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| 15 Mar 2008 - 18:48 | Relief Web
URL: www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SK . . .
| Kenya: Displaced women "still facing threat of sexual violence"
NAIROBI, 10 March 2008 (IRIN) - The risk of rape and sexual abuse remains high for thousands of young girls and women displaced by Kenya's post-election crisis in January and February, an assessment by three agencies has found.
Detailing the findings of the rapid assessment of gender-based violence (GBV) suffered in camps, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Christian Children's Fund (CCF), said the women had repeatedly expressed fears of sexual violence because of makeshift sleeping arrangements, where men and women were forced to sleep under one tent or out in the open.
"They also voiced concerns about lack of regulations in the camps allowing men from the outside to enter unchecked by camp officials and, in Nairobi in particular, women reported fears about sexual victimisation linked to camp design and services, including lighting, water/sanitation facilities, and availability of firewood," the agencies stated in a report on 10 March.
Continues...
www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/SKAI-7CLLPM?OpenDocument=kenya
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| 15 Mar 2008 - 18:32 | World Public Opinion
URL: www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles . . .
| International Poll Finds Large Majorities in All Countries Favor Equal Rights for Women
Published by: World Public Opinion.org
Released: March 2008
Widespread Support for Government and UN Action to Prevent Discrimination
According to a new WorldPublicOpinion.org poll of 16 nations from around the world there is a widespread consensus that it is important for "women to have full equality of rights" and most say it is very important. This is true in Muslim countries as well as Western countries.
In nearly all countries most people perceive that in their lifetime women have gained greater equality. Nonetheless, large majorities would like their government and the United Nations to take an active role in preventing discrimination.
The poll is being released in advance of International Woman's Day (March 8), a date recognized by the United Nations and observed around the world. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, whose second article declares that all are entitled to the same rights and freedoms, regardless of sex as well as race, language, religion, or other status.
The poll of 14,896 respondents was conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org, a collaborative research project involving research centers from around the world and managed by the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland. Interviews were conducted in 16 nations including most of the largest countries: Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, the Palestinian territories, Russia, South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, and the US. The nations included represent 58 percent of the world population.
For further information and to access the complete report, please visit
http://www.worldpublicopinion.org/pipa/articles/home_page/453.php?lb=hmpg2=4
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| 15 Mar 2008 - 17:52 | VSO Canada
URL: www.vsocan.org/bangladesh
|
Documentary: "Brothel Justice"- Women Asserting their
Rights in Bangladesh
VSO Canada is proud to present a short documentary film based on the lives of women living and working in a brothel in Bangladesh. See how these women are breaking through social and political barriers to empower themselves and make change.
Produced by VSO volunteers: Award-winning filmmaker Dominique Keller and award-winning broadcaster Priya Ramu.
Presented by VSO Canada in association with Global Citizens for Change (a coalition of international development organizations that believe in the transformative power of volunteering), CUSO, IDRC and CIDA.
Toronto, Tuesday, March 25
YMCA Metro
20 Grosvenor Street
Vancouver, Friday, March 28
Vancouver English Centre
150 Smithe Street
Calgary, Monday, March 31
SAIT, Orpheus Theatre
1301-16 Avenue NW
Ottawa, Wednesday, April 2
Bronson Centre, Mac Hall
211 Bronson Street
Doors open at 6:30 pm
Featuring film screening, expert panel discussion and Bangladeshi
entertainment.
Please note: Pay what you can, donations gratefully accepted.
For further inoformation, please visit www.vsocan.org/bangladesh
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| 14 Mar 2008 - 19:18 | Monica Arenas
monica@endabuse.org
URL: www.apiahf.org
|
CALIFORNIA ACTION ALERT!
(Letters of Support Needed by March 21)
Support SB 1523 (Kuehl) - Promote equal access to the criminal justice
system for limited English proficient battered women!
Background
Battered immigrant women face numerous barriers to accessing the justice system. Law enforcement is often a first responder to domestic
violence. However, most law enforcement agencies do not provide access to interpreters, resulting in most officers relying on neighbors, household members, children of the victim or abuser, or even the abuser, to interpret when attempting to communicate with the victim. The absence of a means of effective communication between the officer and the victim, perpetrator or witnesses, often leads to a failure of the system to respond to the domestic violence, wrongful arrest and conviction of the victim, or escalating abuse against the victim,
sometimes resulting in death.
SB 1523 (Kuehl) would promote equal access to the justice system for limited English proficient (LEP) victims of abuse by:
* Allowing the Victims Compensation and Government Claims Board to reimburse victims for interpreter services related to the
investigation, prosecution and medical services related to the abuse;
* Require law enforcement agencies to include in their domestic violence protocols procedures for ensuring timely, effective and accurate communication with LEP persons and to ensure that domestic
violence resource cards that officers provide victims are translated
into the most prevalent languages spoken; and
* Require law enforcement domestic violence training curriculum to include techniques and procedures to ensure timely, effective and accurate communication with LEP persons.
