Women of the Red Cross and Red CrescentThe Board of Governors had one female member, Viscountess Novar, of the Australian Red Cross.
“In the absence of the Secretary General who was ex-officio secretary of the Board of 30vernors, the
assistant Secretary General, Mrs. Grove, was appointed Secretary of the meeting”.
“Miss Fitzgerald a highly competent person was at the head of the nursing division of the League, and it was hoped that this activity would be developed to the utmost in every country”.
18th Session of the General Assembly
Three women were members of the drafting committee:
Two women elected to the Finance Commission:
Four women were proposed as members of the Youth Commission
Three women were proposed as members of Compliance and Mediation Committee:
One woman was appointed as member of the Election Committee:
From Governing Board Report
Under “Complementary action: promote a culture of participation, transparency and accountability”:
Under “The Federation’s Advisory Bodies and Youth Commission”:
“Intersectoral issues examined by the Advisory Bodies included avian influenza pandemic preparedness, food security and the role of women in promoting health. They also intend to discuss issues relating to climate change and migration at their next meeting.”
Under “Future work”
“While the development of the new workplan will be the task of the replacement advisory body, topics where there is work outstanding include “Food security” and “Women and Health”. The H&CS support the proposition to look at women in three ways: as decision-makers, as carers, and as vulnerable persons”.
On “Implementation and follow up as per work plan approved by the Governing Board a) Progress on Global Alliance on HIV”, under “e) Communications and advocacy”:
“Media colleagues have actively promoted and publicised our HIV programmes at Zonal launches, annually on World AIDS Day, and at other key events. World AIDS Day focused on leadership by communities, as well as the plight of women and orphans who are among the hardest hit. The Secretariat in Geneva marked the occasion with a Film Festival featuring selected HIV activities in Africa: home-based care in South Africa, home-based care in Kenya, and the “Filles libres” project in Cameroon”
Under “f Resources mobilisation”:
“To prepare for the Summit, a working group including the International Federation met to develop a framework for the advocacy agenda. The central themes identified include a special focus on women and groups in situations of vulnerability; sexual and reproductive rights; prevention, with the emphasis on positive prevention; human rights, with emphasis on criminalization and stigma; and access to treatment, care and support”.
Under “g Partnership with People living with HIV”:
“The central themes identified include a special focus on women and groups in situations of vulnerability; sexual and reproductive rights; prevention, with the emphasis on positive prevention; human rights, with emphasis on criminalization and stigma; and access to treatment, care and support”.
Under “h) Addressing gender”:
“The Special Representative on HIV re-energised the defunct Gender Task Force and commissioned a comprehensive review of the International Federation’s gender policies leading to some far-reaching recommendations that were published in January 2008 in the Gender into Programming: Gender Policy Review Report’
This is now influencing management thinking. As one result, a gender focal point position has been created in the Principles and Values Department. The GA on HIV was selected by the Gender Task Force to test approaches to gender mainstreaming. Special initial discussion on gender as included in the Annual Review of the Southern Africa HIV Programme in February 2008. For the first time, this generated considerable interest including on the issue of violence against women. In 2009, through broad based consultation and careful consideration of existing experiences, strategy for addressing gender issues within the context of HIV was developed for Southern Africa.
Experience has shown that the involvement of the elders can have an impact when they are motivated to act through home based care programmes to ensure that wife inheritance rights are observed. Currently Malawi Red Cross is partnering with UNICEF, the Ministry of Women and Children Development, Malawi Police Service, the Judiciary, and Ministry of Education to pilot the establishment of victims support unit at community level”.
From “Consolidated report – Working groups – Agenda item 14.2 – Strategy 2020”:
“Strategy 2020 should gain life and significance by being the point of reference for young and old, men and women of action in each and every one of our National Societies. Our millions of volunteers should feel that Strategy 2020 is their way of making a difference and tackling some of Solferinos facing our world today.”
Under “Item 10 of the agenda: Report of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Advisory Body”:
“The Advisory Body has been constrained in terms of the turnover of members, with more than 30 per cent of members joining the Advisory Body in the final year and two seats being vacant for a similar period. At the same time, it should be noted that in the orginal constitution of the Advisory Body, all members were men. The Chairman of the Advisory Body has tried to rectify this situation during the term by selecting female representatives as and when the opportunity rose.”
