2006 International Calendar of Campaign Activities (Asia and the Pacific)

2006 International Calendar of Campaign Activities

ASIA AND THE PACIFIC

AUSTRALIA

UNIFEM
Contact: Astrid Edwards, admin@whiteribbonday.org.au
1 Nov-10 Dec: White Ribbon Day Campaign. The National Committee for UNIFEM, Australia is organizing and co-organizing a number of events throughout the country to raise awareness and support in the struggle to end violence against women. For more information, visit the White Ribbon Website.

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BANGLADESH

Doorbar Network
International Day to Protest Violence against Women was observed this year like subsequent years with the initiatives of International Women’s Day observation Committee, composed of 47 human rights organizations with the lead of Naripokkho. Regarding upcoming national election, the theme of this year was-“Protect Violence against Women especially for Minority Women in the context of National Election”. Description.

Promoting Human Rights and Education in Bangladesh (PHREB)
Contact: Fahmida Bhuiyan, phreb.bangladesh@gmail.com
PHREB is organizing a seminar on violence against women with community leaders, youth leaders, and religious leaders, to speak against VAW. Other events include a meeting with the media, a family level campaign, a walk and a demonstration on World AIDS Day, December 1st. PHREB is also involved with putting on stage a drama on VAW and HIV/AIDS, meetings with NGOs and renowned women leaders on HIV/AIDS and VAW. Closer to the end of the campaign an event on the personal stories of abused women and girls will be held, as well as a cultural function to commemorate Human Rights Day on December 10th. For a more extensive agenda on these events, please contact PHREB.

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CHINA

UNIFEM
Contact: Guo Ruixiang, ruixiang.guo@unifem.org

17 Nov: Launch Event of Initiative to Promote Shelters for Victims of Violence. In close cooperation with the China Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Women's Federation of, Jiangsu Province, UNIFEM, as the implementing agency for the joint UN China Gender Facility Programme, is launching a new initiative that aims to promote shelters for victims of violence in China. The project will review experiences of the first-ever government-supported shelter operating since 2003 in Jiangsu province, to assess its results and replicate the successful model by the Ministry of Civil Affairs in other parts of the country. The launching event brings together activists and workers of 18 shelters functioning nowadays in other five provinces of China, to share experiences and discuss issues concerning women's shelters.
27 Nov: Press Conference to Commemorate the International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women in China. A panel composed of five to seven prominent Chinese women active in the area of combating violence against women, and representing an array of state and civil society organizations and academia, will speak to the media and the audience to share their experiences and practices emerging in China to prevent and respond to violence against women. Organized by the United Nations Theme Group on Gender and UNIFEM.

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FIJI

FemLINKpacific
FemLINKpacific is dedicating much of its media and radio work during the 16 Days Campaign to the theme of violence against women. Its Young Women’s Weekend Radio Broadcasts is featuring special segments on this topic over Dec 2 and 3, while FemLINK will broadcast from the office of the Fiji Disabled People’s Association (FDPA), an organization that advocates for the use of appropriate and accessible ICTs. Two visually impaired community radio volunteers from the FDPA women’s committee will co-host a broadcast about the double discrimination faced by women with disabilities. FemLINK will also produce two policy-based segments, featuring women’s advocate Angie Chand, on Fiji’s National Policy on Disability and the issue of e-accessibility. On Nov 30, FemLINK hosted a peace vigil where messages from women were recorded for the following weekend’s broadcast (Dec 9 and 10) when FemLINK also plans to record and broadcast messages of solidarity from the NGO Coalition on Human Rights Network. For more information, visit the website.

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INDIA

SWADHINA Women’s Organization
Contact: smriti sarkar, swadhina_org@yahoo.com
Events from this organization include: Wearing solidarity Ribbons, rallies involving women and children. There would be a women and children health camp followed by other sports activities involving young girls. More events include a Poster making exhibition and candle making. Meetings being held include a meeting on Women’s Rights and Globalization, and also a village level discussion on ‘Domestic Violence Laws” will. For more information see flyer.

