Welcome to “The Gender Corner,” published in collaboration with The Anguillian newspaper. Through this publication we hope to provide thought-provoking and stimulating discussion on gender-related matters and inform you about updates in gender affairs. This week we discuss an international treaty known as the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), as we move closer to implementing the convention in Anguilla.
On March 6, 2014, in honour of International Women’s Day, Her Excellency, The Governor Christina Scott, requested from the UK that CEDAW be extended to Anguilla. The UK Government Equalities Office (GEO) is currently reviewing our readiness to implement the measures of CEDAW. You may be asking, what is this convention really about and how can it improve our lives here? Well, CEDAW was adopted in 1971 by the United Nations General Assembly and is considered around the world as an “International Bill of Rights for Women.” The document contains a preamble and 30 articles that address a number of areas related to full and robust participation for women in all aspects of daily life.
Let me hasten to say that CEDAW does not seek to provide an advantage for women over men or men over women, but instead to allow equal access in areas where women have been at a disadvantage. CEDAW, at its heart, seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination that women have traditionally faced – which impede upon the principles of justice and human rights.
CEDAW holds firm to the vision that equal rights must be afforded in political, social, economic and cultural life. This includes promoting equality for women, ensuring that women can be involved in public life and confirming that women should have the right and ability to work internationally. The convention also affirms women’s rights to change or retain nationality, have equal access to education, achieve employment without discrimination, have access to affordable healthcare, secure rights to family benefits and financial credit, and have equality before the law.
Contrary to some beliefs about CEDAW, the convention actually states that neither men nor women are inferior or superior to one another. This convention only helps to even the score where the rules were traditionally biased, whether on purpose or just by chance, in order to ensure that men and women can participate in the same advancement opportunities. The controversial topic of trafficking, prostitution and sex work is also mentioned, emphasizing that no women should be trafficked and no women should be exploited through prostitution.
The Gender Affairs Unit will continue highlighting the provisions of CEDAW through public outreach and community engagement, but the onus for discussion does not stop there. The strong community and youth groups of Anguilla are encouraged to assist in the education process. The voices of our experienced leaders, such as the Anguilla National Council of Women (ANCW), are needed in addition to the young men and women – the 20 and 30 something year olds – who can ignite social passion amidst an often silent generation in terms of the nation’s social, economic, cultural and political structure. We need boys, young men and men to be a strong source of advocacy – supporting the development of women in addition to educating other men to feel confident and comfortable in creating gender equity.
Now that the CEDAW picture is a little clearer, you can start to think about what areas of your daily life this convention may potentially impact. And, moving to the next level, what areas of your life do you want it to influence? Whether you are a man or a woman, a move towards increased gender equality in our society will have an effect on us all. It is a fact that both men and women have a role to play in bringing about equality in sectors of public and private life. The success, or lack thereof, of each of us will either contribute toward or hinder the building of a sustainable future. What impact will you make?
We invite your feedback starting right now. Feel free to contact Dr. Ronya Foy Connor, Gender Development Coordinator at the Ministry of Home Affairs in The Valley, 497-2518 or at Ronya.Foy-Connor@gov.ai.
