15 March 2018 12.00 – 13.30 Room XXVII, Palais des Nations, Geneva

On 7 March 2018, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women adopted the first general recommendation by a human rights treaty-body that is focused on the issue of disaster risk reduction and climate change. General Recommendations are considered soft law, an authoritative interpretation of the treaty norms they reflect upon. They may be cited by courts and used by governments seeking to ensure their policies and actions comply with their treaty obligations.

This event will bring together experts and practitioners to discuss the content of General Recommendation 37 and its application. Representatives of CEDAW, UN Women, OHCHR, Fiji and civil society will participate in a panel introducing the General Recommendation that will be followed by an interactive dialogue. Participants will be asked to reflect on practical applications of the general recommendation and next steps for implementation including the ongoing monitoring role of CEDAW and relevant entry points in national and international laws and policies.

Moderator:

• H.E. Ambassador Nazhat Khan, Permanent Representative of Fiji to UNOG

• Introduction to CEDAW GR 37 – Nahla Haidar, Chair, Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction, Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women

Discussants:

• Kate Gilmore, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, OHCHR

• Christine Löw, Director, UN Women Liaison Office in Geneva

• Kirsi Madi, Director, UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

• Jemilah Mahmoud, Under Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

• Lucy McKernan, Geneva Representative, Global Initiative for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights