Empowering Women, Ending Work and Descent-Based Discrimination: Pathways to Equality and Inclusion

Discrimination Based on Work and Descent (DWD) affects more than 270 million people worldwide, with about 15 million Roma and other diaspora communities in Europe, such as Dalits and Haratins. CDWD are regarded as the most vulnerable groups in terms of social, economic, and political development. They experience intersectional discrimination and oppression because of overlapping social constructs of ability, age, work, caste, class, ethnicity, social status, and gender. Many times women belonging to the DWD communities are left behind in advancing the gender equality agenda. CDWD women still face discrimination through social exclusion, poor access to education, public services and infrastructure. This results in CDWD women not only left out of the gender equality agenda but also in being able to advance their status.

However, State Parties and other stakeholders have taken some measures to address the issue. This side event will serve as a platform for dialogue among Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders to discuss national-level reviews conducted in 2024 on the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA) and the 12 Critical Areas of Concern. The event aims to share best practices, challenges, and innovative solutions from diverse national contexts. 

Objectives:

• Highlight national-level progress made in implementing BPfA commitments.
• Share lessons learned, challenges, and innovative practices from the 2024 national reviews.
• Strengthen dialogue and partnerships between Member States, civil society, and other stakeholders to address persistent gaps in achieving gender equality, with a focus on CDWD women

This event aims to spotlight the issue of diversity and inclusion of the rights of CDWD women. This event ensures that their lived experiences are highlighted at the international level, creating pathways for more inclusive and responsive global frameworks. The event highlights the critical need to address these overlapping oppressions and ensure equitable access to decent jobs, social protections, and opportunities. This event will bring together representatives from CDWD communities, Member States, and UN agencies to discuss strategies for advancing equality for CDWD women.

• Acceleration of efforts to include CDWD women in the global gender equality agenda. The event will highlight the gaps in current policies and advocate for more inclusive approaches that prioritize the women from CDWD. 

• Strengthened partnerships and collaboration among international organizations, governments, and civil society stakeholders to work together on CDWD women.

• Greater awareness and visibility of the unique challenges faced by CDWD women, particularly, Roma, Dalit, and other women in Africa.

• Formulation of concrete policy recommendations for national governments, regional and international organizations, and other stakeholders.

Wednesday, March 19, 2025  

2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET, Church Center of the UN, 8th Floor

Zoom https://theinclusivityproject-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Qhs5zNV7TnGxYDdOoIwxig 

Welcome and Introductions (10 minutes) 

Terezia Rostas, Welcoming Cultures, UK

Opening remarks (10 minutes) 

Paul Divakar, Convenor GFoD 

Keynote address (10 minutes)

H.E. Mrs. Suela Janina – Permanent Representative of Albania to the United Nations

CDWD Women Experiences on the Ground (30 minutes) 

Simona Torotcoi, ERGO Network, Romania

Queen Bisseng, GFoD Africa, Cameroon

Grijesh Dinker, NCDHR, India

Discussion: Attendees engage with panellists (10 minutes)

Summary of key takeaways and next steps for continued advocacy and collaboration (5 minutes)