As the foundation underpinning the goals and targets, the indicator framework must be fit for purpose to ensure that the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are truly transformative and advances transparency, accountability and inclusive citizen participation.
Proposal for Themes of the Interactive Dialogues for the Summit
As per Decision 69/555 on the modalities for the process of intergovernmental negotiations on the post-2015 development agenda, the overarching theme for the dialogues will be “Transforming the world: realizing the post-2015 development agenda”. Continue Reading
Ensuring Inclusive Negotiation and Implementation of the Post 2015 Development Agenda in Cameroon
Beyond 2015 Discussion Paper for the 2015 Session of the HLPF2
BEYOND 2015 CAMPAIGN: Contract for National Lead Agencies
- Africa Disability Alliance (ADA), fiscal agent of Beyond 2015
Represented by: Kudakwashe Dube, Chief Executive Officer
Email address: akdube@africadisabilityalliance.org
Address: P.O. Box 1201, Menlyn Centre 0077, Pretoria, South Africa
Block 5A Sanwood Office Park, 379 Queens Crescent, Lynwood, Pretoria, South Africa
Phone number: +27 12 754 1350 or +27 12 7541351
Cell phone: +27 798720325 Continue Reading
UNDP-NYU Accountability through Civic Participation in Post-2015
Campaign2015+ International’s Work Plan January-September2015
Consolidating Beyond 2015’s Engagement in the Post-2015 Agenda
S/N | Activity | Aim/Objective | Budget (Euro) | Period 2015 |
1 | Contribution to “A Compendium on Post-2015” publication | To document deliberations on post-2015 development agenda; to share this with stakeholders | 1000 | January- March |
2 | Strategy meetings with Beyond 2015 and partners in Nigeria | To strategise on influencing the negotiation process at the national level; and to keep Beyond2015 partners/members informed | 3500 | February and August |
3 | Collaboration with Nigeria Network on Climate Change (NCC) and Nigeria Green Movement (NGM) | to push for environmental sustainability and climate change issues in the post-2015 framework | 2000 | April-May |
3 | Production of IEC materials on post-2015 development agenda | To popularize post-2015, and to raise the profile of Beyond2015 Campaign in Nigeria | 500 | February-March |
4 | Media work on post-2015 issues:
(a) Press conferences (b) Advertorial (c) Interviews (d) Radio presentations (e) Articles/press releases |
To create awareness on post-2015; to influence our government on intergovernmental negotiation process; to boost the campaign through media | 2500 | January-September |
5 | Advocacy visits to Governments, UN Systems in Abuja. | to gather relevant information from stakeholders on the negotiation process; and to participate in regional, zonal and local conferences, workshops, training and meetings. | 4300 | Periodical |
6 | Communication (internet, phone, postage) and information sharing on post-2015 and related documents from OWG, UNMC, Beyond 2015, IFP, CAN etc | To network/collaborate with stakeholders, to keep abreast of issues on post-2015; to boost the campaign at the national and international level. | 1000 | January – September
(continuous) |
7 | Writing, collating and production of reports | For transparency and accountability | 200 | September |
Grand Total | 15000 |
INVOICE
Africa Disability Alliance (ADA)
Attention: Mr Kudakwashe Dube,
Chief Executive Officer
P.O. Box 1201, Menlyn Centre 0077,
Pretoria, South Africa
Block 5A Sanwood Office Park,
379 Queens Crescent, Lynwood,
Pretoria, South Africa
Dear Sir,
AN INVOICE ON THWE FIRST TRANCHE OUT OF 15000 EUROS
We hereby raise an invoice for the release of our first tranche out of a sum of 15000 Euros towards the our work on post-2015 development agenda in accordance with Beyond2015 contract “Consolidating Beyond 2015’s Engagement in Post-2015 Agenda from January to September 2015.
Our bank details are:
Bank Information (for grantee receiving wire transfers)
Bank Name: | Guaranty Trust Bank Plc |
Branch Name: | GTB Awolowo Junction |
Branch Address: | GTB Awolowo Junction Branch, UI/Secretariat Expressway, Ibadan, NIGERIA |
Swift/ABA Code: | GTBINGLA |
Account Code: | Euro Acc No:0029537962; US$ Acc. No:0029537948 |
Account Beneficiary: | CAFSO-WRAG for Development |
Alternative Name: | Childolescent and Family Survival Organization – Women’s Rights Action Group |
Correspondent Bank Information (if applicable):
Bank Name: | CITIBANK, LONDON |
Account Number: | 5511615 |
Swift/ABA Code: | CITIGB2L |
Thank you for your cooperation.
Tola Winjobi (PhD)
Convener, Campaign2015+ International
Inspiring and Aiming Higher Recommendations to the Post-2015 Political Declaration
The post-2015 Political Declaration will be a crucial element of the new development framework. It must set the tone, reaffirm commitments and demonstrate the collective political will of our leaders to realise a freer and fairer world based on human rights, tolerance, environmental sustainability, solidarity, inclusion and universal and shared responsibility.
Beyond 2015 would like to offer some recommendations to the post-2015 Political Declaration:
THE VISION
We expect that our leaders will commit to a shared vision of ‘an equitable and sustainable world where every person is safe, resilient, lives well, and enjoys their human rights, and where political and economic systems deliver well-being for all people within the limits of our planet’s resources.’
VALUES, PRINCIPLES AND KEY MESSAGES:
As was the case in the United Nations Millennium Declaration (A/RES/55/2), the 2005 World Summit Outcome (A/RES/60/1) and the outcome document of Rio+20 ‘The Future We Want (A/RES/66/288) we expect that the Post-2015 Political Declaration will (re)affirm some important values, principles and key messages:
- A world free from poverty – Paragraph 2 of the Report of the Open Working Group on Sustainable Goals (OWG) brings a good inspiration by recognizing that “poverty eradication is the greatest global challenge facing the world today and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development”. The post-2015 declaration should reiterate the commitment to freeing humanity from poverty and hunger as a matter of urgency (A/RES/66/288, para 2). In doing so, it is also important that the Declaration makes it clear that poverty is multi-dimensional encompassing a shortage of resources, capabilities, choices, security and power. Additionally, the text must pledge to meet the needs of the world’s poorest who under-consume and are denied their fair share of the world’s resources, and to tackle overconsumption in many countries.
