Introduction

The International Alliance of Women is the oldest existing international women’s organisation established at the turn of the 19th/20th century. Originally a part of the International Council of Women, in 1902 it came into being as the women founding it believed that the International Council of Women was insufficiently radical and too ‘establishment’. Then, in turn, in 1919, a group of members exited the International Alliance of Women – ironically deeming IT ‘too establishement’ and insufficiently radical: although IAW was opposed to war and ‘for’ peace, the exiting group of women founded WILPF – Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom – seeing peace and freedom as inextricably intertwined. WILLPF women believed peace was the major cause for which to struggle and that concentration upoon other aspects of rights and freedoms was a diversion from the centrality of the ‘peace and freedom’ aim.

Almost a century later, in September 2013, IAW held its three-year Congress in London at Lincoln’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court housing members of the English Bar. The Congress was held in the main hall and environs, surrounded by portraits of ‘very important men’ – judges, barristers, queen’s and king’s counsel … As these portraited men looked down upon the women gathered beneath then, voicing uproar and outrage at the ravages wrought by warring in Syria, denial of rights to children born but not formally registered so running the risk of being ‘seen’ as non-existent, the oppression, damage and destruction lying at the base of child marriage, the importantce of ecological balance and taking action to undo the damage of climate change … what would these men have thought? Would it ever have entered their comprehension, when they lived, that one day these hallowed halls would be filled with the sound of women’s feet and laughter, that the walls would be assailed by women’s voices, women’s support for one another and for changing the world? Would they ever have thought that resolutions would be passed by women – articulate, angry, compassionate, forthright, brave, courageous, indomitable?

Whatever their thoughts, whatever their comprehension, Lincoln’s Inn was the site for energy-filled resolutions composed and passed by women determined to fulfill the hopes of the women going before them – that together, working soundly and with wisdom, women can change the world. Women will change the world.

Resolutions – 36th Congress IAW

The 36th Congress of the International Alliance of Women (IAW) taking place in London, from 8th to 14th September 2013 adopt the following resolutions – (continued from Pt 1)

VII.

How to end hunger- the right to food

In the light of the IAW seminar on hunger and food security based upon the book ‘How to end hunger in the time of crisis’ written by Ignacio Trueba and Andrew McMillan

IAW calls upon its members to urge their governments

• To work towards the eradication of hunger and poverty in the shortest possible time and
• To set in place programs and projects to implement their commitments to do so.

Moved by Bettina Corke, IAW permanent representative to FAO

Seconded by: Lyda Verstegen, President of IAW

VIII.

Women – Visibility and Input

IAW

• Noting that women were underrepresented as speakers at the Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy 2012 with 15 men and one woman in the opening session.
• Noting that in spite of action by INGO Freely Constituted Equality Group, women are again underrepresented as speakers in the November 2013 World Forum for Democracy with men only,and no women, in the opening session.

Concludes that this is in contradiction of Council of Europe official policy ‘to make equality in law a reality in fact’ and unacceptable.

IAW therefore:

• Urges those responsible for the World Forum for Democracy, including the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers and its Secretary General, to urgently rectify the situation
• Calls upon the members of the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly to ensure that in future an equal representation of women and men is guaranteed.

Moved by Anje Wiersinga, IAW permanent representative to CoE

Seconded by: Jessica Kehl-Lauff, adf/svf

IX.

Ratification of the Istanbul Convention

The Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women including domestic violence (Istanbul Convention) will only come into effect after having been ratified/acceded to by 10 member States (it is also open for ratification/accession by non-European countries)

IAW therefore urges its members to lobby their governments and parliaments to ratify or accede to this important convention.

Moved by Anje Wiersinga, IAW permanent representative to CoE Seconded by: Hana Elroy

X

Women and the Economic /Financial Crisis

IAW,

Recalling resolution 10 on the above subject adopted by the 35th Congress of the International Alliance of Women in South Africa in 2010 and in light of the ongoing economic/financial crisis that affects women much more than men, as illustrated by statistical and research data provided by Diane Elson, professor at the University of Essex, as well as other sources

calls on its member organizations to lobby their governments and regional and international authorities

a) for the integration of a strong gender equality perspective in all recovery programmes

b) for equal participation of women in decision making at the highest levels (preferably through the adoption of quotas) in the formulation and implementation of all policies, in particular economic/financial and in the corporate/private sector, in order to rectify the negative effects of these policies on women wherever they exist

c) for the elaboration and implementation of macro-economic policies that respect human rights and gender equality

decides to proceed to capacity building on feminist economics of its members to enable them to undertake important actions on these issues.

Moved by Joanna Manganara, Vice President for Europe IAW

Seconded by Margunn Bjørnholt

XI

• Increase the understanding on the dramatic impacts of climate change on women all over the world across the IAW
• Increase the participation of   IAW members in the climate change decision making processes at international   and national levels
• Build capacity on climate   change, to enable meaningful and effective participation

Rationale

It is especially important that IAW is part of the conversation on climate change policy, because the UNFCCC processes will have tremendous implications for women’s rights, human rights, and international development. Parties under the UNFCCC are currently negotiating a universal agreement on climate change that is scheduled to be adopted at COP 21 in Paris in 2015, and will take effect beyond 2020. Furthermore, countries are preparing national action plans on adaptation and mitigation, and public finance and private investments going into climate change programmes will be significantly scaled up.

Moved By Natalia Kostus, IAW representative to the UN, New York

Seconded Ida Kurth

Decision

By

The 36th Congress of the International Alliance of Women (IAW) taking place in London, from 8th to 14th September 2013 adopts the following decision:

IAW intends to review CONGO performance and its own membership to CONGO at its 37th Triennial Congress.

Lene Pind (c) 03 October 2013

Introduction – Jocelynne A. Scutt (c) October 2013