“Complementary action: consolidate the Federation of the Future and develop the new strategic framework”
From the “Report of the Secretary General”:
“We are working intensively to mainstream gender awareness and sensitivity across all the IFRC’s programming, and are striving for greater gender balance and western Europe/rest of world balance at management level”.
“At the senior management level, I have brought in skills that were not present before, and have improved the gender and geographical diversity of the IFRC’s leadership without compromising its high quality.”
Five women had been appointed members of the Compliance and Mediation Committee:
Among “Challenges faced by youth worldwide” based on UN World Youth Report 2005:
“Girls and young women face particular challenges worldwide. Even if there has been greater awareness of gender issues among governments, equal access to higher education and labour markets continues to be a concern in some countries, negative stereotypes of women have continued to persist, both in old and in new media. Where there are limited resources, young women tend to be first to drop out of school. This leaves young women at a disadvantageous position in terms of acquiring employment or gaining access to the economic mainstream. In the context of poverty, young women are also most affected by HIV / AIDS infections and unwanted pregnancies, further weakening their status in society and undermining their ability to build their future. The new models of independence and autonomy for young women are particularly challenging for countries in which there are strong traditions that constrain young women’s participation.”
From “Overall analysis of the IFRC Global Youth consultation”: “Youth trends in the Red Cross and Red Crescent, 1. Youth volunteers, age range and gender balance”:
“1. Youth volunteers, age range and gender balance
“Main Findings and Recommendations” in relation to Youth include:
“To improve the youth policy it is recommended to include the concept of “gender mainstreaming” especially addressing the existing misbalance -in favour of males- at youth leadership positions in most of the National Societies, and a new section mentioning regional youth networks.”
“Health: Globally, young people are reaching adolescence at earlier ages and marrying later. Premarital sexual relations appear to be increasing. Although early pregnancy has declined in many countries, it is still a large concern. HIV I AIDS is the first cause of mortality of youth, followed by violence and injuries”.
On “Youth concept and context”:
“Conceptually, youth has been defined in the sociological literature as a stage of socialisation and transition to adulthood. At present, however, youth is being re-evaluated as a central and strategic phase inside the life course. This conceptual shift is required by the increasing individualisation of the process of growing up. Individuals determine their adult positions through a process of “negotiation” instead of simply following paths pre-defined by their social origin. This does not mean, however, that origin no longer matters. The individual’s capacity to negotiate successfully his/her transition is still strongly dependent on the cultural capital and the support provided by one’s family, as well as by opportunities and constrains related to gender and region”
The General Assembly approved a report from the “Governance Group on HIV/AIDS” including this paragraph:
“recommends to the Governing Board to continue the HIV/AIDS Governance Group’s role as a sounding board for the HIV/AIDS Special Representative of the Secretary General and for Secretariat Federation to undertake mainstreaming of HIV / AIDS, as well as to provide comprehensive advice to the Governing Board and to maximise PLHIV / AIDS representation and gender balance in the membership of the HIV / AIDS Governance Group”.
From: “Speech of the President” (Don Juan Manuel Suárez Del Toro Rivero)
“Our volunteers give us a realistic hope of improving relations between human beings. It is the volunteers who, through their altruism, make it possible to put an end to situations of distress: it is they who know by name the persons affected. And above all, it is thanks to them that the international community today is more aware than ever before of the great inequalities suffered by families and persons because of their origin, gender or views”.
From “Report of the Disaster Preparedness and Relief Commission”
“At the same time, the age old essential work of the International Federation in disaster preparedness continued in response to the ubiquitous, often unseen and neglected disasters that National Societies all around the world face on a daily basis; chronic food insecurity, droughts, floods, landslides, gender based violence, HIV, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases.”
“Conclusions – Recommendations to the General Assembly
The Advisory Body put forward the following recommendations to the General Assembly;
…
o Strive to ensure gender balance in the membership of the Advisory Bodies
…”
From “Report of the HIV Governance group”:
“2.4 Greater Involvement of People Living with HIV (GIP A) and Diversity
One openly HIV positive person participated in the meetings, and the group advocated strongly for the inclusion of diverse groups in the Federations HIV response. The silence of the organization on the inclusion of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people was challenged given our stated commitment to diversity, with a call to move beyond ‘tolerance’ to ‘respect’.”