- Equality was defined as a fundamental value in both A/RES/55/2 and A/RES/60/1 and it is imperative that it remains as an overarching objective and a specific set of actions so in the post-2015 declaration. Paragraph 4 of the OWG report is clear on the need for “sustainable and inclusive economic development growth, social development and environmental protection to benefit all, in particular the children of the world, youth and future generations of the world without distinction of any kind such as age, sex, disability, culture, race, ethnicity, origin, migratory status, religion, economic or other status”. The Political Declaration must pledge that the post-2015 development framework will leave no one behind and that when agreeing on a new set of sustainable development goals an explicit guarantee is made that no target will be considered met unless it is met for all social and economic groups, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized. States should therefore agree that in implementing the post-2015 agenda they will seek to enable that all people live a good life, within their fair share of the planet’s resources. When reaffirming equality as a principle of the post-2015 agenda, Member States must also agree to reduce inequality within and between nations, reinforcing what was proposed in the OWG. The post-2015 declaration must also recognize and address the inequities and inequalities in fundamental power structures. It must decide to measure and tackle economic inequality between the richest and poorest, and to reduce the extreme differences between the top and bottom quintiles of populations, both within and between countries.
- Universality and Shared Responsibility: Are transformative principles that must be clearly reflected in the post-2015 declaration. Universality as a principle will mean a common agreement by Member States that human kind faces the same global challenges and that today’s problems transcend borders. Member States must all agree to change, each with its own approach, but each with a sense of the global common good. (SG synthesis report, Para 48). The post-2015 declaration must uphold the responsibility that all countries will have to achieve all goals within their own countries as well as to contributing to progress beyond their borders. It is also important that the Declaration is clear on country sensitivities and specificities and prioritizes countries with special circumstances, including LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS needs. The post-2015 declaration must recognize not only the shared global challenges but also the obligations, ownership and accountability of every country to respond to the needs of all the others. This should include, for example, commitments to assess the sustainability of existing consumption patterns and policy coherence in light of the need to promote wellbeing and equity and the agreement to collectively keep consumption within the limits of our planet’s resources. Additionally, the declaration must recognize the “collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at global level and the duty towards the world’s people, especially the most vulnerable and, in particular, the children of the world, to whom the future belongs” (A/RES/55/2, para 2).
- Environmental Sustainability – This should build on the previously agreed principle of “Respect for Nature” and the declaration should underline the need to decouple economic activities from environmental degradation to ensure development remains within the ecological limits of our planet, reinforcing the interlinkages between the environmental, social and economic aspects of development. The post-2015 declaration should reaffirm the commitment to ensure the promotion of an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable future for our planet and for present and future generations (A/RES/66/288, para 1). The Declaration should also recognize global resource constraints and Member States should agree to a more equitable distribution of resources as well as to the sustainable use and management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources. Additionally, it should call for a rapid transition to sustainable consumption and production.
- Human Rights: The post-2015 declaration must be built on the principles and standards of human rights and boost all efforts to respect, protect and fulfil all human rights and fundamental freedoms (A/RES/55/2, para 4) on a basis of equality and non-discrimination. The post-2015 political declaration must also reinforce international human rights commitments, laws and standards; pledge consistency of the post-2015 agenda with existing human rights obligations; as well as reaffirm the universality, indivisibility, interdependence and interrelatedness of all human rights (A/RES/60/1): economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights. The Declaration should also resolve to ensure the implementation, by States Parties, of international human rights treaties (A/RES/55/2, para. 9). The guarantee to the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent and overall decision-making over natural resource extraction in their lands and territories must be reflected in the post-2015 declaration. The post-2015 political declaration must ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities throughout the framework in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is essential that the post-2015 declaration presents a definitive commitment to the realization of women’s full legal, political, social and economic rights, including equal influence in all forms of decision making, equal rights to access and own economic resources, finances, property and land, inheritance and credit, as well as full recognition of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Member States should agree to spare no effort to end violence and abuse in all contexts and particularly gender based violence and violence against children and other vulnerable groups, including through child labour, child marriage, harmful practices, and by denying children their human right to a legal identity.
- Peaceful Societies: The promise of a peaceful and safer world should be once again reinforced. The post-2015 political Declaration should express a clear pledge for a peaceful and resilient world, where political freedoms, justice and the rule of law are upheld. The declaration must recognize that violent conflict, insecurity and abuse has consequences for sustainable development outcomes everywhere and agree to address their root drivers. Member States must resolve to provide an enabling environment to build inclusive and peaceful societies, promoting social cohesion and access to justice for all, and upholding accountable and responsive political institutions at country level to ensure that the gains from peace are not reversed. The post-2015 Declaration should also call for collective global action to address irresponsible and illicit flows of finance, arms and conflict commodities.
- Participation and Solidarity: The post-2015 agenda has established a new paradigm of open, inclusive and constructive engagement with both civil society organisations and people around the world in shaping the framework that will directly affect their lives. The post-2015 Declaration, therefore should clearly commit to the creation of national development strategies, implementation, monitoring and review of the post-2015 agenda through the meaningful participation of all stakeholders at all levels (local, national, regional, and global), especially people living in extreme poverty and marginalization, and that an enabling environment will be secured for civil society organisations to have the capacity to carry out their crucial, independent roles (SG synthesis report, Para 129). The post-2015 Declaration should also reaffirm solidarity as a principle and acknowledge that “global challenges must be managed in a way that distributes the costs and burdens fairly in accordance with basic principles of equity and social justice. Those who suffer or who benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most”. (A/RES/55/2, para 6)
- Tolerance: This was a fundamental value expressed in the Millennium Declaration (A/RES/55/2) that must be reiterated in the post-2015 declaration.
