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Nordic emphasis on sexual and reproductive rights at the UN

The Nordic countries call for wording on women's sexual and reproductive rights to be included in the final resolution for the UN Commission on the Status of Women's (CSW) annual meeting in New York. Lack of agreement in CSW last year resulted in it ending without a final resolution, which heralds tough negotiations this year too. Sweden's Minister of Gender Equality, Maria Arnolm, just returned from New York, still has hope.

Mar 09, 2013

"I am hopeful that we can reach an agreement for the benefit of the world's women and girls. They will not gain from a weakened undertaking from the world nations, but neither from a weakened CSW", says Maria Arnholm, this year's Chair of the Nordic Council of Ministers for Gender Equality.

Last year the EU countries formed a strong camp, while Syria and Iran, flanked by the Vatican State, tried to play down the discussion of women's reproductive rights. According to Arnholm, strong co-ordination from the progressive forces is important to lead to a resolution with wording which has not been watered down.

"Our clear ambition is that the language of the resolution must not be weakened. We are here to defend past achievements. In particular, Sweden and the Nordic countries place great weight as always on sexual and reproductive health and rights", says Maria Arnholm.

The negotiations at the UN Commission on the Status of Women's 57th Session have begun and will continue until 15 March in New York. For an overview of the Nordic activities during CSW please visit www.norden.org/csw.

Contacts

Heidi Orava
Phone +45 21 71 71 48
Email heor@norden.org

Erik Scheller, political advisor for Maria Arnholm E-mailerik.scheller@regeringskansliet.se, Phone +46 70 221 94 93