SB 1523 is co-sponsored by: Asian & Pacific Islander American Health
Forum, California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, Asian Women's Shelter, Family Violence Prevention Fund, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area, and the National Association of
Judiciary Interpreters and Translators.
Letters of Support Needed by Friday, March 21
SB 1523 will be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee in early
April. We are requesting letters of support be FAXed (with hard copy
mailed) to each member of the Committee no later than March 21.
Attached are a sample letter of support and Fact Sheet on SB 1523.
Senate Public Safety Committee Members are:
Senator Gloria Romero
Senate Public Safety Committee
State Capitol, Room 2031
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 445-4688
Senator Dave Cogdill
Vice Chair, Senate Public Safety Committee
State Capitol, Room 3048
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 327-3523
Senator Gilbert Cedillo
State Capitol, Room 5100
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 327-8817
Senator Bob Margett
State Capitol, Room 3082
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 324-0922
Senator Don Perata
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 327-1997
Senator Sheila Kuehl
State Capitol, Room 5108
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 324-4823
Mike Petersen
Senate Republican Policy Consultant
1020 N Street, Room 234
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: (916) 445-3105
Deeana Jang, JD
Policy Director
Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum
1828 L Street, NW, Suite 802
Washington, DC 20036
202.466.3660 (direct)
djang@apiahf.org
www.apiahf.org
Monica Arenas
On behalf of the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant
Women
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| 14 Mar 2008 - 11:07 | Pagina 12
URL: www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3-10 . . .
|
Un dictamen ordena al Estado atender la denuncia de la joven maltratada por policias, medicos y jueces
Por una reparación a la niña toba violada
El caso fue revelado por Página/12. La joven fue violada, a los 15 años, por tres jóvenes blancos, en 2003. Los acusados fueron absueltos por la Justicia chaqueña. Un dictamen del Inadi consideró que el Estado debe allanarse a la denuncia de la víctima.
La denuncia de L.N.P. recién fue tomada después de que la comunidad se plantó ante la comisaría.
Subnotas
La víctima investigada
“Discriminación múltiple”
Los reclamos al Estado
Voces contra la discriminación
[cerrar]Comparta esta nota con un amigo
E-Mail de su amigo
Su nombre
Su E-Mail
Por Mariana Carbajal
El principal organismo del Gobierno que vela contra la discriminación, la xenofobia y el racismo (Inadi) consideró que el Estado argentino debe ofrecer una “reparación integral” a L.N.P., la niña toba que fue violada y cuyos agresores fueron absueltos por un tribunal chaqueño a pesar de haberse comprobado el acceso carnal violento, tal como reveló Página/12 en su edición del sábado. En un dictamen al que tuvo acceso este diario, el Inadi concluyó que el país debe “allanarse a la denuncia interpuesta” ante el Comité de Derechos Humanos de la ONU por ese caso. Del análisis del proceso judicial “surge que L.N.P. ha sido discriminada por razón de género, por edad y por etnia, vulnerando derechos y garantías constitucionales, en abierta violación a la normativa interna e instrumentos internacionales incorporados a la Constitución”, señala el documento.
La opinión del Inadi está contenida en un dictamen que fue solicitado por la Comisión Interministerial de Derechos Humanos de Chaco. A pedido de la Cancillería, el gobierno de esa provincia tiene que elaborar un descargo para presentar ante la Comité de Derechos Humanos de la ONU. El plazo para que Argentina responda vence el 6 de abril. Y el país podría ser condenado a indemnizar a la niña y a su familia y a implementar cambios en normativas y en la administración de justicia para evitar que situaciones similares, de violaciones múltiples de derechos, se repitan (ver aparte).
continua...
www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3-100408-2008-03-10.html
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| 14 Mar 2008 - 10:54 | Gift from Within
URL: giftfromwithin.org/html/artpage3.html
|
Interactive Art Exhibit called
* A Woman’s Journey from Domestic Violence Victim to Survivor: The Door
* is now available on the Gift From Within website at http://giftfromwithin.org/html/artpage3. html
* This exhibit is heart-wrenching and powerful and will touch the hearts and souls of anyone who sees it. Walk Through the Door, Take a Journey
*
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| 13 Mar 2008 - 10:44 | endabuse
URL: endabuse.org/newsflash/index.php3?Search . . .
| Impact of Violence Lasting, Severe
March 12, 2008
Several new studies shed light on the effects of domestic and sexual violence. They find that being a victim of child abuse results in higher health care costs for women decades later, children of mothers experiencing violence are twice as likely to end up in emergency rooms as other children, and physical abuse during pregnancy can increase the chances of preterm delivery.
Years Later, Health Costs Higher
Middle-aged women who suffered physical or sexual abuse as children spend up to one-third more on health care than women who were not abused, a new study finds. Decades after the abuse, these women use health services at significantly higher rates than women who did not experience abuse when they were children.