- Climate Change: We consider that Paragraph 8 of the OWG preamble (well rooted in A/RES/66/288) constitutes a good introduction for the commitments around climate change and should be included in the post-2015 declaration. Particularly the following sections “the global nature of climate change calls for the widest possible cooperation by all countries and their participation in an effective and appropriate international response, with a view to accelerating the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions” and to the aim of “holding the increase in global average temperature below 2° C, or 1.5° C above pre-industrial levels” would be crucial to show the magnitude and importance of the task while referencing the UNFCCC as main forum for negotiating a binding agreement on addressing climate change. Additionally, in the post-2015 declaration, global leaders should agree to promote a human rights-based approach to adaptation measures, in order to avoid the exacerbation of existing inequalities.
- Sustainable economies: When adopting the post-2015 declaration, world leaders have a great opportunity to agree to re-examine the current over-reliance on aggregate economic e growth as a measure of social progress and development. Member States must therefore commit to move away from GDP as the main measure of progress and to move towards measures based on wellbeing and environmental sustainability, which would reflect elements from all three pillars of sustainable development. Member States should also agree on the implementation of comprehensive and adequate financial regulations in all countries. The post-2015 declaration should underline the fact that the economy should be at the service of the people and the planet.
REALISING THE POST-2015
- Coherent approach: Member States should also commit to a coherent approach in the implementation of the post-2015 framework and this must be reflected in the Declaration. This means agreeing to achieve coherence in national policies on areas such as climate change, trade, investment and finance, agriculture, energy, food security, health, migration, and conflict, fragility and security. Additionally, Member States must task the United Nation System to deploy a truly coherent and integrated approach in supporting Member States and other stakeholders in the implementation of the post-2015 agenda. A “silo” approach, where UN entities are tasked to follow up on individual Goals or specific targets does not allow for the transformative implementation of the post-2015 agenda.
- Means of implementation: Member States should use the post-2015 declaration to outline credible and meaningful resource commitments for realising the SDGs. The Declaration should bring general commitments for the provision of new and additional financing resources, technology transfers, capacity building, pro-development trade policies and effective means of implementation for developing countries. Non-financial MoIs – for instance volunteerism and civil society participation – should be recognized as powerful and cross-cutting means of implementation. The post-2015 declaration should stress the importance of access by all countries to environmentally sound technologies new knowledge, know-how and expertise (A/RES/66/288, para 270).
- Global Partnership: A truly Global Partnership will only be possible if it includes the participation of peoples, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable. Therefore, the post-2015 Declaration must bring a clear commitment to increase people’s ability to effectively and meaningfully participate in and contribute to the policy choices affecting them and to hold governments and other actors accountable for progress. Additionally, Member States should commit to ensure enhanced representation and voice of developing countries in decision making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions. (A/RES/66/288, para 92). The post-2015 declaration must require that the private sector joins the global efforts and do not undermine the commitments of the new development agenda by ensuring their responsibility, accountability and transparency, and respect for human rights, and more regulation of the financial sector and transnational corporations.
- Accountability, Monitoring, follow up and review: In the Declaration, world leaders must commit to a multi-tiered accountability architecture to monitor and review the implementation of the post-2015 agenda at the subnational, national, regional and global levels. The review should be inclusive and participatory at every level by ensuring adequate arrangements for transparency and broad participation, including of people living in poverty. The declaration should incorporate commitments to monitor, evaluate and report on progress, share learning and knowledge and build capacity and especially to create an enabling environment for people and their organisations to hold their governments, the UN System and other development stakeholders (including the private sector) to account. The role of the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) as the over-arching forum for such a participatory review mechanism at the global level should be reiterated.
The Declaration should recognize the responsibility of companies to respect human rights and protect the environment, and the need for them to be meaningfully accountable for their actions.” (UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights)
Additionally, in the declaration, Member States should resolve to invest in generating real time, disaggregated quality data enabling for the monitoring of the progress achieved under the implementation of the SDGs. While recognizing that national and regional indicators will play a crucial role in monitoring progress towards meeting targets, in the post-2015 declaration Member States must commit to monitor progress through a set of universal and harmonised global indicators. Additionally, they must commit to invest in building capacities to monitor these indicators and to ensure that a range of stakeholders, including National Statistical Officers, UN agencies, regional organisations and civil society are involved in the production and analysis of data.
The creation of a new global framework represents a historic opportunity to catalyse the urgent and targeted action needed to help us achieve our vision of an equitable, peaceful and sustainable world, in which all people live with dignity. The post-2015 declaration must be the stepping stone towards a new paradigm based on democracy and good governance, empowerment of the poorest and most marginalised, and strong citizen voices on social, environmental and economic justice, solidarity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and accountability of all development actors.
About this paper: This paper was prepared considering years of collective thinking of Beyond 2015, a global campaign that mobilizes more than 1,200 organizations from more than 140 countries in all regions of the world and that has been actively engaged in the post-2015 process since the beginning.
Beyond2015/Campaign2015 Position Towards the Post-2015 Declaration
We present the compliments on behalf of Beyond 2015/Campaign2015+ International a global civil society campaign comprising more than 1200 civil society organizations from more than 140 countries working to advance the adoption of a strengthened, inclusive and legitimate post 2015 framework to success the Millennium Development Goals.
We are aware that representatives of the United Nations Member States will be meeting in New York from 17-20 February 2015 to share their perspectives on how the Post-2015 declaration should be framed.
Considering this important discussion, we would like to offer some inputs that we hope could be considered in preparation for the representation of our country at the post-2015 intergovernmental negotiations. Kindly find attached a copy of our position paper that elucidates on key recommendations towards the post-2015 declaration with regards to Nigeria.
We look forward to further engaging in the processes under way at the United Nations and stand remain at your disposal to provide any further support needed.
A Compendium of Deliberations on Post-2015 Development Agenda
Pre-Selection to Attend the Inter-Governmental Negotiation of the Post-2015
Kindly find below the requested information with regards to pre-selection to attend the inter-governmental negotiation of the post-2015 in February. In order to make it easier, I spoke to each of the criteria as follows:
General Criteria
- The person must speak English and be able to follow the discussions/debates at the UN and have meetings with Member States in that language.
