UNIFEM Currents - November 2007

November 2007 – In This Issue:

UNIFEM Takes a Stand on Women's World Poverty
Security Council Adopts Presidential Statement as Secretary-General Urges Collective Response to "Hideous" Pandemic of Gender-Based Violence
UNIFEM around the World
Recent Speeches and Statements
Recent Resources
Upcoming Events

UNIFEM Takes a Stand on Women's World Poverty

To mark the 20th annual World Poverty Day, 17 October, UNIFEM and the Women's Funding Network, a global network of 124 women's funds, launched a public awareness campaign calling for greater investment in equal opportunities for women as a key to combating global poverty. This joint initiative was a response to increasing evidence that women hold critical, yet often untapped, potential in helping to improve the economic prospects of communities and societies as a whole.

On World Poverty Day 2007, women and men Down Under stand upside down to turn poverty on its head. more photos »

On World Poverty Day, in a show of solidarity with women affected by and fighting against world poverty, 16,517 people visited a special website created for the campaign, from which key messages and statistics on women's distinct experience of poverty could be downloaded, and 6,887 registered to be counted as part of the new Guinness World Record for the largest number of people to stand up against poverty in 24 hours — an amazing 43.7 million. Organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign, Stand Up provides a platform for the general public to urge world leaders to fulfil their promise to halve world poverty by 2015.

In calling for "equal footing" in the fight against poverty, the campaign drew international attention to the fact that women are placed at risk of poverty due to their unequal access to resources and services, such as education, land and property, as well as the discrimination they face in the labour market and their lack of political voice.

The day also provided an occasion for creative events and initiatives around the globe, organized by UNIFEM partners and regional offices. For example:

Security Council Adopts Presidential Statement as Secretary-General Urges Collective Response to "Hideous" Pandemic of Gender-Based Violence

On the occasion of the UN Security Council debate on the role of women in peace and security, held on 23 October, senior UN officials stressed the need to combat gender-based violence and ensure that violations of women's rights — including the use of rape as a weapon of war — are viewed as a security issue. Opening the meeting, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that violence against women had reached "hideous and pandemic proportions" in some societies attempting to recover from conflict. Stating that reported incidents of rape in war zones, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are "just the tip of the iceberg," Joanne Sandler, acting Executive Director of UNIFEM, called on the Council and Member States to address such violations "not once a year but much more frequently than that, so we can have the kind of action and response that is required." Rachel Mayanja, the Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, stressed the responsibility of Member States to combat sexual violence: "We are at a moment in history when the world should finally be ready to alter the course of human development and renounce all forms of violence by decisively accepting the responsibility to stamp it out."

The Security Council discussed progress in implementing resolution 1325, a landmark document adopted in 2000 that recognizes the contribution of women to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security, while acknowledging their specific needs and concerns in armed conflict and its aftermath. In particular, the resolution calls for measures to protect women from sexual and gender-based violence. In a Presidential Statement adopted at the end of the day-long open debate, the Council noted the "constant under-representation of women in formal peace processes" and the need to enhance their role in matters related to the maintenance and promotion of peace and security. Deep concern was expressed that gender-based violence, particularly rape, remain "pervasive, and in some situations have become systematic." In her statement at the debate, Ms. Sandler emphasized: "The real measure of effective implementation is not the setting up of systems, plans and processes. The measure is women's participation in and contribution to more sustainable peace agreements and post-conflict reconstruction strategies, and better protection of women and girls in conflict zones."

UNIFEM around the World

Women's Leaders Call for Eradication of Cervical Cancer
Women's leaders called for the development of a global coalition to combat cervical cancer at the International Conference on the Fight against Cervical Cancer, hosted on 27-28 September by the Belgian Government in Brussels and co-convened by the European Commission and UNIFEM. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease that kills 250,000 women each year, 80 percent of them in developing countries. The "Global Call to Stop Cervical Cancer," adopted at the conference, recognizes that a comprehensive strategy is required to reverse the threat of the disease to women and girls worldwide, and calls on the pharmaceutical industry, donors and governments to explore innovative partnerships to increase investment in vaccines and screening programmes. Read the complete story.