In comparison with non-abused women, health costs are 36 percent higher for women who suffered both physical and sexual abuse, 22 percent higher for women who suffered only physical abuse, and 16 percent higher for women who suffered only sexual abuse.
“What’s remarkable is that women with an average age in their late 40s still suffer consequences from abuse that occurred decades ago,” the study’s leader, Amy Bonomi, an Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Science at Ohio State University, told Science Daily. “This study provides the strongest evidence to date about the impact of abuse well into adulthood.”
continues
http://endabuse.org/newsf lash/index.php3?Search=Article&NewsFlash ID=970
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| 13 Mar 2008 - 10:24 | Movimientoelpozo
kathy@movimientoelpozo.org
URL: nn
| Invitación a Mesa de Debate: "La Mujer y el Comercio Sexual en el
Peru
Solicitamos difusión del siguiente evento:
El Director del Centro Cultural de España y la Directora del Movimiento El Pozo
tienen el agrado de invitar a usted a la Mesa de Debate
"La Mujer y el Comercio Sexual en el Perú"
a realizarse en el marco de las celebraciones por el
Día Internacional de la Mujer.
Participarán: representantes del Grupo Multisectorial Permanente contra la Trata de Personas, del Departamento contra la Trata de Personas de la Policía Nacional del Perú, de la Asociación Miluska, Vida y Dignidad, y del Movimiento El Pozo.
Ricardo Ramón y Tammy Quintanilla, agradecen su gentil asistencia.
Día: Lunes 24 de marzo del 2008.
Hora: 6:30 - 8:00 pm.
Lugar: Auditorio del Centro Cultural de España. Av. Natalio Sánchez 181, Lima.
(Altura Cuadra 6 de la Av. Arequipa).
Agradecemos la difusión
Kathy Maguiña Sotomayor
MOVIMIENTO EL POZO
Jr. República de Portugal 492, Breña
Lima 5 - Perú
Tlfx.: (51-1) 423-5852
Email: kathy@movimientoelpozo.org
Web: www.movimientoelpozo.org
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| 13 Mar 2008 - 10:16 | Human Rights Education Associates
x@x.x
URL: www.hrea.org
|
Miriam Makeba visits rape survivors in Congo (DR)
Miriam Makeba says support for women crucial to nation's improvement amid fragile peace
13 March, 2008, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo -- Singer and activist Miriam Makeba says women survivors of sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo face a "triple tragedy" of physical, psychological and social damage, undermining the country's attempts to improve living conditions.
Makeba, who is on a four-day visit to Kinshasa in her role as FAO Goodwill Ambassador, is planning to tour small farming projects designed to help rape survivors feed their families and increase self-reliance. The women have received FAO-donated seeds, tools and agricultural training. Makeba is to be accompanied by the DRC's Minister of Gender, Family and Child Welfare, Philomène Omatuku.
Makeba, who won the Dag Hammarskjöld Prize for Peace in 1986, called the systematic rape of women in recent years the "most horrifying feature of the complex emergency" in DRC, Africa's third-largest country.
"Women guarantee the survival of 80 percent of the households in DRC. Yet despite their crucial role for the well-being of the family, they are frequently victims to rape and sexual violence," Makeba said. "In the province of North Kivu alone, 27 000 cases of sex violence were recorded in 2006."
The DRC has "a vast potential for economic growth," said the South African singer, who has been an active supporter of FAO's campaign against world hunger since her appointment as Goodwill Ambassador in 1999. "Yet 70 percent of the people have difficulty getting enough food to eat, malnutrition rates are on the rise and some 3.5 million people have died in the last 20 years as a result of violence, famine and disease."
The FAO Emergency Coordination and Rehabilitation Unit, in collaboration with other UN agencies, non-governmental organizations and local authorities, has provided assistance to 500 000 households, or more than two million people. FAO plans to increase assistance to 800 000 households this year.
FAO projects have provided farming and fishing equipment, quality seeds and disease-free plants, and road repairs to improve access to markets. The programmes have placed priority on the most vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons, malnourished children and ex-combatants.
Urging the international community not to forget the ongoing crisis in the DRC, Makeba said, "I would like my visit to this country to be an opportunity to renew and strengthen our commitment and ensure that innocent victims suffering from hunger have access to the necessary resources to cultivate their hope for a better life."
Makeba's schedule also includes a visit to a project for families affected by HIV/AIDS, meetings with high-ranking government officials and encounters with representatives of UN agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Contact:
FAO Media Office
(+39) 06 570 53625
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| 12 Mar 2008 - 11:11 | Arizona End Regional Trafficking Training
URL: www.ncvli.org/navratraining.html
|
Don’t forget to register for NAVRA’s next Teleconference Training!
