ASEAN SOGIE Caucus (ASC) in partnership with Chinese Lala Alliance (CLA) and SAYONI conducted a workshop titled: “Engaging CEDAW and CRC: Regional Workshop to Strengthen LGBTIQ Engagement with the UN Human Rights Treaty-Bodies”. The workshop aimed to facilitate learning exchanges between activists, representatives of UN and other INGOs, on experiences and good practices in engaging the CEDAW and CRC monitoring and reporting processes.
The event took place in Bangkok, Thailand last October 28 to 30, 2016. There were around 25 participants from 12 countries/territories including, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.
During the first day, participants focused on the CEDAW. Anna-Karin Jatfors, Deputy Regional Director of the UN Women Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific gave introduction to CEDAW and how to engage with the CEDAW process to protect the rights of LGBTIQ persons. She stressed that in recent years the CEDAW Committee were able to include issues of LBT women in their consideration of state reports.
Dana Zhang, Executive Director of CLA discussed in detail the monitoring and reporting process, and highlighted potential entry points for civil society. Dana Zhang stressed that engaging the CEDAW reporting process goes beyond just submitting an alternative report but entails strengthening local collaboration for monitoring and advocacy. Meanwhile, Jean Chong, Director of SAYONI highlighted the importance of an intersectional approach in engaging the CEDAW, including by engaging with wider civil society organizations. Moreover, activists from Taiwan, Indonesia and Hong Kong about their experiences on engaging with CEDAW process in their countries.
During the second day, Hope Tura, the Regional Child Rights Governance Program Manager of Save the Children led the session on Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). She stressed that the CRC actually can be a good mechanism to address human rights issues especially related to gender diverse children.
On Day 3, Grace Agcaoili, Regional Child Protection Specialist of UNICEF, discussed UNICEF’s role in supporting civil society groups to engage the CRC reporting process. An example shared was conducting children’s consultations to enable their voices be heard by the CRC Committee. Grace assured everyone that UNICEF has a role to promote and protect the rights of all children, to proactively advocate against discrimination and to promote policy options that contribute to eliminating such discrimination.
At the end of the workshop, participants indicated their willingness to support each other in engaging the CEDAW and CRC.
