50th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) suspended its 50th session on 10 March and held a resumed session on 16 March 2006 to complete its work. The Commission adopted agreed conclusions on promoting equal participation of women in decision-making processes at all levels, and enhancing participation of women in development. It also recommended priority themes for the period 2007–2009, for adoption by the Economic and Social Council. The draft resolution on its future organization and methods of work was unanimously approved.

The proposed priority themes for 2007–2009 are as follows:

• 2007 – "The elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child
• 2008 – "Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women"
• 2009 – "The equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including caregiving in the context of HIV/AIDS"

Read the UN News Releases:

• UN Women's Commission Adopts Texts Addressing HIV/AIDS, Women Hostages, Situation of Palestinian Women, as It Suspends Fiftieth Session
• Commission on the Status of Women Concludes Fiftieth Session; Adopts Agreed Conclusions on Decision-Making, Development

The texts of the adopted documents will be available in the CSW report on the 50th session. Please visit WomenWatch for updated information.

Women's Advocates at CSW Express Disappointment with UN Reform Agenda
In an Open Letter to the UN Secretary-General and Member States, gender equality advocates conveyed their outrage that the gender equality agenda was not being addressed as a central part of the UN's reform agenda. The Open Letter was endorsed by more than 240 women from over 50 countries and by numerous international and regional organizations. Read the WEDO press release and Open Letter. For more information, see also International Women's Tribune Centre's Globalnet Issue #297.

One Coin Won't Make Noise, but a Bunch Will

During the CSW, Currents had the opportunity to talk with Vabah Gayflor, Liberia's Honourable Minister for Gender and Development. Read what she had to say about the power of women's mobilizing during the recent Liberian elections.

When Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was elected President of Liberia in November 2005, she became the first democratically elected female head of state in Africa. The election made an indelible mark in the history books, and in the hearts of women and girls throughout Liberia and beyond.

"All African women own Ellen Johnson Sirleaf," says Vabah Gayflor, Liberia's Minister for Gender and Development. "Politics is no longer just the domain of men. Women have felt it, they have seen it with their own eyes, the strength that they have in numbers. They now know that, yes, we can make a difference." Read the full story.

UNIFEM and Its Partners around the World Celebrate International Women's Day

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan: “The world is also starting to grasp that there is no policy more effective in promoting development, health and education than the empowerment of women and girls. And I would venture that no policy is more important in preventing conflict, or in achieving reconciliation after a conflict has ended.” Read more » UNDP Administrator Kemal Derviş: “Without women's equal participation in political life, all members of society will suffer. As world leaders made clear in the 2005 World Summit Outcome Document, ‘progress for women is progress for all.’ Equality is not just a worthy goal, but a proven way of accelerating human development.” Read more » UNIFEM Executive Director Noeleen Heyzer: “This is a critical moment in the struggle for gender equality, one which cannot be de-linked from larger political and economic shifts. ... To bring change to the lives of women on the ground, women need to take power into their own hands. Women who have broken through gender, class and ethnic barriers have an opportunity to show their leadership and build strong and strategic partnerships.” Read more » UNIFEM Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman: “Sexual violence is a weapon of war, an instrument of terror that hurts and punishes women and men of the other side, fractures communities, and forces women to flee their homes. ... These crimes must not be hidden by silence and shame. Those responsible must be held accountable.” View video statement »

Jordan
UNIFEM and its UN partners celebrated International Women's Day (IWD) with the launch of a report, "Towards the Political Empowerment of Jordanian Women," that examines the role of women and international human rights instruments in Jordan, and the impact they have had on women's legal status in the country. The report also discusses the status of Jordanian women in the areas of health, education, economic empowerment and the family.
        There have been considerable achievements for women's advancement in Jordan; however, women still find themselves significantly marginalized in terms of political empowerment. Major strides in women's educational status, for example, have not led to more leadership positions for women in political processes, and the report argues that a key factor to improve this is a better understanding of the linkage between issues and the different "target groups" messages are aimed at.
        "Society as a whole" defined as a target group can be useful to address the wider general context of negative societal perceptions towards women's political empowerment. However, a survey conducted revealed that youth represented the most responsive target group — they demonstrated the least prejudice towards women's empowerment — suggesting, therefore, that strategies that specifically target this "sub-group," and that focus on the role of education in shaping public attitudes, could well be more effective than others.
        Read the executive summary and structure of the report. For more information, contact Ola Zubi, ola.zubi [at] unifem.org