Building Organization Awareness & Sensitivity to the Crime of Human Trafficking
Presented by Katie Resendiz, Trafficking Training Coordinator
Arizona League to End Regional Trafficking, a project of The International Rescue Committee
When:
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 @ 12:00pm PST ( 1:00pm MST / 2:00pm CST / 3:00pm EST)
What:
In this teleconference, Ms. Resendiz will discuss the problem of Human Trafficking and the challenges of identifying and working with victims of this terrible crime. Information on how victims of trafficking are different than other victims will be presented. Ms. Resendiz will also highlight how those working in the field of victims’ rights can play a pivotal role in assisting victims of Human Trafficking and what resources are available to victims. A brief overview of modern-day slavery and its prevalence in the U.S. will be discussed.
REGISTRATION:
You must register in order to participate. Please visit www.ncvli.org/navratraining.html to register online or call 503-768-6961.
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| 12 Mar 2008 - 10:56 | mujer colombia
URL: www.rel-uita.org/mujer/apartado_colombia . . .
| mujer Colombia - Apartadó
Marcha en el Día Internacional de la Mujer
Participaron más de 3.500 mujeres, entre ellas se destacaron trabajadoras bananeras, funcionarias de la alcaldía, maestras, empleadas domésticas, desplazadas, indígenas, jubiladas, discapacitadas y estudiantes.
continua
http://www.rel-uita.org/mujer/apartado_colombia.htm
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| 12 Mar 2008 - 10:42 | mujer Nicaragua
URL: www.rel-uita.org/mujer/con_azahalea_soli . . .
| mujer Nicaragua
Con Azahalea Solís
El gobierno actual promovió
muchos retrocesos para la mujer
Después de un largo y complicado proceso legislativo, la Asamblea Nacional aprobó la Ley de Igualdad de Oportunidades, definiendo importantes instrumentos para las políticas de género y el respeto de los derechos de las mujeres. No obstante, en otros planos se han registrado importantes regresiones.
En ocasión del Día Internacional de la Mujer, Sirel conversó con Azahalea Solís, del Movimiento Autónomo de Mujeres (MAM), para conocer el difícil camino que llevó a la aprobación de la Ley, sus contenidos y de qué manera esta norma podrá contribuir a mejorar las difíciles situaciones en que viven actualmente las mujeres nicaragüenses.
continua
http://www.r el-uita.org/mujer/con_azahalea_solis.htm
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| 12 Mar 2008 - 10:26 | Mujer Peru
URL: www.rel-uita.org/mujer/peruanas_por_la_d . . .
| Peruanas por la dignidad, la libertad y la justicia social
“Escucha, García, la olla está vacía,
nuestro cuerpo violentado
y nuestra vida empobrecida”
“Mujeres contra la guerra. Mujeres contra el capital. Mujeres contra el machismo, contra el terrorismo neoliberal”. “Escucha, García, la olla está vacía, nuestro cuerpo violentado, nuestra vida empobrecida”. “Hoy no celebramos con rosas ni regalos, hoy reivindicamos a mujeres que han luchado”; estos fueron algunos de los lemas coreados por cientos de mujeres que marcharon por las avenidas de Lima en el marco de las actividades por el Día Internacional de la Mujer.
Las mujeres trabajadoras, campesinas, productoras agropecuarias, microempre-sarias rurales y urbanas, sindicalistas, feministas, mujeres organizadas en comedores populares autogestionarios, comités de “vaso de leche” y casas refugio, amas de casa, universitarias, mujeres con discapacidad, militantes en partidos e integrantes de los diversos movimientos sociales se declararon en pie de lucha por un Perú diferente, y el viernes 7 de marzo salieron a las calles para hacer pública esta decisión.
continua
http://www.rel-ui ta.org/mujer/peruanas_por_la_dignidad.ht m
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| 12 Mar 2008 - 10:12 | madriddigital
URL: www.madriddigital.info/detalle_noticia.p . . .
| MADRID
El aborto y el terrorismo machista presentes en la manifestación del Día Internacional de las Mujeres
- madriddigital.info
Madrid, 10/03/08- La concentración oficial que conmemora el Día Internacional de las Mujeres se celebró en Madrid el pasado viernes 7 por motivos de la jornada de reflexión electoral que vivió el país. Este hecho no impidió que numerosos colectivos de mujeres y unas 5.000 personas según datos de fuentes policiales (foto), se manifestaran desde la plaza de Jacinto Benavente hasta la madrileña plaza de Neptuno con el lema “Mi cuerpo, mi decisión, nuestro derecho. Aborto libre y gratuito”.
continua
http://www.madriddigital.info/detalle_noticia.php?id=20080310003402d3bbe3027c161b2add074174a438b89a
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| 11 Mar 2008 - 14:59 | admin
URL: nn
| Senator Joe Biden Urges Passage of International Violence Against Women Act
Copyright 2008 Federal Information and News Dispatch, Inc.
