Caribbean Civil Society Advisory Group (CCSAG)

From left: Gabrielle Henderson UN Women Programme Specialist VAW, Mildred Crawford (Regional CSAG), Shaarda Ganga, Avril Anande Trotman-Joseph, Thomas Holmes, Patrice Daniel, Carmen Nurse, Leah Odle-Benson (UN Women -back row), Ida LeBlanc (front row), Jacqueline Sharpe, Cherise Adjodha (UN Women Consultant), Vanda Radzik, Christine Arab (UN Women Representative) and Dundeen Fergusson.

UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group in the Caribbean

The UN Women Civil Society Advisory Groups are advisory bodies established by UN Women Regional/Country Offices to facilitate effective, ongoing and structured consultation between civil society and UN Women.

The CSAGs serve to enrich policy and programme development at the regional, sub-regional and country level with the expertise, perspective and knowledge of civil society and to promote sustainable partnerships between UN Women and civil society to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

The Caribbean Civil Society Advisory Group is comprised of 11 members in an expert capacity, as members of women’s grass roots organisations and the majority is drawn from gender equality networks from eight territories in the Caribbean. 

They are:

UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group in the Caribbean

1. Nature
   
   The UN Women Civil Society Advisory Groups are advisory bodies established by UN Women Regional/Country Offices to facilitate effective, ongoing and structured consultation between civil society and UN Women.
   
   
2. Goal
   
   To enrich policy and programme development at the regional, sub-regional and country level with the expertise, perspective and knowledge of civil society and to promote sustainable partnerships between UN Women and civil society to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.
   
   
3. Mandate: GA Resolution, VAP and Strategic Plan 2011-2013
   
   - The General Assembly Request(ed) the head of the Entity to continue the existing practice of effective consultation with civil society organizations, and encourage(d) their meaningful contribution to the work of the Entity (GA/64/289)
   
   - In her Vision and Action Plan, the Executive Director said: “In recognition of the special relationship I envisage between UN Women and women’s organizations, I will be forming an NGO Advisory Group to advise me as Executive Director of UN Women.  This will be a body through which NGOs can share their perspectives, expertise and knowledge from the country level and a channel for our ongoing collaboration.”
   
   - Strategic Plan Management Results Framework Output 1.2 target for 2013:
   “Advisory groups exist at global, regional and country levels and provide regular feedback on UN-Women programming.”
   
   
4. Composition
   
   The UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group for the Caribbean Region will be composed of a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 15 individuals of stature with a track record of impact on the ground, in areas related to gender equality and women’s empowerment, drawn from gender equality networks, women’s organizations, as well as other non-governmental and grassroots organizations, who are committed to the core values of the United Nations.
   
   Members of the Advisory Group will be credible and authoritative individuals with proven credentials of success in civil society organizations and throughout their careers, who will serve in their personal capacity on the Advisory Board for a period of two years.
   
   The Group should include members with experience at the grassroots level and represent diverse developmental perspectives. Suggested composition is as follows: a maximum of 8 members from gender equality networks and women’s organizations, 4 members from grassroots organizations and 3 high-level experts on UN Women’s priority areas in the Region.
   
   
5. Criteria
   
   The members should:
   
   
   • Be strongly connected to national or regional civil society networks, concerned with matters within the competence of UN Women and with extensive experience in national and/or regional advocacy and policy development.
   • Have thematic expertise in at least two of the three UN Women priority areas in the Region
   • Have a demonstrable understanding of the needs and interests of diverse groups of women, 
   
   
   
6. Role
   
   
   • Provide strategic advice to UN Women on its thematic priorities and policies, including during the strategic planning process.
   • Provide intelligence and guidance on political, economic, social and cultural developments that should inform UN Women regional/national programming
   • Assist UN Women in strengthening its engagement with civil society at all levels.
     
     
7. Structure/Operational Framework
   
   The Advisory Group will meet biannually, at least once physically, and will hold regular engagement with UN Women SRO Regional Programme Director and senior staff through teleconferences. Complementary ongoing electronic engagement should also be maintained through ICTs.
   
   
8. Outcome
   
   The regular meetings shall aim to produce concrete recommendations and feedback to be submitted to UN Women for consideration.

Through the use of web-based platforms made available by UN Women, the members will have continuous access to UN Women, particularly senior management, to engage on any emerging issues that should, in their view, be addressed.