Human Rights Council sessions in 2020
UN Women worked to strengthen the integration of a gender perspective in the deliberations and outcomes of the Human Rights Council in 2020.
Forty-fourth session, June–July 2020
UN Women provided technical support for two key resolutions, namely on:
- the elimination of female genital mutilation (A/HRC/RES/44/16), which focuses on the need for a multisectoral response, while also highlighting the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on FGM prevention efforts;
- the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women and girls (A/HRC/RES/44/17), focusing on multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination faced by women and girls and the measures states should take to address such discrimination.
UN Women contributed to gender mainstreaming in the Council and increasing visibility of gender equality issues by delivering statements on 12 topics.
While no official side events could take place under the special modalities to curb the spread of COVID-19, UN Women supported the organization of one virtual side event on “The recognition and respect of diverse families in times of a global pandemic”, with the participation of UN Women Deputy Executive Director Anita Bhatia.
Forty-third session, March–June 2020
UN Women provided support and assistance with the organization of the high-level panel discussion to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, with the participation of UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
UN Women delivered statements on 11 topics, highlighting the experience of women and girls on a wide range of issues during several interactive dialogues with Special Mandate Holders, investigative mechanisms, and countries’ Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adoptions.
UN Women actively engaged in a number of side events that focused on gender equality and women’s human rights, including the organization of a briefing on the Generation Equality Forum. UN Women also co-organized events to launch the “Gender and security toolkit”, showcasing good human rights stories on gender equality, and addressing trafficking in persons in supply chains.