 2005 International Calendar of Campaign Activities
Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East (CWAME)
Contact: cwame@cwame.org
The Coalition of Women from Asia and the Middle East will participate in this campaign. I have written a paper on the issue DV in immigrant and ethnic communities of Asia including West Asian (Iranian and Middle Eastern) and South Asian which will be published in Persian in a major LA publication and will be posted to an electronic publication with more than 400,000 viewers every day from Iran and all over the globe.
The below referenced site published the first in a series of community education during the 16 days of global campaign against gender based violence. The title of this article in Persian is - Domestic Violence, a "Public Discourse" not a "Private Matter". It focuses on the issue of DV in the immigrant communities of West Asia and the Middle East in US. http://www.iran-emrooz.net/index.php?/zanan/more/5428/
AFGHANISTAN
Afghan Women’s Network; Ministry of Women Affairs; Human Rights Commission, OXFAM
Violence Week in Afghanistan:
For the first time since 2003 this week was held in Inter Continental by Ministry of Women Affairs in Afghanistan. Those who participated in this campaign expressed their hatred against violence.
Activities:
- This year Ministry of Women Affairs and civil society also carried out a campaign under the title “Elimination of child and forced marriages in Afghanistan.” They conveyed their messages through conferences workshops, rallies, and mass media. This two days conference was held on 12th and 13th of November by Ministry of Women affairs which was held in the conference room of foreign ministry in which executive director of Afghan Women’s Network also participated. She replied to the questions which were raised by participants. MOWA made a draft of a protocol which was signed after sharing it with all participants and then signed by ministries and submited to president Hamid Karzai for approval and further signing of: Ministry of foreign affairs, Supreme Court, Ministry of Interior, Attorney of General office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Women affairs, Ministry of High Education, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Pilgrimage and Religious, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Information and Culture and the Afghan Independence Human Rights Commission.
- The other ceremony was held on 15 November 2005 by Ministry of Women Affairs in which Miss Heba Tarzi conveyed the message of Miss Afifa Azim which follows: “By the permission of the respectable guests: Violence is one of the unpleasant, unwanted and detrimental phenomena of human society that since its creation has been imposed. It is in fact an obstacle in the development and evolution of human societies which due to its creation, destroyed great masses of human beings, Women and men faced many losses including losses of wakeful minds of mankind. Such a painful phenomenon is in fact the product of some special social and economical conditions, and history of human being does not remember a society that is not familiar with the culture of violence. As violence is one of the cause of hindrance in development and prosperity of a people in a society, their skills, it further results in irreparable damages of physical, mental and social adversities. We can boldly say that among other factors of backwardness of our beloved country, violence is an important factor. Islam, which basically is the religion of peace and also emphasis on women’s rights, eradication of violence in international conventions has not yet been registered in the frame of human rights system as it should be. Attention should be paid to conventions regarding women’s rights as signed by contracting countries and Afghanistan. It is the duty of Afghan men and women to get benefit form available opportunities for elimination of violence against women. Sisters! Just Kabul is not all of Afghanistan. These campaigns and meetings should be organized in the most remote areas of Afghanistan. It is obvious that alteration of society is not possible instantaneously, but small consistent and strong attempts would provide better long term results for the future of the country. Women’s network and its members have performed fruitful activities for eradication of violence and will work on such issue in coming three years. A manifesto in connection with the murder of Nadia was issued to the Institute of Young Poet in Herat. Fortunately the network of women will be working together with Ministry of women.” She further explained that the key role of Afghan Women’s Network is to evade the violence. She submitted an agreement to expand their ability to evade violence against Women in Afghanistan. This agreement was given by Masooda Jalal president of Ministry of Women Affairs to Ms.Afifa Azim executive director of Afghan Women Network
- Rally-The next event was the rally that was conducted by Human Rights Commission in which Afghan Women Network actively participated and prepared special dresses with the help of OXFAM office and AWN’s member ECW.
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JORDAN
Freedom House and grantees
Contact: Ishaq, Program Officer at ishaq@freedomhouse.org or at 962-6-551-8421
Freedom House is a nonprofit organization founded in 1941 that promotes freedom, democracy, and respect for human rights around the world. With the support from the United States Department of State’s Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), Freedom House launched its project in Jordan in the spring of 2004 to support Jordanian efforts to prevent family violence. Specifically, the project aims to increase public support for the prevention of family violence through advocacy grants for awareness campaigns during the global campaign of “16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence” which takes place each year from November 25th-December 10th. For the second year in a row, Freedom House conducted an open competition for small grants, selecting five grantees from a pool of 28 applicants. Grantees include: Community Centers Association, the National Center for Human Rights, Institute for Family Health of the Noor Al Hussein Foundation, National Forum for Youth and Culture: Jordan Youth and AmmanNet. In addition, Year I grantee the Performing Arts Center will continue its performances of “Memoirs of a Woman” an interactive theatre play on VAW which will be integrated into grantee activities as well as at other partner events throughout the Kingdom. Please see below for a summary of the grants, and follow the following link for a newspaper article on 16 Days in Jordan: http://www.freedomhouse.org/template.cfm?page=115&item=47.
Overall activities of Freedom House and partners:
- 21 November 2005: The Role of Media in Covering Violence against Women: Workshop and panel debate between journalists and activists at Amman (Kempinski Hotel)
10:00-13:00
- 28 November 2005: 16 Days Launch under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Talal from 11:00 – 13:00
Organization: Community Centers Association (CCA)
Project Name: "Alleviate Family Violence through Cooperation between Men and Women"
Project Summary: Through their network of centers around the Kingdom, the Community Centers Association will address the issue of family violence through interactive discussions and outreach to rural areas not regularly reached by governmental and non-governmental organizations. In addition, they will focus on training three NGOs active in these rural areas so that these organizations can then run the programs locally. Activities will focus on the alleviation of domestic violence with emphasis on the cooperation between males and females in rural areas of Jordan and will include lectures, discussion sessions and workshops with case studies with the aim of raising the awareness of women’s human rights in rural and Bedouin areas.
Project Location: Al Gwaira, Rwaished, Dlail and Ghor Al Safi
Activities: 13 November - s lide show for women in the Ruwaished community; 19-21 November - training courses for local community NGO's in Ruwaished; more training courses 3-5 December in Dlail (North); slide shows in Dlail for men, women and family 10 and 13 December; slide show in Gwaira (South) on 26 and 27 December for women, children and young women.
Organization: The National Center for Human Rights (NCHR)
Project Name: "Youth to Stop Violence against Women"
Project Summary: NCHR will work on tackling the issue of violence against women through focusing its efforts on challenging university students’ misconceptions regarding violence against women. NCHR will continue working with youth by conducting workshops and open day events at four universities not previously engaged in the 2004 16 Days campaign. This project aims to clear these misconceptions, especially those confusing tradition and culture with religion, and to provide youth with clear and relevant information regarding violence against women so that they can be active in combating such violence in their society. The NCHR has already built a network of relationships with local NGOs in the field of human rights in general and in the field of women’s rights in particular. This was done in an effort to co-ordinate, synchronize, and support the on-going initiatives of civil society organizations working in the field. This network will be engaged in the open days taking place as part of their 16 Days programming.
Project Location: Aal Al Bait University (Mafraq/North), Al Hashimiyya University (Zarqa/Middle), Al Hussein University (Ma’an/South) and Al Balqa' Applied University (Salt/Middle)
Activities: Training workshops on "Combating VAW" for university students 4-5 December at Zarqa (Al Hashimiyah University), more training courses on 6 December at Zarqa along with an o pen day with women's rights and human rights NGOs exhibition; more training workshops and an open day 18-19 December at Salt (Al Balqa' Applied University).
Organization: National Forum for Youth and Culture: Jordan Youth (NFYC)
Project Name: "Towards effective advocacy & lobbying to prevent violence against women"
Project Summary: The National Forum for Youth and Culture will launch a campaign to raise awareness among youth about women’s rights and how violence affects their lives. By conducting bicycle rides in four major cities and universities throughout the Kingdom, the NFYC will be able to gain the attention of youth, media and local leaders about the issue. In addition, workshops with media and advocacy training sessions with youth will be held to engage these targets in the campaign. These workshops will help establish an interest group for the project that may participate in the cycle rides and sustain the activities in the future.
Project Location: Amman, Karak, Zarqa and Irbid
Activities: Workshop on violence against women (17-18 Nov and 25 Nov in Amman at UNIHRD office in Shmeisani); Bike ride targeting press and media, route through Sahafa (26 Nov in Amman on Al Sahafa Street); Bike ride to the University, end point at NCHR, open day (8 Dec in Zarqa at Al Hashimiyah University); Bike ride from UN building in Shmeisani to Jordan University (12 Dec in Amman at Jordan University)
Organization: Institute for Family Health (IFH) of The Noor Al Hussein Foundation
Project Name: "Better Advocate for the Prevention of Family Violence"
Project Summary: The Institute for Family Health (IFH) will work on increasing the knowledge and understanding of Jordanian families (mainly youth) of women's rights as well as human rights through concentrating on the gender perspective. The project will target five areas in which a one day open day and a one day participatory workshops will be held. A total of 50 students from each area will be involved in the open day which will consist of different activities and discussion groups. The discussion groups will be facilitated by volunteers with participation of trainers to facilitate brainstorming and problem solving discussions, aiming toward sensitizing the audience on such issues. The 2 nd day workshops will consist of groups of 20 students having two sessions per day in each of the five target areas with trainers facilitating the discussions using role playing, and case studies. Discussions will focus on topics such as: gender and social role; Islam and discrimination; types and shapes of violence; effect violence on the family and the community; and prevention of violence.
