Posts tagged ‘violence against women’
“Climate Change Adaptation and Conflict in Nigeria”
This post from sister blog SHEenergy highlights a new publication from the U.S. Institute of Peace:
“A new Special Report from USIP examines the linkages between climate change, violence, and poverty in Nigeria… The report’s conclusions have particularly important implications for women, who, according to this article, constitute 70% of Nigeria’s poor.”
Read more: http://sheenergy.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/climate-change-adaptation-and-conflict-in-nigeria/
Update: Tahirih at TEDx
If you weren’t able to catch Layli Miller-Muro’s presentation “Innovate: Justice” live (see the post Tahirih at TEDx – Tomorrow!), it’s now available on YouTube.
Her message: “Protecting women and girls from violence in a way that truly transforms society to create authentic equality between women and men requires a new approach to leverage resources for justice and an honest examination of ourselves.”
Watch the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dhhKh0FR0o
Democracy that Delivers for Women Conference
Coming soon to HWHTW: live coverage of the Democracy that Delivers for Women Conference, June 20-21. The conference will feature speakers such as Melanne Verveer, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, and Diana Villiers Negroponte on topics including “The Role of Women in Democratic Reform” and “Women and Rebuilding Conflict Areas.” Check back often June 20-21 for updates!
To seethe agenda or register to attend the conference: http://www.democracythatdelivers.com/node/23
UN Women on YouTube
Check out UN Women’s You Tube channel, which features speeches, interviews, and profiles, including this one on UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman:
http://www.youtube.com/unwomen#p/a/21F306027CA7D3D6/2/xNuOYD74R80
UN Women YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/unwomen
Tahirih at TEDx – Tomorrow!
Layli Miller-Muro of Tahirih Justice Center will be speaking at tomorrow’s TEDx conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan. View a live stream of her talk, “INNOVATE: JUSTICE” tomorrow, May 12, at 12:15 p.m. Eastern time: http://www.tedxgrandrapids.org/event-details/livestream/
Under Sec. Otero on Human Rights in the Obama Administration
In a recent speech at American University, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero emphasized the importance of gender equality in the Obama Administration’s human rights policy:
“Our support of civil society in its pursuit of human rights also means elevating our commitment to marginalized and disenfranchised groups, including women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
“For example, despite bearing the brunt of society’s political and economic challenges, women across the Americas’ continue to drive democratic change and social equality. I have met with women leaders in Brazil who are fighting the scourge of human trafficking. Women in Honduras are raising their voices in the name of freedom of speech, and protecting the place of human rights defenders in society. In Colombia, women are defending the rights of the 3 million internally displaced people. And in Cuba, the Damas de Blanco were recently honored for its work fighting for fundamental freedoms. Yet, despite these heroic examples, women remain marginalized by outdated legislation and lackluster law enforcement. Even as we gather here today, women in the Middle East are struggling to make their voices heard in nascent democratic transitions. As countries seek to establish more stable, respected governments, the role of women will be tantamount to their success.”
Read the full speech: http://www.state.gov/g/161910.htm
21 Leaders for the 21st Century
Women’s eNews has announced its 21 Leaders for the 21st Century Awards and will celebrate the winners at a gala dinner in New York City on May 3.
Honorees include Linda Basch of the National Council for Research on Women; Robina Niaz, founder of Turning Point for Women and Families, a support group for Muslim women survivors of domestic violence; Patricia Galloway, President of the American Society of Civil Engineers; and Jimmie Briggs, co-founder of the anti-violence Man Up campaign.
Read more: http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=g9wsobbab&v=0019vIjpnfVUZ8EPrN0M6RTKxlB8WPib7Lztm9fHq6KXnQBNbEw01sOFVyng9Dff37lcYUwv2xemNCtomDr4gyOuIwdh3R6h2xJtzsifrSeFIH6FGC_5u_2dUiqJjI3hXBAD4Re2WTbEME_kuVpAeQp-w%3D%3D
The gala will be held at the Jumeirah Essex House (160 Central Park South), with a reception at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM. It is always an uplifting occasion with many compelling stories from extraordinary leaders who have overcome tremendous hardship and obstacles, at times risking their lives, to create a more just society.
We Did It! Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
This morning, the National Capital Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women hosted its annual 5K Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls. Despite the wind and rain, lots of walkers wearing their most festive purple gear turned out for a fun morning. I was delighted to earn the title of top fundraiser for the D.C. walk, with over $1500 raised! (See the final total here: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/allison-asplin/2011-national-capital-chapter-walk-to-end-violence) My fellow SAIS classmate Nicole Epps also received recognition for her fundraising efforts.
