NEWS

CSW58: A Social Work Perspective
Post date: Tue, 03/11/2014 - 20:57

After two full days at CSW 58, I’ve had the opportunity to participate in sessions from a variety of NGO’s, members of civil society, groups, and nations that have each put forth their own expectations and values. However, as a social work student I have been particularly aware of the focus many of these groups have placed on the value and importance of meeting communities where they are, providing informed consent, and having cultural competency.

At one of my favorite sessions so far, a side event to highlight “Vision 2020” a new report put out by the International Planned Parenthood Federation that discussed the crucial role of sexual and reproductive health and rights in the post-2015 framework, something Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, one of the panelists and the ED of UNFPA, said stood out to me. He said that when working with communities internationally to address issues that negatively affect women and girls, like child marriage, it was important to reach out to community leaders and “not talk down to them.”

As social workers, we are taught the importance of respecting different communities and meeting clients (individuals or communities), where they are, in order to show respect, and ensure that we are able to work together to take positive steps in the right direction and to avoid imposing our will and getting shut out of the change process all together. It is key for all of us to remember that even small steps in the right direction are important but in order to take those steps we must work respectfully in partnership with the communities we want to effect change in.

Another event that reinforced Social Work values was the event put on by Indigenous Women on their role in the MDGs. The indigenous women speaking stressed the importance of consulting with indigenous women to craft MDGs and the post-2015 framework to ensure it addresses their needs as well. They discussed also the importance of having informed consent when NGOs go into their communities to start projects for the MDGs, as they are often not consulted and their “villages become museums of MDG projects” that go unused because their true needs were never addressed. A concrete path serves indigenous women no use when they walk barefoot in the summer and would rather walk on the cool grass. These sentiments reflect the importance of working with communities as partners, meeting them where they are in a way that truly addresses their needs and strengths, and values their culture while allowing them the space and support to work to better their own communities.

Ana Rodriguez

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Four women in a coffee shop
Post date: Tue, 03/11/2014 - 14:28

Love it or hate it, even 10 years after Sex and the City’s finale, it’s still a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Most of this show centered on four women talking and laughing in their neighborhood coffee shop. I would like to share with you another portrayal of four women talking in a coffee shop in New York City.

Four women-one originally hailing from Spain, another from Finland, and two from the United States- leave the United States Mission to the United Nations after the second day of the UN-CSW. These women find themselves in a Manhattan coffee shop. There, they share what they have learned that day and their ideas for the future of their communities and our world. They talk about economics, policy, the plight of women and girls in the world, and the merits of capitalism. They debate, they disagree, and they walk out together personally enriched and still respectful of one another.

This was my experience this afternoon after the second official day of the CSW. I think, for me, a lot of the CSW experience has been about talking and sharing with my fellow Practicum women and some of the other amazing people who are here in New York this week. It has been an inspiring and empowering privilege.

What I'd like to share here is that I believe that we too have the power to be a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Not just those of us here in New York but all the women of WILPF and the world. We have the power to create movements, to create change, to lay the foundation for a new cultural paradigm from something as simple as an empowering discussion with three friends in a small coffee shop.

Heather Lipkovich

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Posting from our Local2Global Coordinator, Marie Lousie Jackson- Miller
Post date: Tue, 03/11/2014 - 05:37

Our 2014 Local 2 Global cohort spans all generations from millenial to the silent and great among 7 WILPF women. Lauretta is our wisest. She joined in 1948 and comes from New Jersey. Our poet is Rain. She joined in Missoula 2 years ago. Our team from Iowa, Jan and Deb, have "educated, agitated and illuminated" throughout this past year in their home branch, WILPF Des Moines. Eileen is from our WILPF Branch in Ashland, Oregon, and co-coordinators: Nicole is from WILPF's Detroit Branch, and Marie-Louise is from Quincy/Boston.
We have gathered for tea and conversation often since we arrived on Saturday at the Court St. Giles Hotel in New York. At our orientation for all WILPF delegates, we received a warm welcome from Ria Kulenovic, WILPF US Section Director of Operations, and Alanna Kelly, our Leadership and Outreach Intern. Maria Butler of WILPF's PeaceWomen Project also wished us a "Happy International Women's Day!"