Project Location: Salhoub (Al-Balqa), Shafa Badran ( Amman), Marsa' (Jarash), Abu-Nsseir ( Amman), and Allan (Salt)
Activities: Workshops on GBV for local community (21 Nov at Abu Nusseir Vocational Training Center; 27 Nov in Salhoub at the Zahera Welfare Society; 4-5 Dec in Allan at Princess Rahma College; 11-12 Dec in Marsaa’ at Marsaa’ Welfare Society; 18-19 Dec in Shafa Badran at Applied Science University).
Organization: AmmanNet
Project Name: "Radio Documentaries on Women's Rights & Freedoms"
Project Summary: The project aims to produce a series of quality radio documentaries that focus on Jordanian women's rights and freedoms. These documentaries will capture genuine stories of the realistic situations that women in Jordan face and will attempt to suggest various ideas and alternatives, through interviews with experts and activists, in an effort to not simply expose problems but also provide options for women who have similar experiences. An advisory committee of experts will be selected in conjunction with Freedom House to provide information and analysis of the current situation of women’s rights in the Kingdom. In addition, the Jordan Country Report from the Freedom House Survey of Women’s Rights 2005 will be utilized as a reference point for the program. The radio series will be broadcasted twice a month for six months on AmmanNet network (which includes FM radio, Internet radio) as well as with affiliate radio stations in the region. In addition, special reports will be produced from the radio program and published in local newspapers.
Project Location: National
Activities: Special radio documentary on 16 Days and violence against women (30 Nov in Amman on 92.4 FM – Ad Dustour to reprint on 1 Dec)
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LEBANON
KAFA (enough) Violence and Exploitation
Contact: Jika El-KESSERWANI, Social Worker, kafa@kafa.org.lb
KAFA is a Lebanese NGO specialized in resisting all kinds of violence against women and children. One of its most distinctive aims is to empower vulnerable groups, especially women and children, to defend their rights and empower them to avoid being victims of violence or exploitation. We believe that fighting legal illiteracy and raising awareness on violence against women and children is a way to empower people and mobilize groups and professionals to adopt behaviors resisting all kinds of violence. Awareness also serves as a means of harnessing public opinion to advocate victims’ issues. During the 16 Days campaign, KAFA aims to mobilize the youth and general public to support efforts for resisting domestic violence through highlighting the medical and psycho-medical repercussions of violence on the individual and the family; reduce the risks among youth to become victims of marital violence due to ignorance of the laws; use the CD entitled “Promoting the Rights of Women and Children through Information” to reduce legal illiteracy by diffusing information regarding this issue to the large public. An awareness-raising campaign on violence against women and children is planned for ten universities and other institutions of higher education in Beirut and some other areas in Lebanon. A team of experts consisting of lawyers, medical doctors and social workers will deliver lectures and conduct workshops at the universities. The lawyers will use a CD and website entitled: "Promoting the Rights of Women and Children through Information” produced by UNDP in Lebanon as the principal tool in conducting the lectures and workshops. By using the CD and website KAFA wishes to promote the use of information technology in the work against violence against women and children. This will provide students with a continuous means of access to information about Lebanese legislation on the subject. In parallel with the campaign going on in the universities another campaign will be targeting journalists and raising awareness in the media about violence against women and children. Press releases with information about the project will be sent out to the media, and journalists will be invited to attend the lectures and workshops at the universities. They will also be invited to do interviews with the experts who are conducting the lectures and workshops as well as participants at the lectures.
Specific activities include conducting 10 specialized group meetings and conference sessions with 4 lectures in each session. The topics of the sessions will be “the concept of domestic violence and its forms,” “medical and psychological effects of violence” and laws concerning the subject. This topic will be addressed through using the CD on “Promoting the Rights of Women and Children through Information.” The target groups for the activities will be students of the universities and the high educational institutes in Beirut and other regions in Lebanon (700 students are expected to participate), social workers and Lebanese society in general. The expected number of articles and interviews coming out of the events is around sixteen.