Public Launch of EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Development and Peace
At a public event held in Brussels on 11 September, the European Commission (EC), the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITC/ILO), and UNIFEM unveiled a joint initiative to incorporate gender equality and women's human rights into national development processes and EC cooperation programmes. Through this effort, the partners aim to strengthen implementation of gender equality commitments in the national budgets and national development strategies of 12 countries: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Ghana, Honduras, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, and the Ukraine. Efforts will also include strengthening implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security, which was adopted in 2000 to incorporate gender equality and women's empowerment in responses to conflict and post-conflict situations. For more information, visit the website.

Latin America Welcomes Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking
The UN Global Initiative to Fight Human Trafficking (UN.GIFT) was officially launched in Latin America at a special event in Brasilia on 2 October. UN.GIFT aims to mobilize State and non-State actors to eradicate human trafficking by reducing both the vulnerability of potential victims and the demand for exploitation in all its forms; ensuring adequate protection and support to those who do fall victim; and supporting the efficient prosecution of the criminals involved, while respecting the fundamental human rights of all persons. UNIFEM is a key partner in this initiative, along with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), International Labour Organization (ILO), and coordinated by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). For more information, contact Ms. Junia Puglia, junia.puglia[at]unifem.org, +55 61 3038-9283.

Venezuelan Campaign Targets Men to Reduce Violence against Women and Girls
The UN Country Team in Venezuela and Fundación Banco Fondo Común have launched a mass media campaign to raise the awareness of men and recruit them as allies in efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. The campaign, which runs from 21 September until 25 November— the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women — calls on men and boys to reflect on violence against women and girls, exhorting them not to engage in violence and to contribute to efforts to combat the problem. A number of governmental, non-governmental and private sector partners are contributing to the campaign, which includes short videos shown in movie theatres throughout the country, newspaper and magazine advertisements, and subway posters. Read the complete story (in Spanish).

Ecuador Establishes National Plan to Eliminate Violence against Women
Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and four ministers signed a Presidential Decree on 10 September that established, for the first time, the fight against gender-based violence as a State policy and created a National Plan and budget for its eradication. The plan is the culmination of a thirty-year process led by the Ecuadorian women's movement and supported by UNIFEM. Read the complete story.

Most Ecuadorian Women Say They Would Use Female Condom
A study on the acceptability of the female condom conducted by the Ecuadorian Sexual Workers Network (Red Trabsex), with financial support from UNAIDS and technical assistance from UNIFEM, reveals that most women interviewed, particularly sexual workers, would agree to use the female condom to prevent pregnancy and the transmission of HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Some women, however, reject the prophylactic's use based on cultural beliefs and sexual practices that prevent them from being able to negotiate the use of condoms in any form. The study concludes that, faced with the continuing increase in the incidence of HIV/AIDS among women, it is imperative to promote the female condom and educate women on how to negotiate its use. For more information, please contact Ms. Verónica Burneo, veronica.burneo[at]unifem.org, +593 2 246-0332.

Indigenous Women Take the Stage at 10th Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean
By sponsoring the attendance of a number of indigenous and Afro-descendant women delegates to the 10th Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean — held in Quito, Ecuador, 6-9 August — and co-organizing a panel on "Citizenship and Political Participation by Indigenous and Afro-Descendant Women," UNIFEM helped to ensure that the priorities of indigenous and Afro-descendant women were addressed and included in the conference Declaration. Dubbed the Quito Consensus, the Declaration demands that governments and the United Nations fulfil their commitments to freedom, equality and gender justice. Read the complete story.

