CAW E-news October - November 2006
The Gender and Diversity Unit Wants You to Know...
Compiled by Thu Cao, Senior Program Associate
(202) 667-8227 X 119
CAW Update
- A Message from CAW Director Suzanne Kindervatter
- InterAction's Monday Development Issue on Poverty Eradication
InterAction Member & Partner Organization News
- Academy for Educational Development: Tumaini Letu (Our Hope); Nov 30
- ActionAid International: The United Nations Missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi: Security Sector Reform, Violence Against Women and the Future of Peacekeeping; Nov 20
- American Jewish World Service, Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Church World Service, and International Center for Research on Women: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise; Dec 1
- CARE: 60th Anniversary Women CARE Declaration
- CARE: Petition to end Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
- Center for Health and Gender Equity: For Whom the Bell Tolls
- Center for Women's Global Leadership: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign
- International Center for Research on Women: HIV/AIDS and Food Security in Uganda; Dec (TBD)
- Oxfam and MySpace.com: Rock for Darfur
- Women for Women International: Critical Half – Psychosocial Challenges and Interventions for Women Affected by Conflict
- Women’s Edge Coalition: Campaign to End Violence Against Women
- Women’s Edge Coalition: UNIFEM Sign-On Letter
- Women's Learning Partnership: Claiming Equal Citizenship Campaign
Events
- Whither GAD? Gender and Development in a New Age of International Security; Dec 5
- International Conference on Actions to Strengthen Linkages between Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS; Feb 4-8, 2007
- Gender Balance/Gender Bias; Mar 28-30, 2007
Food for Thought
- Report of the High Level Panel on UN Reform
- WFP Welcomes Appointment of Josette Sheeran as Executive Director
- World Bank Book Asks - What About Men and Gender?
- First Woman Wins Bahrain Parliament Seat
- The Hopes and Illusions of World Trade Liberalisation for Women in Africa
- Macy’s Partners with Rwandan Widows
Publications
- Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships
- Achieving Women's Economic and Social Rights (ESCR): Strategies and Lessons from Experience
- Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Mass Communication Programs to Change HIV/AIDS-related Behaviors in Developing Countries
- The Status of Women in Iraq, An Assessment of Iraq's De Jure and De Facto Compliance with International Legal Standards
- Poverty, Gender and Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking Best Practices in Migration Management
- Securing Equality, Engendering Peace: A Guide to Policy and Planning on Women, Peace and Security
- Boom-time Blues: Big Oil's Gender Impacts in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Sakhalin
Online Resources
- International Observatory of the Use of Rape as a Tactic of War
- Toolkit Launched by UN Agency to Help in Fight Against Human Trafficking
CAW Update
A Message from CAW Director Suzanne Kindervatter
Our new President and CEO Sam Worthington came on board in early October, and the board and staff already are well on the way to revitalizing InterAction. The strategic directions process that began during the summer has resulted in a set of four organizational goals that will be reviewed and affirmed at the December 5/6 board meeting and CEO retreat. The goals give higher priority to advocacy and to advancing our community’s unique contributions to development and humanitarian assistance efforts around the world. We’re also moving to new offices the week of December 10, which will give us a fresh new look as well. Watch for the invitation to our house-warming at 1400 16 th St./Suite 210.
In the process of rethinking InterAction, we’ve also been rethinking the role and positioning of the CAW or “gender function” within the coalition. The CAW Program Advisory Group, a group of about 12 members and non-member experts, met last week and discussed how we can use the changing environment to strengthen our collective efforts for women’s empowerment and gender equality. A near-term and particularly strategic change will be moving the CAW to the President’s office, which will enable gender to have full executive support and to become a cross-cutting dimension of all of IA’s work.
We are continuing our two major initiatives that began earlier in the year. The Gender and Aid Reform Working Group has been taking steps to promote the inclusion of women and the integration of gender in the new foreign assistance framework under the Director of Foreign Assistance Randall Tobias. We have had several meetings with staff of his office, as well as met with him directly. We have made specific recommendations on indicators, sex-disaggregated data, and other areas and are continuing to pursue these requests. The Women, Faith, and Development Alliance, which we’re co-convening with the Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation at Washington National Cathedral and Religions for Peace, is moving ahead. The Alliance’s purpose is to create and mobilize new partnerships among faith, global development, and women’s organizations to leverage our collective impact to expand women’s empowerment globally within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals. On January 31, 2007 the CAW will host a meeting to discuss the Alliance’s “Commitments Manifesto,” 2008 Summit, and planned advocacy activities. The meeting is open to InterAction members who haven’t yet participated. The Alliance is emerging as a powerful new force, so come find out about it and lend your ideas and energy to the effort. Make your calendars for January 31 from 2-5 p.m. at InterAction.
