A/HRC/29/35
undertaking measures of reactive solidarity, as well as preventive solidarity,23 are of critical
importance in minimizing adverse impacts on the exercise and enjoyment of human rights.
29.
During the Millennium Summit in 2000, States resolved to, inter alia, promote
gender equality and the empowerment of women as effective ways to combat poverty,
hunger and disease and to stimulate development that is truly sustainable; to combat all
forms of violence against women; and to implement the Convention on the Elimination of
All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 24 Eradication of poverty based on sustained
economic growth, social development, environmental protection and social justice requires
the involvement of women in economic and social development, and equal opportunities
and the full and equal participation of women and men as agents of, and not just as the
beneficiaries of, people-centred sustainable development (Beijing Declaration, para. 16).
The General Assembly, in its resolution 66/216 on women and development, recognized
the mutually reinforcing links between gender equality and poverty eradication, and the
achievement of all of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the need to elaborate
and implement, where appropriate, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders,
comprehensive gender-sensitive poverty eradication strategies to address social, structural
and macroeconomic issues. In paragraph 10 of resolution 66/216, the General Assembly
urged the donor community, Member States, international organizations including the
United Nations, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and other
stakeholders to strengthen the focus and impact of development assistance, targeting gender
equality and the empowerment of women and girls through gender mainstreaming, the
funding of targeted activities and enhanced dialogue between donors and partners, and also
to strengthen the mechanisms needed to measure effectively the resources allocated to
incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of development assistance. The resolution
brings to the fore the need for international solidarity between States that enter into
international cooperation, which should be based on equal partnerships and mutual
commitments and obligations taking into account the best interests of the constituents in
their jurisdictions, on the basis of equality and non-discrimination, in accordance with
international human rights principles and standards.
30.
The Social Protection Floor Initiative (SPF Initiative), established in 2009 by a
coalition of United Nations agencies and development partners extending beyond the
United Nations, promotes universal access to social transfers and services as a means of
reducing poverty and inequality. It is predicated on the results of various studies showing
that a basic floor of social transfers is affordable in all countries at all stages of economic
development, although the least developed countries may need initial assistance from the
donor community.25 The initiative transcends the mandate of any individual United Nations
agency, and it is logical therefore that it is being implemented through a coherent, systemwide approach. The optimal use of experts, resources and logistical support is ensured
through joint United Nations country responses, with each United Nations agency
contributing to the initiative in its respective area of expertise. This system of operations is
a collective endeavour aimed at a common outcome that will impact on the realization of
human rights.
31.
The social protection floor consists of a basic set of transfers, either in cash or in
kind, to provide a minimum income and livelihood security for all; and the supply of an
essential level of goods and social services such as health, water and sanitation, education,
23
24
25
12
Preventive solidarity is another key feature of international solidarity, with reactive solidarity its other
side. The key features of international solidarity will be discussed in a forthcoming report.
General Assembly resolution 55/2 on the United Nations Millennium Declaration.
See http://www.ilo.org/secsoc/information-resources/publications-and-tools/Workingpapers/lang-en/index.htm.
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