- Must have a passport and commit to properly follow up on any related process regarding the visa to the US. The Secretariat will be able to provide an invitation letter but all follow up should be done at country level and by the nominee.
- Must be willing to proactively engage with Missions in New York and to set up bilateral meetings and to speak on behalf of Beyond 2015 during those meetings (S/he must coordinate with the Beyond 2015 Advocacy Director on that although the responsibility of setting up meetings will rest on the nominee).
- Be willing to present statements on behalf of Beyond 2015 when there is such an opportunity.
- Must be authorized by his/her organization to represent and speak on behalf of Beyond 2015 while in New York.
- Must commit to participate in a Webinar after the session to present the outcomes of the Mission.
- Must commit to submitting a ‘back to office’ report and to participate in a follow up Webinar with the whole campaign where s/he will report on the achievements of his/her participation.
Specific Criteria:
- Nominees must be a representative of a Beyond 2015 participating organization.
- Must present in two paragraphs why she/he is willing to attend the Session and represent Beyond 2015 in New York.
- Must present concrete examples of engagement with the Campaign at global, regional and national levels.
- Must highlight their specific expertise pertaining to the negotiation session
- Add a short bio (not more than 150 words)
Minutes of the Briefing Meeting of Campaign+ /Beyond 2015 Members
MINUTES OF THE BRIEFING MEETING OF CAMPAIGN+ /BEYOND 2015 MEMBERS HELD ON FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER, 2014 AT MARIA EBUN FOUNDATION BUILDING, ATANDA ESTATE, ADEGBAYI AREA NEW IFE ROAD, IBADAN
Agenda of the Meeting
- Opening prayer
- Introduction
- Welcome address by the Chair, Campaign 2015+
- Report of Copenhagen CSO Conference on Post-2015
- Reactions to UN Secretary – General’s Synthesis Report
- Advocacy work plan on influencing the intergovernmental negotiations
- Presentation of DVDs and a Compendium of Deliberations on Post-2015 Development Agenda
- Any other business
- Adjournment of the meeting
- Vote of thanks
- Closing prayer
- Opening: The meeting commenced by 11:20pm with the opening prayer by Shaik S.O.A Busari from World Islamic Peace Foundation (WIPF) which was followed by self introduction of participants at the meeting.
- Attendance: Participants were in all 31from different states including Osun, Rivers, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Oyo States.
- Convener’s Remark: The Convener of Campaign 2015+ International, Dr. Tola Winjobi welcomed all the Civil Society Organizations and other representatives at the meeting. Dr. Winjobi described the meeting as an august meeting being the first of its kind at Maria Ebun Foundation Building, Atanda Estate, Adegbayi area, New Ife road, Ibadan. He noted that the essence of the meeting was to carry the CSOs along on the issue of post-2015 development agenda and how far the work had gone.
- Chairman’s Remark: The Chairman of Campaign 2015+, Reverend Father John Patrick Ngoyi who was represented by Mr. Isaac Olofi from JDPC, Ijebu-Ode apologized for coming late to the meeting due to traffic jam encountered along Lagos – Ibadan express way. Mr. Olofi stated that Campaign 2015+ was doing remarkably well in the area of post-2015 development agenda adding that it has been in the forefront of campaigning on post-2015 before any other CSO thought about it. He mentioned Action2015 to be launched by January 2015 and he added that all CSOs are expected to be at the forum.
Mr. Olofi stressed the need to sample opinions of the children in order to know their views about corruption and good governance. He cited the example of Malala girl who won the Nobel Prize for her activism on issues affecting children. He stressed that people matter in whatever CSOs will be doing. He stated further that Campaign 2015+ is centered on three (3) important things which are people, economic justice and participation.
- Report of Copenhagen CSO Conference on Post-2015: Tola Winjobi briefed the meeting about the conference. He stated that the conference was held between 13th and 14th November, 2014 in UN City, Copenhagen (Denmark) with about 170 CSO representatives from 46 countries attending. The meeting was sponsored by Beyond2015, Globalt Fokus and 92-Gruppen. The meeting discussed the vital importance of inclusion of equality across all levels and themes of post-2015 framework, and through implementation and accountability mechanisms addressing all three dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic and environment). There were plenary discussions focusing on the following: (a) Inequality in the post-2015 framework as a stand alone goal and through mainstreaming. (b) Inequality in an integrated and universal post-2015 framework (c) Youth Lab (d) Strategizing for the future dialogue. Presentation was also made on the work of OWG and the future roadmap. Dr. Winjobi made mention of Open Working Group (OWG), a body set up by the United Nation Secretary – General to gather information across the global in which the body came up with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The following datelines were given on intergovernmental negotiations:
- 19-21 January 2015 (3 days) – Stock taking
- 17-20 February 2015 (4 days) – Declaration
- 23-27 March 2015 (5days) – Sustainable Development Goals and targets
- 20-24 April 2015 (5days) – Framework for monitoring and review of implementation
- 18-22 May 2015 (5 days) Means of implementation and revitalized global partners.
- 22-25 June 2015 (4 days) declaration
- 20-24 July 2015 and 27-31 July 2015 (10 days) Finalisation of the outcome document
On the relationship between Campaign2015+ and Beyond2015, Dr Winjobi noted that the latter was established in Europe while the former started in Africa (Nigeria). The members of Beyond2015 is spread across the globe while Campaign2015 has its members in African countries including Ghana, Liberia, Siewrra Leone, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. He stressed that, here in Nigeria, government is not ready to support Non Governmental Organizations compared to the level of support received by NGOs in advance countries which accounted for much of the work of Campaign2015+ not showing. He added that Campaign2015+ is the Lead Agency appointed by Beyond2015 to lead the campaign on post-2015 development agenda in Nigeria. This explained why it was possible for Campaign2015+ to organize deliberations across five geo-political zones of Nigeria. No NGO has ever done this.
In their various reactions towards the level of support received from the government, the CSOs expressed that their stand was to educate the people on how to vote but not to tell them to vote for a particular person. Mr. Olofi noted that due to level of poverty in Nigeria there might not be a credible election in Nigeria.