Southern Sudan
For the first time in more than 20 years, women in southern Sudan gathered in a massive rally to celebrate IWD. The event, which was supported by UNIFEM, was held at the late Dr John Garang's memorial ground in Juba. It involved a procession of thousands of women and men led by a contingent of female police officers, amidst lots of singing and dancing.
        Women leaders came from all over southern Sudan to attend. Those who addressed the crowd at the official ceremony acknowledged that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and constitutional provision of 25 per cent affirmative action for women's participation was a clear result of women's struggle to claim their rights and participate in the peace process. They called for the quota to also be implemented at all levels of leadership, and in all Sudanese states, and for women to take up more positions beyond 25 per cent. Warab State was especially highlighted for its recent appointment of a female Deputy Governor and Commissioner. For more information, contact Roselyn Gicira, roselyn.gicira [at] unifem.org

India
In partnership with UNAIDS, Indian government institutions and the CHARCA Secretariat, a wide variety of events around IWD were organized, focusing in particular on young women ages 15–29, to raise awareness about the growing feminization of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. CHARCA is a UN programme aimed at young women and girls in India, on prevention of and education about HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. According to UN experts, women account for about 40 per cent of HIV cases in India, and there has been a recent rise in HIV prevalence among women and girls ages 15–24.
        Pledge-signing in colleges, a slogan competition, radio jingles, numerous press conferences, and a music concert by Euphoria, a leading local band, kicked off a campaign that will continue throughout the year. The campaign will advocate for concrete actions to reduce the vulnerability of young women to HIV infection in the six CHARCA states (Udaipur, Guntur, Kishenganj, Kanpur, Bellary and Aizawl) by the end of 2006. A series of events at state and district levels is planned in each of the CHARCA states, dovetailing in November-December with the annual 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence campaign, from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through 1 Dec (World AIDS Day) to 10 December (Human Rights Day).
        In addition, UNIFEM organized a panel and awards ceremony with partners All India Women's Education Fund Association (AIWEFA) and the Baha'i Office for the Advancement of Women (BOAW). Guest of honour Renuka Chowdhury, the Honourable Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Child Development, presented the AIWEFA Stree Ratna Award, established to recognize those who have devoted their lives for the cause of freedom and justice. Recipients of the 2006 award were Smt Satya Rani Chadha and Shahjahan Begum, both mothers of dowry murder victims, who came together in 1987 to set up Shakti Shalini, an organization which supports women in crisis situations. Chadha and Begum have successfully mobilized public opinion against violence through marches and rallies and have been instrumental in strengthening the laws against dowry murders. The awards acknowledge the efforts of two women who have spoken out against atrocities in a traditionally conservative environment, despite their own lack of education and inadequate economic means. For more information, please contact Gita Gupta gita.gupta [at] unifem.org

Ecuador and Venezuela
IWD commemoration activities centred on highlighting the use of CEDAW to combat discrimination against women. Well-known human rights advocate Alda Facio spoke to various audiences, including male and female judges, government leaders and civil society advocates, about the finer points of using CEDAW to advance women's rights in Ecuador. Apart from examining basic concepts contained in the international human rights instrument and the different types of discrimination these apply to, Facio also discussed the use of "shadow reports" by civil society to provide members of the CEDAW Committee with information to question governments on issues not properly addressed in official reports. A Working Group on Women's Rights, made up of government and civil society representatives, is currently working on putting together Ecuador's sixth and seventh CEDAW official country report, which will be presented to the CEDAW Committee at the end of 2006.
         In Venezuela, IWD was celebrated with an event at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, co-hosted by FUNDACEM, UNIFEM and the university's Cultural Department. The event launched two new publications on women's rights and CEDAW developed by Alda Facio and UNIFEM. These publications will be available shortly at UNIFEM's Andean Region website. For more information, please contact Andrea Balzano, andrea.balzano [at] unifem.org