Another idea that came out of the recent CAW Program Advisory Group meeting is to create a “women’s caucus” for InterAction members. This would be a group of women and interested men in our community who would come together monthly or every other month to discuss common concerns and issues. These could be related to the status of women in our member organizations, program issues, or general networking. We’ll hold a wine and cheese gathering on January 24 from 4-6 p.m. as a first step. We’ll see who shows up, gauge the level of interest, get a sense of the issues, and then decide where we go from there. It also will be an occasion to toast the New Year and one another! Please note: this event is for InterAction members only. Save the date!
In the September e-news, we told you that that the High Level Panel on UN Reform was seriously considering recommending a high level UN organization dedicated specifically to women and advancing gender equality. The Panel’s report was released last week with just that recommendation. This is truly a milestone for women globally; we all will need to back the idea and push for sufficient resources. Read more in the article below.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) will hold its 51st session from February 26 - March 9, 2007. If you are an InterAction member who is not registered and would like to attend, please email Thu Cao at tcao@interaction.org.
Warm wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving, Suzanne Kindervatter
InterAction's Monday Developments Issue on Poverty Eradication
Six years ago, the United Nations put forth a set of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to significantly reduce the overall level of global poverty by 2015. How is achievement of the goals progressing, and what have American NGOs been doing to help meet them? In this issue, we examine each goal individually and what has been accomplished so far. We also highlight campaigns around the world that support the eradication of global poverty. This issue is a helpful guide to updates on the MDGs. To subscribe to Monday Developments, please visit http://www.interaction.org/monday/ or contact Michael Haslett.
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InterAction Member & Partner Organization News
Academy for Educational Development: Tumaini Letu (Our Hope)
November, 30, 2006; Washington, DC. The Academy for Educational Development invites you to a special documentary screening in observance of World AIDS Day, Tumaini Letu (Our Hope). In the villages of western Kenya, AIDS has robbed hundreds of thousands of children of their parents. Who’s raising them? Tumaini Letu is an award-winning film about the lives, struggles, and indomitable spirit of three women who care for these orphans and a program that helps give the children a better life. The screening will be followed by a Q&A and discussion with:Frank Beadle de Palomo, Sr. Vice President and Director, Global HIV/AIDS; Natalie Halpern, Producer/Director and AED Media Relations Manager; and Sarah Dastur, Speak for the Child Program Manager. Please RSVP to nhalpern@aed.org or 202-884-8324.
ActionAid International: The United Nations Missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi: Security Sector Reform, Violence Against Women and the Future of Peacekeeping
November 20, 2006; Washington, DC. ActionAid International invites you to a panel discussion on The United Nations Missions in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Burundi: Security Sector Reform, Violence Against Women and the Future of Peacekeeping . Panelists include Lee Feinstein, Senior Fellow for U.S Foreign Policy and International Law, Council on Foreign Relations; Samuel Braimah, Country Director, ActionAid Burundi; Emime Ndihokubwayo, Great Lakes Policy and Advocacy Coordinator. The moderator is Peter O’Driscoll, Executive Director, ActionAid USA. For more information, please contact Ilana Solomon, Policy Associate, ActionAid at 202-835-1240 or llana.Solomon@actionaid.org.
American Jewish World Service, Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Church World Service, and International Center for Research on Women: Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
December 1, 2006; Washington, DC. The UNAIDS-led Global Coalition on Women and AIDS cordially invites you to a World AIDS Day Capitol Hill Luncheon Briefing, Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise: The Role of the Faith-based Community in Stopping Violence Against Women and Fighting AIDS. Event Co-sponsors include American Jewish World Service, The Balm in Gilead, Center for Women’s Global Leadership, Christian Connections for International Health, Church World Service, General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church, The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS, International Center for Research on Women, Lott Carey International, Muslim Women’s Coalition, The National Minority AIDS Council, and UNAIDS. Nearly half of those living with HIV worldwide are women, and three-quarters of young people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa are young women and girls. Not only is AIDS disproportionately affecting women, but the feminization of the AIDS epidemic is also linked to another epidemic – that of violence against women and girls. Stopping violence against women and fighting AIDS are international imperatives. Each day, millions of women and girls are subjected to violence by family members, acquaintances, or strangers. This is not only a fundamental violation of their human rights, but also a significant cause and consequence of their infection with HIV. As numerous studies have shown, women living with HIV are more likely to have experienced violence, and women who have experienced violence are at greater risk for HIV infection. For more information, contact David Haroz.