Brazilian Government Solidifies Commitment to Combating Violence against Women
At the 2nd National Conference of Policies for Women, held in Brasilia, 17-20 August, President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva announced the investment of 1 billion reais (approximately, US$500 million) through the National Pact to Combat Violence against Women to implement the Maria da Penha Law, the Brazilian law that addresses gender-based violence. The Pact envisions creating specialized courts to address cases of domestic and family violence against women; strengthening and enlarging police stations that specialize in women's issues; increasing the number of shelters for women threatened by violence; implementing a campaign to educate the population on and prevent gender-based violence, with a focus on the rural population; and designing specific policies to protect Afro-descendant women. UNIFEM led a successful process of gathering political and financial support from UN agencies for the conference, which was the culmination of a preparatory process that involved more than 100,000 women throughout the country. For more information, please contact Ms. Junia Puglia, junia.puglia[at]unifem.org, +55 61 3038-9283.

Male Leaders in Timor-Leste Spearhead Campaign to End Violence against Women
Capitalizing on the commitment of Timor-Leste's leaders to end violence against women, UNIFEM will launch a public awareness campaign to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence, beginning on 25 November. The campaign — spanning all 13 districts of the country — will consist of a series of posters, radio and television public service announcements featuring ten of Timor-Leste's most famous faces. It will complement a baseline study on the prevalence of, and attitudes towards, sexual and gender-based violence conducted as part of the UNIFEM programme Supporting Community-Led Initiatives to Promote Women's Engagement in Peacebuilding and Prevention of Sexual Violence in Timor-Leste. The initiative was also inspired by a recent Regional Conference on Men as Partners to End Violence against Women in Bangkok, Thailand. For more information, please contact Mr. Chris Parkinson, chris.parkinson[at]unifem.org

UNIFEM, Thai Government Host Regional Conference on Men as Partners to End Violence against Women
A two-day regional conference on Men as Partners to End Violence against Women concluded on 4 September at the UN Convention Centre in Bangkok. The forum — organized jointly by UNIFEM, the Australian and Singaporean National Committees for UNIFEM, and the Royal Thai Government — brought together more than 150 representatives from the public sector, private sector, and civil society in East and South-East Asia to brainstorm strategies for engaging a critical mass of gender-sensitive men to eliminate violence and discrimination. One participant, Mr. Chhay Kim Sore of the Cambodian Men's Network for the Elimination of Violence against Women, observed: "Due to widespread acceptance and practice of violent masculinity, non-violent men feel isolated because of their gentle behaviour. We must speak out and challenge the dominant, aggressive role model.” Read the complete story.

UNIFEM Supports Maldives Ministry of Family and Gender to Implement CEDAW Committee's Concluding Comments
In the Maldives, UNIFEM supported the Ministry of Family and Gender in organizing a workshop on 4-6 September to develop a draft action plan on the implementation of the CEDAW Committee's Concluding Comments to the Government. It was attended by representatives from a range of Ministries, including Higher Education, Employment and Social Security, Health, Planning and National Development, the Attorney General's Office, and the Supreme Council of Islam, as well as civil society representatives. Professor Savitri Goonesekere, former CEDAW Committee Member, acted as the key resource person. This provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of Maldives' obligations under the Convention, and to develop a realistic and sustainable action plan to implement the Concluding Comments. The draft action plan is due to be finalized by the end of 2007. For more information, please contact Ms. Gitanjali Singh, gitanjali.singh[at]unifem.org

UNIFEM Facilitates Round Table with Korean and Indian Government Representatives on Gender-Responsive Budgeting
At the request of the Korean Women's Development Institute, UNIFEM organized an information exchange on gender-responsive budgeting initiatives in New Delhi on 6 August. This round table session brought together representatives from the Government of India, including the Ministry of Women and Child Development, gender-responsive budgeting experts and researchers, and delegates from the Korean Women's Development Institute. Both UNIFEM and the Government of India provided a comprehensive overview of their work and shared materials and research. This is expected to aid progress towards fulfilling a requirement enshrined in Korea's National Finance Act of 2006 for every ministry to submit a gender budget report and a gender budget balance sheet, starting with fiscal year 2010. For more information, please contact Ms. Gita Gupta, gita.gupta[at]unifem.org

