A/HRC/30/56 gender systems on Caribbean societal structures was still comparatively new. She added that a study of masculinity revealed systems of gender privileging, relegation of women and girls to the private space and thus underrepresentation in the public sphere, and genderbased violence and violence against women and children. She concluded that Caribbean development paradigms must focus on equity and equality where issues of gender, masculinity and femininity ultimately became issues of human rights and human dignity. 39. The Chief of the OHCHR Women’s Rights and Gender Section, Veronica Birga, presented a paper on the achievements in realizing the rights of women of African descent since the adoption of the Beijing Platform for Action 20 years previously. Ms. Birga established linkages between the emphasis placed by the Beijing Platform for Action and the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Both highlighted the detrimental impact of intersecting forms of discrimination on the enjoyment of human rights, particularly on women from ethnic minorities, including women of African descent. She also alluded to the wide variety of challenges faced by women of African descent in different parts of the world as identified by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and a number of special procedures mandate holders, such as lack of access to social services, high rates of maternal mortality, unequal access to education, violence targeting women of African descent, especially their vulnerability to being trafficked, unequal opportunities for participating in decision-making and public life, occupational segregation and disproportionate incarceration rates of Afro-descendant women. Ms. Birga further presented a short video focusing on the work of a doctor in the United States of America who was defending the health rights of African-American women. She suggested that disaggregated data, temporary special measures and access to justice were measures to address the violations of the rights of women of African descent. Representatives of Brazil, Panama and South Africa expressed their appreciation of the different presentations made by the panellists and a number of NGOs requested follow-up information from the presenters. 40. On 30 March 2015, to celebrate the launch of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the Working Group had organized a special cultural event, along with an exhibition, entitled “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”, displaying the work of the Brazilian artist, Inêz Oludé. The event was attended by representatives of a number of permanent missions to the United Nations in Geneva, staff members of the United Nations and civil society. V. Conclusions and recommendations 41. The Working Group concluded its sixteenth session on the theme of “Development and people of African descent” and made the following conclusions and recommendations. 42. The Working Group recorded its appreciation to the High Commissioner for his intervention at the sixteenth session. It also thanked Member States and civil society for their active participation. A. Conclusions 43. The Working Group concludes that poverty is both a cause and a consequence of discrimination. Development should not be narrowly defined as economic development only, but must also include political, economic, social, cultural and environmental aspects, consistent with the Declaration on the Right to Development. The Working Group “recognizes that … historical injustices have undeniably 10