We shared words to describe WILPF: Human Rights, Disarmament, Peace, Fearless, Courageous, Agency, Hope. Advocacy and organizing are our tools. Our role at the Commission on the Status of Women is to network and to learn collectively at the side events. We will use our words like "hope" and "courage" throughout this week. We will be inspired by the people we meet, and as we leave, we'll prepare to report back to our groups, branches and sections.

We had a viewing of WILPF's anniversary video - an historical perspective which was quite inspiring. Emma from our office in Geneva encouraged everyone to be a spokesperson for WILPF and WILPF's Centennial Celebration at the Hague in the Peace Palace in 2015 where we will have our Triennial Congress specifically for WILPF members - followed by our International Conference of NGOs, civil society organizations and academics. WILPF is working together with the Nobel Women's Initiative in planning the conference and celebration of women peacemakers throughout the world. Emma asked the WILPF delegates to encourage everyone to tell others at the CSW that they are doing the work of women's power to stop war. We all signed the Women Stop War pledge and committed to gathering signatures during the week.

Kristin Alder introduced the discussion topic: No Development without Disarmament. We have seemingly unlimited financial resources for war - yet ever decreasing dollars for human needs. What is up with that? The WILPF delegates discussed this from both a socio economic perspective as well as an environmental perspective. One over arching conclusion noted was this: that if we don't fight, there is no market for weapons - and no need for weapons production.

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tester
Post date: Tue, 03/11/2014 - 05:27

this is a tester for the blogs.

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March 11th 2014, 3 years since the Fukishima Meltdown
Post date: Tue, 03/11/2014 - 04:15

Yesterday I attended a forum sponsored by Human Rights Now in Japan, the YWCA of Japan and Taiwan, Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR)and International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)
From the horrendous effects Uranium mining has left behind as tailings and dust to the 240,000 years it takes spent radioactive waste to detoxify... Why anyone supports nuclear energy has always been beyond me...

The UN is creating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As of now they are PROMOTING NUCLEAR ENERGY as a Sustainable and Renewable energy source for the future!
If you don't think that this is the most ridiculous and HORRENDOUS advocacy for one of the MOST EXPENSIVE and TOXIC sources of energy, then I have some information for you!

" Malthus argued a century and a half ago that man, by using up all his available resources, would forever press on the limits of subsistence, thus condemning humanity to an indefinite future of misery and poverty. We can now begin to hope and, I believe, know that Malthus was expressing not a law of nature, but merely the limitation then of scientific and social wisdom. The truth or falsity of his prediction will depend now, with the tools we have, on our own actions, now and in the years to come."
— John F. Kennedy

March 11th 2014 is the 3rd Anniversary of the Fukishima Meltdown.
The travesty continues and we must engage in a global dialogue that ends the impunity of the Japanese Government in denying the scientific facts about the effects of Radiation on human and environmental health.

An important aspect of the knowledge on health effects is that women and children- for our smaller body sizes and women for the unique cells of our boidies- like breast tissue, we and our sisters are especially vulnerable and more likely to fall victim to the sicknesses and immune weaknesses caused by radiation. As mothers and potential mothers we face infertility, stillbirth, weak infants, and infants that may carry and pass on effects of radiation for generations.

We learned so much from Chernobyl (April 26th 1986). Today we are allowing the Japanese Government and other Governments around the world to spread nuclear propaganda that is scientifically false. This must end and we must help spread the truth.

For the People of Fukishima Japan
For the People of Chernobyl Ukraine
For the People of the SW USA and of S Central and the N tip of Australia who must bear the present and future burdens of Uranium mines.

Please write to the UN, to the Japanese Government, to your friends and families!
And write to Human Rights Now and share messages of hope and support with the Japanese People!
This is a long slow atomic bomb that is already exponentially worse than the Hiroshima and Nagasaki tragedies.

Yours Truly
With Courage and Peace
Alexandria "Rain" Smith

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Are we waiting on Superwoman?
Post date: Mon, 03/10/2014 - 20:19

First, I would like to say I am extremely grateful to be among great women and people in this experience. I am sure like most of us in the practicum that we are experiencing some great feelings about where we want to go with this advocacy. For myself, this experience has cemented a lasting impression where we, as women, need to go and are going.