Study on the Plight of Widows in Vrindavan Launched
The launch of a UNIFEM-supported study, "Spirituality, Poverty, Charity brings Widows to Vrindavan," by Usha Rai, casts an important spotlight on the plight of widows in India. Known as the City of Widows, Vrindavan is a place where destitute upper-caste widows traditionally go after they are abandoned by their families on the death of their husbands. The study is the culmination of a journey UNIFEM embarked on with the Guild of Service — an organization working for the development, empowerment and rehabilitation of widows — in 2002, when they joined forces to organize the South Asian Conference on Widows. The study found that 82 percent of widows moved to Vrindavan as their husbands had left no savings, 65 percent said they owned no property, and only 50 percent of those who did own property said they were able to access it. Its recommendations include establishing rehabilitation homes to provide food, medical care and other services; making information on accessing the widow's pension more widely available; encouraging religious leaders to support widow remarriage; facilitating vocational training for young widows; and making marriage registration compulsory, in order to check the practice of child brides in Bengal. For more information, please contact Ms. Gita Gupta, gita.gupta[at]unifem.org

Strength in Numbers: Women MPs Forge Cross-Party Caucus in Iraqi Parliament
The creation of a cross-party women's caucus composed of 73 women MPs was announced on 23 September by the Speaker of the 275-seat Iraqi Parliament, Mahmoud al-Mashhadani. This joint effort is the first of its kind in the region. UNIFEM provided support by facilitating meetings between women parliamentarians and political party leaders. The newly formed caucus will advance the roll-out of policies to help victims of the conflict, including widows, orphans, war victims' families, and internally displaced persons and refugees. It will enable women MPs to emerge as more efficient and influential actors in the legislature, by bridging disparate viewpoints held by the various parties to which they belong. Read the complete story.

Jordanian Women Make History in Municipal Elections
An unprecedented number of women candidates and voters turned out for the 2007 Jordanian municipal elections. Results, announced on 2 August, revealed that of the 355 women candidates, 20 secured victory through the ballot box, while a further 195 obtained seats pursuant to the recently instated women's quota. Ahead of the elections, UNIFEM supported building women's capacity to promote and enhance their role in public life. Of the female candidates, 103, or 52 percent, of those selected for seats pursuant to the quota had participated in a UNIFEM training programme on how to conduct an effective election campaign. In a region with the lowest number of women parliamentarians in the world, Jordan's achievement sets a significant precedent. It also means more women in municipal seats able to influence the national debate on electoral laws in the lead-up to parliamentary elections in November 2007. Read the complete story.

Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan participates in police training course

Jordan Shares Family Protection Knowhow with Arab Police
On 30 October, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan participated in the inaugural regional training course to strengthen the institutional capacity of Arab police to respond to domestic violence, jointly hosted by UNIFEM and the Department of Public Security's Family Protection Department. More than 40 police officers from 12 Arab States learned updated methods for handling violence and sexual assault, while respecting cultural values. The active involvement of Queen Rania signalled that the issue is a top priority for Jordan. She stated: "Only a few years ago, our people were not talking about the issue, which was labelled taboo, embarrassing or too sensitive … but violence happens all over the world, however rich or poor you are, living in a city or a village. To succeed we must speak out freely." For more information, please contact Ms. Ola Zou'bi, ola.zoubi[at]unifem.org

Rapid Response Unit Launched to End "Electoral Violence" against Kenyan Women
Following an alarming escalation of violence against women in the lead-up to Kenya's December General Elections, UNIFEM has partnered with the Education Centre for Women in Democracy to establish a Gender Rapid Response Unit, which was launched on 18 October. Women hoping to participate in politics have been subjected to threats, insults and even physical attacks which have caused many to drop out of the political race. The new Gender Rapid Response Unit will help by providing referrals to counselling and medical assistance; access to pro bono legal advice; as well as security awareness training for women candidates and their supporters. For more information, please contact Ms. Pamela Tuiyott, pamela.tuiyott[at]unifem.org

