Role of Civil Society in increasing commitment to the implementation of the Beijing platform for action and critical links to the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals/Role de la Societe Civile dans l'accroissement de l'engagement pour la mise en oeuvre de la palterforme d'action de Beijing et liens critiques a la mise en oeuvre des Objectifs de Developpement du Millennaire.

• Author: Njuguna-Njogu, Anne

The Division for the Advancement of Women organized a panel discussion on 21 July 2005 in New York. The objective of the panel discussion was to mark the adoption by the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the Declaration adopted by the Commission on the Status of Women at its 49th session in 2005. The panel was organized as a side event to the General Segment of ECOSOC (2).

The objective of the panel was to discuss the implications of the Declaration, actions required to ensure effective follow-up to advance full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, and the outcome of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly. The panel also provided the occasion for ECOSOC to discuss ways of linking the outcome of the functional Commissions to the review of the Millennium Declaration in the GA in September 2005.

During the panel discussion, Anne Njuguna-Njogu, Executive Director of CREAW presented a paper entitled "Role of Civil Society in Increasing Commitment to the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, and Outcome Document of the 23rd Special session of the General Assembly and Critical Links to the Implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)".

She began her presentation by outlining why the BPFA is of critical importance to Kenya and Africa at large. Women in sub-Saharan Africa are the cornerstone of development where statistics confirm that African women's contribution in food security accounts for 70% of agricultural production, 50% of livestock taking, 50% of agricultural storage activities, 100% food processing, 80% water fetching, 80% fuel wood gathering, and 100% food preparation. However, women and children make up the overwhelming majority of the poor. Poverty perpetuates gender inequality while unequal gender and power relations are key factors to worsening poverty illustrated by the fact that although in Kenya, women constitute 80% of the agricultural labour force, only 5% own land. The feminization of poverty and discrimination against women is linked to violation of women and girls' human rights.

Violence against women continues to impede women's effective participation in competitive politics, leadership positions and development activities. Despite the recognized causes and effects of VAW, Kenya still does not have Acts of Parliament that criminalize sexual violence, protect against domestic violence or combat trafficking in persons. The HIV pandemic continues to afflict many women who due to their exposure to violence are increasingly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS. Kenya's Constitution also perpetuates discrimination against women by allowing the jurisdiction of tradition and customs on the one hand, while...