As the UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, stated on Consultation Day, it is not enough that we are 1 in 5 in parliament or the legislature. We must continue to do the work needed to bring a voice to the many issues affecting women and girls. As a panelist also stated, we can no longer hold the line but must take the next steps. This is where we are at, taking the next steps.

Today was technically the first of the CSW58. I originally set out to go to the Engaging Boys and Men for Gender Equality event. But, stupid me, I thought it was being held at the Church Center, where most parallel events are being held. So, when I arrived at the Church Center, I was pleasantly surprised it was not there but at the Armenian Center. Therefore, I decided to try another event.

I went to an event entitled “From Higher Education to Women Leadership.” It was not disappointing at all. In fact, I learned lots of great information and enjoyed hearing the passionate responses of the panelists and audience. The following is my observation and takeaways from this event. Many others may have different views.

I realized how privilege we are as American women, as the stories I heard through my time at CSW58 from this weekend, to date, show me that there are things that other women are still struggling to achieve and we must help others to achieve that equality. Educating a woman increases the chances of survival for an entire family.

The panelists provided valuable insight into why educating women and placing them into leadership roles were so important. The work is not done by simply educating the woman, as the panelists found that they would provide education for women but the women would return to their home countries and may find little help in getting opportunities, especially leadership opportunities. But, Open A Door Foundation has diligently broke down those barriers by remaining in constant contact with partners who could help in their mission.

There were discussions about why certain communities blocked women from educational and leadership opportunities. Some reasons were that men feared that women would not want to marry the men once women were educated. We also learned that this was not necessarily true, as these are merely fears and not reality. While there are misunderstandings and fears around educating a woman in some countries, educating a woman can have tremendous benefit to the woman’s family, community and nation as a whole. Also, I took away that to hold back that woman also holds back that family, community and nation.

This event made me think about the possible consequences that the denial of an education, leadership and career opportunities would have on men, communities, nations and families as a whole. In some instances, what if the male could not provide for the family and the woman has not been allowed to work or use her education to fullest and best extent? Moreover, what if the male, her family, nation and/or community could gain recognition and privilege from the woman’s leadership opportunities? In essence, denying a women’s right destroys society as every action has a reaction.

The event and days preceding this event has emphasized to me that we still have work to do, so let’s do it! What are we waiting for? Superwoman? If we are waiting on Superwoman, this is not going to happen. We must be the Superwoman that we are seeking--that fierce and unafraid person who can stand up and be the voice of the minority such as women and not be a bystander.

Brandy G. Robinson, J.D.

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Education and Development reflections
Post date: Mon, 03/10/2014 - 20:15

Today was the first day of the CSW, and I am definitely taking advantage of every moment. I feel so lucky to be a part of this event, having studied the CSW and Beijing Platform in my international development studies, and even more, I am so grateful to WILPF for choosing me to be a part of this powerful week.

I have lived in many places, but one of the most interesting was Saudi Arabia. I spent a year teaching the first generation of women to attend higher education at the world’s largest all-female university, and while equality for women and basic human rights for women are still largely in their infancy, things are progressing in the ultra conservative nation. As a result of that experience, and my more fundamental passion for education and youth development, I attended an event today hosted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United States Federation for Middle East Peace: Ensure Equal Access to Education and Training for Girls and Women.

Most of the panel was nothing new: education for girls is particularly important in Muslim countries, but competes with a myriad of other challenges, like gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, early marriage, women in peace building, etc. However, teaching tolerance within all members of society and raising girls to have self-esteem are essential building blocks for these nations that is not necessarily being disseminated to the populace, especially in more traditional communities.

Having female role models is one way to build confidence within girls, but another way is through sport. The panel had two World-Champion gymnasts (twins, actually!) to talk about the benefits that sports have on girls. This tried and true method of youth development is often overlooked amongst development practitioners, but results from sports programs on adolescents can be remarkable. Youth are literally our future, and investing in their social development is key. Sport is one way to build confidence, leadership skills, teamwork, and problem solving strategies. Unfortunately in places like Saudi Arabia, every time sport is introduced in girls’ schools, it is almost immediately shut down by the religious police. [Note: Saudi Arabia hosted two women for the first time ever in the 2012 Olympics.]

It becomes obvious that civil society needs to play a stronger role in all countries on the behalf of women, particularly in countries with weak governance. However, the panel did not discuss how to build women’s access to education when civil society is absent as well. I know that social media is filling in many gaps in this regard and fueling the “Arab Spring” movement, awakening young people to the possibility of a better tomorrow.

