Oxfam South Africa Engagements at CSW68

About CSW and Context

The UN Commission on the Status of Women holds a yearly two-week meeting to discuss and commit to actions that further women’s progress, as per prior goals. This principal body is devoted solely to gender equality and women’s empowerment and is the UN’s largest annual gathering. Oxfam uses this event to contribute to the final document and to network with global partners to promote feminist financial policies among nations.

The 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) took place in New York City from March 11 to 22. It focused on themes like accelerating gender equality and empowerment by addressing poverty and enhancing institutions and financing with a gender perspective. It also reviewed social protection, public services, and sustainable infrastructure for women’s empowerment, and discussed artificial intelligence’s impact on gender equality.

Oxfam’s policy priorities at CSW68 included fighting poverty and gender inequality through feminist financing and challenging austerity. Oxfam aimed to urge financial institutions and governments to adopt feminist economic policies. Advocacy points included gender-transformative aid, progressive taxation for gender equality, and enforcement of decent work and wages for women, especially in care work.

Oxfam’s goals at CSW68 were to influence the Outcome Document to reflect feminist financial policies, raise visibility for gender justice and rights, build alliances for global feminist economic justice, and align with Oxfam’s campaign #HerMoneyMatters which advocates for economic changes supporting a feminist future.

Events and Side Events at CSW68

Launch of the Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WIDEF)

On Tuesday, March 12th, the much-anticipated Women in the Digital Economy Fund (WIDEF) was unveiled at Convene, 101 Park Avenue in New York. The event, which began at 12:30 PM with a presentation and discussion, marked a major step toward bridging the gender digital divide.

The WIDEF has been established with a clear vision to enhance women’s economic stability and growth by promoting and enlarging proven, impactful strategies that bolster their participation in the digital world. The fund is particularly aimed at transforming digital ecosystems to become more inclusive, allowing not only women but also other marginalised groups—including youth, the disabled, indigenous communities, LGBTQI+ individuals, and those in rural areas—to safely and affordably engage online in meaningful ways.

During the launch, the WIDEF Consortium proudly announced the availability of its initial round of grant funding. These grants are targeted at entities deeply rooted in their communities, those with a track record of fostering gender equality, and those contributing to the digital inclusion of women, girls, and marginalized populations.

The funding is focused on scaling initiatives that:

1. Enhance women’s digital inclusion by facilitating access to and utilisation of digital technology.
2. Make a significant impact on closing the gender digital divide in specific contexts.
3. Showcase economic sustainability and potential for scalability.

This initiative represents a groundbreaking effort to ensure women’s active and equitable participation in the burgeoning digital economy.

WIDEF Fireside Chat with Onica Makwakwa

On the same day, at 3:30 PM, the WIDEF Fireside Chat added warmth to the conversations at Convene, 101 Park Avenue, New York. Led by Onica Makwakwa, the dialogue delved into the topic of integrating women into the digital economy, with a special lens on experiences from Kenya, South Africa, and India.

The panel comprised individuals at the forefront of advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion within the tech industry. The discussions spotlighted the particular challenges and triumphs encountered in these countries, providing invaluable insights into the work being done to foster an inclusive digital landscape.

The participants in the panel were:

1. Shikoh Gitau, the visionary CEO of Qhala
2. Karen Smit, who heads Specific Needs/Accessibility at Vodacom
3. Osama Manzar, the founder and director of the Empowerment Foundation

This engaging fireside chat not only illuminated the potential impact of the WIDEF fund but also underscored its commitment to prioritizing sub-Saharan Africa for its inaugural grant. The event was a key opportunity to shape the narrative around the fund’s objectives and the transformative effect it aims to have on the digital inclusion of women.

Hunger in a Heating World – Social Protection and Gender Equality

On Wednesday, March 13th, from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, a pivotal panel discussion titled “Hunger in a Heating World: Transforming Social Protection for Gender Equality” was held at the Albanian Cultural Centre Y Room. The event, deeply rooted in Oxfam’s revealing report, addressed the harsh reality of extreme hunger doubling in the world’s top climate crisis zones, with South Africa facing its own severe challenges of poverty, inequality, and hunger.