- Reactions to UN Secretary – General’s Synthesis Report: Tola Winjobi asked the CSOs about the report being posted to their mails to confirm if they had commented on the Synthesis report. None of the CSOs had commented on it. He told them that the following day was the deadline to post their comments. He urged them to cultivate the habit of reading in order to have wide knowledge.
Dr Winjobi took the participants through the UN Secretary-General’s Synthesis Report. He cited paragraphs 3, 7, 33, 44, 51, 60, 63, 79 and 98 of the report which discussions later centred on.
Summary of the Reactions to the Report
- The UN Secretary-General’s synthesis report has given a ray of hope for common people especially the minority groups, women and youths. Kudos to him for his recognition of over 1.8 billion youths who he said “will be torch bearers of the next SDGs through 2030”, according to paragraphs 3 and 71.
- It is note-worthy that implementing SDGs would be country-specific while special attention is given to African countries (Paragraph 33) and LDCs where he specially clamoured for increase in ODA from 0.7% (Paragraph 98).
- However, one is constrained from agreeing with Mr Ban Ki-Moon that “we have reduced violence and established global institutions” (paragraph 8). Part of the pitfalls of the MDGs is the fact that the issue of human rights, terrorism, peace and conflict was not enhanced. At the time the Millennium Declaration was being put together, it seemed nobody envisaged that terrorism would be an issue of global dimension; terrorism causes much more violence and deaths these days than any other disaster. Therefore, the UN has not reduced violence but can be said to have built global peace institutions. Commendable is the UN’s efforts in promising to rebuild and reintegrate societies better after crises and conflicts (par. 79).
- It is not likely there would be a change or modification in the OWG 17 proposed goals (Paragraphs 44, 60 and 63). There are sentiments in some quarters that the 17 goals are too many and may not be easy to remember! If the goals are not easy to articulate, governments that lack political will might not know how to order their priorities in terms of which ones to implement first in according to country-specifics.
- Commendable is the slogan of the Secretary-General “Leave no one behind” Paragraph 51) but galvanising opinions of the critical masses of the people remains an albatross as there is no mechanism to reach the recesses of the grassroots while there is no clear cut support from government or donors to CSOs to do this.
- African countries need access to fair justice systems, accountable institutions of democratic governance, measures to combat corruption etc ever than before (paragraph78). Of much concern to African nations is the issue of creating an enabling environment under the rule of law for CSOs to reflect the voices of minorities including LGBT. Reflecting the voices of minorities but LGBT’s is apt and paramount. The issue of gay-marriage, for example, is alien to African cultures. In as much as Africans do not have the moral right to impose their culture of polygamy on any other cultures outside of Africa, then other cultures especially Americans and Europeans do not have the moral right either to impose their culture of, for example, homosexualism on any African country.
- We believe the intergovernmental negotiation process would provide the CSOs a critical role to play in influencing their governments to influence the content of the SDGs for the benefit of common people.
- Advocacy Work Plan on influencing the intergovernmental negotiations: Tola Winjobi encouraged the CSOs to think of what they could do at the state and regional levels. A series of suggestion was brought on work plan which include: advocacy visit to different states along with lobbying of government functionaries. Others include advocacy visit to media houses, UNMC, Ministry of Finance, OSSAP/MDGs, Social Mobilization (SM), organizing press conference / media work, uses of I.C.T, social media, town hall meetings, production of IEC materials including badges. The voice of grassroots should be heard and there is the need to raise fund for community-level advocacy. It was agreed that the report of this meeting be sent to our partners in particular UNMC and WaterAid that wrote the preface.
- Presentation of DVDs and a Compendium of Deliberations on Post – 2015 Development Agenda: Winjobi presented the said book to the CSOs participants while promising that DVDs will be sent to them due to technical problems encountered while producing the DVDs. He noted that the book would aid the work of CSOs while embarking on advocacy visit on post-2015 development agenda. He highlighted the content of the book including the OWG sessions, the report of the zonal deliberations and the report of the UN-led country deliberations that took place in Abuja. Copies of the book were freely distributed among the participants.
- Any Other Business: A series of suggestion was also brought on the campaign materials in which the CSOs suggested of t-shirts, tags, jackets and badges but the house observed that t-shirts will cost much since the organization is non-profit making organization, and there is no plan to get financial support from development partners.
- Vote of thanks: The meeting was adjourned following a vote of thanks said by Mrs. Deborah Salami from Women’s Rights Action Group (WRAG).
- Closing prayer: The meeting ended by 1:45pm while the closing prayer was said by Sylvia Briggs from Women Educators Association of Nigeria, Port Harcourt.
Muideen Hassan
Rapporteur
info@cafsowrag4development.org
Citizens' Critical Issues for Discussions and Inclusion at the 2014 National Dialogue
CITIZENS’ CRITICAL ISSUES FOR DISCUSSIONS AND INCLUSION AT THE 2014 NATIONAL DIALOGUE BEING A PAPER PRESENTED BY D. TOLA WINJOBI (PhD), PRINCIPAL COORDINATOR OF CAFSO-WRAG FOR DEVELOPMENT AND CONVENER, CAMPAIGN 2015+ INTERNATIONAL AT SOUTHWEST CSO CONSULTATIVE FORUM ON PRIORITY FOR THE NATIONAL CONFAB AT PLANET ONE HOTEL, MOBOLAJI BANK ANTHONY WAY, MARYLAND, LAGOS MARCH 11, 2014
There is no way we talk about the National Dialogue without talking about the Constitution of Nigeria as most of the issues at the confab would deal with the review or enactment of a new constitution ultimately. Nigerian Constitution has undergone different reviews at different times of her development and the most prominent were those post-independence reviews. For obvious reasons, the Nigerian Constitution suffered a lot of setbacks during the military aberration in our body polity as all of the time the military’s first action whenever they struck was to suspend the constitution and render inactive almost all the democratic structures. This goes to show that the Nigerian political process has undergone a tortuous journey of transition. With the advent of the Fourth Republic, there has been a sigh of relief as Nigerians now have the opportunity to tinker with the Constitution one time or the other. The most recent being the one led by the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution which took place between Wednesday 14th and Friday 16th November 2012 at Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. It was a simultaneous public hearing across the six geo-political zones. Earlier, on the 31st of October 2012, there was a previous one led by the House of Representatives that took place in the various states and local communities of Nigeria.