BIDEN Commemorates International Women's Day
Contact: Annie Tomasini/Danielle Borrin 202-224-5042
Urges Colleagues to Support International Violence Against Women Act
BIDEN: 'The time is now for the United States to get actively engaged in the fight for women's lives and girls' futures'
Washington, DC - On the eve of International Women's Day, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE) and author of the landmark Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), urged his colleagues to support the bipartisan International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). This groundbreaking legislation (S. 2279) would ensure that our foreign assistance programs include efforts to end gender-based violence.
"Tomorrow, on March 8th, we will commemorate International Women's Day and celebrate the great achievements by women all across the world," said Sen. Biden. "However, while substantial progress has been made here in the U.S. and in other countries, millions of women continue to live in poverty and fear. The time is now for the United States to get actively engaged in the fight for women's lives and girls' futures.
Every day around the globe, women and girls face domestic violence, rape, forced or child marriage, so-called "honor" killings, dowry-related murder, human trafficking, and female genital mutilation. The United Nations estimates that at least 5,000 "honor" killings take place each year around the world and more than 130,000,000 girls and young women worldwide have been subjected to genital mutilation. A 2006 United Nations Report found that at least 102 member states had no specific laws on domestic violence.
"Violence against women and girls violates their basic human rights. It impedes women's full and active participation in their communities and societies," said Sen. Biden. "Stopping gender-based violence isn't just the moral thing to do; it's also smart diplomacy since violence contributes to the poverty, inequality and instability that threaten our security."
Specifically, the International Violence Against Women Act will:
*Create one central Office for Women's Global Initiatives to coordinate the United States' policies, programs and resources that deal with women's issues. Never before has there been one person who reports directly to the Secretary of State on issues related to gender-based violence.
*Mandate a 5-year comprehensive strategy to fight violence against women in 10 to 20 selected countries and provides a new, dedicated funding stream of $175 million a year to support programs dealing with violence against women in five areas: the criminal and civil justice system, healthcare, girls' access to education and school safety, women's economic empowerment, and public awareness campaigns.
*Require training, reporting mechanisms and a system for dealing with women and girls afflicted by violence during humanitarian, conflict and post-conflict operations. As the recent reports from the Congo make tragically clear, in situations of humanitarian crises, conflict and post-conflict operations, women and girls are particularly vulnerable to violence. Reports of refugee women being raped while collecting firewood, soldiers sexually abusing girls in exchange for token food items, or women subjected to unimaginable brutality and torture as a tactic of war are shocking in number and inhumanity. There is a dire need for increased training and reporting requirements for refugee workers to help crack down on these brutal acts of violence. In addition, the bill crafts a new designation of "critical outbreaks" and requires emergency measures when rape is used as a weapon of war or in conflicts where violence against women is sharply escalating with impunity.
The International Violence Against Women Act was crafted with the input and expertise of over 100 nongovernmental organizations here and abroad working on gender-based violence, human rights, health care, international development and aid. These groups include Amnesty International, CARE, Center for Women's Global Leadership, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Family Violence Prevention Fund, Human Rights Watch, Inter-Agency Gender Working Group (IGWG), International Rescue Committee Jewish Women International, Legal Momentum, Lutheran World Relief, Women's Edge Coalition, and Vital Voices Global Partnership.
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| 11 Mar 2008 - 14:50 | admin
URL: nn
| GLOBAL DV - Violence Against Women the Most Common and Least Punished Crime in the World
Copyright 2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
THE SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
March 05, 2008 Wednesday
HEADLINE: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN LEAST PUNISHED
BYLINE: MARIA ELENA SALINAS SYNDICATED COLUMNIST
BODY: Riding the bus just became a nonthreatening experience for some women in Mexico City. In parts of this overpopulated metropolis, women can now get on the bus, alone or with their children, and reach their destination without fear of being harassed or assaulted by men.
The drastic measure of establishing "women only" buses was taken by transportation authorities in the Mexican capital this January to ensure their safety in a male-dominated society where women's rights are scarce. Unfortunately, in most of the world, not much is done to protect women from abuse, and there are alarming facts and figures to prove it.
According to recent United Nations reports, violence against women is the most common but least punished crime in the world. Just a few examples: At least one out of every three women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. The abuser usually is a member of her own family.
More than 2 million girls are genitally mutilated each year, at a rate of one every 15 seconds. In India, because of insufficient dowries, about 25,000 brides are burned to death each year by the family of the groom, who is then free to remarry. Between 700,000 and 4 million women per year are forced or sold into prostitution.
These are some of the issues highlighted by women's rights advocates around the world in observance of International Women's Day on Saturday. Of particular concern is the impunity with which abuse of women and girls is treated. In Latin America and the Caribbean, for instance, domestic violence is considered a misdemeanor and not a serious crime, and laws do not protect women from marital rape. In every country in the region, women suffer from acute discrimination in the workplace, according to reports by Human Rights Watch.
One of the countries suffering from this wave of violence against women is Spain, where more than 500 were killed by their spouse or significant other from 2000 to 2007. Just two months into 2008, 14 women had been killed in Spain - four of them in just one day.