“Lack of feasible and effective strategy for addressing gender issues – Gender inequality is fuelling the spread of HIV in many countries. It has not been easy to identify an effective and feasible strategy for addressing gender issues within the context of the HIV pandemic. Some lessons have been learnt in Malawi in the involvement of community opinion leaders. More work needs to be done to define a more feasible strategy that can be contextualized to different cultural setting”
“The Federation must continue to emphasise the tackling of gender inequalities, promote the greater involvement of people with HIV, and confront stigma and discrimination”
Among “4 Conclusions and key recommendations to the General Assembly”
“Maximise PLHIV representation and gender balance in the membership of the HIV Governance Group.”
Five women (of total 14) elected to Drafting Committee:
Women included among members of Board Working Groups:
“High level Implementation Advisory Group” (2)
«High Level Constitutional Review Working Group” (5)
“Governance Group on HIV/AIDS” (4)
“Masambo Fund”
“Ad Hoc Group on Volunteering” (2)
“Governing Board’s Group on Advocacy and Communications” (1)
“Governing Board Development Group” (1)
“Strategy of the Movement Group” (1)
“Governing Board Working Group on the Preparation of the General Assembly” (2)
“Governing Board Committee for the Memorial Medal” (2)
«Tsunami Governance Committee»
From the discussion of the “Framework for Action” in the context of the “Global Agenda”:
“Several participants highlighted actions to include youth and volunteers in decision-making processes and to strive for better gender balance in the composition of decision-making bodies”.
One woman elected to the Development Commission:
One woman was elected to the Youth Commission:
Four women were members of the steering committee for the midterm review of S2010:
Two women were members of the review team:
Two women were elected to the Finance Commission:
Three women were appointed to the drafting committee:
Three women were appointed members of the Committee of Scrutineers:
One woman was appointed to the Drafting Committee:
Two women was appointed to chair of a working group in the context of the “Federation of the Future” process:
The General Assembly drew up Terms of References for the Statutotry Commission, and included the following paragraph:
“To ensure that in all policy and programming recommendations, capacity building, gender perspectives, and volunteer and youth promotion/participation have been taken into consideration and that due regard is given to Human Resources implications.”
The General Assembly adopted a Declaration on HIV/AIDS, which included the following paragraph:
“Prevention
We will educate our communities on HIV transmission, facilitate gender equity and other behavioral changes. We will convey culturally sensitive, straightforward messages and promote life skills (e.g. communication and negotiation skills, and management of options including abstinence, mutual fidelity, and the use of condoms). We will promote access to services which prevent mother to child transmission. We will promote voluntary and confidential counseling and testing”
The General Assembly adopted a Policy on “INTEGRATING RELIEF, REHABILITATION AND DEVELOPMENT”, which includes the following paragraph:
“Use relief as an opportunity to enhance local capacities. Identify and build upon coping mechanisms, use local material and resources and take measures that regenerate livelihoods and local economies. There is a need to adapt programming to the socio-economic, cultural and environmental context as well as to understand gender-related needs. Employ participatory methodologies in assessment and programming”
The General Assembly approved (?) a “REPORT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WORKING GROUPS ON GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES, WITH PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON HIV/AIDS” which contained the following paragraph:
Acknowledged the existence of a solid basis for Red Cross and Red Crescent work against stigma and discrimination, deeply rooted in our Fundamental Principles and our policy framework. The Red Cross and Red Crescent must be open to all in every country regardless of race, religion, sex and their HIV/AIDS status”
One woman was elected Vice President:
One woman was elected to the Finance Commission:
One woman was appointed to chair one of several working groups on “Advocacy, Communications and Partnerships; Global Public Health Issues, with particular emphasis on HIV/AIDS; and Effective Volunteering”; as a part of “Defining the general policy for the Governing Board”
Two women were elected to te Disaster Relief and Response Commission:
Two women were elected to the Youth Commission:
Decision 6:
A Working Group on “Revision of the Constitution and Rules of Procedure of the Federation” contained no women but the GA decision mentions that it will be supported by Mrs Yolande Camporini (as well as Luc de Wever)
“DECISION 29
GENDER PERSPECTIVES
The General Assembly,
Recalling Decision 10 (Women and Development) of the 10th session of the General Assembly (1995),
Appreciating the approach taken by the Federation Secretariat to revise the 1989 Plan of Action on Women in Red Cross/Red Crescent Development by developing regional plans of action for the integration of a gender perspective in all programmes and organizational structures,