CARE: 60th Anniversary Women CARE Declaration
Add your voice to CARE's 60th anniversary Women CARE declaration, urging world leaders to fulfill the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals and to place special focus on helping poor women all over the world. The United Nations member states have made a promise to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. On their 60th Anniversary, CARE is urging world leaders to follow through on this commitment by investing substantial resources in women and girls in the developing world. For 60 years, CARE has been at the forefront of humanitarian aid for those affected by violence, disaster, and poverty. Add your voice to this important cause by signing the Women Care petition.
CARE: Petition to end Female Genital Cutting (FGC)
Through years of working side by side with communities on agricultural, health, and education projects, CARE has proven its compassion and commitment. Building on this foundation of trust, CARE is in a unique position to respectfully open up a community dialogue about abandoning FGC. CARE'S approach includes: 1) Educating key "change agents." Support from community leaders, religious leaders and village elders for abandoning FGC is essential to CARE's success. By working with these respected members of the community, CARE can promote effective, lasting change. 2) Starting a community dialogue. In many communities, FGC is rarely talked about, let alone a subject for public debate. CARE helps to bring men and women together to talk about the issues openly, beginning discussions that examine the value of FGC and throw light on its harmful consequences. 3) Supporting individual change. The first people to stand up against FGC often face serious challenges in the community. CARE has helped to organize "safe houses" and support groups for families who publicly renounce FGC.
Center for Health and Gender Equity: For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) is working with numerous faith-based, human rights, and health organizations throughout the United States to organize an event in D.C. called “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” during which they will mark the fact that worldwide there is a new HIV infection every 8 seconds, underscore the failure of U.S. global AIDS prevention policies based on ideology rather than human rights and public health, and urge passage of the PATHWAY (Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth) Act. Please consider organizing a similar event in your community. You can organize an Alternative Vigil in front of the offices of your Congressperson or elsewhere in your community to call attention to the failure of the U.S.’s global HIV prevention policies and to urge passage of the PATHWAY Act. By doing so, you’ll be working as part of the broad global movement to push for the global World AIDS Day Theme of Accountability. Download a planning guide for other helpful information. If you are interested in participating or creating your own "For Whom the Bell Tolls" event, please sign up so that they can help support you in doing so. They’ll connect you to others in your community or locale that are interested in planning "For Whom the Bell Tolls" events and send you an easy guide to help you plan your event. For more information, please call or email at (301) 270-1182 or hthompson@genderhealth.org.
Center for Women's Global Leadership: 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign
November 25 – December 10, 2006. 2006 marks the 16th anniversary of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence campaign. Since 1991, the 16 Days campaign has worked to increase the visibility of violence against women as a human rights violation. The campaign has been utilized by groups all over the world to demand support services for survivors, enhance prevention efforts, press for legal and judicial reform, and use international human rights instruments to address violence against women as a human rights violation, a public health crisis and a threat to human security and peace worldwide. This year, the 16 Days campaign celebrates activists who have made the campaign a success and honors women human rights defenders who have suffered intimidation and violence for their activism and/or have given their lives fighting for gender equality. This year commemorates progress on addressing violence against women in our communities, nations, regions and around the world and calls for reflection on how to continue to advance this work.
International Center for Research on Women: HIV/AIDS and Food Security in Uganda
December (TBD), 2006; Washington, DC. This brown bag event is part of the International Center for Research on Women’s Insight to Action Seminar Series which is geared toward people working in the field of international development and interested in issues affecting women in developing countries. These gatherings are meant to be interactive. This event will feature Katharine Coon, Ph.D., Nutitional Sociologist, ICRW and Jessica Ogden, Ph.D., HIV/AIDS Specialist, ICRW.