But International Women's Day is not just about highlighting the need to protect women and their rights; it's also about celebrating their accomplishments. This year there are more than 400 events in at least 42 countries - dozens of them in the United States, where Congress has declared March Women's History Month. Many of those events are related to the political accomplishments of women. As a matter of fact, after earning the right to vote, the most important inroads women have made are in education and the political arena.
Of the U.N.'s 192 member nations, 20 of them have female heads of state, including Michelle Bachelet of Chile and Cristina Kirchner of Argentina. In Costa Rica, 38 percent of the members of Congress are women. The vice presidents of Peru and El Salvador are women. In the U.S. for the first time, a woman is the speaker of the House of Representatives, and in the most recent midterm election, a record number of women were elected to Congress: 53 Democrats and 21 Republicans. And of course Hillary Clinton became the first woman with a real shot at the presidency.
It's progress, but not enough when you consider that there are more women than men in the U.S. and that on average, women in this country still earn 77 cents to every $1 earned by men, even though there are more young women than young men with a bachelor's degree or higher.
Women around the world have a long road ahead of them in trying to reach equality and respect for their rights. For now, it's one step at a time. At least for some women in Mexico, the bus ride to their destination will be more tolerable. But watch out once they get off the bus
Maria Elena Salinas is anchor of Noticiero Univision. Copyright 2008 Maria Elena Salinas. E-mail: msalinas@univision.net
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| 11 Mar 2008 - 14:43 | Patricia
patriciacuellar@comcast.net)
URL: nn
|
tengo una tia ilegal en Texas, el padre de sus hijos tambien lo es (no es su esposo, solo viven juntos), el se droga, con mucha frecuencia mi tia se quiere ir a mexico con sus ninos, pero tiene miedo que el gobierno se los quite porque el la amenaza con denunciarla de secuestro, quisiera ayuda para ella y si alguien sabe me dijera si es cierto que no puede llevarse a sus hijos a mexico.
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| 11 Mar 2008 - 11:49 | Jewish Women International’s National Training Institute
URL: www.jwi.org/site/c.okLWJ3MPKtH/b.3882973 . . .
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Jewish Women International’s National Training Institute is pleased to introduce new Skills-Building Workshops, in-depth trainings on topics of interest for mental health professionals, first responders, attorneys, law enforcement, health care professionals, DV Advocates, and educators who work with victims and survivors of abuse. These workshops will be offered several times throughout the coming year, with leading-edge facilitators who will train your staff on critical domestic abuse issues.
The second live teleconference in our Skills-Building Series:
Motivational Interviewing (MI): Strategies to more effectively interview women and adolescent survivors of domestic abuse.
Trainer: Kathleen Sciacca, MA, national/international consultant, clinician, trainer, program developer and author. Since 1977, she has worked with survivors of domestic abuse and trauma in the South Bronx, NY and the New York State Office of Mental Health. Presently, she is the executive director of Sciacca Comprehensive Service Development for Mental Illness, Drug Addiction and Alcoholism, MIDAA® and a member of Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers since 1995.
Date: Thursday, March 20, 2008
Time: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. EST
Cost: $25 per telephone line.
Pre-registration is necessary to participa
go to:
www.jwi.org/site/c.okLWJ3MPKtH/b.38 82973/
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| 11 Mar 2008 - 11:19 | Mercedes Assorati
assorati@elotro.org.ar
URL: www.elotro.org.ar
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UN PEDIDO EN EL DÍA DE LA MUJER
Estimadas/os amigos de ESCLAVITUD CERO y de los GRUPOS FOINTRA:
La trata de personas es, junto al tráfico de drogas y de armas, uno de los negocios ilegales más rentables del mundo. Genera unas ganancias estimadas de 32.000 millones de dólares anuales según la OIT. De esos 32.000 millones, según datos de la OIM, 16.000 millones son generados en América Latina. Es decir que la mitad de las ganancias mundiales se generan en nuestro Continente !.
Las mujeres y las niñas son las más vulnerables a la trata de personas, tanto para explotación laboral como sexual. Por ello, en este día de la mujer, les pedimos renueven su compromiso de combatir este crimen aberrante, considerado de lesa humanidad, que coloca a millones de mujeres y niñas en el mundo en situación de esclavitud.
Argentina, como muchos otros países latinoamericanos, aún no tiene una legislación que tipifique la trata de personas. No contamos con un Programa Nacional de combate contra este flagelo que esté funcionando en el país; no hay albergues adecuados para las víctimas; no hay un sistema específico de atención y protección de las víctimas; no tenemos una política activa de detección de víctimas; no tenemos una política criminal específca para combatir la trata.
Frente a estas omisiones, el negocio se está expandiendo cada vez más rápido en Argentina. La Oficina de Asistencia Integral a la Víctima del Delito ha visto multiplicarse casi por diez el número de víctimas asistidas entre 2004 y 2007. La Fundación El Otro ha estimado que el número de víctimas en nuestro país supera ampliamente el medio millón.
