(As reported on the Isis International website)

Following the Asia-Pacific Beijing+20 Review Conference, civil society organisations from across the Asia Pacific region expressed their disappointment at the regressive outcome document agreed by States at the intergovernmental meeting to review the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA).

“The Beijing Platform for Action is an unfinished agenda,” said Abia Akram, representing civil society organisations in the region, “We therefore regret the lack of progress on women’s rights and the rollbacks in commitments we have seen here in the last two days, despite the support of the majority of governments for an advancement in gender equality and the realisation of women’s rights.”

The collective statement was delivered at the Asian and Pacific Conference on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Beijing+20 Review, where States have been reviewing the Beijing Platform for Action, which is a global policy framework for the advancement of women's human rights and gender equality. Next year sees the 20th anniversary of the framework, and the review process is known as the ‘Beijing+20 Review.’

Reacting to the outcome document agreed by governments at the conference, civil society organisations highlighted three issues that need to be addressed if the BPfA is to be implemented in the post-2015 era:

The need for strong means of implementation to support the realisation of women’s rights and gender equality, with a focus on reform of all macroeconomic policies that undermine women’s livelihoods.

The creation of clear, measurable, time-bound targets and indicators for the ‘Critical Areas’ outlined by the BPfA and their strategic objectives, to which governments must be held accountable.

The post-2015 development agenda must reinforce governments’ commitments under the BPfA, as well the commitments made by governments in other regional and international processes.

Civil society groups however welcome the fact that UNESCAP enabled so many women activists and diverse voices to participate in the conference, including an active caucus representing women with disabilities. The contribution of civil society was positively noted during the conference Chair's closing speech.

We also welcome the strengthening of some areas included in the outcome, such as migration issues, women and the media, and women in conflict situations.

Prior to the intergovernmental meeting, more than 400 activists from 36 countries in the region met for the Asia Pacific Civil Society Forum on Beijing+20, to discuss and put together recommendations for States at the meeting.