Acknowledging that gender relations are culturally specific and socially constructed and that gender perspectives need to be regarded as an important dimension of all Red Cross and Red Crescent activities rather than a separate issue,
Invites all National Societies:
Decision 38. Female Genital Mutilation: Text not included
One woman elected Vice President:
Two women appointed to the Drafting Committee:
One woman appointed to the Committee of Scrutineers:
One woman was elected to the “Advisory Commission on the Strategic Plan”
Two women were elected to the Youth Commission:
Three women were elected to the Disaster Relief Commission:
Six women were elected to the Development Commission:
One woman elected to the Health and Community Services Commission:
“DECISION 10
Women and Development
The General Assembly,
Recalling Resolution 22 of the XXVth International Conference of 1986 on “Development of National Societies as a Contribution to National Development”, Decision 23 of the VIth Session of the General Assembly of 1987 with the recommendation on “Women in Development”, Decision 33 of the VIIth Session of the General Assembly of 1989, Decision 23 of the VI lIth Session of the General Assembly of 1991, and Decision 37 of the IXth Session of the General Assembly of 1993 on Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development,
Taking note of the 1989 Plan of Action on Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development,
Acknowledging and approving of the work done by the Federation (National Societies and the Secretariat) on women and development since the last Session of the General Assembly,
Welcoming the active interest in and strong participation of the Federation (National Societies and the Secretariat) at the IVth Beijing World Conference on Women, September 1995,
Concerned about the increasing number and the deteriorating situation of women in the most vulnerable groups,
Recommends that National Societies and the Secretariat increase the integration of gender issues and the role of women in all operations and programmes, both in relief and development,
Requests that more emphasis be put on training within National Societies, the Federation Secretariat and its Delegations on gender aspects,
Urges National Societies and the Federation Secretariat to ensure full participation of women in all aspects of Red Cross and Red Crescent work, and to have a focal point for gender issues,
Requests the Secretary General to revise the Plan of Action on Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development with special emphasis on:
building gender aspects into all operations,
response to violence against women, especially in refugee and conflict situations,
income-generating aspects,
and report to the next Session of the General Assembly through the Development Commission,
Encourages all National Societies to allocate financial support in order to implement this Decision”.
[Elections and appointments not included in document]
9th Session of the General Assembly,
Birmingham, 25-28 October 1993
“DECISION 23, Strengthening the Role of the Federation in Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control” contains the paragraph
“Recalling that, in addition to General Assembly Resolutions on primary health care (1981 and 1986), a number of Decisions have been adopted by the General Assembly which focus on the prevention and control of vaccine preventable diseases (1985 and 1986), the problem of the mY/AIDS pandemic (1987, 1991), sexually transmitted diseases (1989),”
Decision 36 adopted the report on “Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development”
“DECISION 37
Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development
The General Assembly,
Recalling Decision 23 of the VIIIth Session of the General Assembly in 1991, and the endorsement of the 1989 Plan of Action on Women in Red Cross and Red Crescent Development,
Recognizing that women, and their dependents, make up the largest percentage of the most vulnerable globally,
Increasingly concerned about the particular vulnerability of women in disaster and conflict situations, and as refugees and displaced persons,
Noting that the Fourth World Conference on Women and Development will be held in Beijing, China, in September, 1995.
Urges all National Societies to take necessary measures to implement fully Decision 23 of the 1991 General Assembly,
Encourages the Federation to take part in the Fourth World Conference on Women and Development, to be held in Beijing, China, in September 1995, and related preparatory meetings, as well as to undertake special activities in this regard,
Invites Governments to facilitate the participation of National Societies in national level discussions related to the 1995 World Conference on Women and Development,
Requests the Secretary General to prepare a progress report for the next General Assembly on the implementation of this Decision”.
Two women appointed to the Committee of Scrutineers:
Two women appointed/elected Vice Presidents:
Three women elected to the Youth Commission:
Three women elected to the Development Commission:
[Possibly additional women on the Health Commission, the members of which all are “Dr”]