UNIFEM
Contact: Gitanjali Singh, gitanjali.singh@unifem.org

25 Nov -31 Dec, Campaign on Domestic Violence. UNIFEM, in collaboration with the Ponds brand of Hindustan Lever Ltd., will undertake a countrywide campaign to raise funds, spotlight and engage with the issue of domestic violence and advocacy for breaking the culture of silence. The intensive media campaign will involve major print and electronic media houses, celebrities, activists and the larger civil society. A joint Press Meet of UNIFEM and Ponds is envisaged. This is a part of their larger Women for Women initiative to raise funds, build awareness on the issue and on the recent Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act in India.
26 Nov and 14 Dec, New Delhi: UNIFEM is lending partial support to "Anukriti," the Hindi Dramatic Society of Miranda House, a leading women's college of the University of Delhi, in the production of street and stage plays to foster the empowerment of women and gender equality, demonstrating the use of theatre as a medium of strengthening women's position. With the objective of making women's voices heard, the plays are being staged at different places. The stage play will be performed at the India Habitat Centre on 26 November, and the street play will be performed at the Delhi School of Economics on 14 December. For more information, contact Anisha Modi, 9818971305, Nimisha Sinha, 9810687541, or Gitanjali Singh.

MAYLASIA

APC womens support network Programme
Contact: Jac SM Kee, jac@apcwomen.org
From 25 November to 10 December, APC Women’s Networking Support Programme (APC WNSP) invites you to take back the tech! For 16 days, this campaign engages you to think about how your use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) can work to eliminate, or perpetuate violence against women (VAW).
Visit www.takebackthetech.net for a list of events.

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MICRONESIA

The Federal States of Micronesia Women Association Network (FSMWAN)
Contact: fsmfrc@mail.fm
The theme for this year is ‘Our children’s future no more violence’. Organization is getting their community involved by events such as asking the community to all wear white and yellow ribbons during the sixteen days. Other activities involve a community drumming activity, and a keep the light burning initiative. For more information see flyer.

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MONGOLIA

National Center Against Violence
Contact: mongolcav@magicnet.mn, www.againstviolence.org
Activities include: a meeting on the UN study on violence against children, newspaper articles and media involvement in the 16 Days campaign. They are requesting that TV stations do not show programs that promote violence, crime and terrorism. Other events involve table sitting, conducting human rights lessons in secondary schools and providing counseling of girls during the 16 Days campaign. There will also be a film showing on the history of the 16 Days campaign. The campaign will be promoted in various ways, e.g. materials on buses, markets and police stations. For more information, click here.

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NEPAL

UNIFEM
Contact: Ms. Bandana Rana, 9851024130, vaw@saathi.wlink.com.np
25 Nov -10 Dec, Nepal, Kathmandu: Advocacy Programme to Mark 16 Years of 16 Days of Activism on Violence against Women & Girls. Two round tables will be held on UN Security Council resolution 1325, seeking to sensitize participants on the significance and relevance of the resolution. Participants at the first round table will be women representatives of different political parties; and at the second, representatives of government, civil society organizations, human rights organizations, journalists and women's organizations. Organized by UNIFEM in collaboration with SAATHI, a member of Shantimalika, a network of women's organizations working for peace.

Contact: Ms. Manju Gurung, +977-1-2081644, pourakhi@mail.com.np
5 December: Interaction Programme to Address the Issues of Violence against Migrant Women Workers of Nepal. UNIFEM in partnership with POURAKHI, a migrant women workers organization, will conduct an interaction programme to discuss various forms of violence against migrant women workers of Nepal. With the goal of sensitizing key stakeholders and raising awareness on the issue, key gender experts, members of academia and the media, politicians and civil society members, will be invited.

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NEW ZEALAND

UNIFEM
Contact: Jane Prichard, +64 9 528 3727, janeprichard@xtra.co.nz

25 Nov, Auckland City: Taking Action to Overcome Violence, a day-long conference with high-level speakers to highlight persistence and unacceptability, assess prevalence, and seek strategies and effective actions to combat all forms of violence. Coordinated by Pacific Women's Watch (NZ), with support of the Auckland City Community Board Funding, Human Rights Commission, and National Committee for UNIFEM, NZ.
25 Nov - 10 Dec, White Ribbon Campaign. The National Committee for UNIFEM, New Zealand, is coordinating the White Ribbon Campaign to heighten awareness and to educate towards a commitment not to condone violence and abuse in New Zealand, in coalition with Families Commission of NZ, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Women's Affairs, and Amnesty International. 1000s of white ribbons worn by men and women with message "Not a Minute More." Wearing a white ribbon is a personal pledge to always speak out against violence towards women and children. For more information, visit the National Committee's website.

