Meg's update: International meeting: 2-27-3-8-2012

Impasse at CSW56 "deeply regrettable" was UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet comment on the ending of the sessions, 'a disappointing inability to reach consensus'. The discussions, during the weeks, gave the 2000 delegates from some 429 organizations, high hopes that stakeholders were ready to provide needed resources to further women's empowerment, gender equality in all areas. One of the main controversial issues was the matter of women's health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. The African Group, was at disagreements on rights issues in contrast to the 'comprehensive sexuality education' as promoted by the EU. It was noted, also, that the Holy See actively worked to weaken the language in terms of sexuality, rights and health throughtout the Commission. What did result from this year's session were 6 Resolutions passed. Maternal Mortality,Gender and Natural Disasters, FGM, HIV/AIDS, Indigenous Women, Women taken Hostages. The end results, however, were far from what was hoped for our Rural Women and their immediate needs.