Burundi and Rwanda
IWD ceremonies in Burundi took place in Muyinga province, with the participation of the republic's president, Pierre Nkurunziza, several ministers and members of parliament, and UN agencies. In his remarks, President Nkurunziza referenced Burundi's new Inheritance Law, which had recently been presented to the Cabinet. He said that the new law would ensure that girls, boys, women and men would all have equal rights to the inheritance of their families, and that the new constitution recognizes the rights of all Burundians. (Previously, inheritance laws only benefited widows and unmarried women.) The pending law will be discussed by the Cabinet in the coming months.
        In Rwanda, UN agencies organized a staff event that included short speeches, a play put on by the Gender Theme Group and a quiz on "gender sensitivity." As a happy coincidence, during the week of IWD, Rwanda's capital Kigali also got a new female mayor — the appointment was the result of recent local elections, which saw women taking 48 per cent of elected posts in Kigali.
        In other celebrations, women weavers of traditional Rwandan baskets from Gitarama marched in a parade to show their thanks to partners and buyers of their products. The weavers are supported by Gahaya Links, a local organization that acts as an intermediary between the women and regional and international buyers, such as Macy's Department Store in the United States. Before they started working together in 2003, the women could not afford to weave baskets on a full-time basis; a set of baskets that could take up to two weeks to weave would sell for a meagre 1,500 francs ($3). Now, Gahaya Links pays them 2,500–3,000 francs ($5-$6) for a basket that they can make in much less time. "The transformation in these women's lives over the last couple of years is unbelievable," said Jeanette Nkubana, executive director of Gahaya Links. "When we found these women, many of them weren't properly clothed, and their children weren't in school!" she added. "The women all contributed to this celebration to thank their buyers, and to show how this weaving initiative has changed their lives."
        UNIFEM and Gahaya Links are working together on capacity building, training on quality control and design development, and using ICTs to market and showcase their products. The Women's Community Telecenter in Gitarama, which UNIFEM helped set up last year, is providing basic ICT training and more complex skills-building such as web design, e-commerce, information management and other technical knowledge beneficial to developing entrepreneurship among Rwandan women. For more information, contact Irene Zirimwabagabo, irene.zirimwabagabo [at] unifem.org

Gaza and the West Bank
In the Gaza Strip, UNIFEM partnered with the Women's Affairs Centre and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights to celebrate IWD with a workshop called "The Future of the Women's Movement and NGOs under the New Political Regime." The event included key figures of the new government as well as various political parties and NGOs and provided an important opportunity to initiate dialogue between the recently elected Hamas-led government and the women's movement.
        Discussions revolved around concerns shared by women's NGOs regarding potentially negative policies that the new government might adopt. Jamila Shanti, member of the Palestinian Legislative Council and speaking on behalf of the new prime minister, Ismail Haniyeh, assured participants that the new government will do its best to ensure that the gains of the women's movement would be protected, and that their future work would be fully supported. She also called for further meetings with women's NGOs to reach common ground and ensure ongoing dialogue.
        With UNIFEM support, three small villages in the Northern West Bank — Allar, Talfeet and Shofeh — organized festive IWD celebrations, including exhibitions of handicrafts, dance performances, poetry reading, parades and workshops on women's empowerment. In Allar and Talfeet, the day was celebrated with girl-scout parades, plays and dances by schoolgirls, and a handicrafts exhibition. Shofeh, an isolated village in the suburbs of Tulkarim in the northern West Bank, with a population of less than 2,000, celebrated IWD for the first time and also marked two other important occasions. One was the official opening of Barqawi Castle, a cultural heritage site renovated by UNDP more than 6 months ago, but never opened to the public. The Shofeh Women's Centre coordinator, Zahieh Al Aref, lobbied tirelessly with the Ministry of Tourism until they finally granted approval to hold the celebration inside the castle. The event also marked the launch of the Shofeh Women's Centre itself. The Centre is fully equipped with nine computers and office equipment. In addition, 10 new and advanced sewing machines are available, and the Centre has been linked with other sewing factories in Tulkarim. For more information, contact Alia El-Yassir, alia.elyassir [at] undp.org

