BACKGROUND CSW Topic A: Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Wom- en Topic B: Women's Participation - IMUNA
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
BACKGROUND CSW
GUIDE
Topic A: Protecting the Rights
and Welfare of Palestinian Wom-
en
Topic B: Women’s Participation
2 0 2 1 and Role in Government
Email: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
My name is Swara Patel, and it is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to NHSMUN 2021 as the
Directors-General
Assistant Director for the Commission on the Status of Women Session I! This is my second NHS-
Rose Blackwell
MUN and first time as a chair. I have been participating in Model UN since my freshman year of
JJ Packer
high school and I am so excited to run this committee virtually with my co-assistant director and
Conference Services the directors of this committee.
Hannah Lilley
Alisa Wong Born and raised in India, I moved to Long Island, New York, from Mumbai at the beginning of
Delegate Experience my junior year of high school and have loved the experience so far (except the miserable winters).
Akanksha Sancheti I am currently a freshman at Macaulay Honors College at Hunter College double majoring in bio-
John Wood chemistry and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies on a premedical track. I credit Model UN with
developing my public speaking skills and fueling my passion for global health and human rights. I
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes also have a lot of non-STEM pursuits as a result, which include running my non-profit, The Period
Salmaan Rashiq Society, to combat sexual and reproductive health accessibility issues and improve menstrual health
in India, improving college access, being an EMT, and reading fierce feminist literature. I love to
Under-Secretaries-
General cook all sorts of cuisines in my free time, especially desserts and Indian fusion food, and binge-
Jon Basile watching Korean dramas.
Ankita Bhat
This committee’s topics represent some of the most pressing and ongoing challenges to gender
Beatriz Circelli
Caitlyn Johnson equality and women’s rights globally. Many of these issues have been exacerbated by the pandemic.
Patrick Leong Both the rights of women in Palestine and women’s participation in government are intersectional
Kathy Li issues that are affected by a variety of factors, including socioeconomic status, prevalent gender
Pablo Maristany de norms, access to healthcare, financial independence, and provisions at workplaces. The situation
las Casas with healthcare vulnerabilities and military conflict poses a critical barrier to Palestinian women’s
McCall Olliff full participation in society. Additionally, women are still underrepresented in a majority of govern-
Abolee Raut ments and legislative bodies worldwide in a time when inclusive leadership and diverse voices are
Pranav Reddy
more vital than ever.
Clare Steiner
Ann Williams In-depth research from credible sources is key to enabling you to represent your country effectively
and making sure that you can present feasible yet innovative solutions. The update papers are in-
tended to supplement your research by providing insights on how the issue has developed over the
past few months, in many cases given the added impact of the pandemic. Please do not hesitate
to reach out to anyone on the dais with any questions or concerns; we’re happy to help and look
forward to meeting you virtually in March!
Best,
Swara Patel,
swara.patel@imuna.org
Commission on the Status of Women
Session I
Email: info@imuna.org
Phone: +1 (212) 652-9992
Web: www.nhsmun.org
Secretary-General Dear Delegates,
Maura Goss
Welcome to NHSMUN 2021! My name is Ricardo DeLeon, and I am honored to welcome you all
Directors-General
to the Commission on the Status of Women as your Assistant Director for Session II of NHS-
Rose Blackwell
MUN. Although I have been involved in Model UN for four years now, this year will be my first
JJ Packer
time ever running a committee virtually, as well as my first time on NHSMUN staff.
Conference Services
Hannah Lilley I am from Atlanta, Georgia, and, more specifically, Suwannee. I am currently a first-year student
Alisa Wong at New York University, where I am double majoring in global liberal studies and Spanish. In high
Delegate Experience school, MUN played a pivotal role in shaping my love and regard for the humanities, especially
Akanksha Sancheti considering my high school was primarily STEM-focused. Ironically, I ended up graduating with
John Wood the disposition of continuing my education in the humanities rather than STEM. In my spare time,
I love to bring out my inner Flâneur in New York City or listen to relaxing audiobooks centered
Global Partnerships
Sofia Fuentes around Latine experiences.
Salmaan Rashiq I feel that the topics for CSW this year are not only profound but very relatable to the countries
Under-Secretaries- that you will be representing on committee day. For instance, the representation of women in law-
General making and law enforcement bodies varies drastically. Additionally, the crisis affecting Palestinian
Jon Basile
women is reminiscent of historical and current issues impacting women around the world, such as
Ankita Bhat
famine, interventions, and imposed embargos. Both topics are complex yet vital to understanding
Beatriz Circelli
Caitlyn Johnson more nuanced issues that involve diversity and inclusivity, anti-gender discriminatory measures,
Patrick Leong gender-bias, and segregation prevention. The CSW seeks to empower women by eliminating the
Kathy Li discrimination of women in all forms. Therefore, this committee will give you a topical introduc-
Pablo Maristany de tion to some of the same issues facing our world today.
las Casas
McCall Olliff As the conference swiftly approaches, it is important to remain thoroughly researched on your top-
Abolee Raut ics. When it comes to spontaneous topics, the smallest of updates can lead to major breakthroughs
Pranav Reddy in progress. I cannot wait for you to read this update paper. It contains useful, more recent informa-
Clare Steiner tion on the development of Palestinian women in the face of a blockade and the status of female
Ann Williams participation in government. I sincerely hope that this paper adds to your depth of knowledge, and
if you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our team. See you guys very soon on Zoom!
