A/HRC/39/34
further efforts might be needed. Many experts expressed concerns about the disconnect
between the discussions held in New York and in Geneva, in particular in the framework of
the high-level political forum on sustainable development and the human rights
mechanisms, but also with respect to other United Nations entities based in New York and
Geneva. One expert pointed out the lack of synergies among the global forums where
discussions on the 2030 Agenda were held, for example, between the United Nations
human rights mechanisms based in Geneva, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
based in New York and regional conferences on women, population and development.
Strengthening synergies and coherence among the approaches adopted by different United
Nations treaty bodies might also be useful.
43.
Experts also acknowledged the need for the United Nations human rights
mechanisms to further develop guidance on certain issues, such as women’s access to and
control over resources, the human rights responsibilities of business enterprises and the
extraterritorial obligations of States, including those of developed countries. Gender
analysis should be further mainstreamed throughout the work of the human rights
mechanisms, in particular for mechanisms without specific mandates on women’s rights. In
order to make that happen, the mechanisms would need to receive more information on
relevant issues. Civil society organizations, including women’s rights organizations,
national human rights institutions and other actors would need to be supported in generating
and reporting such information to the United Nations human rights mechanisms.
VII. Conclusions and recommendations
44.
There was a consensus during the expert meeting that gender equality and the
human rights of women and girls were critical to all three dimensions — economic,
social and environmental — of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and
that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda should advance gender equality and the
full enjoyment of human rights by all women and girls. The realization of gender
equality and the rights of women and girls were crucial elements for the achievement
of the Sustainable Development Goals, including those relevant to the management of
resources and production and to climate action.
45.
Harnessing the demographic dividend would be a crucial element for achieving
sustainable development. However, that could not be done without ensuring the
enjoyment of human rights by women and girls, in particular their sexual and
reproductive health and rights.
46.
The experts suggested that strategic entry points to integrate a gender
dimension in efforts to achieve various Sustainable Development Goals could be
interventions addressing the elimination of gender-based violence against women,
including harmful practices; the equal distribution of unpaid domestic work; the
elimination of harmful gender stereotypes and associated stigma; and the realization
of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
47.
The experts underscored that women and girls were not a homogenous group
and that it was crucial to focus on the most marginalized groups of women and girls
who faced intersecting forms of discrimination, including young and older women.
Furthermore, it was highlighted that gender equality should mean equality among all
genders, including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and non-binary
persons. While challenges for capturing diversity were recognized, the experts agreed
that if certain groups were not counted they would be made invisible and left behind
in the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
48.
The experts acknowledged that gender-responsive indicators would be
necessary for all the Sustainable Development Goals. In order to measure impacts on
gender equality and women’s rights, it was suggested to measure changes directly
associated with the root causes of gender inequality in the following areas: roles and
responsibilities; resource access and control; participation and decision-making;
social norms; and institutional change. Such measurement should encompass not only
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