Oxfam and MySpace.com: Rock for Darfur
MySpace.com, the world’s leading lifestyle portal, announced on October 9th “Rock for Darfur,” a campaign to raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian crisis in the Sudan. Through a partnership with MySpace bands nationwide and Oxfam, the campaign marks the company’s largest philanthropic effort to date and will include a Rock for Darfur 20-concert event, a public service announcement featuring Samuel L. Jackson, and interactive components found on the Rock for Darfur MySpace profile at www.myspace.com/RockForDarfur.
Women for Women International: Critical Half – Psychosocial Challenges and Interventions for Women Affected by Conflict
Since 2003, Critical Half, the bi-annual academic journal of Women for Women International, has presented various perspectives on economic, social, and political issues as they relate to women in international development and conflict and post-conflict societies. This fifth issue focuses on psychosocial support for women in conflict and post-conflict societies. Articles highlight the psychological and social difficulties encountered by conflict-affected women, and discuss ways to design effective psychosocial programs that facilitate healing and encourage women’s active participation in the reconstruction of their communities. Contributors include David Hutton, Patricia Omidian, Kenneth E. Miller, Livia Iskandar-Dharmawan, Khairani Arifin, Cristel Amiss, Anne Neale, Barbara Weyermann, Arlene Audergon, and Women for Women International – Nigeria Director, Ngozi Eze.
Women’s Edge Coalition: Campaign to End Violence Against Women
Women's Edge, in partnership with Amnesty International USA and the Family Violence Prevention Fund, is proud to announce its new campaign to increase U.S. leadership to end gender-based violence globally . Approximately one in three of the world’s women will experience violence in her lifetime, with rates reaching 70 percent in some countries. The campaign seeks to mobilize a wide cross-section of American society in support of stronger US policy to help end this gross violation of women’s human rights. The centerpiece of the campaign is a new International Violence Against Women Act developed by Edge and its partners with input from dozens of organizations in the US and around the world, slated for introduction in Congress in 2007. It will propose ways in which U.S. international assistance programs, which amount to billions of dollars a year, can help eliminate violence against women in developing countries and support the efforts of women all over the world who are working to end such violence in their communities. The idea behind the legislation is not to create a new international assistance program on violence against women but to integrate it into all the many programs that already exist.
Women’s Edge Coalition: UNIFEM Sign-On Letter
Women’s Edge Coalition and Family Violence Prevention Fund are asking you to sign on to the letter (linked below) requesting the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to support a $5 million appropriation for UNIFEM ($3.5 million for the UNIFEM general fund and $1.5 million for the UNIFEM Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women) for FY07. Many of you have signed the letter in the past and contributed significantly to their successful efforts to gain funding for UNIFEM and the Trust Fund. Please let them know if your organization is willing to sign on to the letter by replying to Shilpa Sejpal at the Family Violence Prevention Fund, 202-682-1212 or shilpa@endabuse.org by November 15. Thank you for your support for UNIFEM and your commitment to ending violence against women and girls worldwide.
Women's Learning Partnership: Claiming Equal Citizenship Campaign
Women's right to equal citizenship is guaranteed by the majority of Arab constitutions, as well as by international law. Yet across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and the Gulf, women are denied their right to nationality - a crucial component of citizenship. In almost every country in the MENA and Gulf regions, women who marry men of other nationalities cannot confer their original nationality to their husbands or children. Only fathers, not mothers, can confer their nationality to their children. Discriminatory laws denying women equal nationality rights undermine women's status as equal citizens in their home countries. The Women's Learning Partnership joins with regional partners in the Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf to call for: legal reform enabling women to confer their nationality to their husbands and children without condition; full implementation of reformed nationality laws and equal access to these laws for all women; and recognition of women as equal citizens in all areas of life.
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Events
Whither GAD? Gender and Development in a New Age of International Security
December 5, 2006; Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Joint Chair in Women's Studies for Carleton University and the University of Ottawa and The Canadian Association for the Study of International Development are organizing a one-day symposium, which will explore the growing linkages between national security concerns and foreign aid spending, from the perspective of the impact on women in developing countries.