Armenia
To mark IWD, a UNIFEM travelling photo exhibition, "Women for Peace – Peace for All," was launched at UN House in Yerevan, Armenia, as a first stop on its journey to all three Southern Caucasus countries. The exhibition, shown for two weeks, represents a compilation of 60 photos from three well-known photographers in the region: Mr Albert Babelyan from Armenia, Mr Sanan Aleskerov from Azerbaijan, and Ms Natela Grigalashvili from Georgia. A collage of black-and-white photos, depicting women at rest, at work, with their families and in their communities, highlights unity among Armenian, Azerbaijani and Georgian women striving for peace and sustainable development in their countries. Other photos illustrate the common challenges, achievements and hopes shared by all women of the Southern Caucasus. For more information, see the ArmeniaNow.com article or contact Christine Arab, christine.arab [at] unifem.org

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UNIFEM Around the World

Advocating for Women's Participation in Afghanistan's Supreme Court
While women judges can be found in Afghanistan's lower courts system, and both the Family and Juvenile Court are headed by women, female representation in the country's justice sector as a whole remains limited and confined to lower levels. The Afghan Women Judges Association (AWJA) estimates that of roughly 2,000 sitting judges in Afghanistan, 65–70 are female. And there has never been a female justice on the Scholar Council of the Supreme Court, Afghanistan's highest judicial body.
        UNIFEM, with civil society partners such as the AWJA, is working to improve Afghan women's access to justice and to promote the appointment of female judges in the justice system. Advocacy has especially targetted the Supreme Court, due to its role in setting precedence and monitoring judges in the lower courts. According to civil society organizations, the need for women to be represented on this body is especially critical for a justice system that has long been criticized for its lack of sensitivity to gender concerns. Read the full article.

IGAD Summit Endorses Gender Peer Review Mechanism
The 11th Heads of State Summit of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), held in Nairobi, Kenya, on 20 March 2006, endorsed the establishment of an annual Gender Peer Review Mechanism, and the development of monitoring systems for the implementation of the IGAD Gender Policy. This came in response to recommendations made by Ministers in charge of women's affairs from Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda, who called on their governments to institutionalize and strengthen implementation of commitments to gender equality.
        The Summit also called for the inclusion of women in peace monitoring processes, and for making resources available that would be directed to ensuring that post-conflict reconstruction processes are gender-responsive.
        Read the complete press release. For more information, contact Roselyn Gicira, roselyn.gicira [at] unifem.org

Women from Coalition 1325 Network in Azerbaijan Elected to High-Level Posts
Hijran Huseynova, an active member of Azerbaijan's "Coalition 1325," has been appointed chair of the country's new governmental body on gender, the State Committee on Family, Women and Children Issues. Her appointment follows the election of two other Coalition members to Azerbaijan's Parliament in November: Havva Mammadova, from the National Network of IDP Women, and Bahar Muradova, who was re-elected and appointed vice-speaker of Parliament. In addition, another founding member of the Coalition, Tamam Jafarova, became a member of the Central Election Committee (CEC), one of only three women on the thirteen-member committee.
        The Azerbaijani Coalition 1325 was created with UNIFEM support in September 2002. Comprising 22 women from various professional backgrounds, the group has focused on increasing women's participation in decision-making, conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Azerbaijan. The Coalition is linked to two other "women for peace" networks in Armenia and Georgia, as part of a UNIFEM regional programme in the Southern Caucasus. The programme works with governments and women's peace networks to foster an enabling environment in support of peacebuilding, particularly by bringing women from all three Southern Caucasus countries together to dialogue and exchange experiences.
        The fragile situation of "no-war-no-peace" in the region, and the impact this has on women and girls, is complicated by the fact that there are few women in high-level leadership positions, so these recent successes are a welcome boost to members of Coalition 1325. The women all agree that their achievements were possible only because they formed a united front in their efforts to advance gender equality. "We all represent different parties and organizations that often do not intersect in everyday life. But under the flag of the Coalition, we've managed to unite our voices for common values," Huseynova told UNIFEM. For more information, contact Yelena Kudryavtseva, yelena.kudryavtseva [at] undp.org