Sincerely,
Ricardo DeLeon
ricardo.deleon@imuna.org
Commission on the Status of Women
Session II
CSW 4| Table of Contents Table of Contents Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women 5 Women’s Participation and Role in Government 10 Works Cited 15
CSW
NHSMUN 2021
Topic A:
Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women
Photo Credit: Danielle Alma RavitzkiTopic A: Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women 6| Introduction The Israeli annexation of Palestine as a key topic of debate in the Middle East has persisted and gained new importance during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current global health crisis, coupled with immense difficulties posed by Israel’s occupation and gradual annexation of Palestine, has cre- ated a new set of socioeconomic challenges for Palestinian women to adapt to, exacerbating the in- equalities they already faced.1 The longer the stalemate between Israel and Palestine persists, the more Palestinian women’s conditions worsen. Many Palestinian women are wrongfully subjected to im- prisonment due to their alleged participation in resistance movements linked to the Hamas militant group. According to Palestinian officials, since September of 2020, approximately 4,300 Palestinians, including 41 women and 160 minors, have been placed in Israeli prisons.2 Women in Palestine face stigmas and poor conditions that cause frequent chronic mental health issues, with these issues only being exacerbated by domestic abuse and divorce. Sexual and gender-based violence against Palestin- ian women is a clear violation of human rights and is a key obstacle to the CSW’s goal to empower the rights and freedoms of women in all spheres of life. Therefore, a comprehensive and cohesive plan must be developed to address the slew of discriminatory policies that disadvantage and harm Palestinian women. Palestinian Women’s Mental Health prehensively addressing mental health. Moreover, a principal Ongoing political violence, displacement, and economic re- policy, Israel’s Administrative Detention Policy, has asserted strictions in Palestine continue to create challenges for wom- subversive and authoritative powers onto Palestinian men and en’s mental health. The stigma around mental health combined women alike.6 According to the Palestinian Prisoner Society’s with a lack of mental health resources in Palestine is one of estimates, around 4,400 Palestinian detainees were unjustifi- many key reasons women fear self-reporting mental illnesses.3 ably disrupted and taken to Israeli prisons without charge or A recent study reported that Palestinians are more prone to trial, 700 of whom were noted to have been suffering from developing anxiety disorders and Post Traumatic Stress Dis- not only chronic diseases but also the COVID-19 virus, and order (PTSD) because of the violence that has ravaged many 41 of whom were women.7 The conditions inside prisons in of their lives.4 The same study linked the mental deficits to Israel were already dire; however, the effects of the pandemic the effects caused by the conflict at hand, including “inconsis- heightened the existing unsanitary conditions in prison sys- tent availability of medications, absence of multidisciplinary tems as “sterilization materials and masks are not provided to teamwork, insufficient specialists, fragmented mental health detainees,” increasing the risk of contracting the virus. This is system, and occupation.”5 The lack of medical supplies and a catastrophic scenario for women and children who already services due to the blockade prevents access to necessary re- face chronic illnesses at a disproportionate rate.8 The situation sources while contributing to a culture that stigmatizes com- in Israeli correctional facilities is representative of the devolu- 1 “COVID-19 Risks Exacerbating women’s Vulnerabilities in Palestine, Warns UN Women,” Palestine News & Information Agency, May 7, 2020, https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/covid-19-risks-creating-and-exacerbating-women-s. 2 “Palestinian Women Allege Sexual Abuse in Israeli Jails,” Asia News Monitor, September 22, 2020, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle- east/exclusive-palestinian-women-allege-sexual-abuse-in-israeli-jails/1979979. 3 Amira Shaheen et. al., “Barriers to disclosure of violence against women in health services in Palestine: qualitative interview-based study,” BMC Public Health 20, 1975 (2020): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09907-8. 4 Mohammad Marie, Sana SaadAdeen, and Maher Battat, “Anxiety disorders and PTSD in Palestine: a literature review,” BMC psychiatry 20, no. 1 (2020): 1-18, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02911-7. 5 Marie, “Anxiety disorders and PTSD in Palestine: a literature review.” 6 “13 Palestinian Inmates Contract COVID-19 in Israel Jail,” Asia News Monitor, November 13, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coro- navirus-outbreak/13-palestinian-inmates-contract-covid-19-in-israel-jail/2040721. 7 “13 Palestinian Inmates Contract COVID-19 in Israel Jail.” 8 “13 Palestinian Inmates Contract COVID-19 in Israel Jail.”
Topic A: Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women
|7
tion of women’s mental health in Palestine, whereby women’s tinian women are married, their family and societal norms of-
poor psycho-social health has been intensified because of the ten pressure them to withstand domestic violence from their
global pandemic. husbands. This cultural norm is accepted by 50 percent of
Palestinian women.13 Domestic abuse has worsened since the
Israeli forces regularly capture women from the occupied Pal-
start of the COVID-19 lockdown in Palestine, as women are
estinian territories due to their political stances. Women who
now unable to leave their homes and often experience less
return from captivity are found to have experienced poor
frequent socialization that may allow them to find resources
psychological conditions such as isolation and torture. In the
or seek help.14 While some Palestinian women say that “quar-
case of Mays Abu Ghosh, a 22-year-old Palestinian student
antine” suggests being safe at home, for others, it is both un-
from Birzeit Universit, Israeli authorities captured and con-
healthy and unsafe15 Suffering abuse at home creates more
victed her for her political orientation. Accused of perform-
psychological trauma and traps women in unhealthy environ-
ing socially unacceptable democratic activities under her stu-
ments without access to communities of support. Women in
dent union, Abu Ghosh sustained substantial psychological
Palestine face mental health issues related to trauma and lack
and physical torture after being detained for a month at the
of resources, which are problems that the COVID-19 pan-
infamous Maskobiyeh interrogation center in Jerusalem.9 In
demic has compounded. Delegates should look to establish
Abu Ghosh’s words, she wanted to amplify what had hap-
links between already existing forms of discrimination and
pened to her so any Palestinian could know what to expect if
exacerbated problems that come as a result of COVID-19.