RDF officers discuss recommendations to combat GBV in Rwanda

Rwandan Armed Forces Combat Gender-Based Violence
In an unprecedented partnership with UNIFEM, the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) has launched a programme to engage its officers in addressing the nature and impact of gender-based violence (GBV) across the country. Beginning with a training workshop for senior RDF officers, the programme aims to enhance understanding of GBV and related security issues. "It is imperative to note that gender-based violence is considered a security threat by the RDF that has a severely negative impact on socio-economic development in general, and human rights in particular," stated Army Chief of Staff General James Kabarebe at the Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Kigali. Beyond the army barracks, the sensitization campaign will extend to radio stations, newspapers, brochures and billboards. For more information, please contact Ms. Irene Zirimwabagabo, irene.zirimwabagabo[at]unifem.org

Women Access Decision-Making Positions in Mauritania
On 27 September, a Charter for the Promotion of Women in Mauritania was signed by the President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania., The Charter reinforces the advocacy campaigns that led to a 20-percent quota of women in decision-making positions to be enshrined in law. UNIFEM has supported a programme promoting gender equality in good governance in Mauretania. Women currently constitute 18 percent of Parliament and 33 percent of representatives elected at the municipal level — a stunning increase from previous elections in 2001, when women's involvement was close to nil. As a result of efforts to enhance women's access to decision-making positions, Ms. Khadjetou Mint Boubou has recently been elected Governor of Inchiri region. She calls on the Mauritanian authorities to persist in "integrating women as actors at all levels and reducing social disparities." For more information, please contact Ms. Selbee Ndiaye, selbee.ndiaye[at]unifem.org

Three UN Agencies Join Forces to Tackle Gender Inequality in Local Development
The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and UNIFEM have launched a joint programme to ensure gender-equitable local development and improved access to resources and services for women. The programme is being piloted in five African Least Developed Countries and will concentrate on gender-responsive planning, budgeting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The primary emphasis will be on building the capacity of local governments to mainstream gender perspectives into local development plans, while facilitating the broad-based participation of women and community organizations in those processes. Read the complete story.

Legal Protection at Last for the Women of Sierra Leone
In the homes, communities and provinces of Sierra Leone, women are newly protected by a legal framework that outlaws domestic violence, entitles them to own property, and recognizes their right to inheritance. A Certificate of Urgency — issued by former President Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah — fast-tracked passage of three bills, collectively known as the Gender Bills, which became law on 14 June. After years of discussion and debate, the Registration of Customary Marriages and Divorce Act, the Domestic Violence Act, and the Devolution of Estates Act were unanimously adopted by Parliament in a single day's sitting. Together, these laws address age-old inequalities women, bringing customary law and the Constitution into closer alignment with international human rights standards. Read the complete story.

Recent Speeches and Statements

Recent Resources

UNIFEM Strategic Plan, 2008–2011. The UNIFEM strategic plan provides strategic policy and management direction for UNIFEM to increase its development effectiveness, strengthen strategic partnerships and mobilize resources for the next four years. It outlines how UNIFEM will work in partnership with United Nations system Member States and civil society organizations to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed goals. more »

UNIFEM Annual Report 2006–2007. The annual report documents UNIFEM's work to strengthen women's economic security, eliminate violence against women, reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS among women, and achieve gender equality in democratic governance. The report also commemorates the 10th anniversary of the UNIFEM-managed UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women with examples that highlight the achievements of grantees over the past decade. more »

Activities of the United Nations Development Fund for Women: Note by the Secretary-General (2006). This report provides a review and update of the programme and activities of UNIFEM for the years 2004-2006, with a particular emphasis on 2006. The report tracks overall progress and highlights concrete results in the implementation of the UNIFEM multi-year funding framework 2004-2007 during the years under review. more »

EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Development and Peace. This brochure introduces the EC/UN Partnership on Gender Equality for Development and Peace, a three-year programme that supports stronger action on gender equality and women's empowerment in national development processes and in cooperation programmes supported by the EC. The partnership also includes a focus on effective implementation of UN Security Council resolution 1325, adopted in 2000 to mainstream gender equality and women's empowerment in responses to conflict and post-conflict situations. more »