CONCEPT NOTE: National Women’s Convening on CSW63

Theme: Making social protection systems, access to public services and infrastructure investments sustainable and gender-responsive in Cameroon

Convened by Women for a Change, Cameroon in collaboration with the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and the Family (Minproff)

Yaoundé, Cameroon

29 - 30 January 2019

1. Introduction
2019 represents a critical phase in the country’s development and governance both globally and nationally. First, globally, Cameroon joins some 52 countries to submit a Voluntary National Review (VNR) on progress, lessons learned and experiences related towards the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals at the HLPF in July at UN HQ in New York, USA. Before that in March, at the 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) in NewYork, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (Minproff) would equally be organizing a side event around the CSW63 theme of the summit.

In a bit to strengthen political commitment through advocacy, capacity development and increasing community awareness and participation around the entire CSW processes, the VNR in delivering for women and girls, and moreover in preparation for the sixty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63), Women for a Change, Cameroon (Wfac) would be organising this January 2019, a pre-CSW63 convening where it sought to bring about 100 experts, leaders, gender professionals, Members of Parliament and government, United Nations Systems in Cameroon and other allies and development partners to discuss on the priority themes for the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status, and also to take stock of the extent to which social protection systems, public services, and sustainable infrastructure investments currently contribute to the achievement of gender equality and sustainable development in Cameroon; identify persistent gaps and emerging challenges; and develop forward-looking recommendations.

This national convening is designed to ensuring that women and girls are actively involved and engaged in the national discussions and preparations of the CSW. Over 100 rural women and girls and groups, communities and networks would be consulted to define Cameroon women’s priorities for the CSW63. This meeting would fit in the broader picture of pre-CSW conferences held regionally and globally. The meeting will be interactive and informal while also being a safe and closed space to allow for frank and sensitive discussions.

2. Justification for bringing in CSW63 and VNR themes for Discussion at the Convening
Two critical themes would be the focus of the convening. The first would be on the CSW63 priority theme which intents to look at “Social protection systems, public services, and sustainable infrastructure is critical for the realization of women and other rights in this country”. The second theme would look at the Voluntary National Review (VNR) theme on Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality as per the HLPF 2019. It is expected that for each country’s VNR, they must conduct an in-depth review of SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action) and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), in addition to SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals). From the CSW63 theme, it is evident that the theme touches on some of the core SDGs which is set for review in 2019. These include but not limited to SDG4 (quality education), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 13( combating climate change), SDG 17 (partnerships), and above all SDG10 (reduction of inequality). With SDGs 10.2 particularly focused on social protection for all which directly links with CSW63 theme on “Social protection systems, access to public services and sustainable infrastructure for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls”. This, therefore, implies that there is a great need for joint efforts and coordination in advancing actions towards the realization of the SDGs, particularly gender equality and women’s empowerment (SDG 5) and quality/healthy wellbeing (SDG3) in Cameroon.3. Goals and

3. Goals and Objectives

• Goals
  The overall goal of this convening is to create a safe space for an intergenerational conversations, necessary to inspire change and develop transformative strategies and perspectives on achieving gender equality by 2030, through engagement of key constituencies, including young people, men and boys, faith-based organizations, indigenous groups, disability groups, social justice actors, the private sectors, social insurance groups, the media and others.

Specific Objectives

• To convene Cameroonian, women, and men to discuss ways in contributing towards making social protection systems and sustainable infrastructure work for women and girls.
  To engage multiple stakeholders in cross-generational and cross-sectional conversations on advancing gender equality in Cameroon.
• To encourage and promote the empowerment of women and girls through community convening with key decision makers
• To connect and build alliances, partnerships and knowledge exchange among various gender equality advocates and supporters across generational age; regions, and with a view to amplify and raise the voice of the women in informal economies
• To increase public’s awareness around the CSW processes as well as the various national social protection systems and policies and infrastructure programs
• To encourage public’s involvement in the entire VNR on SDGs in Cameroon4. Expected Results

4. Expected Results

• Increased understanding and enhanced capacities around the CSW63 theme, VNR processes as well as other women’s [human] rights instruments including the national social policy programmes, documents, and infrastructural investments.
• Increased knowledge on approaches towards advancing social protection systems, access to public services and infrastructure investments that is sustainable and gender-responsive
• Adoption of an action-oriented and gender inclusive recommendations directed to the Minister and all other related stakeholders
• A working group created to follow-up on the implementation of the CSW63 at all levels

