WIREDGOV

In a new paper released recently (22 March), entitled ‘Women in Power’, VSO sets out a three pillar approach to placing women’s empowerment at the centre of plans to combat global poverty when the framework to follow the Millennium Development Goals is discussed at a key conference in Bali, Indonesia, from 25 to 27 March 2013.

The international development charity’s latest policy briefing recommends that the UN’s High Level Panel, co-chaired by David Cameron, ensures that three pillars are in place to ensure women are involved in influencing decisions that affect them the most. They are:

1. A dedicated goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment - VSO believes it is critical that the framework replacing the Millennium Development Goals in 2015 includes a dedicated goal on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

2. Concrete targets to increase women’s participation and influence in public and political life – The dedicated goal must be accompanied by targets to increase the number of women included and listened to in local councils, national ministries, schools and the judiciary; to increase proactive support for women's political influence; and for governments to address the barriers preventing women from participating in these decision-making bodies.

3. Measurements which track attitudes and capture women's own experiences of poverty - To measure progress, the framework should include a combination of indicators assessed by experts alongside reports from ordinary people to capture changes in social attitudes to women and poor and marginalised groups’ own experiences of poverty. The VSO paper sets out a series of illustrative targets and indicators to show how his could be achieved.

VSO Chief Executive Marg Mayne said:

“Women’s lack of representation and influence is a global problem. Only 17% of ministers in governments across the world are women. And women are effectively shut out of decision-making at all levels, from national parliaments to village councils.

“The High Level Panel has an opportunity to involve women’s groups in this historic process and listen to the voices of half of the world’s population, who disproportionately suffer from poverty and have the least say about what needs to be done to tackle it.

“VSO today sets out its approach to addressing this injustice, calling for three pillars to be included in the post-2015 poverty reduction plans being determined at Bali.

“A stand-alone goal on women’s empowerment and concrete targets to increase women’s participation would help ensure that the framework replacing the MDGs really delivers progress for women. 

“Without such a thorough approach, there is a danger that we'll see a reverse in recent gains that have been made in strengthening women's rights, as the attention of governments is diverted elsewhere.”

For more information visit www.vso.org.uk/womeninpower

About VSO:

VSO is an international development organisation that fights poverty through volunteers, bringing people together to share skills and knowledge. VSO volunteers work in whatever fields are necessary to fight the forces that keep people in poverty – from education and health through to helping people learn the skills to make a living. In doing so, they invest in local people, so the impact they make endures long after their placement ends. VSO recruits skilled volunteers from countries in the global north and global south, as well as supporting the growth of volunteering within developing countries.

For more information and interview requests contact:

Susannah Henty, +44 (0)20 8780 7621 or outside office hours +44 (0)7500 91847