UNIFEM Launches Database to Track Violence against Women in Afghanistan
A new pilot project to capture cases of violence against women in a comprehensive database has been launched by UNIFEM in Afghanistan. The database will be used to analyze trends and determine strategies to tackle the issue, including identifying gaps in nation-wide response mechanisms and service provision for victims.
        The current availability of mostly anecdotal evidence of violence against women has led to a limited understanding of the root causes of violence in Afghan society. Women's rights advocates cite common problems associated with apathy and an acceptance of violence within communities, disregard of women's complaints of assault by law enforcement agencies, and a lack of understanding as to what constitutes violence against women. Many advocates lament the often poor response from national institutions that are supposed to protect women.
        The new database includes a standardized format intended to identify the types of violence perpetrated, systematize recording and reporting of cases, and form a central repository of information for law enforcement agencies, so that women's complaints are taken seriously and agencies are better able to prosecute cases. The data collected will also be used to inform recommendations to government and law-making bodies to improve legislation and legal processes to address the issue. The data will be incorporated in the national statistics compiled and disseminated by the central statistics office.
        As a key part of the project, UNIFEM has been training field workers in conducting interviews with victims of violence. Inputs from the training have in turn helped to refine and sharpen the research and format elements of the database. The interview process includes a practical check-list of priorities to cover, beginning with the immediate safety of the woman being interviewed, followed by recommendations on getting treatment in the event of any injuries, and then documentation of the victim's injuries for future court proceedings. Throughout, interviewers are reminded of the necessity of building trust by listening and not placing blame on the victim, so that fear and stigma do not prevent them from reporting their experiences. For more information, contact Meryem Aslan, meryem.aslan [at] unifem.org

Seminar Addresses Gender, Constitutionalism and Leadership in Kenya
The third seminar in a series organized by UNIFEM and the Institute for Gender Studies of Egerton University, Njoro, attracted 100 participants from academia and civil society to dialogue the avenues available for the advancement of the women's rights in the context of the recent rejection by national referendum of Kenya's proposed new constitution.
        Speakers pointed to the windows of opportunity that were available post-referendum, such as the creation of a steering committee on the constitution, and how this could potentially be influenced to promote women's rights. Josephine Mweki of SIDA urged participants to think about how the constitution could address the everyday lives of women and the Kenyan citizenry. Mugambi Kiai of CIDA, in reflecting on an audit of the constitutional review process, invited participants to consider what had been missed out in the drafting process, and whether the issues of process and content within the constitution had been handled strategically. A reflection on these issues, he said, should be the starting point in determining the way forward.
        Tom Ojienda, chairman of The Law Society of Kenya, stressed that women's rights could only be achieved if women were fully engaged in democratic processes such as constitution-making, adding ironically that the committee appointed to develop the roadmap towards a new constitution included only three women out of a total of 15 members.
        Nyaradzai Gumbonzvanda, from UNIFEM, described the need to fully embrace diversity in arriving at the deep consensus required for constitution-making. The multiple identities of women as professionals, mothers, and wives, of particular political, ethnic and religious persuasion, were critical considerations within all women's human rights discourses. She also pointed to a wider context to dialogue on constitution-making, saying that it was a crucial African issue, as most African countries were now coming up with third-generation constitutions after colonization, conflict or independence. For more information, contact Roselyn Gicira, roselyn.gicira [at] unifem.org