International Conference on Actions to Strengthen Linkages between Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS
February 4-8, 2007; Mumbai, India. This conference is organized by the National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Indian Council of Medical Research, the UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction and the Indian Society for the Study of Reproduction and Fertility, together with other partners. The objectives of the conference are to: review global and region-specific research that has contributed to understanding the synergies between sexual and reproductive health and HIV/AIDS; identify successful approaches and challenges from case studies; highlight outstanding research gaps; and recommend specific policy and programmatic actions that could strengthen the linkages in order to better respond to the needs and realities of people living with HIV.
Gender Balance/Gender Bias
March 28 - 30, 2007; Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. The 2007 Gender and Education Association conference will be jointly hosted by the Centre for Gender and Women's Studies, Trinity College Dublin, and the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, University College Dublin. The theme of the conference is Gender Balance/Gender Bias, encompassing issues of inclusion and equality, which are to the fore in educational policy and practice in recent times. There are, however, persistent instances of bias and exclusion on the basis of gender, as well as interactions with other social variables such as race, class, ethnicity, religion and ability. This conference seeks to explore past, present and future issues of balance and bias in education from a gendered perspective.
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Food for Thought
Report of the High Level Panel on UN Reform
In February 2006, as mandated by the 2005 World Summit outcome document, the UN Secretary-General formally established the 15-member Panel of Eminent Persons on UN System-wide Coherence in the fields of humanitarian affairs, environment and development. The Panel, which was co-chaired by Luisa Dias Diogo, Prime Minister of Mozambique; Jens Stoltenberg, Prime Minister of Norway; and Shaukat Aziz, Prime Minister of Pakistan, presented their final report to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly on 9 November 2006. Further discussions among UN Member States will take place throughout the 61st session of the General Assembly. One of the reports principal recommendations is to consolidate three bodies into a new organization for women.
WFP Welcomes Appointment of Josette Sheeran as Executive Director
Source: World Food Program Website - After full consultation with the World Food Program (WFP) Executive Board at a special session attended by all its 36 members and most other member states, the President of the Board, Ambassador Mirza Qamar Beg of Pakistan, announced that the UN Secretary-General and FAO Director-General intend to appoint Josette Sheeran as WFP’s Executive Director, with the concurrence of the Board. “Ms Sheeran has outstanding credentials. WFP’s Member States look forward to working with her to bring assistance to the millions of people who struggle with hunger daily,” said Ambassador Beg. “Leading the world’s largest humanitarian organisation for the past five years has been a tremendous privilege. I am confident that Josette Sheeran’s wide experience – especially her most recent role at the US State Department and on the High Level Panel on UN reform – will serve the organisation and its beneficiaries well,” said outgoing Executive Director of WFP, James Morris.
World Bank Book Asks - What About Men and Gender?
Source: Reuters - Improving the lives of women in the world's poorest countries has been the focus of development programs for more than three decades, but now a new World Bank book asks: What about the men? The theme of the book "The Other Half of Gender" initially seems politically incorrect and has already stirred wide debate, given that women traditionally have been victims of inequality and discrimination. But the authors argue that resolving some of the most chronic social ills in the developing world requires helping men deal with problems unique to being men. Geeta Rao Gupta, president of the Washington-based International Center for Research on Women (ICRW), applauded the authors for tackling the little-known issue of why men are expected to adhere to dominant forms of masculinity that can promote conflict and homophobia. "We have learnt in the field of gender and development is that if we want change to occur in gender roles, you have to work with both men and women," Rao Gupta said. A burning question in the development community is how the relationship between men and women affects poverty levels, Rao Gupta said. "Empowering women doesn't disempower men. Empowering women would require men to change their roles, so they don't have power over women but power to work with women and find common solutions," Rao Gupta added.
First Woman Wins Bahrain Parliament Seat
Source: SeattlePi - A British-educated civil servant has become the first-ever female to serve as an elected member of Bahrain's parliament, the Gulf kingdom said Tuesday. Eighteen women are among 221 candidates vying for seats in the 40-member assembly in the Nov. 25 vote. But Lateefa al-Geood was the only candidate who registered to run in her region, meaning she has already technically won a seat, Bahrain's official news agency said. "I'm very proud as a Bahraini woman to reach this point, and I hope more than one female candidate reaches the parliament," al-Geood told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Thirty-one women ran in municipal and parliamentary elections in 2002, but failed to win any seats. Bahraini women won the right to vote a year earlier as part of a national referendum that turned the small Gulf state into a constitutional monarchy. "I hope all Gulf states take Bahrain's example in giving women political rights and the right to participate in political activities," al-Geood said. Six women already serve in Bahrain's upper chamber of parliament, but they were appointed, not elected. Under Bahraini law, al-Geood's uncontested candidacy amounts to an electoral victory.