A huge thank you to those who donated, and to all my readers out there working to make a difference for women!
To learn about walks in other cities, click here: http://www.unwomen-usnc.org/walks
“Can Corporations Help Stem Violence Against Women?”
This article from Betwa Sharma examines the UN’s latest efforts to enlist businesses in the effort to end violence against women.
“The U.N. is now trying to harness the power of the corporate sector to help combat violence against women. Some businesses already take actions such as distributing awareness-raising materials to employees and customers, but there is a push for the private sector to put its resources into community-based organizations.
“There are only a handful of companies in this area, including Johnson & Johnson and Avon. Experts, however, point out the lack of incentive for CEOs, especially men, to pick this platform to fulfill their corporate social responsibility.
“Apart from the advertising and entertainment industry, which has been very supportive, it has been quite difficult to get corporates to address violence against women,” said Mallika Dutt, who heads the human rights organization Breakthrough, based in the U.S. and India.”
Read the article: http://www.aolnews.com/2010/12/19/can-corporations-help-stem-violence-against-women/
Wake Up Call: International Rescue Committee
“WAKE UP. From Congo to Cambodia, women and girls face violence and discrimination. Yet each day, people are fighting to create a world where women and girls can reach their full potential. Hear how they’re changing lives. Join this community. Send a Wake Up Call.”
Check out IRC’s cool new web community supporting gender empowerment movements. Read stories from women across the world, send a message to Congress, pass on news to a friend, or make a donation to the cause.
Read more: http://wakeup.rescue.org/#/home
Thanks to Nicole Epps for the great find!
Event: Pearls to Support Women & Girls, May 4th
For my D.C.-based readers:
The Tahirih Justice Center invites you to attend our May 4th event
Pearls to Support Women & Girls
Wednesday, May 4th from 12-6pm
Generously hosted by:
Hogan Lovells
Concourse Level Conference Center
Columbia Square
555 Thirteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Shop Amy Lin’s incredible collection of pearl jewelry to support the Tahirih Justice Center. Amy Lin, a renowned pearl dealer based in Shanghai, has offered a portion of her amazing collection at discounted prices in support of the Tahirih Justice Center and will donate 45 percent of sales to Tahirih.
The jewelry will be available at discounted prices ranging from $10 to $5,000.
For more information, please contact Hedieh Fakhriyazdi at: Hedieh@tahirih.org | 571.282.6193
The Tahirih Justice Center protects immigrant women and girls seeking justice in the United States from gender-based violence. Leveraging both in-house and pro bono attorneys, Tahirih empowers clients to achieve justice and equality through holistic direct legal services and national public policy advocacy. Amy Lin’s Pearls will be donating 45% of all sales to the Tahirih Justice Center. All sales are final.
Read more: http://www.tahirih.org/2011/04/mothers-day-pearl-event/
Be the Change: One Week Until the Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls!
The D.C. Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls is just a week away – but it’s not too late to support the cause!
Make a donation or register for the walk here:
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/allison-asplin/2011-national-capital-chapter-walk-to-end-violence
UN Women USNC 2011 National Conference: “UNITE for PEACE”
“Join us on June 11th, 2011 in Raleigh, NC for the UN Women USNC 2011 National Conference ‘UNITE for PEACE – in our home, in our community, and in our world.’ The United States National Committee for United Nations Women presents this conference with a focus on building collaborations to end violence against women – locally and globally.
“Local and global leaders, subject matter experts, and other interested parties will convene to address the following topics: the state of women’s rights and gender equality, advocacy, coalition building, philanthropy, perspectives from generation Next, overcoming violence, and new South. They will convene to learn, network, and collaborate to make a difference.
“Speakers include Carol Poteat Buchanan, Charlotte O’Neal, Elaine Marshall, Jill Dinwiddie, Rick Copeland, Crystal Lander, Beth Froehling, Derreck Kayongo, MaryBeth Loucks-Sorrell, Aurelia Sands-Belle, Miranda Davis, Vimala Rajendran, Kit Gruelle, Dana Mangum, Sheila Smith McKoy, Juliana Nfah-Abbenyi, Kathleen Griffin, Maryanne Kamau, Lisa Seepaul, Joanne Hershfield, Mary Cantando, Tana Greene, Lisa Pineiro, Nancy Soward, Frances Battle and Beth Briggs. North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue and UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet also have been invited.
