european financial crisis – emerging issues for women and girls michael windfuhr german institut...

European financial crisis – emerging issues for women and girlsMichael Windfuhr German Institut for Human Rights 11th. ICC – Biannual / Amman 5.-7. November 2012

Overview: Five Observations

1. European financial crises in Europe – Measures taken

2. Impact on Women and children (girls)

3. Legal base and measurement of impact

4. Current Contributions to a human rights based debate about the impact of austerity measures

5. Challenges for NHRIs

Amman / ICC 2Michael Windfuhr

1. European financial crisis – measures taken

1. Government priorities in response to economic

crisis Are governments respecting, protecting and fulfilling

human rights obligations? Accountability to financial risk-taking Human rights impact monitoring of policies is a deficit

areas


1. European financial crisis – measures taken

2. Economic stimulus packages (Design and the way

it has been developed) Infrastructure investments Labour market reforms Social security and social protection Tax policy reform in times of crisis Effectiveness and efficiency of measures taken Who is benefitting?


1.European financial crisis – measures taken.

3. Financial and policy measures as response Budget cuts

On social spending (spending) Indirect impacts (job losses etc.)

Policy reforms on labour markets (flexibilzation) on privatization – in order to gain income on improving public institutions

Fiscal and trade policy reforms Tax responses (VAT increase / reduce income and property

taxes etc.


2. Impact on women and girls - examples

Cuts in expenditures / services Spain: 2012 budget cuts 27,3 billion € + 10 billion in health and

education. Impact accsessibilty of basic social services (schooling) Child benefit was reduced by 10 € / per month first and second

child and 20 € for any subquent child in 2011 Maternaty leave benefit was reduced in Irland in 2010 between

4.50 and 10 € and in 2011 another 8 €. Irish family planning assocication reports that funding cuts have

imparied ist capacity to deliver curcial services, particular to disadvantaged areas, while increasing numbers of women are finding themselves unable to afford sexual and reproductive health services.


2. Impact on women and girls - examples E.g. on education. In Irland budget was cut in 2010 bei 134

million €, 170 million in 2011 and 132 million € in 2012 immigrant girl children are particular hit.

Labour market effects unemployment rise (Ireland from 4.2 % (2005) up to 14.1%

(women 15 percent increase in 2011, men 3,5 % Increase in low standards jobs long term impact on pensions,

particular for women Spain close to 50 % of youth (below 25) is unemployed

Increase of families and children at risk for poverty and social exclusion Spain. 25 % in general, 33 % for childern (single mother

situation) in Irland 20 % of the children (1 in 13 in consistant poverty


2. Impact on women and girls - examles

Health sector Budget reductions are destroying particular jobs for women. Family care (chronical ill / elderly) increaing burden for women and

their impact Greece: hosptials have no basic medication

Housing Rate of low cost dwelling in Spain covers only 35 % of poor

households (72 % in EU-average). Credits as option more than 350.000 families lost access to housing (since 2007), particularly single mothers

Watiing list for social housing in Irland increased by 75 % from 2008 – 2011, particular affecting women headed households


3. Legel base - measurement of impact

Legal base International Covenant on ESC-Rights CEDAW (Art. 11: discrimination in employment related isues/

Art. 13: discrimination in other areas of economic and social life)

State obligations: Respect Protect Fulfill – use of resources:

Maximum of avialable (Art 2 ICESCR and Art. 4.2 in the CRC)

Focus on most vulnerable persons / groups Take steps (immediately)


3. Legal base – measurement of impact

Maximum of available resources Financial resources (five aspects see below) (key

debate) What kind of resources (access to productive

resources, human resources, education etc.)

1. Governments expenditures Distributional effects Effectiveness and efficiency Public services and infrastruture Participation and transparency Retrogression Fiscal Austerity


3. Legal base – measurement of impact

2. Government revenue Indicators for Tax revenue mobilization Tax avoidance (incl. shadow economy) Distributive outcomes of tax regimes and proposed

changes Higher tax rates and economic growth

3. (Development) Assistance

4. Debt + Deficit Financing (distributional impact)

5. Monetary Policy and Financial Regulations (inflation,

exchange reserves and regulation of financial sector)


4. Current debate on a human rights base approach to financial crisis

Human Rights based approach to economic policy making is needed Does require to look into effects of policy measurs Human rights impact assessments (ex ante, ex post) Human rights risk assessments Protecting a minimum core for particular vulnerable

persons / groups



Example 1: UN-Committee on ESC-Rights (May 2012)Proposed policy changes and adjustments has to meet the following requirements:-first, the policy is a temprary measures covering only the period of crisis; -second, the policy is necessary and proportionate; in that sence that the adoption of any other policy, or a failure to act, would be more detrimental to ESC-Rights-third, the policy is not discriminatory; -Fourth, the policy identifies the minimum core content of rights (social protection flour)



Example 2. SR Magdalena Sepulveda on resources availabilty:-Governments must mobilise resources within the country to ist utmost ability-Governments expenditures must be efficient and effective-Failure to curb corruption is a failure to comply with the obligations-Funds earmarked for ESC-Rights must no be diverted to non ESC-areas and must be fully used-Governments that introduce regressive measures must show that they have used the maximum of available resources (ex ante check)


5. Challenges to NHRIs

Enter into the debate, which is complex and needs careful capacity development

Steps to be taken: Demand participation and transparency Document potential impacts Human rights based analyses of policy choices

Not becoming policy prescriptiv – developing human rights criteria for assessments Tools, methods needs further debate


Thanks for your attention Contact:

Mail: [email protected]

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+49-30-259359-23


european financial crisis – emerging issues for women and girls michael windfuhr german institut...

Documents

impact of austerity

policy measures

impact greece

measurement of impact

numbers of women

women spain close

children girls

european financial crises