I did lament at that time that it’s a pity that we had put the cart before the horse because the public hearing ought to have begun at the zonal level to the national rather than the other way round as it was done then in 2012. I posed some conundrum in 2012 when the review of the 1999 Constitution started. Perhaps, I could still ask the questions as they are relevant.
Do we really need to undergo the exercise of tinkering with the provisions of the 1999 constitution? Or we consider the total overhaul of the whole constitution giving to ourselves a brand new baby rather than repackaging this ill-fated adopted child called constitution? Answering those questions, I think the proposed National Dialogue could lead to overhauling of the constitution.
I also remarked at the time that many things were wrong with this present constitution ab initio. The preamble says “We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria…give to ourselves….”. Everyone knows that this constitution was the premature child of necessity (probably an illegitimate child) hurriedly conceived, delivered, and handed over to the politicians by the military under the leadership of General Abdulsalam Abubakar. No wonder the end-product is defective. Perhaps the National Dialogue would also address this by reflecting the true ownership of the new Constitution since, it is believed, Nigerian citizens would be involved through this process.
Most importantly, I emphasised that the most hated issue of sovereign national conference would have been better than this amendment to the constitution. The conference would have afforded Nigerians of different ethnic nationalities to express their yearnings and aspirations for the existence of this country if it needs to exist at all as a nation, and to discuss the imbalance and injustice in our land.
Now, what we have is National Dialogue. Where is the Sovereign National Conference we were asking for? Are we sure the end-result of this National Dialogue is not going to suffer similar set backs that other similar conferences suffered in the past? Is the government of President Jonathan serious and really committed to the wish of the people? Going by various statements made by the President and his aides, the outcome of the dialogue shall be forwarded to the national Assembly for ratification. In effect, the National Assembly is still going to tinker with the outcome. This is where the problem lies as the final document might not reflect the yearnings and aspirations of the citizens of this country; it is hoped event would prove otherwise.
One unique feature of this dialogue is the fact that it is seemingly all-inclusive as different sections of the society were involved. These include CSOs/NGOs, Faith-Based Organizations, Community-Based Organizations, Organized labour, Private Sector, Community Development Associations, traditional rulers, professional associations, individuals, women, farmers, teachers including the politicians and the legislators themselves. It was gratifying to note that though there are dissenting voices against it, Nigerians as whole welcomed this National Dialogue which would serve as a vanguard of social justice and political freedoms, a forum for united front on key strategic issues affecting Nigerian citizens.
It is necessary we bare the minds of our people concerning the National Dialogue and their propositions. Efforts would be made to refer to only those ones that are pertinent to the southwest generally and others of relevance to this discourse. Though some of these may sound controversial, it portends the beauty of democracy, no doubt.
There are several burning issues from across the country being canvassed for inclusion at the dialogue. For easy understanding, the following key positions are germane: Constitutional reforms; Political party reforms; Electoral reform; Judicial reform; Police reform; and Civil Society reform. All these six key reform areas are the considered issues, in my view, for consideration at the National Dialogue and are largely but not limited to the following:
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Devolution of Powers (too much concentration of power at the centre),
- Federal Character: ossifies principle of fairness and breeds mediocrity and incompetence in civil service precluding attainment of vision 20-2020
- Creation of more states and boundary adjustment to remove ambiguities, with contiguous linguistic groups federating with their homogenous groups (e.g Yoruba ethnic groups in Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Benue should federate with their brothers and sisters in the nearest states of Osun, Ekiti, and Ondo).
- Recognition of the Six Geo-Political Zones in the Constitution with each having autonomy,
- Three major ethnic groups recognised over 350 ethnic groups and preservation of the rights of the minority groups
- Roles of Traditional Rulers
- Local Government Autonomy
- Revenue allocation and Fiscal Federalism; each federating unit generating its own resources and paying taxes to the central government,
- Resource Control: southwest’s control of her sea, air, land and natural resources (oil and gas) remitting 15% net earning to the federal government.
- CSOs reform: complementing govt effort; enabling environment (e.g. difficulty in registration with CAC); principles of accountability and transparency; proportional representation in national assignment
- The Constitutional Amendment Process and writing a new one,
- Immunity of certain public officers from prosecution with consideration for criminal cases,
- Nigerian Police: Federal, regional and community police system that is not corrupt, non-partisan, and professional
- Judicial System reforms: judiciary, bar, administration of justice, prison, alternative dispute resolution; the rule of law etc.
- Prison System: admin reforms, infrastructural; decongestion; reformatory and rehabilitative vs punitive; human rights taking precedence,
- The Executive
- Rotation of Executive Offices,
- Gender and other Special Groups,
- Mayoral Status for FCT Administration,
- Status of Lagos State,
- Residency and Indigeneship Provision,
- Political party reforms including multi-party system, ideologies, manifestoes, ownership, financing, etc
- Electoral reforms: independence and impartiality of INEC/SIEC; voting system; registration of voters; electoral staff and security officers, election observers; election petition, independence candidacy; Diaspora voting etc
- No-go-area – negotiating the unity of Nigeria (different ideologies (Boko Haram), secession, self determination
Brief explanation of the points raised above are contained in my previous paper titled “Memorandum on the Review of 1999 Constitution Submitted by Dr David Tola Winjobi Convener, Campaign 2015+ International and Principal Coordinator, CAFSO-WRAG for Development Nigeria to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Review Held at Lagos Airport Hotel (Southwest) 15th and 16th November 2012”.
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PRESS RELEASE (EMBARGO: 12.00 P.M. FRIDAY MARCH 7 2014)
The United Nations International Women’s Day comes off again this March 8 2014 as it is annually celebrated globally. CAFSO-WRAG for Development joins the people of the world in celebrating the progress made for women’s rights, women’s empowerment, and gender equality. Inspiring Change is the 2014 theme and which encourages advocacy for women’s advancement everywhere in every way. It calls for challenging the status quo for women’s equality and vigilance inspiring positive change.
