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Strengthening NHRI advocacy in New York

Graphic: NHRI representatives at CSW 63

The APF has recommended a global taskforce of NHRIs be established to continue advocacy for independent participation rights in New York.

Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions LogoGlobal Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions
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The APF has recommended that a taskforce of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from across the globe be established to continue advocacy for independent participation rights at the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

The taskforce should include representatives from all four regions of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), with the APF also recommending that GANHRI Special Envoy Ms Simbiri-Jaoko again lead the advocacy campaign at the next session of the CSW in March 2020


"It's important for advocacy efforts and for pursuing our policy of independent participation rights that the voices of national human right institutions are heard."

Pip Dargan, APF Gender Focal Point


The APF has coordinated advocacy for the independent participation of NHRIs at CSW since 2009, APF Gender Focal Point Pip Dargan said.

"We have made significant progress since then and a global taskforce of active and committed NHRIs will be well placed to build on what has been achieved."

Unlike at the Human Rights Council, 'A status' NHRIs do not have standing in their own right to participate in meetings of the CSW and can only attend as part of their country's government delegation, if they are invited, or with the support of an accredited NGO.

"As national experts on the human rights of women and girls, it is vital that NHRIs are able to participate in their own right to global discussions on advancing gender equality," Ms Dargan said.


Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit from the Philippines speaks at side event at CSW 63

Following sustained advocacy, the Agreed Conclusions issued at the end of CSW 60 (2016), CSW 61 (2017), CSW 62 (2018) and now CSW 63 (2019) have included a stand-alone paragraph to encourage the CSW Secretariat to consider how it can enhance the participation of NHRIs in future sessions.


Eight national human rights institutions (NHRIs) - Australia, Afghanistan, Germany, Georgia, Liberia, New Zealand, Northern Ireland and the Philippines - took part in discussions and advocacy efforts at the 63rd Session of Commission on the Status of Women

The priority theme for CSW 63 was social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.


Graphic: Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson of Afghanistan's NHRI, speaks at side event at CSW 63


As part of the NHRI campaign at CSW 63:

  • Florence Simbiri-Jaoko (GANHRI Special Envoy), Dr Sima Samar (Chairperson, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission) and Kate Jenkins (Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner) addressed a High Level Interactive Dialogue on 'Accelerating implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action'
  • An APF-GANHRI-UNFPA side event on 'Advancing gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights' featured speakers from the NHRIs of the Afghanistan, Philippines, Georgia and Northern Ireland, as well as UNFPA's Deputy Executive Director.

"A key element of our campaign has been to showcase the enormous wealth of knowledge and expertise that exists within NHRIs and the unique contribution they can make to UN forums in New York," Ms Dargan said.

Background documents to the APF-GANHRI campaign at CSW 63 are available at: https://www.asiapacificforum.net/events/apf-ganhri-advocacy-csw-63/

Date: 4 April 2019


Image credits

  1. NHRI representatives at CSW 63 - APF
  2. Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit from the Philippines speaks at side event at CSW 63 - APF
  3. Dr Sima Samar, Chairperson of Afghanistan's NHRI, speaks at side event at CSW 63 - APF