Popular Regional TV Programme in Southern Caucasus to Spotlight Gender Issues
For more than seven years, the Internews network in the Southern Caucasus region has aired a popular TV programme called "Crossroads" every week on 19 TV channels in Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, reaching an estimated 12 million viewers throughout the region.
        UNIFEM and its "women for peace" network partners in each of the three countries are now collaborating with Internews to use the programme to highlight gender concerns, such as women's participation in decision-making, violence against women, women's employment, women in political processes and women's leadership in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. There will be a 2-3 minute "gender segment" once a week, which focuses on country-specific issues, with the countries rotating from week to week. An additional regional segment on peacebuilding is planned to air once a month.
        Since 2004, the three Internews offices have also put out a weekly "Kids' Crossroads," which is produced by adolescents (ages 14–17) who are aspiring journalists. Under the UNIFEM/Internews partnership, "Kids' Crossroads" will cover gender and peacebuilding issues from children's perspectives at least four times in 2006. For more information, contact Christine Arab, christine.arab [at] unifem.org

Seats to be Reserved for Women on Afghan Buses
By the end of 2006, at least 30 per cent of all seats on public buses in Afghanistan will be reserved for women, under an ambitious UN-backed programme. Afghan bus drivers typically speed past stops if only women are waiting, while men often push and barge past women to board, leaving women often left behind in the rush. UNIFEM and its UN partners will produce stickers indicating where women should board and sit, and posters to promote a more positive attitude among public transport staff and male passengers towards women. In addition, a hotline will be set up to take complaints, and disciplinary action will be taken against staff who ignore directives. Read the UN news brief.

UNIFEM Regional Programme Director Given Key to Cameroonian City
Josephine Odera, UNIFEM's regional programme director for the Central Africa region, was recently presented with the Key to the City of Douala by Mayor Mme Foning Françoise, President of the Network of Women Parliamentarians in Cameroon. She was also officially declared an honorary citizen by the Douala V Urban Council. This was the first official visit to Cameroon since UNIFEM opened an office there in June 2004. The visit was organized to assess the opportunities and challenges for UNIFEM to enhance gender equality and women's empowerment in Cameroon, to present the focus of UNIFEM programmes for the next two years to partners, and to assess other programming and partnering possibilities. The visit also included a nationwide seminar to launch a series of activities to encourage widespread and effective participation of women in political life, especially in the light of upcoming 2007 municipal and parliamentary elections. For more information, contact Irene Zirimwabagabo, irene.zirimwabagabo [at] unifem.org

Achieving E-Quality in the IT sector in Morocco
UNIFEM's "E-Quality" project in Morocco supports the country's "e-Maroc plan," and aims to strengthen the socio-economic status of Moroccan women through 12 gender-focused Cisco Networking Academies providing IT training. The project is carried out in partnership with USAID, Cisco Sys, the Ministry of Education, and the State Secretariat in Charge of Professional Training.
        After only a year and a half, the project is already showing good results. The number of "E-Quality" students has reached 50 per cent of the total number of 1,900 students enrolled in the 43 Moroccan Cisco Networking Academies. Furthermore, the level of participation by women in the accademies has reached 44 per cent of the total, the highest level of participation in the region of the Middle East and North Africa. Out of this, UNIFEM's "E-quality" project registers a women's participation rate of 54 per cent. Three months after graduation, 35 per cent of students from the last cohort had already found a job.
        During the "Cisco Academy Conference," held in Morocco in March 2006, Shahab Meshki, Cisco's regional manager for East Africa, presented UNIFEM with the Networking Academy Program Outstanding Achievement Award. He acknowledged that the results of the project represented the highest level of progress in the world in terms of student enrollment, and also recognized that it was Cisco's biggest success to date, both in the region and worldwide. For more information, contact Zineb Touimi-Benjelloun, z.touimi-benjelloun [at] unifem.org

