UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON THE STATE OF WOMEN
(UNCSW)
News: Iran
removed from U.N. women’s rights body after protest crackdown; India
abstains on resolution
What's in the news?
● The
Economic and Social Council adopted on December 14 the draft resolution,
introduced by the U.S., on the removal
of Iran from the membership of the Commission on the Status of Women for the
remainder of its 2022-2026 term, citing its oppression of women and girls
in the Islamic Republic.
Key takeaways:
● The
resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 29 in favor to eight against -
Bolivia, China, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Russia, Zimbabwe and 16
abstentions, including by Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Mauritius, Mexico, and
Thailand.
● India has abstained
in the U.N. Economic and Social Council on a draft resolution to oust Iran from
the principal global intergovernmental body dedicated to the promotion of
gender equality and women empowerment.
UNCSW:
● The
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the
promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women.
● A
functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was
established by the ECOSOC resolution of June 1946.
Members:
● The
Commission comprises 45 Member States of
the United Nations.
● The
commission consists of one representative from each of the 45 member states
elected by the Economic and Social Council on the basis of equitable
geographical distribution.
● Members are elected for a
period of four years.
Go back to basics:
ECOSOC:
● United
Nations Economic and Social Council is one
of the six principal organs of the United Nations.
● ECOSOC
is responsible for following processes such as
○ Promoting
higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress.
○ Identifying
solutions to international economic, social and health problems.
○ Facilitating
international cultural and educational cooperation.
● It
is the UN's central platform for reflection, debate and innovative thinking on
sustainable development.
Members:
● It
has 54 members, elected by the
General Assembly for overlapping three-year
terms.