Israel arrests them.10 When tried in Israeli courts, Palestinian
men and women face a 99.4 percent conviction rate, meaning The Israeli Blockade’s Impact on Female Pal-
that if they are ever arrested, it is likely that they will have to estinian Cancer Patients
pay large fines or face conviction and imprisonment.11 While
For Palestinian women, breast cancer is one of the leading
men are more frequently arrested and imprisoned in Palestine,
causes of death.16 “In the Gaza Strip alone, it accounts for
women often face harsher punishment and more long-term
31.3 percent of all reported cancers occurring among Pales-
psychological issues due to stigmas that make their imprison-
tinian women with a prevalence of 149.1 per 100,000 wom-
ment and their post-imprisonment experiences worse.
en.17 Despite these numbers, Palestine still has yet to develop
Stigmas surrounding everything from divorce to domestic proactive solutions in response to the high death tolls. One
abuse in Palestine worsen gender-based violence and leave reason for this is a scarcity of mammography units, which has
women’s mental health issues increasingly unaddressed. Wom- caused the cost of screenings to skyrocket, often dissuading
en experiencing divorce in Palestine suffer isolation from their many Palestinian women from receiving examinations.18 Addi-
families, poor legal standing, and little economic opportunity. tionally, Israel’s isolationist policies have made it significantly
Divorced women are often blamed for their divorce and are harder for Palestinian women to access life-saving medical
more likely to experience chronic mental illness.12 Once Pales- equipment. The only routes to accessing cancer treatment are
9 Linah Alsaafin, “Palestinian student released from Israeli jail after 15 months,” Al Jazeera, December 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/
news/2020/12/1/palestinian-student-released-from-israeli-jail-after-15-months.
10 Alsaafin, “Palestinian student released from Israeli jail after 15 months.”
11 Alsaafin,”Palestinian student released from Israeli jail after 15 months.”
12 Abou Jalal, Rasha, “Divorced Palestinian women suffer discrimination, stigma,” Al Monitor, November 25, 2013, https://www.al-moni-
tor.com/pulse/originals/2013/11/women-palestinian-marriage-divorce-islam-sharia.html.
13 “Palestine,” International Men and Gender Equality Survey – Middle East and North Africa, accessed January 28, 2021, https://imag-
esmena.org/en/palestine.
14 Najjar, Farah, “ Domestic Abuse Against Palestinian Women Soars,” Al Jazeera, April 20, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/
news/2020/4/20/domestic-abuse-against-palestinian-women-soars.
15 Farah, “ Domestic Abuse Against Palestinian Women Soars.”
16 Suha Baloushah et. al. “Practice and Barriers Toward Breast Self-Examination among Palestinian Women in Gaza City, Palestine,” The
Scientific World Journal 7 (2020), https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7484631.
17 Baloushah, “Practice and Barriers Toward Breast Self-Examination among Palestinain Women in Gaza City, Palestine.”
18 Maskit Bendel, “More than Miracles Needed: Breast Cancer among Palestinian Women.” Bridges 11, no. 1 (2006): 33-38, http://www.
jstor.org/stable/40358047.Topic A: Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women
8|
through travel to nearby states such as Egypt, Jordan, or Israel, making it a critical issue for debate.24 Furthermore, the COV-
and even then, there is a slim chance that women will be able ID-19 pandemic has worsened both the blockade on Palestine
to find affordable and timely assistance.19 In the occupied Pal- and overall access to care for long-term diseases such as breast
estinian territories, laws ban women from receiving essential cancer. Lockdowns have affected women more than men, as
life-supporting equipment for illnesses such as breast cancer women are often forced to stay home with children and may
because the Palestinian Authority prohibits radiation therapy have more difficulty accessing healthcare and long-term treat-
in the Occupied Territories. Therefore, delegates must consid- ment. Cancer treatments have slowed, making it more difficult
er the nuances surrounding the imposition of the 11-year-old for Palestinian women, who already travel far for treatment,
blockade on Palestine, especially considering its consequences to access medical care. The degradation of breast cancer re-
on the health and rights of thousands of Palestinian women sources adversely affects women’s total lifespan, lowering the
diagnosed with breast cancer. overall employment prospects for young women in Palestine,
decreasing their participation in the Palestinian government,
The 11-year blockade on Palestine reduced medical care re-
and stifling their opportunity for development.
sources, increased the Palestinian mortality rate, and prevented
Palestinian women from receiving precautionary aid from the
Political Participation and the COVID-19 Pan-
outside world. Additionally, the blockade has created substan- demic
tial challenges for women in accessing treatment for diseases
and cancer.20 As of now, the availability and quality of cancer Local cultural practices in Israel and Palestine prevent Pal-
treatment afforded to women are lackluster and discontinu- estinian women from attaining positions in the government.
ous.21 While some parts of Palestine have thorough and wide- Diversity and inclusion throughout the Palestinian territories
spread screening and testing locations available, other parts of are nearly nonexistent, meaning that the government policies
the state are not as fortunate. Bedouin communities in “Area are not catered towards the rights and liberties of Palestin-
C,” a stretch of land in the West Bank that is under consistent ian women. Systemic barriers that impede participation inside
Israeli siege, has one of the highest rates of cancer deaths the government continue to rise for Palestinian women. These
among Palestinian women due to the political, economic, so- barriers have manifested in stringent cultural rules and regula-
cial, and cultural systems in Palestine.22 Figuring out how social tions, strict gender roles, and the international community’s
and cultural barriers to diagnosis can be removed from Pales- policy of halting finances to the Palestinian government to
tine, the West Bank, and the Gaza strip is essential, as cultural support women’s activities and programs in the Gaza Strip.25
norms that disrupt diagnosis and care have led to avoidable High political participation from women in Palestine would
deaths for women in particular. In 2016 alone, 643 out of mean a push for recognition of equal rights in accordance
the 1072 breast cancer deaths were premature and likely could with the law without discrimination by the Palestinian and
have been prevented.23 Over the past twenty years, the rate at Israeli governments.26 As of now, there are no legal protec-
which women are diagnosed with breast cancer has doubled, tions for women in government, and the heart of the problem
19 Bendel, “More than Miracles Needed: Breast Cancer among Palestinian Women.”
20 Bendel, “More than Miracles Needed: Breast Cancer among Palestinian Women.”
21 “Breast Cancer in Occupied Palestine,” Medical Aid for Palestine, accessed January 28, 2020, https://www.map.org.uk/downloads/map-
breast-cancer-fact-sheet.pdf.
