International Framework

RESOURCE GUIDE ON GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE 124

1 CONVENTIONS

Approved by the U.N. on 18 December 1979.

Under CEDAW, the States Parties are obliged to give men and women the same opportunities in terms of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.

The Convention also establishes that discrimination against women is in violation of the principle of equal rights and respect for human dignity, making it difficult for women to participate on an equal basis with men in the political, social and economic life of a country, hindering the growth of prosperity in society and in the family, and making it more difficult for women to completely build their capacities to serve their country and humanity. The exclusion of women from the decision-making processes relating to climate change responses will unquestionably amount to discrimination against women and is a violation of CEDAW.

Various articles of CEDAW are relevant to how governments may promote equality approaches in action and policies related to climate change.

Article 14. Establishes the adoption

of appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against rural women, so that they may enjoy adequate living conditions, particularly in relation to water supply.

Article 14.1 Ensures the right of

women in rural zones to participate in preparing development plans at all levels.

Article 14.2.a) Ensures that women in

rural areas have access to agricultural credits and loans, commercial facilities, adequate technology, and equal treatment on matters of agrarian reform and new settlements.

Article 14.2.g) Ensures that women

in rural areas enjoy adequate living conditions, especially in relation to housing, health conditions, electricity and water supply, transport and communications.

Article 15. States that women have

equal rights to enter into contracts and administer their properties. In accordance with Articles 17 to 22 of CEDAW and in order to examine the progress made by the States Parties to the Convention in applying them, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women was established. This Committee monitors and assesses the proper application of CEDAW and issues general recommendations to the States Parties to the Convention and to individuals in each country in accordance with its periodic reports.

INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT EFFECTIVE DATE PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIFIED ARTICLES

The States Parties to the Convention are obliged to take into account the recommendations issued by the Committee and provide information about its application in its reports to or meetings with the Committee.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The Convention was agreed on 9 May 1992, and entered into force on 21 March 1994.

At its 45th session in 1990, the United Nations General Assembly established a negotiating committee and the UNFCCC was signed at the Earth Summit in 1992. To achieve its objectives, commitments were defined for the Signatory Parties, based on the principle of shared but differentiated responsibilities; however, some commitments apply to all of the states.

The Convention outlined broad objectives to establish the concentrations of GHGs in the atmosphere, and to define adaptation measures that entail multilateral action. Nevertheless, although the Convention was approved, governments were aware that their regulations would not be enough to deal with climate change. At the first Conference of the Parties, held in Berlin (Germany) in April 1995, a new round of negotiations was begun in order to analyze firmer and more specific commitments.

RESOURCE GUIDE ON GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE 126 INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT EFFECTIVE DATE PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIFIED ARTICLES Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

June 1992 The objective of the CBD

includes the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable participation in taking advantage of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources.

The importance of biodiversity for human and natural systems is emphasized throughout the Convention and, although women are explicitly mentioned only in the Preamble, gender considerations are implicit in many of the articles in view of the emphases placed on the following points:

Right of access to natural resources. Local communities’ participation in managing and conserving resources. Assessing indigenous knowledge and traditional customs.

Supporting management of ecosystems in order to ensure food security and health.

Equal sharing of the benefits arising from the use and transformation of ecosystem goods and services.

Preamble

Give equal recognition to the role women play in the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and affirm the need for women’s complete participation at all levels in designing policies and implementing projects on the conservation of biological diversity. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)

17 June 1994 The objective of the UNCCD is to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought in countries facing serious problems, particularly in Africa. The Convention’s primary goal is to promote action on desertification and is supported by international cooperation and partnership arrangements.

Prologue (paragraph 18)

Stresses the important role played by women in regions affected by desertification and/or drought, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. Emphasizes the importance of ensuring the full participation of both men and women at all levels in programmes to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.

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The Convention adheres to a framework consistent with Agenda 21, with a view to helping to achieve sustainable development in affected areas.

Article 5(d)

Promote awareness and facilitate the participation of local populations, particularly women and youth, with the support of non-governmental organizations, in efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.

Article 10(1) and 10(2)

The purpose of national action programmes is to identify the factors contributing to desertification and the practical measures necessary to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought.

Facilitate effective local, national and regional participation of non- governmental organizations and local populations, both women and men. This refers particularly to users of resources, including farmers, shepherds, and the organizations that represent them.

Article 19(1)and 19(3)

The Parties recognize the significance of capacity building – that is to say, institution building, training and development of relevant local and national capacities – in efforts to combat desertification and mitigate the effects of drought. They shall promote, as appropriate, capacity- building:

(a) Through the full participation especially of women and youth at all levels, and particularly at the local level, with the cooperation of non- governmental and local organizations.

RESOURCE GUIDE ON GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE 128 INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENT EFFECTIVE DATE PRINCIPAL CONTRIBUTIONS SPECIFIED ARTICLES

The Parties shall cooperate with each other, competent intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in undertaking and supporting public awareness and educational programmes in affected countries and, where relevant, in States Parties, to promote understanding of the causes and effects of

desertification and drought and of the importance of meeting the objective of this Convention. To that end, they shall:

(e) Assess educational needs in affected areas, elaborate appropriate school curricula and expand, as needed, educational and adult literacy programmes and opportunities for all, in particular for girls and women, on the identification, conservation and sustainable use and management of the natural resources of affected areas.