“You can register online or at mail in your registration. Early registration is $75 per person if you register early, $50 for the current members of UN Women USNC, $25 for the students. Onsite registration the day of the conference is $95 per person. Seats will be reserved on first-come-first-serve basis.”
Visit http://www.unwomen-usnc.org/2011conference for more information.
Nationwide Film Event: “Desert Flower”
“The autobiographical drama Desert Flower is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Waris Dirie and Cathleen Miller. When at the age of thirteen, Waris Dirie (Liya Kebede) discovered that her father has decided to marry her off as the fourth wife to a considerably older man, the young girl realizes that she has no choice but to flee. After going into exile with the help of distant relatives and the Somali Embassy in London, Waris goes into hiding in the big city. One day, while working as a cleaning woman in a fast-food restaurant, she attracts the attention of famous fashion photographer Terry Donaldson (Timothy Spall). From that moment on, it’s as if a fairy tale has come true: Donaldson opens the doors of the fashion world to Waris, and she ultimately becomes a well-known international model. However, after years of success, she refuses to repeat her Cinderella story during an interview to Marie Claire magazine, choosing instead to tell of the day that changed her life forever: the day of her circumcision in the Somali desert at the tender age of five.”
“The Film addresses, among other powerful themes, the issues of female genital cutting/mutilation (FGM/C) and child marriage. Based on the life story of Waris Dirie, the successful Somalian supermodel and FGM/C activist, the film explores her journey from ‘the Somalian desert to the biggest catwalks of the world.’ It is rare that a commercial film explores issues of FGM/C.”
Showing across the U.S. this March and April:
March 25th: D.C., Philadelphia
April 1st: San Diego, Detroit, Houston, Portland (OR), Atlanta, LA, NYC, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle
April 8th: Denver, Charlotte, St. Louis, Boston, Minneapolis, Boise
For more info: http://test.landmarktheatres.com/lmk/12037.html
Hillary Clinton’s War for Women’s Rights
“Welcome to Hillary’s war: In this week’s Newsweek, Gayle Tzemach Lemmon digs into the secretary of state’s fight to bring attention to the plight of women and girls across the world, championing opportunity and equality for women wherever she goes.
“Newsweek traveled to the Middle East with Clinton in January. Her timing—just as a wave of uprisings was gathering steam—was uncanny. In a raucous town-hall meeting in Yemen, Clinton addressed how young girls can contribute to a society desperate for change. Later, at a stop in Papua New Guinea, she surprised her own entourage when she pushed the nation’s prime minister to take domestic abuse seriously—and said she’d be dispatching her deputy for women’s affairs, Melanne Verveer, to check up on his progress.
“I believe that the rights of women and girls is the unfinished business of the 21st century,” Clinton tells Newsweek.”
Be the Change: Fight Violence Against Women
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to make a positive difference in the world, here’s an easy way. Sign this petition to the South African government to make “Corrective Rape” a hate crime and shine a spotlight on this abhorrent practice.
Sign the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/south_africa_declare_corrective_rape_a_hate-crime
Thanks Joshua Sloan for the tip!
Empowering Women: There’s an App for That
Hollaback! is using mobile technology to fight street harassment and assault. According to the Hollaback! team:
“Street harassment is one of the most pervasive forms of violence against women, and on of the least legislated against. Comments from ‘You’d look good on me’ to groping, flashing or assault, are a daily, global reality for women and LGBTQ individuals… Hollaback! is creating a crowd-sourced initiative to end street harassment that breaks the silence…”
Hollaback!’s mobile app will log and track instances of street harassment, mapping locations and numbers for this usually invisible problem. Visit http://www.hollabacknyc.com to learn about Hollaback! in NYC, DC, and other cities!
The Economics and Politics of Power
Lila Abu-Lughod of Columbia University and Esther Hyneman of Women for Afghan Women are debunking the idea that the repression of women can be blamed on “culture” or “tradition.” Rather, they unmask “culture” as a cloak or tool for greater political and economic conflicts. Esther says of Afghanistan, “Subjugating women is a fast route to power” for the country’s ruthless warlords.
“Free men are not…”
Ellen Chesler, of the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, quotes Mary Olmstead Stanton:
“Free men are not born of slave mothers.”
Women Count for Peace – Sign the Petition!
Head to http://www.saynotoviolence.org to join the more than 5 million people who Say NO to violence against women.
Helping Women Helps the World 