NGOs and INGOs and Regional Economic Committees…we
deliberated over some the key issues, for ICPD beyond2014 thus reaping the demographic dividend: The
Future we want for Africa.
It is worth noting
that the two weeks review processes was structured in three different phases: First,
a youth pre-conference that attracted over 200 young persons, youth leaders and
experts across the continent, to deliberate and get African youth voices
captured on the ICPD beyond 2014 review agenda.
Following the youth
forum, was the CSOs conference which also lasted for two days; 26th
– 27th September. Then,
September 30 – October 04, the experts meetings, and lastly the African
Ministers meetings: closing the series of deliberations and adoption of a
common Statement on Population and Development in Africa beyond 2014.
Youth, CSOs participants and Women activists Standing Up and speaking out for Women’s Rights and Empowerment
While at the
conference, I realized the power of young people across Africa. With over 200
of them standing up and speaking out so strong on matters affecting their rights,
especially on education, sexual and reproductive health, employment and
security; as well as government’s lack
of commitments and full engagement and involvement of young persons in all
spheres of decision making and development plans. In all, they concluded with
four powerful statements and priority areas for government investments –that
is: Health, Education, Employment and Inclusive participation, security and
Governance.
I
also saw women; girls and CSO participants (including myself) shared unique
experiences both at grassroots and regional levels; barriers and constraints that
often impede women’s gain empowerment. Mainly due to existing discriminatory
social norms, policies and harmful traditional practices, such as FGM, early
and forced marriage, son preference, and fundamental violations of the human
rights of women and girls.
In
which, we call on governments, regional bodies and other partners to: “develop,
adopt, enhance and / or facilitate the full implementation and enforcement of
policies to prevent all forms of discrimination and violence, including
violence against girls and young people of diverse gender identities and sexual
orientations, sexual violence, bullying and harassment, provide support to
survivors and promote safe space programmes for girls in order to increase
their empowerment, autonomy and independence, as well as their capacity to
protect themselves from violence”. While
also accelerates the implementation of the Abuja Declaration on allocating 15%
of national budgets to health, especially on sexual and reproductive health
services and care.
The whole experience
was very engaging and empowering – both professionally and personally. And as a
grassroots woman activist, I felt once again belonged to one big family;
sisters and brothers who share similar experiences and vision.
Unfortunately, this feeling
ended just when our African ministers joined the debate. When some began
selecting issues based on ‘personal’ beliefs and not the reality on ground.
Most shocking of all
was when a Minister asked what “Gender Based Violence’ meant?
And “Why all the
discourse on adolescent girls?”
“Adolescents are
adolescents”, another minister concurred to friend’s question
Hearing some
ministers speak so ignorantly about the daily peoples’ challenges; men and
women, young people (especially) women and girls, was emotionally disturbing
and disappointing.
“No wonder” I said
to myself: “the regional statistics on development and women (human) rights
progress are often bad and so poor”.
For it’s obvious
that most of our political elites live in a world of theirs; with different
realities – far from the grassroots woman or man.
Having said, good
enough, we had a couple of enlightened African Ministers like those from South
Africa, Liberia and a few others who could feel and understand the pain of the
common person. That is the “3 million girls each year at risk for undergoing
FGM, and an estimated 130-140 million girls and women that have been subjected
to the operation.
The approximately 14
million girls married every year before they reach 18 years (38% in sub-Saharan
Africa and 18% in North Africa), and this is in direct violation of the Maputo
Protocol and the laws of most African nations.
In addition, the
roughly 35% of women who have experienced either physical and/ or sexual
intimate partner violence (IPV) or non-partner sexual violence”.
The above and many
more are the living experiences of a common person – including persons like
myself living and working at the grassroots.
Nonetheless, we had
quite a progressive debate and positive negotiations at the ARCPD. The culminating
of all was the adoption and ministers’ commitment to implement relevant comprehensive
sexuality education programme both in/out of school milieus. And also to reduce
maternal mortality – to zero.
My
take home quotes and message from the conference
After all the
stories, successes shared, quarrels encountered and amendments made, what’s my
take home message?
- Engage political elites as alies for human (women’s) right, comprehensive sexuality education programs both in/out of schools.
- Embarked on more rigorous advocacy and awareness raising that translates to meaningful actions.
- Close the missing gap / link and strengthen collaborative ties between Civil Society Organizations and Researchers, Medics, Academics, Social Activists and Politicians and other partners.
Some
take home quotes~
“Harnessing
the demographic dividend needs”, an expert said: “is not automatic. It requires
strong political, social and economic will, gender
sensitive policies, and right-based investment and employment opportunities”.
“Africa needs to Invest in its youth so they
can reach their full potential as agent of change”.
And most importantly, “its adolescent girls:
Investing in adolescent girls is one of the smartest things a nation can ever
do.”
We
need an Africa “every pregnancy is wanted, every child health is safe and every
young person’s dream is fulfilled” a strong remark made by the UNFPA Executive
Director, Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin
To conclude is this
one TOUCHING REMARK from the Namibia woman minister. A strong and powerful
statement she made to us all (most especially to some) 18 of 54 African
ministers who refused adoption of the Addis Ababa Declaration because of the
clause “…without distinction of any kind...” saying the language
supports Sexual Orientations and Gender Identity (SOGI).
“We
can continue discussing and continue deleting until the statements got no
meaning. We live in a world that discriminates. We love distinctions….because
we make distinctions between people - elderly, albinos, women, persons with
disability, PLWH/AIDs. Let one particular issue not delay what we made 20years
ago at Cairo.
If
religion and law doesn’t allow making distinction then this particular
paragraph is for you! Let’s leave this continent and go face the global world
in a voice that speaks for Africa!” said the Namibian Minister
Notes:
Read other Interesting posts on the ARCPD at http://blog.iwhc.org
No comments:
Post a Comment
Hi, thanks for taking a moment to read my articles.
Your comments and suggestions are highly welcome.
With all best wishes