The Hopes and Illusions of World Trade Liberalisation for Women in Africa
Source: Pambazuka News - Africa has faced ten years of unfettered liberalization that, argues Cheikh Tidiane Dièye, has left the continent on its knees. Women, more than any other group, suffer the weight of the constraints of poverty largely brought about by the world trade system. It is women that must play a crucial role in winning the struggle for a better trading system. Even though over the last twenty years many African nations have adopted sometimes draconian economic reforms, the benefits of trade liberalization that were promised have not materialized. On the other hand, developed nations have enjoyed 70% of the wealth generated by trade liberalization. In some respects, world trade regulations, defined for the most part by industrialized countries during the Uruguay Round agreements between 1986 and 1994, have only increased Africa’s economic problems.
Macy’s Partners with Rwandan Widows
Source: Washington Post - When Macy's decided to sell baskets made by Rwandan widows, the store was swayed in part by the prospect of contributing to a developing economy and in part by the women's tale of suffering during their country's 1994 genocide. But Macy's was clear: This may have been charitable, but it was not charity. Baskets, woven from sisal and sweet grass, are inspected to verify they meet quality requirements and then paid for in cash on the spot. Macy's imported 650 baskets last year in a successful test run, and bought 31,000 more to sell this fall in stores in New York, Atlanta and Chicago and online.
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Publications
Promoting Gender Equality in New Aid Modalities and Partnerships
This discussion paper, produced by the United Nations Dev elopment Fund for Women (UNIFEM), identifies an initial set of considerations to ensure that gender equality is central to the aid effectiveness agenda. It is intended for policy-makers currently adjusting to the new aid modalities, such as officials and analysts in Ministries of Finance, Planning and Women's Affairs; women's rights advocates at domestic, regional and international levels; and bilateral and multilateral development actors such as Resident Coordinators in the UN system. The paper argues that women will only benefit from the new aid architecture if gender equality is recognized as a key component of poverty reduction and national development, and if women are fully represented in decision-making. This paper comes out of a November 2005 international consultation in Brussels organized by UNIFEM and the European Commission.
Achieving Women's Economic and Social Rights (ESCR): Strategies and Lessons from Experience
In 2005 the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) asked over 50 activists working in diverse settings all over the world what strategies they found most useful in their efforts to improve economic and social rights for women? What were the greatest challenges they were encountering in their work? Did the ESCR framework actually fulfill its promise in presenting them with a new and more effective approach to their work? This report synthesizes and analyzes some important examples and lessons that emerged through this investigative process. The insights provided include those from feminist activists working with a variety of strategies including the use of litigation and judicial processes, making and reforming policy, engaging with budgets, drawing on UN mechanisms, using fact finding and research, and organizing campaigns and popular mobilizations.
Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Mass Communication Programs to Change HIV/AIDS-related Behaviors in Developing Countries
This 31-page resource, produced by authors from Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Center for Communication Programs; Department of HIV/AIDS, The World Health Organization; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health; and PhD Program in Health Policy, Harvard University
July 2006, examines the effectiveness of 24 mass media interventions from developing countries in changing HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. It provides data on a question that may shape the nature and direction of the work of HIV/AIDS program managers, communication researchers, donor agency staff, and others: to what extent do communication program impact HIV/AIDS-related behaviors? In short, it examines the strategy of using mass media interventions to effect change in the HIV/AIDS arena. The authors distinguish between "broadcast" interventions, which include radio and/or television, and "small media" with more local reach (e.g., posters, pamphlets, audio programming, dramas, and puppet shows) that tend to be face-to-face, interactive, and community-based, with greater involvement of local stakeholders.
The Status of Women in Iraq, An Assessment of Iraq's De Jure and De Facto Compliance with International Legal Standards (English | Arabic)
This publication by the American Bar Association was produced by Kelly Fleck, Sawsan Gharaibeh, Aline Matta, Yasmine Rassem and others with assistance from Iraqi legal experts. The opinions expressed in the book are those of the authors. It provides, in one volume, a number of factual details and background that is still desperately needed by those working on issues relating to women In Iraq.