22 “Breast Cancer in Occupied Palestine.”
23 Asad Ramlawi, “Analytical Mapping of Breast Cancer Care in Palestine: Current Services, Challenges and Recommendations for Improve-
ment,” United Nations Population Fund, July 2018, https://palestine.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Breast%20Cancer%20Report%20
Final_0.pdf.
24 Bram Wispelwey and Yasser Abu Jamei, “The Great March of Return: Lessons from Gaza on Mass Resistance and Mental Health.”
Health and Human Rights 22, no. 1 (2020): 179-86, doi:10.2307/26923484.
25 Shehab, Jehad, “The Role Of Palestinian Women In Political Participation During The Israeli Siege Imposed On The Gaza Strip, Pal-
estine,” Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, 2020; 2(1): 47- 61, https://aipublisher.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/
AJAHSS-2.01-47-61.pdf.
26 Jehad, Shehab, “The Role Of Palestinian Women In Political Participation During The Israeli Siege Imposed On The Gaza Strip, Pales-
tine.”Topic A: Protecting the Rights and Welfare of Palestinian Women
|9
lies with the fact that men predominantly control Palestinian interest of amplifying the unsettling issue of women-targeted
politics, with a clear bias in Palestinian political parties that violence, the network has even collaborated with “women
prevents women from exercising their full political and demo- members of the [Libyan] parliament.”35 Although Libya and
cratic rights.27 Palestine are two dramatically different states, Libya’s female
Like Palestinian women, Libyan women were excluded by peacekeeping team’s success in mitigating systemic gender in-
the peace process in their government. The UN’s response equality in response to the COVID-19 pandemic may provide
to gender discrimination in Libya may provide insight into insight into an effective solution for Palestinean women. Del-
an effective solution for Palestinian women seeking political egates should draw on themes from this Libyan experiment
representation.28 Libya, a state with similar gender-based cir- when considering the kinds of policies necessary in Palestine.
cumstances as Palestine, has augmented its peace process by
addressing the root of gender-based discrimination: Libya’s Conclusion
social norms.29 One organization working towards women’s
equality in Libya is The Libyan Women’s Network for Peace- A lack of healthcare and adverse political conditions continue
building, which is spearheading a movement in Libya to pre- to threaten Palestinian women’s human rights. The Commit-
vent COVID-19 outbreaks and mitigate the pandemic with tee on the Status of Women must work to build programs that
the help of female peacekeepers. Using online messaging plat- expedite the process in which medical supplies are distributed
forms, female peacekeepers created successful online meet- to Palestine, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as
ings to promote peace and safety in Libya. These meetings
many women depend on it. Palestinian women’s situation has
prepared women in Libya to adequately protect their families
raised serious questions about Israel’s role in furthering gen-
and themselves throughout the public health crisis and be-
der-based violence and gender discrimination through unlaw-
yond.30 As of June 2020, the violence prevention response
team, composed of women in Libya who had set aside time ful detentions and economic restrictions. The Committee on
from their schedules to meet up virtually to address this war, the Status of Women has recognized the atrocities occurring
was finally able to convene and discuss peace in a world also in Palestine and must keep the main perpetrators of this con-
inhabited by an infectious virus.31 According to UN Women, flict accountable for prolonging cycles of trauma. Palestin-
“you can hear the conflict just outside their doors [amidst ian women’s rights and welfare must be prioritized, especially
meetings], and electricity or cellular network outages are fre- because their psychological and physical welfare depends on
quent. Some members have to drive for miles to get a signal
the delivery of medical equipment, availability of peacekeep-
on their phones to participate in meetings.”32 Nonetheless,
ing, and access to rights and opportunities under Israeli oc-
women in Libya operated news sources and radio stations to
cupation. Until the fundamental human rights of Palestinian
quickly disseminate information to other fellow women expe-
riencing sexual and gender-based violence during lockdowns.33 women are dignified and uplifted, CSW must continue to en-
Some teams even worked with women and young female ac- courage its member states to provide assistance to help miti-
tivists and connected them to UN organizations to get them gate the marginalization of Palestinian women in all aspects
to safety and refuge during the slew of the pandemic.34 In the of society.
27 Shehab, “The Role Of Palestinian Women In Political Participation.”
28 “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya,” Atlantic Council, March 6, 2020, https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/menasource/
how-the-exclusion-of-women-has-cost-libya/.
29 “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya.”
30 “Connected by their phones, women peacebuilders lead COVID-19 prevention efforts across Libya,” UN Women, June 19, 2020,
https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/6/feature-women-peacebuilders-lead-covid-19-prevention-efforts-across-libya.
31 “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya.”
32 UN Women, “Connected by their phones, women peacebuilders lead COVID-19 prevention efforts across Libya.”
33 “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya.”
34 “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya.”