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PAKISTAN

UNIFEM
Contact: Geetha Balasubramanian, geetha.balasubramanian@unifem.org
23-28 Nov 2006 Pakistan, Islamabad: Regional Consultation on Engendering Disaster Management (23-24 November). UNIFEM and the Government of Pakistan, Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education are jointly organizing a consultation in the context of the tsunami and earthquake in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. The consultation will include a session on violence against women, as disasters impact on women's vulnerability to violence. Addressing this issue will form an important part of incorporating gender concerns into disaster responses and reducing risks. The consultation will conclude with a Regional Declaration. The consultation will be followed by a Training of Trainers (TOT) Programme on Disaster Risk Reduction and Risk Transfer in Recovery (24-28 November).

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PHILIPPINES

Center for Women and Gender Studies, College of Arts and Humanities/Office of the President
Palawan State University
Contact: Lizz Wandag, kanlungan@gmail.com
The center is involving academia in the planning of their events as they are having essay writing contests, literature forums. Also being planned are events involving the media such as radio tours, interviews on the radio, PSU on air. The community at large will participate in film showings, tribunals, discussions, and a concert. Please see attached link with flyer.

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SINGAPORE

UNIFEM
Contact: Fazlin Abdullah, fazli@unifemsingapore.org.sg

1-25 Nov: Interactive On-Line Campaign to End Violence Against Women. Online campaign to raise public awareness about forms of gender-based violence and how members of the public can offer assistance to abused women. Find out what happens to "Anna" on 25 November at Clarke Quay (fountain area), 3-7 p.m. Organized by the National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore.
20 Nov: SNOW Benefit. Gala dinner featuring seven of Singapore's top chefs coming together to prepare a culinary tour de force. The evening will be an indulgence of the senses encompassing a gastronomic feast, entertainment by young local talent, dinner with high-profile individuals including guest of honour Mrs. Lim Hwee Hua (Minister of State for Finance and Transport) and an art auction themed "Women: Guardians of Heritage & Culture." Proceeds will be for UNIFEM Aceh Livelihood Facility Fund. Organized by the National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore.
24 Nov: Film Screening of Te Doy Mis Ojos (Take My Eyes). Winning an astonishing 61 awards, Te Doy Mis Ojos (Take My Eyes), directed by one of Spain's most promising woman directors, Iciar Bollain, is a powerful film about domestic violence and reclaiming one's dignity and finding the hero within ourselves to change our lives. Tickets are sold at $200 and $100 and the film will commence after a cocktail reception and Spanish entertainment. Funds raised will be equally divided between the National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore, and The Substation Moving Images. For more information, visit the gala screening website.
25 Nov: Concert to Commemorate International Day to End Violence Against Women. Concert featuring Annabelle Francis, Aaron Aziz and many more top Singapore celebrities and bands, on Clarke Quay (fountain area), from 3 to 7 p.m. Funds raised to benefit the National Committee for UNIFEM, Singapore.

Wardrobe Mayhem, Singapore
Contact: tahnya@astinbrowninc.com
A fundraiser event in support of the campaign “Stopping Violence against Women in Pakistan”. Participants are invited to bring to the workshop two items from their wardrobe which could be clothing or accessory. Registration fee of $75 includes style clinic, and refreshments. The Style Clinic facilitation fee is 100% donated to the charity. The Wardrobe Mayhem is facilitated twice a day everyday from 5 – 10 December.
Morning Session: 10am – Noon
Afternoon Session: 2pm - 4pm
Venue: The Private Lounge of MezzaBar, Meritus Mandarin Hotel, Orchard Road.
Click here for Press release.

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SRI LANKA

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Walk to Commemorate the 16 Days of Activism. The United Nations Population Fund’s Gender-Based Violence Forum organized a walk to commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and the 16 Days of Activism. The walk was led by national figures such as cricket champions Kumar Sangakkara and Harshan Tillekeratne, among others. A series of speakers addressed the audience concerning violence against women.

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THAILAND

Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
Contact: Lisy Pusey, lisa@apwld.org, www.apwld.org
APWLD will co-organize, with Forum Asia, an event on November 29th, in Bangkok, as part of a Regional Consultation on human rights defenders with Hina Jilani (UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders). On the afternoon of November 29th, the program will be dedicated to women human rights defenders and marking this day. For more information, click here. For campaign poster, click here.

The International Rescue Committee
Contact: Melissa Alvarado, melissaa@theirc.org
The International Rescue Committee, together with other camp based organizations and NGOs, is planning activities in two refugee camps in Thailand. Activities include World HIV/AIDS Day ceremony and educational activities, drama, drawing and singing competitions, information fairs, discussions, special trainings for community leaders, and video screenings.

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