Wednesday, July 2, 2008

EMERGING LEADERS’ FORUM 2008

Ÿ Interested in expanding your leadership abilities?

Ÿ Want to explore major issues with like-minded young women?

Ÿ Willing to increase your involvement in the community?

Ÿ Prepared to fully commit to a year-long programme (4 x 2-day retreats & 8 day-long seminars)?

If you answered yes to the above and are a young woman between the ages of 18-25 yrs who lives in or around Suva , the Fiji Women's Rights Movement would like to invite you to participate in an Emerging Leaders Forum. The Movement has run three successful ELF programmes thus far and graduates have applied the skills gained to their lives and become part of a range of networks.

Participants will be selected from a wide cross-section of the community. Applicants must complete attached questionnaire and submit it no later than Friday, July 4 2008. Short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.

Completed questionnaires should be addressed forwarded to michelle@fwrm.org.fj or michellerddy@yahoo.com


Michelle Reddy
P.O.Box 14194
Suva
Fiji Island

Email :michellerddy@yahoo.com / michelle@fwrm.org.fj
Work : (679)3313156 / (679) 3312711
Fax : (679) 3313466
Mobile : 9340299

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Women PeaceMakers Program

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

Now Accepting Applications for the 2008 Women PeaceMakers Program *New*
2008 Women PeaceMakers Conference: "Crafting Human Security in an Insecure World." Sept. 24 - 26, 2008 *New*

Application Deadline: May 23, 2008

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) in San Diego , California , is currently accepting applications for its Women PeaceMakers Program (WPM). The WPM program is designed for leaders from conflict-affected countries around the world who are transforming conflict and assuring gender-inclusion in post conflict recovery through in human rights advocacy and peace building efforts they lead. These are women whose stories and best practices will be shared internationally; they are women who will have a respite from the frontlines work they do.

Four Women PeaceMakers are selected each year to spend two months in residence at the Institute. They will receive a small stipend while having their unique peacemaking stories documented, through both film and narratives that will be available to inspire others around the world. Women PeaceMakers in residence will have the opportunity to engage with the community through a series of public panels and to meet with other activists and leaders involved in human rights, political action and peacemaking efforts.

The institute is also accepting applications for Peace Writers. Peace Writers document the stories of Women PeaceMakers for publication. Writers will interview the Women and engage in extensive research to become familiar with the histories of their conflicts and peacemaking efforts.

For more information about the program and an application please visit the IPJ web site at http://peace.sandiego.edu or contact Erika Lopez, Women PeaceMakers Program Officer, at erika.lopez@sandiego.edu.


Thursday, April 10, 2008

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ARRESTED IN FIJI

10th April 2008.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS ARRESTED IN FIJI

Seventeen human rights defenders were today arrested by police officers in Fiji 's capital, Suva , and continue to be detained.

Among the group arrested were Fiji Human Rights Commissioner Shamima Ali , Claire Slatter, Past Coordinator of DAWN; Noelene Nabulivou, Coordinator of Women's Action for Change, Tara Chetty and four other women's rights activists from the Fiji Women's Rights Movement, Edwina Kotoisuva and colleagues from the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre, Jane Keith-Reid and three other activists from the AIDS Taskforce.

Those arrested were holding a peaceful, silent vigil outside the Chinese Embassy, situated along Suva 's sea wall. The detainees participated in the vigil to show their solidarity with human rights defenders in Tibet and Tibetans who have been killed and assaulted by the Chinese defense forces.

“These unnecessary arrests have made a big incident out of what was a quiet and peaceful vigil showing solidarity with our fellow activists in Tibet”, said Tara Chetty. The detainees attempted to sit in separate groups in order to comply with laws governing public assembly.

These arrests follow the Interim-regime’s stance supporting China and the suppression of Tibetan activists.

The detainees are being questioned in groups and report that they are not being mistreated by police. They were arrested for unlawful assembly, and some have been charged. However, officers at the scene appeared initially confused as to what law was allegedly being breached.

“This violation of the human rights of free speech and peaceful assembly, protected in the Fiji Constitution and at international law, is particularly troubling at a time when Fiji is ruled by an unelected government”, said Ms Chetty.

FWRM urges the authorities to release the detained human rights defenders and drop all charges.

