The Voices that made a Difference

A Commentary by CEDPA alumna Esther Corona, a leading expert in sexual and reproductive health from Mexico

March 2, 2012 – In September 1994, around 20,000 people gathered in Cairo, Egypt at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) to discuss questions that could affect the lives of all people around the world, especially, women.

Thousands of women circulated around halls and corridors. However there was a group of women who seemed to be totally at home with all the United Nation’s (UN) intricate procedures, this same group was constantly sought out by reporters and all types of media for interviews. They participated in caucuses, consultations, talked with other people from their same geographic regions, or who shared particular interests such as human rights, migration, environment and, of course, sexual and reproductive health among others. They lobbied, spoke clear and loud, and it was obvious that, very often, they were heard.

Who were these women? They were young and old, coming from all regions of the world, from professions ranging from the medical sciences to lawyers and administrators, speaking a myriad of languages; all the official UN languages plus several others. And, yet they had a very clear idea of what they envisaged the message and document coming out of this conference should be: Women´s empowerment and full participation in community and national life, and sexual and reproductive health for all.

We were “CEDPA’s women,” most of us coming from civil society attending the NGO forum and some of us integrated into the official delegations. We were all attending ICPD thanks of the generous support of CEDPA. However, this backing was not limited to bringing the group to Cairo. The attendance of the coalition at the conference was the culmination of a long process beginning with the selection and training of women leaders who attended workshops and two preparatory meetings at UN headquarters in New York.

Esther, as most CEDPA alumni, maintained an ongoing relationship with CEDPA, participating in events, workshops and programs.

In the months prior to the conference, we explored the intricacies of the UN system, discussed what was at stake at the ICPD, and learned how to cope with and make the best use of media. We also knew who the key actors were, and, many times, we met them thanks to the leadership of the CEDPA team.

When we arrived in Cairo, we were highly motivated and trained. We were able to fully participate in the NGO forum and in the different caucuses that were organized according to the interests of the many groups attending. Many of us had been incorporated into the official country delegations and were able to interact with the delegates and assist our country delegations to prepare statements. Some even participated in the constant negotiations that were taking place at that stage.

We spent countless days and sleepless night until the ICPD Plan of Action was agreed upon. This was not the perfect and ultimate plan we had dreamed of, as many compromises had to be reached; however, we felt that finally we had a blueprint which could help women to move forward into the following years. New terms had been coined and new paradigms outlined.

CEDPA’s work with us did not finish then. We spent several days working on how we could implement aspects of the Program of Action into our specific work in sexual and reproductive health. The role of civil society was highlighted, and we worked out how we could best help our governments to move the agenda forward.

As we evaluated our work, we were sure that we had made a difference. Looking back after almost 20 years of ICPD, we can see how the CEDPA women were able to affirm the Plan of Action and also defend it when there have been setbacks in the road to achieving full sexual and reproductive health.

Now it is time to take stock, to recognize where we are, how much we have moved forward and how much more work we have to do. Some of the old challenges remain, while new ones have emerged for women as the sociopolitical picture of the world has changed. All throughout these years, CEDPA has broadened and strengthened its network with the experience of the older generation and the energy of the many young leaders that are now part of the CEDPA family.

As we prepare for ICPD Beyond 2014, it is evident that much would be gained by CEDPA’s involvement and participation. CEDPA’s network would have the opportunity of making their voices heard and of shaping policies at international and national level. Certainly the world would profit from the extraordinary collective expertise and endless commitment of the CEDPA family.

  What is RSS?