Por ello, para honrar a las mujeres en su día pedimos a nuestros legisladores que no demoren la aprobación de la ley de tipificación de la trata de personas, para que las cientos de miles de mujeres y niñas esclavizadas en nuestro país puedan recuperar su libertad y dignidad y festejar también el Día de la Mujer.
A los colisters les pedimos un favor:
Difundan este mensaje y escríban a los legisladores de la Comisión de Legislación Penal de la Cámara de Diputados de la Nación qué tienen en sus manos el proyecto de tipificación de la trata de personas. Pueden copiar el mensaje que está arriba, o elaborar uno propio. Lo importante es que todas y todos pidamos una legislación que ayude a devolver la libertad y la dignidad a las víctimas de la trata de personas y en especial a las mujeres y niñas que hoy no pueden celebrar con nosotras este día. Por favor copienos si envían un mensaje a assorati@elotro.org.ar para después poder contarles cuantos mails recibieron nuestros legisladores.
Aqui van las direcciones :
efellner@diputados.gov.ar, pvacan@diputados.gov.ar, clpenal@hcdn.gov.ar, NCESAR@diputados.gov.ar, OMASSEI@diputados.gov.ar, NGINZBURG@diputados.gov.ar, PAZCOITI@diputados.gov.ar, MCARMONA@diputados.gov.ar, HACUNA@diputados.gov.ar , FBIANCO@diputados.gov.ar, EBURZACO@diputados.gov.ar, DCAMANO@diputados.gov.ar, DCONTI@diputados.gov.ar, VDONDAP@diputados.gov.ar, PFADEL@diputados.gov.ar, EGARCIAMENDEZ@diputados.gov.ar, IGARCIA@diputados.gov.ar, CGILL@diputados.gov.ar, BHALAK@diputados.gov.ar, VIBARRA@diputados.gov.ar, CKUNKEL@diputados.gov.ar, HPERIE@diputados.gov.ar, HRECALDE@diputados.gov.ar, JREJAL@diputados.gov.ar, ALROSSI@diputados.gov.ar, LSESMA@diputados.gov.ar, FSOLA@diputados.gov.ar, PSPATOLA@diputados.gov.ar, MTORRONTEGUI@diputados.gov.ar, JVEGA@diputados.gov.ar, MVELARDE@diputados.gov.ar, scordoba@diputados.gov.ar
GRACIAS POR COLABORAR PARA QUE MAS MUJERES Y NIÑAS PUEDAN FESTEJAR ESTE DÍA !!!!!!!!!!
Mercedes Assorati
Coordinadora General
Programa ESCLAVITUD CERO
Fundación El Otro
Página Web: http://www.elotro.org.ar
Dirección: Hipólito Yrigoyen 2441,
Of 104, CABA, Argentina
TEL/FAX: (011) 4 785-0291
CEL: (011)15 5 513-4738
E-mail: assorati@elotro.org.ar
assoratimi@gmail.com
ENTRA A NUESTRO GRUPO Y PARTICIPÁ:
http://groups.google.com/group/esclavi tud-cero?hl=es
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| 10 Mar 2008 - 15:46 | Texas NARAL
URL: www.prochoicetexas.org/assets/ files/wi . . .
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Texas NARAL (National Abortion Rights Action League) Winter Newsletter online
www.prochoicetexas.org/assets/ files/winter08newsletter.pdf
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| 10 Mar 2008 - 15:28 | Human Rights Education Associates
URL: www.hrea.org
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International Women's Day: UNHCR launches handbook for protection of women
GENEVA, March 6 (UNHCR) – The UN refugee agency on Thursday launched an important guide for the protection of females as the organization's leader, António Guterres, reaffirmed UNHCR's commitment to the rights of women.
Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Erika Feller and Netherlands Ambassador Boudewijn J. van Eenennaam, Chairman of UNHCR's governing Executive Committee, presided over the launch of the "Handbook for the Protection of Women and Girls" in Geneva's Palais des Nations.
The launch of this important protection tool – which replaces UNHCR's 1991 "Guidelines on the Protection of Refugee Women" – is directly linked to International Women's Day on Saturday.
The handbook denounces "a massive culture of neglect and denial about violence against women and girls" and outlines strategies to answer the protection challenges faced by women and girls of concern. It also sets out international legal standards and responsibilities in this area.
Feller said the document was designed to promote gender equality by using a rights- and community-based approach, by mainstreaming age, gender and diversity, and through targeted actions to empower women and girls in the civil, political and economic sectors.
The Assistant High Commissioner also highlighted the practical suggestions for concrete actions contained in the handbook, mentioning "a total of over 60 field practice examples which show how offices have approached these challenges."
High Commissioner Guterres, in a special International Women's Day message to staff released on Thursday, highlighted the importance of raising awareness on gender-based issues and described the handbook as "an important new tool" that "describes the protection challenges faced by refugee women and ways of resolving them."