Poverty, Gender and Human Trafficking in Sub-Saharan Africa: Rethinking Best Practices in Migration Management
This report, produced by the United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization discusses how human trafficking remains poorly understood even though it is now a priority issue for many governments. Information available about the magnitude of the problem is limited. While the existing body of knowledge about human trafficking serves to raise public consciousness about the issue, it is still not rigorous enough to lend support to comprehensive action programs addressing the different dimensions of the problem. Engaged organizations tend to turn to social learning - or Best Practices - to develop their actions. This publication discusses the profiles, strengths and weaknesses of Best Practices in fighting human trafficking, the way they understand what brings about this phenomenon and their replicability. A better understanding of what constitutes a Best Practice in fighting human trafficking requires an analytical approach, which can explain why certain factors have converged to produce this illegal trade of people. Without adequate explanation, policy tends to shift stance and direction.
Securing Equality, Engendering Peace: A Guide to Policy and Planning on Women, Peace and Security
To commemorate the International Day of Peace, September 21st 2006, the United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) offers a new manual on how to create a successful action plan on women, peace and security. Designed as a resource for governments, international and regional agencies and civil society organizations, the guide provides good practices, specific recommendations and a practical six-step model process. This guide examines one of the crucial steps on the path towards the full implementation of existing laws, namely the formulation and implementation of concrete policies and plans. More specifically, this guide concentrates on the creation of action plans on the issue of women, peace and security. The guide is designed as a resource for governments, United Nations and regional organizations as well as non-governmental organizations who are interested in developing plans and policies on women, peace and security issues.
Boom-time Blues: Big Oil's Gender Impacts in Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Sakhalin
A new report by Gender Action and CEE Bankwatch Network exposes how European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and International Finance Corporation (IFC)-financed Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan and IFC-funded Sakhalin II pipeline projects have led to a dramatic rise in prostitution, human trafficking, HIV/AIDS, and violence against women. The report challenges EBRD and IFC claims that they promote gender equality and combat HIV/AIDS. Elaine Zuckerman, President of Gender Action, stated in a recent press release: "Both the EBRD and the IFC have turned a blind eye to the increased prostitution, human trafficking and HIV/AIDS that the BTC and Sakhalin II pipeline projects generate. Lacking gender policies, both institutions are ill-equipped to identify and address such tragic social outcomes of their investments. It is time for the EBRD and IFC to develop and implement binding gender safeguard policies." CEE Bankwatch and Gender Action are following up with advocacy on the EBRD and the IFC. Gender Action hopes to monitor other pipelines financed by public-supported development institutions in the future.
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Online Resources
International Observatory of the Use of Rape as a Tactic of War
The International Observatory of the use of rape as a tactic of war has a new on-line site in both English and French. Considering that rape used as a tactic of war is spreading in conflicts and risks becoming commonplace, knowing no frontiers, whether geographical, cultural or religious, nor any linked to age or sex, the Observatory seeks to ensure that this practice is extracted from the sole spheres of intimacy, femininity, and the shame affecting individuals or family, and is dealt with in the appropriate sphere: that of the public eye, political and military doctrine, economic interests and the deliberate will to decimate entire communities. The Observatory’s purpose is to further a global vision of the causes and reality of rape as a tactic of war and to take appropriate action as a consequence. The Observatory acts independently of any political or religious considerations. Its action is founded on texts of International law relating to human rights, which consider rape as a tactic of war as a constitutive act of crime against humanity and war crime as well as an instrument to genocide. Based in Paris, the Observatory consists of a network of international and local NGOs in various countries, as well as research workers and university scholars who, by signing the Observatory’s chart, pledge to participate in its work, in line with their respective skills and possibilities.
Toolkit Launched by UN Agency to Help in Fight Against Human Trafficking
The United Nations’ anti-crime agency launched a toolkit to assist governments, law-enforcement agencies, policy-makers and civil society groups tackle the scourge of human trafficking more effectively. The new toolkit from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) contains practical tools for police and other law enforcement officers such as a checklist to help identify trafficking victims as well guidance on interviewing victims and victim protection. The toolkit also outlines key aspects of a comprehensive response to human trafficking, such as the need to bring national legislation into line with international standards and strengthen international cooperation in criminal justice, including the extradition of criminals, seizure of assets and confiscation of the proceeds of crime.
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