How does austerity impact on women’s human rights?

Event Date: Tuesday 4th December 2018

NYU London, 6 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA, 10am – 12.00pm

DebtHuman Rights
Update

Following on from the below panel discussion that took place, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky has now published his Guiding Principles on Human Rights Impact Assessment of Economic Reforms

A video recording of the event and copies of the speakers remarks can be found here.


The Independent Expert on foreign debt and human right focused his thematic report to the UN General Assembly, 73rd session (2018) on the links and the impact of economic reforms and austerity measures specifically on women’s human rights.

Join us to hear Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky present the findings of his report and discuss the conclusions and ways forward with a panel of experts.

Date:Tuesday 4 December 2018

Time: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm

Location: NYU London, 6 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3RA

Speakers:

Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky, Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights

Professor Diane Elson, UK Women’s Budget Group

Dr Angela O’Hagan, Chair, Equality Budget Advisory Group for Scottish Government

Misun Woo, Regional Coordinator, Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD)

Chaired by: Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson, Director UK Women’s Budget Group

The report of the Independent Expert aims at analysing the particular ways in which austerity measures, structural adjustment, fiscal consolidation and in general economic reform programmes, have a disproportionate impact on the life of women of all ages and what to do to address the negative impacts.

In this context, work by the Women’s Budget Group with the Runnymede Trust in the UK on the impact of austerity on BME women and WBG’s recent briefing on austerity and disabled women will also be presented and discussed.

Human Rights Council Resolutions 34/3 and 37/11 requested the Independent Expert to develop guiding principles on human rights impact assessment for economic reform policies and this report is one of the various building blocks.

The UN expert has mentioned in his report that “Human rights impact assessments, with a clear gender focus, can better ensure the realization of women’s human rights by addressing structural socioeconomic barriers.”

The event is free but booking is essential. Please contact emma.williams@wbg.org.uk to book your place or if you want to find out more.

Lunch will be provided.