Noting this year's theme of "Investing in Women and Girls," Guterres said the refugee agency would be directing US$1.5 million in 2008 to special projects aimed at countering and raising awareness about sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in 14 countries.
One of those countries is Uganda, where the High Commissioner has been reviewing UNHCR operations, meeting officials and talking to refugees and internally displaced people since Monday. He leaves later Thursday for a four day-visit to Tanzania.
Guterres, in his staff message, noted that UNHCR had last year "channelled special funds to projects in a first group of 14 countries – Tanzania, Syria and Jordan among them – as part of our contribution to the global fight against SGBV and to help find solutions for the tens of thousands of displaced women and children affected by abuse."
The High Commissioner also urged all UNHCR staff to take part in the various activities being organized worldwide in the coming days to celebrate International Women's Day. He stressed that "more than ever, UNHCR should be doing everything possible to support women and girls of concern and to invest in their protection and welfare."
By Cécile Pouilly in Geneva
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| 10 Mar 2008 - 10:32 | Resistingwomen
URL: www.resistingwomen.net
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New at www.resistingwomen.net
TURKEY : A Headscarf Affair, a Women’s Affair?
Monday 10 March 2008 by Nilüfer Göle
In Turkey, the recent parliamentary vote put an end to the headscarf ban, but not to the public controversy that has severely divided and deeply polarized Turkish society since the post-1980 period. Nilüfer Göle assesses the situation. > continue
8/03/2008 Iran / Women’s Rights : Women of Iran, we do not forget you!
Sunday 9 March 2008 by Souhayr Belhassen, FIDH
To all Iranian women engaged in the fight for equality, On International Women’s Day, 8 March, as we reaffirm that women’s rights are human rights, on behalf of FIDH and its member organizations around the world, I wish to express our solidarity with you, the women of Iran who continue your (...) > continue
press release
Russian Week against Homophobia (RWAHO),
March 25-31, 2008
Sunday 9 March 2008
Why? It’s been 15 years since criminal prosecution of male homosexuality was finally repealed in Russia. For almost a decade same-sex attraction is no longer considered pathological among mainstream Russian medical specialists. But still Russian society as a whole embodies strong negative (...) > continue
Burmese Women Activists Receive the International Award HOMO
HOMINI from Vaclav Havel in Prag (BURMA)
Thursday 6 March 2008
Prague, March 5, 2008 – People in Need, a leading non-governmental organization in Central Europe, has presented the Homo Homini award today. This award for significant contribution in the field of human rights in 2007 was bestowed upon three Burmese women activists: Su Su Nway, Phyu Phyu Thin, (...) > continue
Parvin Ardalan, Banned from Travel While on Way to Receive Olaf Palme Award
Wednesday 5 March 2008 by Resisting Women - Femmes en Résistance (Collectif), One Million Signature Campaign
Change for Equality: Parvin Ardalan was banned from travel early this morning, March 3, 2008, while on her way to Stockholm, Sweden, to take part in a ceremony in her honor as the recipient of the 2007 Olaf Palme Award. Ardalan, went through the passport check point and boarded the plane (...) > continue
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| 10 Mar 2008 - 10:26 | Women's Human Rights
humanrights@oise.utoronto.ca
URL: www.oise.utoronto.ca/cwse/humanrights_08 . . .
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An International Human Rights Education Institute
Presented by
Centre for Women's Studies in Education
(Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto, Canada)*
*In cooperation with
Fundación Justicia y Género, Costa Rica
********
*Women's Human Rights:
Building a Peaceful World in an Era of Globalization
*Five Week Institute May 30 – July 4, 2008
*Part I: Women's Human Rights Education in the Age of the Market:
Challenges & Visions (May 30-June 20)
*
*Pt II Women's Human Rights Education: Instruments and Activism (June 23–
July 4)
*
*Director: Alda Facio
*
*Faculty: Peggy Antrobus, Mary Eberts, Angela Miles, Nan Peacocke
*
*Maximum of twenty participants
**
*The Institute brings feminist perspectives and an activist orientation to the inextricably related issues of peace, human rights and life-sustaining development. Participants will gain an understanding of the global economic, ecological, legal, cultural and political contexts of this work, as well as of the groundbreaking work that is currently being done and has been done over decades by women and men around the world.
Important milestones such as the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the U.N. Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, The African Protocol on Women's Rights, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention,
Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, Security Council Resolution 1325, the Beijing Platform for Action, and Women's Action Agenda 21 will be featured as resources for social change. Effective ways of using
them as tools for education and practice will be explored.
*
Information including Application Forms:
T: +1(416) 978-2080 E:
**humanrights@oise.utoronto.ca*<huma nrights@oise.utoronto.ca>
*
W: http://www.oise.utoronto.ca/cwse/humanri ghts_08.htm
*Regular Tuition US/CD$4,000 Full Institute or US/CD$2,750 Part One only.
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