A/HRC/33/68
interconnectedness between Goal 5, on gender equality, and Goal 10, on reducing
inequalities more broadly, pointing out that the former could not be achieved without
simultaneous progress on the latter. Elaborating on this point, she focused on three specific
targets of Goal 5: the elimination of violence against women; addressing women’s unpaid
work; and ensuring equality in the area of property and economic resources. She linked
these targets with some of the targets of Goal 10, namely, those on equal opportunities and
equality of outcome; fiscal and social protection policies for greater equality; regulation of
global financial markets and institutions; migration; and the implementation of the principle
of special and differentiated treatment for developing countries. Highlighting that the Goal
10 targets underlay the measures needed to reach the targets under Goal 5 by ensuring the
necessary fiscal and policy space, she expressed the view that, with the current global and
financial architecture, it was highly unlikely that the Goal 10 targets would be met.
55.
Explaining this perspective, Ms. Ghosh pointed out that current policies privileged
corporate rights over human rights, prioritized austerity (which added to women’s unpaid
work) and more generally served to restrict the fiscal and policy space countries needed in
order to put progressive policies in place. These policies also contributed to social
divisions, which fuelled anti-immigrant sentiments across the world. Goal 10 could not be
achieved without clear acknowledgement of the barriers that Governments faced in terms of
broader global dynamics.
56.
Responding to interventions raised in the discussion, Ms. Ghosh recommended that
Governments not insist upon or force fiscal austerity on their own citizens or on any other
country; prioritize public spending on services and social protection; not negotiate or sign
economic partnerships agreements that required strengthening intellectual property rights
that privileged companies and corporations over citizens; and emphasize changes in the
content of policies, and not take merely symbolic measures or pay lip service. Lastly, the
Human Rights Council should be aware of the disastrous political implications of the gap
between official declarations and people’s self-perceived reality, which could lead to the
rise of divisive political forces and instability.
57.
According to the Young Women’s Coordinator in the World Young Women’s
Christian Association, Vanessa Anyoti, sustainable development depended on investment in
the capacities and the well-being of young girls and women. Given the centrality of human
rights to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, she stressed that the full
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals would mean full respect for human
rights for all people. Within this context, it was crucial to ensure that human rights
discussions were inclusive and fully representative of all populations, including young
people. Ms. Anyoti underlined the need for awareness-raising and capacity-building among
young people to increase their knowledge, including with regard to United Nations human
rights mechanisms, working methods and outcomes. These actions were critical for
enabling young people to realize their role in monitoring compliance with the Sustainable
Development Goals.
58.
Ms. Anyoti stressed that including young people in the design and implementation
of plans and strategies for the Sustainable Development Goals was vital to more inclusive
development. To realize this, young people should have access to technical assistance,
infrastructure and the full utilization of information and communications technology (ICT).
Ms. Anyoti highlighted the importance of transparency in implementing the Goals,
emphasizing the need for accurate baseline data and for making the data on the
implementation of the Goals accessible and available to everyone. The support and
commitment of and action by all faith communities was a key to achieving gender equality;
she therefore urged faith-based leaders and actors to reassess cultural or religious practices
that were not aligned with faith principles or that undermined the dignity of young women
and girls. She concluded by pointing out that the present generation of young people was
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