FWRM is a multi-ethnic and multicultural NGO committed to removing discrimination against women. By means of core programmes, as well as innovative approaches, the FWRM practice promotes democracy, good governance, feminism and human rights. It strives to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji , especially for emerging young leaders.

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Expression of Interest – Young Women’s Working Group

FWRM is a multi-ethnic and multicultural NGO committed to removing discrimination against women. By means of core programmes, as well as innovative approaches, FWRM promotes democracy, good governance, feminism and human rights. It strives to empower, unite and provide leadership opportunities for women in Fiji , especially for emerging young leaders.

One of FWRM’s core programs is the Young Women in Leadership Program. This program’s aim is to empower young women leaders by developing their analytical and advocacy skills to be able to articulate their concerns. FWRM is now seeking volunteers to be part of the Young Women’s Working Group (YWWG). The Young Women’s Working Group will be a diverse group of young women (aged 18 to 30) who work or are affiliated with civil society, private and government sectors dealing specifically with youths. YWWG will meet on a regular basis to advise and assist the Young Women’s Officer by providing feedback to the programme.

Young Women’s Working Group – Terms of Reference

Working groups are established in each of the FWRM programmes and administration areas to guide and direct specific areas of work. This is also a way to introduce individuals to the work of the movement and for members to contribute and learn more about the organisation. (FWRM OPERATIONS MANUAL)

The aim of the working group is to contribute to the development of programme and activities of the Young Women in Leadership Program. The working group also provides support and technical assistance to the Young Women’s Officer and overall FWRM activities.

Obligations & Expectations

1. Has to be a financial member or supporter of FWRM.

2. Affiliated to community based or youth related organisations/networks, private as well as government sector.

3. Attend quarterly and as scheduled 1-2 hr meetings to provide creative & constructive ideas on how the program and activities will address the needs of young women. Should the need arise; members would be approached to be resource persons at trainings.

4. Keep confidential any information and finances discussed in the meetings. Meeting minutes will be compiled by the Young Women’s Officer, which will be sent to Program Manager, Executive Director and Management Board.

5. Receive no financial gains from membership on the committee, although it maybe possible that committee members will be invited to participate as a rep at national or international meetings on behalf of the organisation or to put forward their resume for FWRM internships or contracts.

6. Working groups contribute in an advisory capacity to FWRM, they can influence policy & programmes however executive power lies with the Executive Director & the Management Board.

Deadline and procedure: Interested parties must submit a CV and a statement of interest by the end of business on Friday 18th April 2008 to:

The Young Women’s Officer, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement,

P.O Box 14194 , Suva OR Email: michelle@fwrm.org.fj

Improving Employment Opportunities in Pacific Island Developing Countries


Apr 03, 2008 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) -- -- Governments of Pacific island economies need to review labour legislation in efforts to reduce youth unemployment and promote women in the workforce, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reports in its latest publication Improving Employment Opportunities in Pacific Island Developing Countries.


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ESCAP says the legislation needs to respond to macroeconomic and business conditions। While recognizing the need for change, it also calls for the maintenance of adequate protection for workers and continued strengthening of skill development programmes।

For improvements in labour market conditions to occur, governments should look to economic and structural reforms to boost growth, and expand training and industry promotion activities.

Many of the countries are revising and updating their labour legislation, with the aim of reflecting changing market conditions. But improving labour market flexibility while maintaining adequate protection for workers requires considerable political will.

ESCAP adds that ?governments are vital in promoting efficient labour markets. Legislation for labour and employment needs to be reviewed and updated to respond to changing macroeconomic and business conditions.?

There are also signs that a growing number of young and educated people with aspirations beyond village-based agriculture and fishing will have greater difficulty in finding employment, especially in the more populous countries.

The populations of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Kiribati and the Marshall Islands are forecast to grow substantially by 2029 but high migration rates will ease population pressures in the Cook Islands.

Public sector employment is unlikely to grow and prospects for private sector growth in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu will remain tight unless the investment environment improves substantially.

Underemployment is also widespread. Underemployment refers to people who work fewer hours than they would be willing and able to work or are working in positions requiring less skill than they actually possess. Many people are engaged in subsistence and small-scale cash-cropping activities. They are often hampered by lack of skills and access to high quality-education and training facilities.