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TURKEY
For Women By Women Initiative with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
Contact: www.art4development.net; info@art4development.net
“For Women by Women” is an independent voluntary group of professional and amateur female photographers who are keen to address this vital human rights issue and create awareness and positive change in the lives of many individuals, particularly women, at risk. The “For Women by Women” project commenced in Istanbul in April 2005 with an exhibition and auctioning event of photographs donated by 111 photographers. The initiative conducted an awareness creation media/press campaign, and organized an auction to sell the photographs donated by these photographers. The money raised was given to the Independent Women’s Association in Ankara which is building a women’s shelter in Mersin in the southern part of Turkey. There has been a need for such a shelter with necessary human resources such as psychologists, health specialists, and more. Since its initiation the number of photographers involved with the “For Women by Women” project has increased to over 150. The photographs are being exhibited in various arts and cultural festivals throughout Turkey with the aim of continuing to create awareness in this critical human rights issue. Those and additional photos are available for purchase, which will continue to help raise funds for shelters that provide supportive services for victims of domestic and sexual abuse. The campaign site is under construction and can be found at www.kadinlaricin.org. On 25 November 2005, the “For Women By Women” initiative is organizing a photo-exhibition together with the United Nations’ Population Fund in Istanbul, Turkey to stop violence against women. The photo-exhibition will be held in the CRR Concert Hall prior to the “Women and Folk Songs” concert. The concert is part of the Stop Violence Against Women National Campaign of the General Directorate of Women Status of the Turkish Republic Prime Ministry.
For Women By Women
One Exhibition, One Concert, One Press Campaign
Photo-Exhibit and “Women and Folk Songs” concert to Stop Violence Against Women!
Date: November 25, 2005 Friday
Time: 19:30 (Concert will start at 20:00)
Place: Cemal Resit Rey (CRR) Concert Hall, Darulbedai Cad. No 31, Harbiye – Istanbul Turkey
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This section highlights general United Nations support of the 16 Days campaign, including statements made by Executive Directors of various UN agencies with regard to the campaign, as well as websites UN agencies have created to highlight the campaign.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, 25 November 2005
International Human Rights Day, 10 December 2005
Websites
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
Contact: leigh.pasqual@undp.org
UNIFEM observed the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence with a wide range of activities organized around the world by its regional and country offices, partner organizations and national committees. From public forums, seminars, and workshops to exhibitions, theatre performances and media campaigns, not a day went by from 25 November to 10 December without a reminder that violence against women is a human rights violation that must be stopped, and that everyone can play a part in doing so.
In Thailand, a public forum invited comments on the country's pending domestic violence bill, with ideas from the forum sent to national newspapers to stimulate further debate on the issue. In Cambodia, the White Ribbon campaign, a part of the 16 Days of Activism that specifically targets involving men as partners against violence, was launched by the Cambodian Men's Network, who went door-to-door to raise awareness and encourage public participation. A conference for government officials and civil society representatives on the problem of child marriages took place in Afghanistan, while in Abkhazia, the 16 Days was observed for the first time through a public awareness campaign that included seminars for students and round table sessions for the media and local authorities. A memorial was held in Nigeria, to remember all women who had lost their lives to violence and to recognize the courage of survivors. Attendees wore coloured t-shirts — beige for domestic violence, blue for incest and child abuse, red for rape and white for murdered victims — to signify the impact of particular forms of abuse on their lives. "No Safe Haven," a Project Alert compilation of media reports of violent attacks on women between December 2004 and November 2005, was launched at the event along with symbolic lighting of candles, reciting of poems and sharing of testimonies from survivors and families of victims of violence. Across Latin America and the Caribbean, a regional public campaign, which included UN agencies and international bodies, such as the Pan-American Health Organization, ISIS International, and the Centre for Women's Global Leadership (CWGL), called to action hundreds of organizations and thousands of activists to advocate against gender-based violence.
UNIFEM's national committees in various countries spearheaded publicity campaigns, working with local media to place articles in daily newspapers, run radio and TV spots and advocating with national authorities on effectively implementing existing policies and legislation on ending gender-based violence. In New Zealand, 50,000 white ribbons were distributed at breakfasts, street events and free concerts to symbolize speaking out against abuse of women and children, while in Iceland, activities organized by UNIFEM's national committee and 25 other civil society organizations included putting "band-aids" on all lower court houses in the country to call attention to inefficiencies within the justice system in dealing with cases of gender-based violence.
At an event at UNIFEM headquarters in New York, grantees from UNIFEM's Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence against Women told of their experiences working to combat violence in their communities. The occasion also saw the announcement of new Trust Fund grantees — 24 groups working in 30 countries received grants to further their work on ensuring that national policies and laws to end violence against women were being implemented, and to specifically address the deadly intersection of violence and the spread of HIV/AIDS. The complete list of 2005 Trust Fund grantees is available at: http://www.unifem.org/attachments/stories/TrustFund_Grantees_2005.pdf.
Click HERE for a detailed list of activities.
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