35 “Connected by their phones, women peacebuilders lead COVID-19 prevention efforts across Libya.”CSW
NHSMUN 2021
Topic B:
Women’s Participation and Role in Government
Photo Credit: SRA Gerald B. Johnson, United States Department of DefenseTopic B: Women’s Participation and Role in Government
|11
Introduction
In 2020, only 6.6 percent of heads of government were women.1 While a higher proportion of
women hold lower government positions, women are still visibly underrepresented in policy and
decision-making bodies all over the world. For instance, women hold only 25.13 percent of seats in
parliaments worldwide.2 Given that the COVID-19 pandemic dominated most policy discourse in
2020, it is important to understand how the crisis shaped women’s roles and leadership opportuni-
ties in government. Women-led governments have emphasized repairing social ramifications, but the
pandemic has conversely created barriers and limited measures that can be adopted to protect and
empower women. For example, as lockdowns have been implemented in many countries, domestic
violence cases have intensified as women are often in isolation with their abusers.
Additionally, traditional gender roles have contributed to participate in political processes to resolve these issues. The
women’s added household responsibilities during the CO- COVID-19 pandemic continues to threaten economic liveli-
VID-19 pandemic, including helping children learn remotely hoods and diminish workplace opportunities for women. For
and other childcare responsibilities.3 Women are also dispro- example, in the US during the month of December, women
portionately affected by recent strains on resource allocation lost a net 156,000 jobs while men gained a net 16,000 jobs.5
in sectors like healthcare, which especially impacts women Globally, 28 million women over the age of 25 are estimated
already disadvantaged by race, ethnicity, religion, or socioeco- to have left the labor force in 55 high and middle-income
nomic status. Without involving women in the democratic countries, while only 24 million men have left.6 Considering
process, these issues will continue to negatively impact wom- that women make up a smaller percentage of the global labor
en and perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes. Ultimately, the force than men, the numbers of women facing unemploy-
Commission on the Status of Women has a responsibility to ment are especially staggering. Furthermore, it is estimated
create and support policies that prioritize the participation of that an additional 47 million women and girls will fall into ex-
women and girls in politics and provide larger roles in political treme poverty during 2021.7 A new spike in COVID-19 cases
decision-making.4 has led to greater layoffs for workers in the hospitality, service,
and leisure industries which are predominantly composed of
Barriers for Women during the COVID-19 Pan- women.8 Despite some workers, particularly in the restaurant
demic
and hospitality industries, being rehired during the summer
Women face greater inequalities and restricted access to and early fall, new lockdowns are forcing businesses to re-
healthcare resources on account of the COVID-19 pandem- consider, with firings disproportionately impacting women
ic, making it more imperative that women are empowered to because they often hold lower-income positions.9
1 Sabine Freizer et. al., “COVID 19 and Women’s leadership: From an effective response to building back better,” UN Women, 2020, https://
www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/06/policy-brief-covid-19-and-womens-leadership.
2 Freizer, COVID 19 and Women’s leadership.”
3 Kalliopi Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic,” UN Women, August 2020,
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/06/policy-brief-covid-19-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-address-
ing-the-shadow-pandemic.
4 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women,” UN Women, April 2020, https://asiapacific.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/pub-
lications/2020/04/policy-brief-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-women.
5 Maggie McGrath, “American Women Lost More Than 5 Million Jobs In 2020,” Forbes, January 12, 2021, https://www.forbes.com/sites/
maggiemcgrath/2021/01/12/american-women-lost-more-than-5-million-jobs-in-2020/?sh=2d42078d2857.
6 Alex Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads,” World Economic Forum, December
18, 2020, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/covid-women-workload-domestic-caring/.
7 Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.”
8 Abha Bhattarai and Laura Reiley, “‘Shocked, Disheartened, Devastated’: Restaurant and Hotel Workers Reel as Layoffs Soar Again,” Wash-
ington Post, January 13, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/13/restaurant-hospitality-unemployment/.
9 Bhattarai and Reiley, “‘Shocked, Disheartened, Devastated’.”12|T opic B: Women’s Participation and Role in Government
In instances where women can work at home, they face issues bility and in-person resources have prevented women from
related to gendered perceptions of household work, health, accessing shelter from domestic and gender-based abuse.16
and childcare. According to the World Economic Forum, 82 Many countries have taken measures to address this shadow
percent of men said that their spouse/partner is more in- pandemic; for example, France has opened up 20,000 hotel
volved than them at home.10 Additionally, young girls tend rooms, grocery stores, and pop-up shelters to house women
to spend more time helping around the house, with 64 per- facing sexual and gender-based violence.17 Similarly, Colom-
cent of parents noticing a higher involvement of daughters bia has implemented mechanisms to enable digital counseling
than 57 percent of sons.11 Having to stay at home does not services, legal aid, and even virtual hearings for violence and
mean that men are necessarily doing more household work, abuse cases.18 However, women also face decreased access to
allowing harmful gender stereotypes to advance. Women are contraceptives, maternal health, and other reproductive health
also performing more unpaid labor related to childcare, with services, which have been sidelined in favor of essential medi-
UN Women sponsored research performed across 16 coun- cal services.19 For example, within Latin America and the Ca-
tries finding that women are spending 31.2 hours per week on ribbean, an estimated 18 million women will lose access to
childcare compared to 23.5 hours for men.12 All countries sur- contraceptives due to pandemic-related shortages.20 Without
veyed experienced a rise in women performing unpaid child- women assuming more positions of authority in a democracy,
care, but the increases were most pronounced in Latin Ameri- patriarchal structures will continue to fuel traditional and con-
ca, Africa, and Asia.13 As gender-based disparities grow in the servative gender norms without allocating appropriate funds
labor field, there is a growing danger of women’s long-term to address many backfalls for women in recent months.21
exit from the labor force, causing more women to fulfill family
The COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker coordi-
and home-based roles rather than pursuing professional roles.
nated by the United Nations Development Programme illus-
This poses a threat to women’s involvement in government, as
trates that policymakers have failed to adequately consider the
women employed in government or industry-related careers
higher burden women face due to the COVID-19 pandemic.22
are more likely to run for government positions.