-Christina Castellani

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Earth Democracy March 2014 Updates
Post date: Mon, 03/10/2014 - 14:35

By Nancy Price for the Earth Democracy Coordinating Team

This month, we feature news from Fresno and Santa Cruz. We invite members and Branches to regularly send us news of activities related to the Earth Democracy Issue Group’s mandate,  and the work of our sub-committees, so we may be inspired by each other’s vision, imagination, and success. Please send your news to teamearthdem@wilpfus.org.

Fresno WILPF Co-sponsors the Film "BIDDER 70"

By Jean Hays, Fresno WILPF Branch, Earth Democracy Issue Group

WILPF Fresno's Earth Democracy Issues Group has been busy participating in and organizing several environmental events this year. One of the most exciting has been working in collaboration with California State University Fresno's CineCulture film series which screens current films each Friday on campus. WILPFer and film series organizer, Dr. Mary Husain asks WILPF Fresno each year to help choose the film to be shown on the date closest to International Water Day, March 22. This year, we have expanded our water theme to encompass water as only one part of our endangered environment, and to show what one brave person did to help save it. "Bidder 70" will be shown on March 21.

"Bidder 70" is the story of University of Utah student, Tim DeChristopher, who, on December 19, 2008, bravely entered into bidding in an illegal Bureau of Land Management oil and gas auction in the Utah state capitol. As Bidder 70, Tim bid 1.8 million dollars and won 22,000 pristine acres surrounding Utah's National Parks with no intention or means to pay or drill. Although the Obama administration agreed the land should be safeguarded and invalidated the entire auction, Tim was indicted on two federal felony counts, carrying with them the possibilities of up to ten years in prison. DeChristopher did spend two years in federal prison, being released in April, 2013.

Proposed Santa Cruz County Sustainability Ordinance

By Earth Democracy Committee, Santa Cruz WILPF Branch

The Earth Democracy Committee of the Santa Cruz WILPF Branch—Jeri Bodemar, Lynda Francis, Ellen Murtha, Mathilde Rand, and Randa Solick—report they have submitted a “Proposed Santa Cruz County Sustainability Ordinance”  to the County Supervisors and staff. To better implement the ordinance, they request a Guardian position, similar to an Ombudsman, be created under the Commission on the Environment. They state that both the Ordinance and the Guardian complement the purposes of the Commission on the Environment, and would enhance and further its current goals. Furthermore, they include the Precautionary Principle, detailed in the Ordinance addendum, as a guide to integrate policies and actions by the Board, Commission, and Guardian. 

This is the culmination of several years’ work by a number of Santa Cruz WILPF members organizing around the issues of water, the environment, and community rights. But this sustainability ordinance, in particular, represents two years of work that grows out the Spring 2012 tour by Carolyn Raffensperger to four CA WILPF Branches (San Jose, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Fresno) to speak about Guardianship of Future Generations and the Precautionary Principle. In Santa Cruz, WILPF members hosted a brown-bag lunch for City Council and County Supervisors to listen to and meet Carolyn. This was followed by Jean Hays (Fresno), Randa and Mathilde (Santa Cruz) and Nancy Price (Davis, CA) attending the First Women’s Congress on Future Generations hosted by Carolyn and the Science and Environmental Health Network and Peaceful Uprising in Moab, Utah in Fall, 2012, which led to creation of the Earth Democracy Workshop, given in Fresno, Santa Cruz and San Jose Branches in Spring, 2013. And, one year later this has culminated in the Santa Cruz Earth Democracy Committee now having written and submitted their Sustainability Ordinance.

This shows you how vision, imagination, collaboration and persistence can bring success in finally creating a document to submit to the County Supervisors. Please take this opportunity to read the Proposed Sustainability Ordinance and supporting documents that incorporates the position of a Guardian of Future Generations and adoption of a Precautionary Principle Policy

It can’t be stressed enough that the Santa Cruz Branch and their Earth Democracy Committee has consistently worked in coalition with such groups as: Transition Santa Cruz, County Coalition against Racism, UNA, Santa Cruz Alliance for Human Rights, GMO-free Santa Cruz, People’s Democratic Club, Community Water Coalition, SEIU, COPA, and other environmental groups.  This past Fall, 2013, they worked with Transition Santa Cruz and the Quakers on two climate change programs.  As a result of working to form a diverse coalition including youth and Latino and tribal communities and to include environmental justice issues in their climate change work, recent organizations that have sprung up - Santa Cruz Rising and the Citizens Climate Lobby -  are composed of mostly young people.