Cosmetic Company's CSR Initiative Supports UNIFEM Afghanistan Project
A leading Japanese cosmetic company, Shiseido, launched an innovative corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme in August 2005 to collect donations within their company for social and development projects abroad. A total of $40,000 was raised from employees, shareholders, and the corporate body of Shiseido. The National Committee for UNIFEM, Japan, facilitated the initiative, identifying a suitable programme for contributions, and connecting the relevant parties. The funds are earmarked to support UNIFEM's Afghanistan Project in 2006, particularly UNIFEM-supported Women's Development Centres, which provide Afghan women with skills training, education and literacy classes, and a safe space to meet and share experiences. For more information, contact Junko Sasaki, junkossk [at] gf7.so-net.ne.jp

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Other News

Course: Mainstreaming Gender Equality: Concepts and Instruments
The course will be organized by the International Training Centre of the ILO from 15 to 26 May 2006 in Turin, Italy. It will be offered in English, and a similar course in French will be offered in October 2006. This workshop will help turn existing competence in gender issues into effective and applicable skills in participants' work environments, while providing conceptual and information tools to bring gender equality concerns into the mainstream of labour-related development activities and in their everyday work. For more information on participating, contact gender [at] itcilo.org

Global Campaign on "Who Makes the News"
Hundreds of events were organized around the world during a three-week take-action campaign to shine a spotlight on what is wrong with current representations of women and men in the media, and ways in which these concerns can be addressed. The campaign, from 16 February to 8 March 2006, was built around the Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), of the World Association of Christian Communication, which brings together hundreds of communication and gender activists around the world in a one-day study of the media's news coverage in their country, with the aim of documenting the participation and portrayal of men and women in the world's news media, creating a research instrument and establishing a benchmark which would serve as a standard for measuring future change. For more information on the campaign and the GMMP, visit the website.

Seminar: Gender in Civil–Military Relations – Moving Towards Inclusion
Women are in the frontline of modern conflicts, often deliberately targeted. Based on lessons and field experiences from Africa, the Balkans, Asia and the Middle East, this seminar looks at eminently practical ways for military forces and other parties to incorporate gender into all aspects of Civil–Military Relations, particularly within the context of UN Security Council resolution 1325. The seminar will take place at "Landgoed Huize Bergen" in the Netherlands in the vicinity of Hertogenbosch, from 10 to 12 April 2006. It is organized by the Civil–Military Cooperation Centre of Excellence and Shevolution International. For inquiries about participation and accommodation, please contact CPO Tino Taugnitz taugnitz.t [at] cimicgroupnorth.org

International Museum of Women – Global Project Launch
The International Museum of Women has launched Imagining Ourselves, a global project to reach young women around the world. Imagining Ourselves is a platform for young women to create positive change in their lives, communities and the world. It seeks to unite and mobilize young women to make a difference, to increase the visibility of young women's leadership, and connect advocacy organizations with a wider public. Log on to the online exhibit at the museum's website and join the conversation!

One in Nine Campaign
The One in Nine Campaign was launched in February 2006 to support the courage of Khwezi (not her real name), a young HIV-positive woman who has filed a rape charge against former Deputy President of South Africa Jacob Zuma. The case against Zuma has become a political minefield as thousands of Zuma loyalists have demonstrated their support for him publicly. The 31-year-old woman has been publicly criticized and insulted for taking legal action, and has had to go into protective custody. There continues to be intimidation against many activists demonstrating their support for Khwezi. The Campaign to support Khwezi has been named the One in Nine Campaign, because a recent Medical Research Council of South Africa study on violence against women indicates that only one in nine of all women who are raped actually report it. To learn more, visit the campaign website.

Norwegian Government Launches Action Plan to Implement UNSC 1325
Norway has developed an action plan to implement UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. The action plan was launched by Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at an event on 8 March 2006. The Norwegian government intends to intensify its efforts to increase women's participation in civil and military peace operations, mediation and peacebuilding, as well as to strengthen the protection of women's human rights in conflict areas. The action plan has been developed by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Justice and the Police, and Children and Equality. For more information, read the complete press release.

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