Members of the ILA Committee on Feminism and International Law took part in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61)

Committee on Feminism and International Law – International Law Association

Members of the ILA Committee on Feminism and International Law took part in the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW61) deliberations and events which took place in New York in the period 12-24 March 2017.  Those present at various events and at various times included Ana Claudia Ruy Cardia Atchanabahian (Brazil), Patricia Conlan (Ireland), Marjory Fields (US), Oonagh FitzGerald (Canada), Anja-Riitta Ketokoski-Rexed (Finland) and Jill St George (Barbados).  Apart from the extensive formal and official proceedings, Committee members also attended NGO Parallel Events.  The Committee had again arranged to hold a parallel event (Contemporary International Examples – Women and the Changing World of Work) – reflecting the Leitmotif of CSW61.  This topic sits very well with the current mandate of the Committee, The Economic Empowerment of Women: Contribution of International Law.  CSW61 was seen as an opportunity to engage in an exchange of views within the Committee, and with others attending CSW61.

Unfortunately, the weather conditions worsened to the point that Committee members found themselves experiencing lengthy travel delays, travel cancellations and having to seek alternative travel opportunities.  Those affected were travelling from far afield – Barbados, Canada – and a guest speaker, Professor Outi Korhonen, from Finland.  In the end Professor Korhonen was advised not to travel as the blizzard conditions in the New York area had affected air travel to the extent that she would not arrive until after the event; the Committee remains deeply grateful to Professor Korhonen for her generous support and the time she had to spend ‘waiting in airports’.  Jill St George arrived from Barbados after many delays, and just some hours before the Parallel Event; Oonagh FitzGerald abandoned the plane option and arrived by train.  The efforts of the colleagues are very much appreciated.

Opening the event, the Chair of the Committee, Patricia Conlan drew on the title of the event to offer some brief, relevant examples from Ireland: (‘changing world of work’).  It was only after Accession to the EEC (now EU), in 1973,  that the ‘marriage bar’ experienced by women in the public sector in Ireland was lifted. This has resulted in a ‘delayed pipeline’ of  women leaders making their way up the ranks; this point (and context) was/were addressed in the Committee’s Report to the Biennial Conference in Johannesburg, in August 2016 (see ILA-HQ website).  Taking a general point, the difficulties experienced by working parents in finding good quality, affordable, accessible child care remains a problem in Ireland, reflecting a world wide situation in this vital area.  After the papers from the colleagues (attached), Anja-Riitta Ketokoski-Rexed offered some comments on the Finnish situation – much appreciated, as Professor Korhonen’s unavoidable absence left a gap from that part of the world.  After each paper the opportunity was taken to raise questions and to engage in discussion with the colleagues present.

In all, the determination of the colleagues to be present, despite the atrocious weather condition, and their stimulating papers and contributions, underlined the commitment of the Committee members to the work of the Committee  – both as expressed in the Committee’s mandate, and the Leitmotif of CSW61.  This is much appreciated.

Patricia Conlan, Chair, Committee on Feminism and International Law,  28-04-2017