Therefore, social assistance and relief measures must be in-
On top of workplace conditions, there has been a noticeable formed through a gender-based lens to bridge these inequities
spike in domestic and sexual violence as a result of gender as we seek to render the post-pandemic economy more equi-
roles and women in isolation at home with their abusers.14 For table.23 This is only possible if women have a voice in these
example, the United Kingdom reported a 25 percent increase decisions and a role in shaping policy related to COVID-19
in phone calls to their National Domestic Abuse Helpline, response. Across various sectors such as economic and emer-
while Tunisia witnessed calls to its helpline increasing by five gency response, policies involving women in decision-making
times in the first five days of the lockdown.15 A lack of mo- processes are more effective; hence, women in government
10 Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.”
11 Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.”
12 Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.”
13 Thornton, “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.”
14 Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.”
15 UN Women, Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women. New York, UN Women, April 2020.
16 Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.”
17 Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.”
18 Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.”
19 Freizer et. al., “COVID 19 and Women’s leadership: From an effective response to building back better.”
20 Mingerou, “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.”
21 Mirjana Egger, “When it comes to decision making, women must move from the margins to the mainstream,” UNDP, July 1, 2020,
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/when-it-comes-to-decision-making--women-must-move-from-the-margi.
html.
22 “COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker Fact Sheets” UNDP, September 28, 2020, https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/
home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/COVID-19-Global-Gender-Response-Tracker.html.
23 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.”Topic B: Women’s Participation and Role in Government
|13
and women’s groups must be consulted and supported now GPS.30 Free and quickly accessible testing sites were set up
more than ever before.24 at most establishments and buildings, and temperatures were
taken at gyms, bars, restaurants, and shops early on during
Women-led COVID-19 Responses the outbreak.31 Tsai’s administration strictly imposed these
regulations with strict and sizable fines imposed for violat-
When women have been given power in the decision-making
ing social distancing rules in public places and mask-wearing
process during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have provided
regulations.32 Tsai’s government also allowed people to pur-
effective community management and public health action.
chase masks on their government-issued insurance cards
Countries such as New Zealand, Germany, Finland, and Tai-
and facilitated the creation of new apps that enabled people
wan are excellent case studies where female political lead-
to track mask supplies in local stores with real-time inven-
ers formulated effective COVID-19 responses.25 The Prime
tory updates.33 Additionally, health officials maintained regular
Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, has been widely
communication with the public through daily briefings and
praised for her administration’s response, which effectively
transparent release of information to ease concerns as people
controlled the spread of the virus in her country without ig-
adjusted to new social norms and regulations amid uncertain-
noring the pandemic’s social implications. New Zealand im- ty.34 There have been approximately 500 deaths so far out of
plemented strict border closures for foreigners entering from a population of 23 million people to date.35 Although Taiwan
China and a 14-day quarantine period for citizens returning is a democratic and self-governing state, it has been excluded
to the country. These measures were effectively extended to from the World Health Organization (WHO) because diplo-
other countries as soon as they reported cases, which helped matic recognition of “China” in the United Nations shifted to
control the spread of the disease within New Zealand.26 Ard- the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the 1970s. Despite
ern’s frequent communication with people online also helped Taiwan’s exclusion from WHO and its proximity to China, it
ease some concerns around the measures implemented.27 The has one of the lowest COVID-19 death counts in the world,
country is one of the few which has almost completely elimi- and many commercial establishments, restaurants, and public
nated community transmission of the coronavirus.28 places have been able to re-open safely.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen used extensive contact While the average for women’s representation in parliament
tracing, isolation measures, and testing to control and con- globally has risen from 11.2 percent to 24.9 percent in the
tain the pandemic without declaring a full lockdown.29 The past 10 years, it still does not meet the Beijing Platform for
state resorted to stringent travel restrictions in late January Action’s 33.33 percent threshold. This is considered the mini-
and implemented a self-quarantine system monitored by au- mum level of participation for women to shape policies and
thorities via geofencing, a service where a virtual parameter truly achieve gender equality.36 As stated by Executive Direc-
is set up around an actual geographic area using a service like tor of United Nations Women Mlambo Ngcuka, the key to
24 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.”
25 Soumik Purkayastha Maxwell Salvatore, and Bhramar Mukherjee, “Are women leaders significantly better at controlling the contagion
during the COVID 19 pandemic?” Journal of Health and Social Sciences 5 vol. 2 (June 2020): 231-240, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC7457824/#:~:text=It%20appears%20that%20though%20statistically,the%20COVID%2D19%20pandemic%20worldwide.
26 Michael Baker, “New Zealand’s COVID-19 Elimination Strategy,” NCBI, August 2020, https://dx.doi.org10.5694/mja2.50735.
27 Baker, “New Zealand’s COVID-19 Elimination Strategy.”
28 Alexander Smith, “New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Wins Big After World Leading Covid 19 Response,” NBC News, October 20, 2020,
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/new-zealand-s-jacinda-ardern-wins-big-after-world-leading-n1243972.
29 Chrissy Farr, “How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus” CNBC, July 15, 2020, https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/15/how-taiwan-beat-the-
coronavirus.html.