The Earth Democracy Issue Group would acknowledges that these projects came to fruition because of generous Program Mini-Grants that funded Carolyn Raffensperger’s 2012 CA Earth Democracy tour, the 2013 creation of the Earth Democracy workshop  the materials and packets, and to the Santa Cruz Earth Democracy Group for venue rental for meetings, materials copying, and legal advice for the Ordinance. Thank you!

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Learning to Navigate: Day 1 Experiences
Post date: Mon, 03/10/2014 - 14:34

Courtney Harchaoui
3/10/14

When leaving the hotel this morning, I found myself full of nervous excitement. For the past few months, I have had certain thoughts and expectations about what the UN, and attending CSW 58 would be like. As Kristin told us on our first day here in New York, my expectations were completely blown away. In viewing all of the different schedules, I found myself feeling a little overwhelmed with everything; what should I do first? How will I fit all if this into my schedule?! Out of the confusion I ended up choosing to attend the parralel event, "From Higher Education to Women's Leadership", hosted by the Open A Door Foundation. This event focused on the role of higher education for women from the Global South, targeting how education can foster leadership and global change. The event was in a panel format, featuring four speakers; Barbara Bylenga, Daniela Kaisth, Leo Motiuk, and Simin Wahdat. Each individual had an interesting an innovative take on how higher education can create strong female leaders, as well as raise awareness for social justice issues.

This panel was great overall, but certain aspects really stood out for me. One included the message that we need to stop viewing higher education as a luxury, and instead see it as a necessity. By having a higher education, women can feel more empowered to enter male dominated spaces, as well as set a strong examples for others in their home community. In providing women from these areas with a university education, they are receiving knowledge and skill sets that they can take back to their community, and engage in real change as they out of everyone can truly attest to what will work in their communities.

After leaving this panel, it was time to head to the UN building for a side event hosted by Sweden entitled "The Role of Men and Boys in Contributing to the Achievement of Gender Equality Goals and Women's Empowerment". As someone who is very interested in masculine identities, I was very excited to attend this event. Unfortunately, I was unable to make it due to mass confusion (I swear I was not the only one!) on where the conference room was even located! This made me feel frustrated at first, as I had the full intention of focusing this blog post on that talk. However, I decided to try to not dwell on the negative---this is all part of the learning process of attending the CSW! I ended my day with a great tour of the United nations, buying and writing postcards for myself, and for loved ones back home in Ohio. Even though today was nothing like I expected, it was still a great learning experience, one that I am grateful to be a part of.

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Who is it really benefiting? by Maria Teresa Roca de Togores
Post date: Sun, 03/09/2014 - 18:44

I want to talk about two comments that I have heard today at very different stages of the day, but which, upon reflection, are completely related and deserve some attention if we want to be as accurate as possible in the task of assisting women issues and advocating for their development.

The first was the moment this morning when a member of an indigenous community in Mexico came up to the microphone to make some comments on sustainable urbanization. I was struck by her courage to raise her voice although she did not speak English. Her words were very powerful because she very bluntly pointed out the differences in perception that arise between the NGOs acting in a specific area, and the actual population that lives there. On a side note, I found it slightly sad to feel a generalized condescendence in the room simply because of the language barrier.

The second comment came up during dinner tonight. I was inspired to tackle the thought of cultural understanding and sustainable development after hearing our own Mbasireh Saidybah’s comment about the need to include – and actually further empower – the women who are directly related to these issue areas into the sustainable development conversation, rather than giving that task to western activists who may have a more theoretic approach to the matter.

This is indeed a very important point, and it made me think yet another time of a comment that I constantly make when I have conversation about cultural understanding. Although I fully support humanitarian initiatives to assist populations in developing countries – especially regarding women and children issues – I have observed in many of my readings and classes, that western organizations often lack precisely the understanding that would make a difference. They land in a country with a genuine intention to help, but bring the wrong approach because they are built in a western mindset.

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