Protecting and Promoting Civic Space in Recovery: A Cross-Regional Study

The protection of civic space remains a difficult task in times of crisis; in many places, state measures to mitigate the impact of the pandemic have indirectly led to an increase in online and offline attacks, limiting the ability of women and girls to effectively participate in society and in decision-making. Across the world, civil society actors have fallen victims of reprisals, to the detriment of people living in poverty and exclusion, women and girls, young people, persons with disabilities, LGBTI people, indigenous peoples and children. The ability of women to fully and effectively participate in public life is further impeded by the silent pandemic of rising gender-based violence. At this parallel event, research and analysis from the Southern Voice Think Tank Network will offer a basis for a cross-regional discussion on current realities, presenting recently compiled data on the effects of COVID-19 on access to civic spaces from a gendered-lens.

The event will also offer an opportunity to discuss mechanisms within a long-term response to COVID-19 that could support gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. As we Build Back Better, we must ensure that our recovery embodies a whole-of-society approach to “leave no on behind” and catalyzes action towards the Sustainable Development Goals during this Decade of Action for Delivery. In addition to drawing connections between the CSW65 deliberations and the larger discussion over the past year of the necessity of preserving civic space as we shift to a more virtual world, the UN System, governments, private sector and civil society will have the opportunity to provide inputs and recommendations to promote inclusivity on the multi-lateral, regional, national and local levels, to prevent women and girls from being left behind.

Programme

Welcome, introductions and scene-setting:

Michelle Milford Morse, Vice President for Women and Girls Strategy, UN Foundation

H.E. Martin Bille Hermann, Permanent Representative of Denmark to the United Nations

Research presentations by Southern Voice members

Julia Pomares, Executive Director, CIPPEC (Argentina)

Pragyna Mahpara, BIGD Institute of Governance and Development (Bangladesh)

Grassroots perspectives

Hallima Nyota, Programs Coordinator, Youth Leaders Stakeholders (Kenya)

Michelle Jones, Research and Data Coordinator, ACCEDER (Costa Rica)

Moderated discussion

Closing reflections

H.E. Rodrigo Carazo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations

Moderated by Dustin Liu, U.S. Youth Observer to the United Nations.