The panel acknowledged South Africa’s prioritisation of social development despite grappling with profound poverty, the exacerbating impact of COVID-19, and the ongoing climate crisis which disproportionately affects marginalized communities. While the country has made strides with social safety nets, issues like inadequate access to water, sanitation, gender-based violence, and human rights abuses persist.

The session brought together the Minister of the Department of Social Development, civil society representatives, and development practitioners to discuss these pressing issues. It offered a space for interaction with the panel and the sharing of best practices for fostering learning and practical solutions for comprehensive social protection.

Ms. Lebogang Ramafoko, Executive Director of Oxfam South Africa, served as the moderator, guiding the conversation through topics such as the significance of social safety nets for women in the SADC region, the fostering of an inclusive social protection net in South Africa by Minister Lindiwe Zulu (Social Development – South Africa, the implementation of policies for meaningful social protection by Ms. Thokozani Ndaba (Ntethelelo Foundation), and the promotion of intersectional approaches to development by Adv. Brenda Madumise-Pajibo (Wise4Afrika).

Acting from Love and Courage in Transformative Times

On Thursday, March 14th, from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, an inspiring panel discussion titled “Acting from Love and Courage: Transformative Strength in Critical Times” took place at 866 UN Plaza in New York. In a world rife with violence, loss from climate disasters, forced migration, poverty, and an atmosphere of fear and anger, the panel tackled the pressing question: How can we respond with love and courage in such polarized times?

The event recognised that women and girls harbour the potential to be visible agents of change, a transformation that starts within. The discussion focused on developing the inner strength necessary to lead with courage, love, and kindness. Such qualities in leadership are seen as essential to reinforcing the social fabric and strengthening institutions.

The session was moderated by Judy Rodgers and featured a diverse and influential panel, including:

• Lebogang Ramafoko, Executive Director of Oxfam South Africa
• Cindy Quesada Hernández, Minister of Women from Costa Rica, representing Latin America
• Dr Azza Karam, who has a distinguished background with Religions for Peace and as a cultural development advisor for the UNFPA
• BK Gayatri Naraine, the Brahma Kumaris UN Main Representative
• Roselyne Ubinas, a dynamic Youth Representative from the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the US.

This panel shed light on the transformative power of leading from a place of love and courage, emphasizing the importance of inner growth to navigate and shape a better future in challenging times.

Oxfam’s Meeting with the European Economic & Social Committee (EESC)

On Friday, March 15th, a pivotal meeting was held between a delegation from Oxfam, led by Lebogang Ramafoko, Director of Oxfam South Africa, and representatives from the European Economic & Social Committee (EESC), headed by President Oliver Röpke. The EESC serves as a bridge between European citizens, civil society, and EU institutions, promoting open and inclusive dialogue.

The meeting addressed crucial issues, with Oxfam South Africa’s Director providing key insights:

1. Pesticide Apartheid: Ramafoko highlighted the concerning practice of exporting pesticides banned within the EU to third countries, including South Africa, denoting this as a “double standard” in pesticide trade. These pesticides, known as highly hazardous pesticides (HHPs), are not approved for use in the EU due to health and environmental risks but are still being exported, leading to tragic consequences.
2. Human and Environmental Justice: Oxfam, backed by civil society organizations and UN human rights experts, calls for an urgent abolition of these double standards. The impact of this trade is profound, with South African farmworkers suffering and dying from exposure to 67 hazardous pesticides imported from Europe.
3. Corporate Responsibility: German corporations were specifically mentioned for their role in these exports. The meeting called for accountability and highlighted the necessity of ending such practices for the sake of global health and environmental justice.

Oxfam’s commitment to tackling this double standard was reaffirmed, aiming to foster greater health and environmental equity on an international scale. The meeting with the EESC was a step towards advocating for changes that could have a wide-reaching impact on communities vulnerable to the effects of these hazardous pesticides.

