In support of the September 28 Global Day of Action for Access to Safe and Legal Abortion, the Sexual Rights Initiative is organising an event during the 36th regular session of the Human Rights Council.
The event will highlight the ways in which States, civil society, the UN system, and others can use human rights law and standards to advance the right to access safe and legal abortion. It is intended that this exchange of practices and experiences will inspire further action and collaboration among States, development partners, and civil society towards realising abortion related rights for all.
Moderator
Lucinda O’Hanlon, Adviser on Women’s Rights, Women’s Rights and Gender Section, OHCHR
Speakers
H.E. Martha Maurás Perez, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Chile to the UN
Ronald Johnson, Scientist, Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO
Dr. Tlaleng Mofokeng, Vice Chairperson, Sexual and Reproductive Justice Coalition, South Africa
Julánia Armando Langa, Legal Advisor, Cabinet of the Minister of Health, Mozambique
*Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish and Portuguese
Can’t make it? Follow the highlights on Twitter via @SexualRights and @AWID
The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This imperative lies at the core of the United Nations Charter, as well as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is more important than ever in this era of rising and violent extremism and widening conflicts that are characterized by a fundamental disregard for human life.
In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolution 51/95) invited UN Member States to observe the International Day for Tolerance on 16 November. This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO, as outlined in the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.
The United Nations has launched a new campaign to promote tolerance, respect and dignity across the world. TOGETHER is a global campaign that aims to reduce negative perceptions and attitudes towards refugees and migrants, and to strengthen the social contract between host countries and communities, and refugees and migrants.
The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (“OAS”) whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.
Hearings will be held on matters involving all OAS countries.
The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the Organization of American States (“OAS”) whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the American hemisphere.
Hearings at this session will be held on matters involving Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Cuba, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, United States, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
The meeting of the high-level political forum on sustainable development in 2017 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, will be held from Monday, 10 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2017; including the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from Monday, 17 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2017.
The theme will be “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world“. The set of goals to be reviewed in depth will be the following, including Goal 17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, that will be considered each year:
- Goal 1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
- Goal 2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
- Goal 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
- Goal 5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
- Goal 9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
- Goal 14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
In 2017, 44 countries have volunteered to present their national voluntary reviews to the HLPF.
The 72nd Regular Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 72) will convene at UN Headquarters on Tuesday, 12 September 2017. The General Debate will open on Tuesday, 19 September 2017.
For more information see: www.un.org/en/ga/.
The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 States responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe.
The Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI) is hiring an Advocacy Advisor who will report to the Senior Representative of the SRI to the UN in Geneva.
Candidate Profile (Excerpt)
- A minimum of 3 years experience in legal and policy analysis and advocacy on human rights, including reproductive and sexual rights issues
- A degree in a related field such as: Human Rights; Political Science; Law; International Development; Public Health and Health Policy (an advanced degree would be considered an asset)
- Strong knowledge of global and regional human rights mechanisms and instruments.
- Knowledge of international agreements relevant to sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Knowledge of relevant international organizations especially the United Nations and its specialized agencies
- Strong understanding of and demonstrated commitment to reproductive and sexual rights and health
- Experience working with government officials, particulary diplomats and foreign ministry officials
- Preference will be given to applications from the Global South
Responsibilities (Excerpt)
- Monitor events, developments and initiatives within the Geneva UN Human Rights mechanisms
- Develop working relations and promote collaboration with UN agencies and other NGOs
- support SRI’s work at the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review mechanism, the Treaty Monitoring Bodies, and Special Procedures
- Serve as a secondary contact point for the SRI in Geneva
- Assist with the design, planning and running of events in Geneva
To apply, please send cover letter, CV and 3 references to jobs@srigeneva.com with subject line “SRI Advocacy Advisor Application” by close of business on Tuesday 18 April, 2017.
For the detailed job description visit Sexual Rights Initiative.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia: A Worldwide Celebration of Sexual and Gender Diversities
IDAHOT 2017 will Focus on Families. This focus includes both
- The role of families in the well-being of their LGBTIQ members
- The respect of the rights of LGBTIQ families (rainbow families)
We also of course want to use this focus issue to counter the reclaiming of family values by conservatives.
- We hope that this focus issue on families will
- Strengthen the visibility and voice of LGBTIQ parents
- Strengthen the visibility and voice of Rainbow families and lead to advances in recognition and rights
- Strengthen the visibility and voice of children of LGBTIQ parents, and possibly strengthen the structuring of their nascent movement
- Reclaim “family values” in a progressive understanding
- Facilitate alliances with progressive family organisations
Given the proximity in dates and values of the International Family Equality Day (IFED), early May, we have taken the very natural and exciting decision to combine IFED and IDAHOT in 2017.
The IDAHOT will of course remain open to any other initiatives, either around other aspects related to Families, or on other issues. As always, the focus issue constitutes a possible entry point for mobilisation, advocacy and alliance building, but only if this is relevant for each stakeholder.
Read more about the issue and how to take action
Join the conversation on Twitter: #IDAHOT #IFED2017
During CSW61 the Observatory on the Universality of Rights will be holding a private event on March 16th at 6-8pm.
The event will launch the findings of the first OURs periodic human rights trends report. It also aims to open up a strategic conversation on mobilization amongst WHRDs worldwide to counter the co-optation and blocking of human rights related to gender and sexuality.
This event is a private event. If you are interested to attend please email ours@awid.org