According to the Executive Director of UN-Women Mrs Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, “we acknowledge that progress has been slow, uneven and in some cases women and girls face new and more complex challenges”. In Nigeria, of much concern are major challenges such as poverty, hunger, inequality, violence against women or gender-based violence and insecurity of our children being slaughtered at will by dreaded Islamist sect Boko Haram in northeastern part of Nigeria.
The issue of gender-based violence and its attendant crimes should be of grave concern to us all. Up to a third of women in Nigeria report that they have been subjected to some form of violence including battery, verbal abuse, emotional and psychological trauma, marital rape, sexual exploitation and harassment (Nigeria NGO Coalition 208: 66). As much as 70 percent of unmarried women in some southern states of Nigeria are the most frequent victims of violence (Obi and Ozumba, 2007). Worse still, commonplace are cases of rape, pedophilia and incest apart from cases of husbands or related partners violating their spouses and close friends.
On the other hand are the challenges facing women’s participation in politics in Nigeria. Nigerian women remain largely under-represented at most levels of government including political positions and appointment, especially in ministerial and other executive bodies and in reaching the target of having 30 percent of decision-making positions held by women by 1995 as endorsed by UN ECOSOC. This under-representation in decision-making position in the arts, culture, sports, the media, education, religion, and law has prevented women from having a significant impact on many key institutions’ plans, programmes and policies. Men dominate political space by planning and organizing political meetings in the night. Ossifying women’s political participation is men’s use of violence including intimidation and physical assault. Women are constrained by men’s seemingly deployment of dirty politics characterised by character assassination, mudslinging, rigging, innuendos about moral standing etc apart from exorbitant nomination fee running to multiple of million Naira, depending on political party.
CAFSO-WRAG hereby calls on government to put appropriate and workable mechanisms in place to obstruct the obstacles preventing the realisation and enjoyment of all socio-economic rights of women including participation in politics.
On the issue of gender-based violence that has become commonplace, we urge the government to strengthen the implementation of recommendations in the National Gender Policy rather than paying political lip service to its implementation. We also enjoin each state government to enact (where non-existent) a bill prohibiting gender-based violence with stringent sanctions against the violators while justice is not only done but also seen to be done accordingly. If possible, each state government should establish and adequately fund a Gender Equality Unit within the judicial system which would be taking up cases of gender-based violence and playing an advisory role to the judiciary.
CAFSO-WRAG for Development also supports the UN Under-Secretary-General’s recommendation to various governments that by protecting our children from insurgency attacks and especially keeping girls in school longer, with quality education, we will empower young women to play their full role in society and build stronger families, communities and democracies. By advancing equal opportunity and removing structural barriers to women’s economic empowerment, we will reduce inequality and spur inclusive economic growth. By supporting women’s equal representation in leadership positions in peacemaking, in communities, in politics, in business and in religious institutions, we will build a more just, peaceful and secure world.
We wish Nigerian government a happy centenary celebration, a fruitful National Dialogue, an inspiring change for women’s rights, and a peaceful co-existence among Nigerian peoples for unity and faith, peace and progress of our country.
D. Tola Winjobi (PhD)
Principal Coordinator
CAFSO-WRAG for Development
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Technical Workshop on Gender-Based Violence
COMMENCEMENT
The workshop commenced with registration at 9.05a.m while Imam Busairi Salaudeen said the opening prayer at10:40am to formally start the meeting.
INVITATION OF DIGNITARIES TO THE HIGH TABLE
The programme was anchored by Barr. Aderonke Ige who invited to the high table the following dignitaries: Miss Yewande Ige representing the Oyo State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Welfare; Barrister Mrs. Grace Ketefe, the Resource person and the Principal Coordinator CAFSO-WRAG for Development Dr. Tola Winjobi. They were later joined by the Chairman, Oyo State House of Assembly House Committee on Women Affairs, Hon. Barr Yisau Azeez Adesope and Chairman House Committee on Works and Lands Hon. Wahab Oladejo.
WELCOME ADDRESS
A welcome address was given by Dr David Tola Winjobi the Principal Coordinator CAFSO-WRAG for Development. In his speech he stated some projects his organization has implemented which include:
- Achieving MDGs in Nigeria: “Protect Women from dying in pregnancy and Children from Dying at Infancy” Sponsored by United Nations Millennium Campaign
- Respecting the Rights of Female Bank Staff sponsored by Global Fund for Women, USA.
- House Bill Prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation in Osun State supported by Amnesty International.
- Building a shelter for women victims of Gender-Based Violence and Human Trafficking (ALC/Rotary of Italy)
- Research project on Street/Working Children in Urban Slum of Oyo State (Funded by UNICEF)
He made it known that Gender-Based Violence was topical and rampart in Nigeria. He shared some reported cases of a 50-year old man having sexual intercourse with 4 years old- a more or less infant girl with cases of rape rampart. He said right-based approach was the best way of tackling Gender-Based Violence.
PAPER DELIVERED BY THE RESOURCE PERSON
The resource person Barrister Mrs. Grace Ketefe in her presentation made it known that the highest incidence of Gender-Based Violence occurred in the home and at the bosom of closely knitted family. Incidents of Gender-Based Violence such as wife battery, rape, and killing etc. were or increase in Nigeria, according to her. Only 6 out of 36 States in Nigeria have laws prohibiting and punishing offenses on Gender-Based Violence.
Below are some definitions given on gender-based violence:
Ekiti State GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (Prohibition) Law 2011 defines Gender-Based Violence as the violence that affects a person or group disproportionately because of their sex.
United Nations Populations Fund Gender Theme Group, 1996 defines Gender-Based Violence as violence involving men and women, in which the female is usually the victim and which is derived from unequal power relationships between men and women.
In her findings, statistics on Gender-Based Violence prevalence in national and at the global level shows that:
- Among women aged 15-44 years, Gender-Based Violence accounts for more death and disability than combined effects of cancer, malaria, traffic-related injuries and war.
- Women who are victims of domestic violence are 12times more likely to attempt suicide than those who do not experience such violence.