30 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
31 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
32 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
33 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
34 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
35 Farr,”How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus.”
36 Egger, “When it comes to decision making, women must move from the margins to the mainstream.”14|T opic B: Women’s Participation and Role in Government having an inclusive recovery is women assuming positions of of uncertainty and responding to the pandemic regionally.42 power.37 The pandemic is not gender-neutral; women com- Women must participate in all levels of government, especial- prise a majority of frontline workers such as nurses, they face ly within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic response the consequences of unpaid care leave for a child or family and recovery measures. Their input is vital to shape policies member, and millions of girls are at risk of not going back to that advance gender equality and ensure that women’s needs school post-lockdown.38 However, the pandemic can serve as are addressed. an opportunity to improve on the current political challenges facing women and girls, as the crisis can enable governments to build strong institutions with representation from female voices.39 Women currently in power have been extremely ef- fective in handling COVID-19 responses and delegates should look to those countries when determining the kinds of solu- tions and changes that must be met to replicate those leaders’ success across the international community. Conclusion Female leadership has shaped some of the most effective, globally acclaimed, and fruitful COVID-19 responses and proven the need for more equitable female representation in government. The disproportionate impact of the pandemic on women’s safety, health, and ability to participate cannot be ignored as the committee discusses barriers to participa- tion in government and parliamentary processes. Women around the world are experiencing domestic abuse, widen- ing socioeconomic disparities, and healthcare challenges aris- ing from a variety of socioeconomic factors. Countries such as Finland, New Zealand, Slovakia, and Denmark have been praised for the role of female leadership in flattening the CO- VID-19 curve while also taking up social welfare programs inclusive of marginalized communities. They have also ef- fectively conveyed public health information in a reassuring way with transparent and frequent communication.40 In In- dia, Madagascar, Ethiopia, and Canada, leadership positions in public health fields are held by women medical experts who implement policy changes and lead public press briefings.41 In Banjul, Gambia, and Barcelona, Spain, female mayors are taking to online platforms to reassure people during a time 37 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.” 38 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.” 39 “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.” 40 Francesca Donner, “The Key to an Inclusive Recovery? Putting Women in Decision Making Roles,” The New York Times, August 9, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/us/covid-women-girls-gender.html. 41 Donner, “The Key to an Inclusive Recovery? Putting Women in Decision Making Roles.” 42 Donner, “The Key to an Inclusive Recovery? Putting Women in Decision Making Roles.”
CSW
Works Cited |15
Works Cited
Topic A
UN Sources
Ramlawi, Asad. “Analytical Mapping of Breast Cancer Care in Palestine: Current Services, Challenges and Recommendations
for Improvement.” Palestine: United Nations Population Fund. July 2018. https://palestine.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/
pub-pdf/Breast%20Cancer%20Report%20Final_0.pdf.
This source sheds light on the political factors which inhibit the access of Palestinian patients to proper and clean treatment outside the Gaza Strip.
Non-UN Sources
Asia News Monitor. “Palestinian Women Allege Sexual Abuse in Israeli Jails.” September 22, 2020. https://www.aa.com.tr/en/
middle-east/exclusive-palestinian-women-allege-sexual-abuse-in-israeli-jails/1979979.
This source relays helpful information regarding the impact on sexual abuse of women in relation to their mental health.
Asia News Monitor. “13 Palestinian Inmates Contract COVID-19 in Israel Jail.” November 13, 2020. https://www.aa.com.tr/
en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/13-palestinian-inmates-contract-covid-19-in-israel-jail/2040721.
This source sheds light on the poor conditions of imprisoned Palestinians amidst the coronavirus.
Atlantic Council. “How the Exclusion of Women Has Cost Libya.” March 06, 2020. https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/
menasource/how-the-exclusion-of-women-has-cost-libya/.
This article focuses on the development of gender equality in Libya.
Baloushah, Suha, et. al. “Practice and Barriers Toward Breast Self-Examination among Palestinian Women in Gaza City, Pales-
tine.” The Scientific World Journal 2020: 7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7484631.
This source goes further into detail about breast cancer; namely, some of the more recent difficulties women have been having due to the blockade.
Bendel, Maskit. “More than Miracles Needed: Breast Cancer among Palestinian Women.” Bridges 11, no. 1 (2006): 33-38. http://
www.jstor.org/stable/40358047.
This source serves as a good starting point to study the extent to which breast cancer affects women in Palestine.
Linah, Alsaafin. “Palestinian student released from Israeli jail after 15 months.” Al Jazeera. Accessed December 1, 2020. https://
www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/1/palestinian-student-released-from-israeli-jail-after-15-months.
This source underscores the importance of transparency in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A student was captured after being suspected of being tied to
a democratic club at her college.
Marie, Mohammad, Sana SaadAdeen, and Maher Battat. “Anxiety disorders and PTSD in Palestine: a literature review.” BMC
Psychiatry 20, no. 1 (2020): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02911-7.
This source is about the prevalence of mental health disorders in Palestine.16|CSW
W orks Cited
Medical Aid for Palestine. “Breast Cancer in Occupied Palestine.” Accessed January 28, 2020. https://www.map.org.uk/down-
loads/map-breast-cancer-fact-sheet.pdf.
This source comments on the relationship between breast cancer patients and the areas of poverty in the gaza strip, attributing it to the Israeli siege on
Palestinian lands.
Palestine News & Information Agency. “COVID-19 Risks Exacerbating Women’s Vulnerabilities in Palestine, Warns UN Wom-
en.” May 7, 2020. https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/covid-19-risks-creating-and-exacerbat-
ing-women-s.
This source explains the gender-specific impacts of COVID-19.
Shaheen, Amira et. al. “Barriers to disclosure of violence against women in health services in Palestine: qualitative interview-
based study.” BMC Public Health 20, 1975 (2020): https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09907-8.
This study overlays some of the key findings of this study on barriers to women’s participation in health services.
Shehab, Jehad. “The Role Of Palestinian Women In Political Participation During The Israeli Siege Imposed On The Gaza Strip,
Palestine.” Addaiyan Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. 2020; 2 (1): 47- 61. https://aipublisher.org/wp-
content/uploads/2020/02/AJAHSS-2.01-47-61.pdf.
This source talks about female participation in Palestinian government at an in-depth scope.
Wispelwey, Bram, and Yasser Abu Jamei. “The Great March of Return: Lessons from Gaza on Mass Resistance and Mental
Health.” Health and Human Rights 22, no. 1 (2020): 179-86, doi:10.2307/26923484.
