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 Conference 6th February 2001 Monica Mhoja Land
& Property Rights of Widows: Case Study of Inheritance Customary
Laws in Tanzania
İEmpowering
Widows |
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Widows without Rights Conference
Mary
Robinson United
Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Angela E. V. King Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women Noeleen Heyzer Executive Director, UNIFEM Yakin Ertürk Director, UN Division for the Advancement of Women Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother: The Rt. Hon. Lord Woolf Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss President of the Family Division, Royal Courts of Justice Cherie Booth QC 10 Downing Street Message
from Mary Robinson, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Geneva:
"I would like to extend greetings to all involved in this important meeting, the first international conference to specifically address the human rights of widows… "One of the objectives I have set myself since I took office is to place greater emphasis on economic, social and cultural rights which have tended to be neglected in the past… All human rights programmes with a gender component should include an assessment of the situation of widows and their access to economic and social rights. My office is aware of the need for legal redress for rights violated during conflict situations, and for all women to have access to land, property, pensions and health insurance. "Widows belong to all ages. They may be elderly women, but many are young mothers and there are also child widows… The stigma of widowhood can affect not only widows but also their children. Children may be deprived of shelter, food, health, education. They may be vulnerable to violence… "To break the cycle of violence and discrimination against women it is vital to change attitudes both within governments and administrations and throughout society. That means changing attitudes of both men and women. Without a voice in decision-making, women have no access to resources. Without access to resources and to the institutions that shape social norms and attitudes, women will continue to be marginalized. To sustain these efforts and to change attitudes, women need support networks and the solidarity of the international community… "Last year however there were some important development at the international level which have a bearing on widows' human rights. Last April the Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution on women's equal ownership of, access to and control over land and their equal rights to own property and to adequate housing… The Commission on Human Rights has also encouraged Governments to support the transformation of customs and traditions that discriminate against women. Governments were urged to take other measures to increase land and housing availability to women living in poverty, particularly female heads of households. "The Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women has reported on the impact of economic and social policy on violence against women. She noted that in many countries there is no legal provision enabling women to own property and she spoke out strongly in favour of measures to remedy this. "Last October, the United Nations Security Council for the first time recognized the impact of armed conflict on women. The Council reaffirmed that equal participation of women and their full involvement in all efforts for the prevention and resolution of conflicts are essential for the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. The Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 which urges Member States to ensure increased representation of women at all decision-making levels in national, regional and international institutions and mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict… "Let us hope that this is just the beginning , which will lead to the full recognition of the need to uphold and promote the human rights of widows and their children." Message
from Angela E. V. King, Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General
on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women:
"This Conference is a landmark event and will focus international attention on the dramatic increase in the number of widows worldwide owing principally to armed conflict, ethnic cleansing and HIV/AIDS. "The treatment of widows and their children in many countries is now a matter of concern to all who care about the status of women and the full attainment and enjoyment of their human rights… This is an issue which requires increased attention on the part of the international community, and the United Nations and its agencies. "I look forward to receiving a full report of your deliberations and recommendations. These and other recent reports will form the basis of our efforts to ensure that this issue will be addressed by Governments, the United Nations and its institutions dealing with gender equality and human rights, and civil society including non-governmental organizations. As for myself, 1 will be working to ensure that this hitherto hidden injustice will now receive proper attention." Message
from Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director, UNIFEM:
"The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) extends its support to the participants at "Empowering Widows in Development" Conference. This Conference is timely in reinforcing the outcome of the five-year review of the Fourth World Conference on Women, which raised this issue as a priority and called upon the international community to focus greater attention on the widespread violation of the rights of widows world-wide. In the context of our efforts to advance the full realisation of women's human rights and the elimination of all forms of violence against women, the special concerns of widows are of paramount concern to UNIFEM. "This conference presents an important opportunity to further discuss the actions that are needed in order to address the spectrum of issues affecting widows. These include discriminatory land, property and inheritance laws, as well as cultural practices that undermine the basic principles of non-discrimination and equality reflected in international Conventions and agreements adopted by governments worldwide. The continued surge in violent conflicts as well as the spread of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which have led to a dramatic increase in the numbers of widows, further raise the urgency for action. A conference like this will provide the opportunity to highlight these issues, as well as come up with concrete solutions. Most importantly, it will help to bring visibility to the potential contributions of women. "I wish you the best of luck and look forward to hearing about the results of the conference." Message
from Yakin Ertürk, Director, UN Division for the Advancement
of Women:
"The issues which widows generally face and those encountered by women in developing countries are cause for serious concern. The situation of widows should continue to be featured on the international fora until they become firmly integrated into the policy agenda. The work of Empowering Widows in Development has contributed significantly to bringing these matters to the attention of the global community. The Division for the Advancement of Women is also committed to raising international and national awareness about the situation of widows. In this regard, a forthcoming issue of Women 2000 has been dedicated to the subject. "As you begin your work, 1 salute your endeavours to promote and safeguard women's human rights and 1 wish you a successful and productive conference." Message
from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother:
"Her Majesty wishes the Conference every success and hopes that those attending will share their experiences and find ways of living in peace and happiness in the years ahead." Message
from The Rt. Hon. Lord Woolf, Lord Chief Justice of England and
Wales:
"The holding of the First International Widows' Conference, focusing on Widows Without Rights, is an important milestone. In some parts of the world widows are among the most disadvantaged people in the community… I very much hope the Conference is a great success and that common strategies will be devised which will alleviate their plight. I congratulate all involved in this important event and hope their deliberations will have a constructive outcome." Message
from Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, President of the Family Division,
Royal Courts of Justice:
"The plight of widows in many parts of the world needs to be widely known and encouragement given to make sure that not only are they helped and protected in the countries where there are the greatest abuses, but also we in more advanced countries do not sit complacently while our own laws and procedures may well be inadequate to meet the needs of all widows. I wish EWD well and hope that the Conference will result in greater understanding and greater enthusiasm to carry on the important message that your organisation is endeavouring to push around the world." Message
from Cherie Booth QC, 10 Downing Street
"I congratulate Empowering Widows in Development for convening this important meeting and publicising this most hidden area of women's human rights violations. "As a human rights lawyer I am well aware that while many countries have ratified international human rights treaties and conventions and received them into domestic law (as we have here with the Human Rights Act of October 2000), much more needs to be done to enforce reformed laws at local levels to the benefit of women. I send my best wishes for a most successful conference, which I hope will greatly help to ensure that widows and their children enjoy their human rights." |