The following constitute types of Gender-Based Violence:
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Physical Violence: assault and /battery, kicking, stabbing, human trafficking etc.
- Psychological Violence: any behavior that makes another person feels constantly unhappy or afraid, jittery or depressed, including verbal abuse etc.
- Economic Violence: Any act such as denial of funds, refusal to contribute financially, denial of food and basic needs and controlling of health care and employment.
- Harmful Traditional Practices: female genital mutilation, child marriage, dowry related violence etc.
- Domestic Violence: marital rape, confinement or detention against her will, verbal and emotional abuses etc.
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Sexual violence: any forceful engagement of another in a sexual conduct that abuses, humiliates or degrades the other person or otherwise defiles another person’s sexual integrity or a sexual contact of a person aware of being infected with HIV/STD. Examples include rape, sexual harassment, child defilement forced sterilization and pregnancy.
She also shared some strategies for curbing GBV which include:
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Coordinated Responses to Gender-Based Violence: the responses are from the health, legal and social support all combined together to ensure that victims live a very rewarding and fulfilled life after experience.
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Coordinated legal responses to victims of Gender-Based Violence will ensure that victim enjoys the following services:
- Referrals to/from police and social support sectors
- Effective Police/Justice statement –taking and documentation
- Ensure the safety of the survivor
- Prosecution of the perpetrators
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Reintegration and establishment of the victim of Gender-Based Violence: to reintegrate the victims it is important to provide social support, provision of safe hosing/shelter, relocation services, if required and if necessary long-term psychosocial counseling and rehabilitation.
CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE PLENARY
The following contributions to the discussions were made:
- Imam Busairi of World Islamic Peace Foundation gave his contribution stating that suffering and smiling life style is applicable to Muslim women and Nigerian women in general.
- Dr. (Mrs.) Dupe Ladapo representing Women and Children Aids Initiative also shared a story about a man who defiled her daughter and fight against any young men try or willing to be in relationship with her daughter.
- Mrs.Tola-Winjobi also advised we stop stigmatization when we know someone who is a victim of rape while she also shared the case of a Quran teacher that raped one of his students.
TECHNICAL WORKING GROUPS
There were three technical groups in all each focusing on:
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Presentation of a bill on GBV
- Position paper on Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
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Manifestations of GBV and suggestions for curbing it
The first group worked on proposed bill. The following were amendments proposed:
(1) LONG TITLE: A law to provide for prohibition and protection against GBV and related matter
(2) SECTION 2(5) 48hrs as opposed to 72hrs
(3) To be included in the bills:
(a) Punishment section
(b) Emergency monetary relief for victims who have suffering financially or monetarily
(c) “Attempts” should be provided for and penalized accordingly
(d) After- care services for the victim to include counseling, psycho- social support etc
The second group worked on the position paper. Below is the breakdown on the structure of the paper:
(1) Profile of the organization including vision and mission, and objectives
(2) Introduction to GBV
(3) Types & causes of GBV
(4) Data and Equivalence (Statistics)
(5) Addressing the issue (GBV)
(6) Challenges of GBV
(7) Conclusion
The third group worked on manifestation of GBV and suggestions for curbing it. The following key inputs were made:
The various dimensions of GBV were presented under the following sub-divisions
(i) Physical violence: assault, battery, acid bath, hot water bath
(ii) Psychological Violence
(iii) Economics Violence: women as bread winner, stopping a woman from working, financial deprivation.
(iv) Harmful traditional practices: inheritance, girl forced to marriage, genital mutilation, widowhood practices.
(v) Sexual Violence: forced sex, tying of hands, legs, mouth and the eyes.
(vi) Institutional Violence: discrimination and marginalization at the work place, more men in decision making positions.
Suggestions for curbing Gender-Based Violence:
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Public enlighten and sensitization: involving media, print and electronic means, and sensitization training for police, health workers, and religious institutions.
- Stakeholders – governments, NBA, FIDA etc – should ensure that culprits are bought to book.
- Overall sensitization of people.
- Establishment of GBV Unit in the High Court
- The legislative arm to make legislation on GBV while existing bill be passed into law.
- Create a better legal frame work to prosecute and punish GBV perpetrators (it should be a state case, and whoever tries to cover suit case up should be prosecuted).
- Promote positive cultural values through media, schools etc.
- Setting up peer educators in schools.
- Emphasize adequate sex education in schools and homes.
- Set up public counseling center on reproductive health and Gender-Based Violence.
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Provision of shelter to rehabilitate victims and give them protection.
ADDRESS BY HONOURABLES ADESOPE AND OLADEJO
Hon. Azeez Yisau Adesope and Hon. Wahab Oladejo came in during the formation of technical group on GBV and shared with us their interest in GBV. They were in support of the proposed bill on GBV. They promised to support the bill when brought to the House for legislation. They also told us the procedures for presenting bill to the house of assembly which includes forwarding our proposed bill to the House of Assembly and having a link in the House of Assembly that will hasten the proposed bill which ordinarily should undergo three readings before being passed into law.
FORMATION OF ADVOCACY CHAMPIONS
All the participants were designated as advocacy champions on GBV. However, the workshop resolved to fast-track the process of campaigning and legislation against GBV by appointing the following organizations and individuals to do a follow up to the activities:
- Dr D. Tola Winjobi, CAFSO-WRAG for Development
- Barr. Miss Aderonke Ige, Justice Development and Peace Commission
- Barr. Mrs W. Funmi Odutayo, Legal Aid Council
- Barr Miss Ifeoma Obiajulu, Legal Rights Protection Organization
- Barr. Miss Oluwakemi Ogunsade, FIDA Oyo State
- Dr Mrs M.A. Ladapo, Women and Children Aid Initiative
- Sheik Imam Salaudeen Busairi, World Islamic Peace Foundation
ATTENDANCE
A total number of twenty- six (26) participants, six more than the number originally envisaged, attended the workshop.
ADJOURNMENT
A vote of thanks was given by Mrs Deborah Salami while the closing prayer was said by Dr. (Mrs) Ladapo M.A at 3:40 p.m.