South African Delegation Debriefing Meeting

On Monday, March 17th, between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, a virtual debriefing meeting was conducted for the South African delegation to CSW68 and the official South African negotiations team. This meeting focused on reviewing the negotiation processes and discussing the probable final statement.

The session’s primary agenda was to provide the South African delegation with the latest updates on the Agreed Conclusions document Version 2. The team members had the opportunity to discuss and align their understanding of the developments and strategise on their collective response to the negotiations.

Transformative Action: Gender and the People’s Pact for the Future

On Tuesday, March 19th, from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM, a side event at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) titled “Transformative Action: Gender and the People’s Pact for the Future” was held at the Church Center, 777 UN Plaza. The session was set against the backdrop of the Summit of the Future (SotF) process, during which women worldwide are grappling with the consequences of violence, climate disasters, and forced migration.

The event, a collaboration between the Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UN) and Oxfam International, focused on discussing the SotF from a gender perspective, sharing innovative ideas, and shining a light on women and youth leadership, particularly from the global south.

Key aspects of the discussion included:

• The importance of giving a platform to the voices from the global south and youth.
• Addressing participation and inclusion and looking beyond 2024, considering sub-national financing and political strategies for the implementation of the Summit’s Pact for the Future.

The session was moderated by Soon-Young Yoon, with opening remarks by H.E. Ms. Leonor Zalabata Torres. Valuable insights were contributed by Lebogang Ramafoko on humanitarian values and the new social contract, Carole Osero-Ageng’o on the Nairobi Conference, and Chido Mpemba on the demands of youth leaders. The event concluded with closing words from Brenda Mofya of Oxfam International.

Oral Presentation of the Oxfam Confederation Statement for CSW68

On Tuesday, March 19th, at 3:00 PM, Lebogang Ramafoko, the Executive Director of Oxfam South Africa, presented the Oxfam Confederation’s oral statement during the CSW68 General Discussion at the UN Headquarters. The statement addressed critical issues impacting gender equality and economic justice worldwide, emphasising the increasing global inequality, poverty, and the challenges faced by women, girls, and gender non-binary individuals in economic systems worldwide.

Key highlights from the presentation included:

• Global Inequality and Poverty: Oxfam expressed deep concern over the escalating global inequality and poverty, noting the widening economic divides both between and within countries.
• Financial Systems and Gender Inequality: The statement critiqued current financial systems for failing to protect the rights and welfare of women, girls, and gender non-binary people. It highlighted how these systems perpetuate low-paid, precarious employment for these groups, with minimal access to resources and an overwhelming burden of unpaid care work.
• Debt and Financial Policies: Oxfam pointed out that debt, regressive taxation, and austerity policies, often advocated by International Financial Institutions (IFIs), hinder the ability of Global South countries to fund public services adequately.
• Wealth Concentration: The stark contrast between the wealth of the world’s billionaires and the rest of the population was emphasised, with 81 billionaires possessing more wealth than 50% of the global population.
• Tax Policies: The presentation addressed issues of massive tax avoidance, inefficient tax breaks for corporations, and the under-taxation of wealthy elites.
• Value of Unpaid Care Work: Oxfam’s research was cited, stating that unpaid care and domestic work, if quantified, would amount to $10.9 trillion annually, surpassing the size of the global tech industry.
• Decolonial View on Care Work: The statement concluded with a call to view care work through a decolonial lens, acknowledging the global care chains and the migration of women from the Global South to provide care work in wealthier countries, often because of austerity measures in their home countries.

This powerful statement underscored Oxfam’s commitment to addressing the systemic issues contributing to gender inequality and economic injustice, advocating for transformative change at the global level.

Watch full oral presentation HERE.

Meeting with European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

On Tuesday, March 19th, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM, a significant meeting took place between a delegation from Oxfam, led by Lebogang Ramafoko, Director of Oxfam South Africa, and the European Parliament’s Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM), chaired by Mr. Robert Biedron. The session provided a platform to discuss pivotal areas of work in women’s rights, such as women’s poverty, violence against women, and sexual and reproductive health rights, focusing on labour market equality and gender budgeting.

