Description
The project deals with combating discrimination of women through advocacy and lobbying for implementing in Poland the recommendations of the UN body - CEDAW. The Committee recommendations (published in November 2014) will be a tool for lobbying and monitoring activities by the organisations gathered in the Coalition for CEDAW. The Coalition of the leading organisations acting for women's rights and human rights, combining their experiences of various areas of discrimination of women, will strengthen and authenticate the advocacy and lobbying activities led under the project. The project is of systemic nature and should have impact on policies/legal amendments in selected areas of discrimination of women, and should raise awareness of the government/central institutions on the international commitments in this field. It is directed to decision-makers, such as the Government Plenipotentiary for Equal Treatment, ministries and central institutions, civil society and general public.
Summary of project results
"Studies of institutional mechanisms fostering gender equality held by Karat in the year 2013 prove that current legal and institutional mechanisms guarantee no systemic approach to eliminating discrimination against women. Moreover, the government does not respect obligations stemming from international law, as proven by the fact that the CEDAW Committee's 2007 recommendations have not been implemented. The purpose of the project was to foster monitoring and advocacy with regard to the government acting on their obligation to eliminate gender-based discrimination as required by Poland having ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The project allowed the empowerment of the non-governmental organisations' delegation to the 59th session of the CEDAW Committee, and the use of session results (including recommendations influenced by the coalition) in advocacy activities. Furthermore, the project served to improve the recognisability of the CEDAW Convention, and raise the awareness of obligations arising therefrom among public officials and non-governmental organisations. A speech to be delivered at the 59th session of the CEDAW Committee was drafted; the Committee's recommendations for Poland and alternative report were translated into the Polish language. Initiatives to promote CEDAW-related knowledge comprised a press conference, a project sub-website, and meetings with decision-makers. Letters containing study questionnaires were sent to 17 ministries and central authorities. Monitoring exercises were summarised in a report published in 110 copies. Advocacy activities included 3 “roundtable"" sessions to discuss the progress of implementing CEDAW recommendations, attended by government officials and social movers and shakers. The project closed with a final seminar and press conference. “Roundtable"" sessions, the final seminar, and CEDAW-popularising meetings were attended by 155, 45, and approximately 50 persons, respectively. The report was published in 110 copies and delivered to 35 ministries and central institutions."
Summary of bilateral results