5. Format

• Calendar and Proposed Activities:
  Series of activities would be conducted between the period of December 2018 to February 2019. Activities would be structured in three phases: The first phase being an in-person sub-regional mobilization and convening to be held across the country. And this is to run from December 2018 to January 2019 across some targeted communities. The second phase would be the National Convening to be held in Yaounde, the Capital City which will be commemorated by the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (Minproff). The third phase of this program would, therefore, be conducted on social media, where series of questions would be asked within a particular timeframe to the virtual audience, in a bit to engage the virtual participants in the discussions around the upcoming CSW as well as VNR process.
• Methodology
  The event will use participatory formats as much as possible, to create the opportunities for democratic, inclusive and diverse conversations on gender equality
  The events will use different types of formats for discussions: town-hall, storytelling, debates, interactive panel discussions; TED-style presentations etc. The event will be captured LIVE on facebook/twitter so as to provide opportunities for people in other parts of the country/world to participate through social media, live chats, and online questions.

6. Selection criteria
Interested candidates will have to apply for participation. Candidates can also be nominated/recommended. However, all participants must apply as participation would be strictly based on attendance. Candidates interested to make presentations will have to submit a copy of their presentation at least 2 weeks to the organizing committee so that they can review and endorse the presentation before the event. For more information on submission of presentation, contact the event management team at eventbooking@wfaccameroon.org

7. Participants
The National Women’s Convening on CSW63 will be attended by 50 - 70 participants, selected either based on recommendations or work in the field of women’s rights and rural development, as well as engagement in ongoing debates around the women’s rights with emphasis on grassroots women, SDGs as well as the vision2035. In selecting the participants, the criteria of geographical balance is taken into consideration. As participants would include:

• Rural women leaders, activists, and groups across the ten regions
  Representatives of major women’s groups, youth and development agencies and other stakeholders including CSOs working on/with rural communities and but necessarily headed by women; selected think tanks, academic/research institutions with experience of working on rural communities and women participation in policy analysis and development; Selected media practitioners
• The Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (MINPROFF)
• The Ministry OF Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT)
• The Ministry of Public Health (MINSANTE)
• A representative from the National Social Insurance Fund (CNP)
• A representative from the National Assembly
• A representative of the United Nations and other international agencies and organizations

8. Lodging and accommodation: Participants are advised to look for their own lodging and accommodation. Women for a Change WILL NOT cover any cost related to lodging or accommodation for any participant.

9. Transportation: Wfac WILL NOT reimbursed any cost related to transportation to any participant.

10. Feeding: Wfac will provide a standard meal to all registered confirmed participants. Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee to support those with special dietary needs for all. Consideration would only be given to those with diabetics.

11. Insurance: Wfac is not responsible for any insurance coverage of participants. This includes but not limited to travel and health insurance

12. Partners: Given the multilayer nature of this event, each activity is supported by a different partner in different capacities. However, the funding bodies include Oxfam and AWDF.

13. About the Host

• Women for a Change, Cameroon: Established in 2009, Women for a Change, Cameroon (Wfac) is a policy advocacy organization, grounded within feminist principles of equal opportunities and justice for all, and the respect of the autonomy of women’s bodily integrity. Wfac over the last eight years has effectively and successfully mobilized, organized, trained, advocated and raise public awareness on issues related to women’s rights and empowerment; provide women and girls with adequate information and knowledge to claim their SRHR, build their personal leadership, as well as self confidence and also being able to find the voice to speak out on VAWg. Most recently, Wfac held a forum on CSOs contribution to the national roadmap on the demographic dividend and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, through which it successfully brought together over seventy active and committed civil society participants and delegates including representatives from four government ministries as well as United Nations agencies. The national CSOs forum which later led to the establishment of a National Demographic Dividend Champion/ambassadors working with UNFPA in fostering and popularising the demographic dividend agenda. Given Wfac’s successful contributions in policy advocacy both at the national and global level, by bringing grassroots women and girls voices as ensuring their active participation in policy and development discourses, it is in this light that Wfac is delighted to partner with OXFAM, AWDF to facilitate the meaningful engagement and involvement of rural women and girls at the CSW62 discussions.
• About Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (Minproff), Cameroon: Established in 1984, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family (Minproff) has since been responsible for women’s affairs. It continues to take lead in drafting and implementing measures relating to the respect of women’s rights and strengthening guarantees of gender equality in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.

(All registration must be submitted by 23:59 (CAT) on January 12 at the latest)