Lebogang Ramafoko provided vital inputs from Oxfam’s perspective, specifically addressing issues of employment and occupation equality. Key points included:

• Labour Force Participation: In South Africa, only 54% of working-age women are either employed or actively looking for work, marking a slight increase over the last decade but still highlighting a gap in participation rates compared to men.
• Employment Challenges: Despite some progress, women are still less likely to be part of the labour force than men, face higher unemployment rates, and when employed, often find themselves in low-paying and vulnerable positions.
• Unpaid Care Work: A significant issue in South Africa, where evidence indicates women spend three times as many hours on unpaid domestic and care work as men, impacting their participation in the formal economy.
• Gender Inequality in Mining: The mining sector, a major part of Southern Africa’s economy, employs only 5% women, who are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence and historic gender inequalities.
• Progressive Moves: South Africa has made some strides towards gender equality, including the introduction of a national minimum wage and a comprehensive social protection program, which have benefited women, particularly in low-wage sectors like farming.

Oxfam’s Advocacy and Achievements

Oxfam’s efforts have been geared towards addressing human rights violations, promoting labour rights education, challenging unfair labour practices, supporting labour movement mobilisation in the informal economy, and advocating for policies that advance gender parity in parliament, public institutions, and workplaces.

The meeting underscored the critical role of continued dialogue and collaboration between Oxfam and legislative bodies like the FEMM Committee to further the cause of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment.

Official CSW68 Session Keynote: Caring in Crisis: Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Care Responsibilities and Poverty

On Wednesday, March 20th, from 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM, the United Nations Headquarters hosted an impactful session titled “Caring in Crisis: Exploring the Impacts of Climate Change on Care Responsibilities and Poverty” in Conference Room 12. This side event, organised by a coalition including the Governments of Mexico and Canada, the Global Alliance for Care, Oxfam, the Avina Foundation, the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development, the International Development Research Center, and UN Women, delved into the nuanced relationship between care work, intersectionality, and the climate crisis.

The session highlighted how climate change intensifies care work responsibilities and underscored the vital role of care work in climate action. Special attention was given to the disproportionate effects on indigenous, afro-descendant, migrant, and rural women.

Key insights from Lebogang Ramafoko’s keynote included:

• Decolonial, Feminist, and Intersectional Lens: Emphasising the need to view care work through a lens that recognises the historical exploitation of black, brown, and indigenous women’s labour in the colonial political economy.
• Continuing Cycle of Exploitation: Drawing parallels between past crises like HIV affecting family structures and the current impact of climate change on care work, suggesting a persistent cycle of exploitation and marginalisation unless addressed.
• Unpaid Care Work: Presenting Oxfam research that women and girls perform the majority of the world’s unpaid care work, contributing significantly to the global economy if valued at minimum wage, yet remain overwhelmingly in low-paid and insecure paid care roles.
• Rural Women’s Burden: Highlighting the extreme hours rural women in low-income countries spend on unpaid care work, directly impacting their ability to engage in formal employment.
• Global Care Chains: Critiquing the global care chains that exploit women from the Global South, who, due to economic pressures at home, migrate to provide care work in wealthier countries, often at great personal and familial cost.

This session brought critical attention to the intersection of care work and climate change, urging a global response that recognises the value of care and addresses the systemic inequalities exacerbated by environmental crises.

Oxfam’s News from the Region

Oxfam South Africa’s work covers South Africa, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and the Union of Comoros. In these countries, we support cities in building urban resilience and climate adaptation especially in areas impacted by climate change.

In partnership with Oxfam in Madagascar, four critical activities are highlighted:

1. In Morondava, cleaning activities with the community, distribution of EWS equipment and finalization of the urban greening spaces;
2. In Zomba, we are ready for the second phase of the afforestation
3. In Chokwe, a new bulldozer for the city to ensure the maintenance of the drainage combined with good infrastructure and proper trainings for a better sustainability;
4. In Moroni, a management plan for the drainage system and the rainwater harvest system is in place to ensure long-term maintenance.

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