This source speaks about how effective, and likewise how uneffective, the Great March of Return was in showcasing the ephemeral nature of Palestinian
women’s mental health in the face of the blockade imposed by an Israeli military occupation.
Topic B
UN Sources
Egger, Mirjana. “When it comes to decision making, women must move from the margins to the mainstream” UNDP. July 1,
2020. https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/blog/2020/when-it-comes-to-decision-making--women-must-
move-from-the-margi.html.
This article highlights the need for the inclusion of women in policy-making processes by referencing specific actions taken by women in countries such
as North Macedonia and Kyrgyzstan to combat social issues such as domestic violence and forced marriage, respectively.
Mingerou, Kalliopi. “COVID 19 and violence against women and girls: Addressing the shadow pandemic.” UN Women. August
2020. https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/headquarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/policy-
brief-covid-19-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-en.pdf ?la=en&vs=640.
This article presents insights into how the lockdown measure implemented as a COVID-19 response strategy worldwide has led to an increase in
domestic violence and outlines measures that a few countries have taken to combat the same.
Sabine Freizer. “COVID 19 and Women’s leadership: From an effective response to building back better.” UN Women. 2020.
https://www.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/06/policy-brief-covid-19-and-womens-leadership.CSW
Works Cited |17
This brief highlights immediate challenges posed to women’s participation in government by the pandemic and provides some information about key
decision-making organizations and processes that will shape the future.
UNDP. “COVID-19 Global Gender Response Tracker Fact Sheets.” September 28, 2020. https://www.undp.org/content/
undp/en/home/librarypage/womens-empowerment/COVID-19-Global-Gender-Response-Tracker.html
This report explains global and regional trends about what governments are doing in their COVID-19 pandemic responses to support women.
UN Women. “Policy Brief: The Impact of COVID-19 on Women.” April 2020. https://www.unwomen.org/-/media/head-
quarters/attachments/sections/library/publications/2020/policy-brief-the-impact-of-covid-19-on-women-en.
pdf ?la=en&vs=1406.
This report by the United Nations provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on exacerbating gender inequality
and barriers created for women in accessing healthcare, seeking legal aid for abuse, and disproportionate workload at home, which can inhibit their
participation in government.
Non-UN Sources
Baker, Michael. “New Zealand’s COVID-19 Elimination Strategy.” NCBI (August 2020). https://dx.doi.org10.5694/mja2.50735.
This source addresses COVID-19 response measures, including an early lockdown and travel ban implemented by Jacinda Ardern’s administration
and the success of the measures, which were vastly successful in controlling the outbreak.
Bhattarai, Abha, and Laura Reiley. “‘Shocked, Disheartened, Devastated’: Restaurant and Hotel Workers Reel as Layoffs Soar
Again.” Washington Post, January 13, 2021. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2021/01/13/restaurant-hospi-
tality-unemployment/
This source highlights how fresh lockdowns have impacted the service and hospitality industries.
Donner, Francesca. “The Key to an Inclusive Recovery? Putting Women in Decision Making Roles” The New York Times. August
9, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/09/us/covid-women-girls-gender.html.
This article is an interview with Ms.Phumbile Mlambo-Ngucka, who is the deputy director of UN Women. She speaks about the gender dimension
of the pandemic and how an inclusive recovery that includes female decision-makers can change that.
Farr, Chrissy. “How Taiwan beat the Coronavirus” CNBC. July 15, 2020. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/07/15/how-taiwan-
beat-the-coronavirus.html.
Taiwan’s coronavirus response under President Tsai Ing-Wen’s administration is detailed here with anecdotal evidence from citizens about contact trac-
ing measures and the use of technology to curtail the spread of the virus.
McGrath, Maggie. “American Women Lost More Than 5 Million Jobs In 2020.” Forbes, January 12, 2021. https://www.forbes.
com/sites/maggiemcgrath/2021/01/12/american-women-lost-more-than-5-million-jobs-in-2020/?sh=2d42078d2857
This source explains how American women lost more jobs than men in 2020.
Purkayastha, Soumik. “Are women leaders significantly better at controlling the contagion during the COVID 19 pandemic ?”
NCBI (August 2020). doi: 5(2): 231–240.18|CSW
W orks Cited
This article is a comparative case study of women-led governments worldwide in terms of COVID-19 response and success as compared to their
neighboring countries.
Smith, Alexander. “New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern Wins Big After World Leading Covid 19 Response.” NBC News. October 20,
2020. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/new-zealand-s-jacinda-ardern-wins-big-after-world-leading-n1243972.
This source provides valuable information about Jacinda Ardern’s first term in office, including New Zealand’s effective COVID-19 response as well
as the diversity of her cabinet and administration as she was elected for a second term in 2020.
Taub, Amanda. “Why Are Women Led Nations Doing Better With COVID 19?” The New York Times. May 15, 2020. https://
www.nytimes.com/2020/05/15/world/coronavirus-women-leaders.html.
This article analyzes the inclusivity and social aspects apart from the economic factors of policies implemented by women-led governments in their CO-
VID-19 response, which were particularly impactful within minority and marginalized communities.
Thornton, Alex. “Unequal Burden: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Is Adding to Women’s Workloads.” World Economic Forum,
December 18, 2020. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2020/12/covid-women-workload-domestic-caring/
This report stresses how women have been performing more unpaid household labor during the pandemic.The National High School Model United Nations Con- ference (NHSMUN) is a project of IMUNA, a non- profit organization formally associated with the Unit- ed Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC). IMUNA is dedicated to promoting global issues education through simulation. Written by Ricardo DeLeon and Swara Patel Edited by Rose Blackwell, Patrick Leong, JJ Packer, and Ann Wil- liams © 2021 IMUNA. All Rights Reserved.
You can also read