In addition, more women need to find formal employment. Their labour force participation rates are low. Youth unemployment is also widespread among the 15 to 24 age group. ?In the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, youth unemployment is especially acute,? according to the ESCAP publication and many youth have no choice but to join the informal employment sector.

Migration of skilled workers has been a feature in some parts of the Pacific. ?Remittances now account for a high proportion of the gross national income in these countries?, the report noted.

ESCAP also recommended a greater role for social security schemes. ?Many have national provident funds, provided by acts of Parliament, which require employees and employers to contribute. Since these schemes cover only formal sector employees, people working in the informal sector are not covered.?

Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, ESCAP is the largest of the United Nations? five regional commissions in terms of membership, population served and geographic coverage. The only inter-governmental forum covering the entire Asia and Pacific region, it aims to promote economic and social progress?..

Activists call for global feminism

By Julia N. Opoti , Mshale
April 08, 2008

Panelists Malinda Schmiechen,Beatrice Sime Sopsec and Zipporah Mesesi at this year’s International Women Day celebrations at the University of Minnesota.

A global movement to end the abuse of women was the theme at the 13th annual International Women’s Day celebration at the University of Minnesota, where women from all over Minnesota gathered in March to highlight their plight.

Award winning poet, novelist, political theorist and feminist activist Robin Morgan called for global feminism, urging gender activists around the world to work together in combating the violation of women’s activists.

This year’s event marked a celebration of the U.N. General Assembly‘s adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration comprises 14 articles which proclaim the individual and communal rights of indigenous peoples, including rights to culture, identity, language, employment, health, and education. One of the articles, addresses the rights of indigenous women urging states and nations to protect them from all forms of violence and discrimination.

While recognizing the advances made by women in different parts of the world, Morgan expressed concern that many women in the world were still disenfranchised members of their societies.

“There is multiplicity in feminism,” Morgan said. “Women in different parts of the world have different issues thus different feminisms.”

She urged feminists from all over the world to support and follow the leadership of women’s movements in different parts of the world. After all, she said, “Outsiders do not stir new feminism.” She added that feminism was neither new nor was it peculiar to the global north.

Morgan, who is also the founder of the Women’s Media Center, criticized American media for its portrayal of sexist stereotypes and use of sexist language. She cited MSNBC’s talk show host Chris Mathews who has recently come under fire in his sexist criticism of Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Hillary Clinton. Following Clinton’s New Hampshire primary win, Mathews said, “Let’s not forget…the reason she’s a U.S. Senator, the reason she’s a candidate for president, the reason she may be a frontrunner, is that her husband messed around.

On the global front Morgan called attention to the feminization of poverty due to women’s limited access to power, education and resources such as health and other social amenities. In turn, women do not take part in the policy formation of many societies leaving them at the mercy of decisions that favor patriarchy at their expense.

Violence Against Women in Cameroon

In an afternoon session, two African women gave testimony to the global feminist movement. Speaking in French, through a translator, Beatrice Sime Sopsec painted a dismal picture of girls and women in Cameroon. Right from birth, a young girl has a deck of cards stacked up against her, she said. As soon as she matures as a teenager, a young girl is open to sexual assault. To deter this, a mother breast irons her daughter. Breast ironing, a form of body modification, where grinding stones, pestles, belts, and other heated objects are used to flatten an adolescents breasts to bring less attention to her. She is then forced into early marriage to earn her family dowry. According to Sopsec, new HIV/AIDS infections are most prevalent in young girls between the ages of 14 and 24. Once married, the woman becomes her husband’s property and is subject to emotional and violence abuse.

“Even in a situation of violence it is only the man who can call the police,” she said adding that even the law worked mostly in men’s favor. “Obviously, if he is the perpetrator he will not call the police.”

Cameroon, she said was a signatory to all international conventions against discrimination, however, local laws are not aligned to these, and instances where they are, law enforcement is not keen on implementing them. Bringing to justice a rapist is almost impossible as it is the raped woman who will be on trial for “bringing it on.”

Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting in Kenya

Although the practice is illegal in Kenya, the government has failed to enforce the law in many parts of the country and young girls get circumcised, especially rural communities. Zipporah Mesesi used her platform as a teacher to educate young girls. A victim of FGM, Mesesi regaled the audience with songs that she sang in Swahili to send coded messages to young girls and women educating them on their rights. Mesesi narrated the stigma women with AIDS face as they are solely blamed for the spread of the disease as the men are seen as the victims. In Kenya’s recent post-election violence, Mesesi cited the plight of internally displaced persons where women suffered the most, she said.

Malinda Schmiechen, an official of the Advocates for Human Rights which co-sponsored the convention with the university, lamented that the biggest challenge in proving asylum for abused women, was not that they were seeking protection from the police or from their State, but from individual actors such as fathers, husbands and other community members. However, she also made the case that an asylum claim can be made to the U.S. government based on the violation of a woman’s right in her home country.

Several other sessions in the conference addressed the need for a global effort towards combating discrimination and violation of women’s rights. These sessions included discussions on women leadership, women’s response to the global water crisis, economic empowerment of women and the plight of women in armed conflict.

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

“Who is a feminist?”









“Who is a feminist?”


“What’s the difference between a women’s movement and a feminist women’s movement?”


These were just two of the questions raised at the second regional feminist advocacy training organised by the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) and Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) Pacific, held in Papua New Guinea from the 16th to 21st July.


As the week-long training began, many of the young women participants said they would never consider identifying as feminists, mainly because of the negative images the word evoked. One participant explained that this was why she was evasive when her partner asked about the training. However by the end of the week, feminism was de-mystified and most of the women who initially shied away from the concept stood up and claimed their identity as feminists.

The training, which was held on Loloata Island off Port Moresby, was about promoting gender equity and women’s participation by enhancing analysis and advocacy skills around issues of sexual and reproductive health and rights, political restructuring and social transformation, the political economy of globalisation, and political ecology and sustainability.

The day spent on sexual and reproductive health and rights got participants to start visualising their bodies and how they can be sites of resistance. In one of the day’s exercises, participants analysed the tragic story of a group of Tuvaluan girls who were burned alive in their dormitory. The girls, many of whom were from far off villages and outer islands, were locked up every night in their barred dormitory in order to “protect” them from having sex, getting pregnant and “shaming” their families. There was also a strict 9pm lights-out policy, in contrast to the freedom of the boys’ dormitory. The fire started when one girl, who was using a candle to study, fell asleep.

In the session on political restructuring, the group discussed the marketisation of governance. The roll back of the state, from the aims of providing for the people to the aims of facilitating business and investment, was clear in the Pacific’s experiences of structural adjustment programmes (SAPs). Many participants experienced SAPs in one form or the other in their Pacific Island homes. Their examples included the corporatisation of Government services such as health, education and water. It angered many participants to see that their rights as citizens were being eroded and that greater power seems to lie in the hands of corporate bodies and intergovernmental organisations, like the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

One participant explained how in her health clinic in PNG there is no doctor and many women have to travel long distances to get any medical attention. When the state is asked for assistance, the response is always “no money”. However, the state responds very differently to requests by financial institutions such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other transnational organisations.


On Friday, the young women got an introduction to global trade and sustainable livelihoods. The participants had to examine a can of tuna, and draw a chart of where it came from – which began with the tuna fish and included fishing boats, canning, advertising and distribution. Many were astounded at the complex issues crammed into a single little can, such as sex workers and the fishing industry, the health and safety of women working in canning factories, and the huge fisheries wealth of the Pacific region and how that plays out in the international trade arena.


“The 2007 Young Feminist Advocacy Training was highly successful. Using examples and experiences from their own lives, the participants came to a deeper understanding of a feminist analysis of issues affecting women in the Pacific,” said FWRM Executive Director, Virisila Buadromo, who was also on the facilitators.

“This is not just a one-off experience for these young women, they have formed a network, and have also developed realistic action plans to carry their feminist analysis into their everyday work.”

The 28 participants came from PNG, Fiji , Tonga , Tuvalu , Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands . One of the facilitators, Noelene Nabulivou of Fiji ’s Women’s Action for Change, is a graduate of the inaugural FWRM/DAWN Pacific young feminist advocacy training in Nadi in 2005. Two FWRM facilitators, Anna Padarath and Tara Chetty, are also graduates of the three-week DAWN global feminist training institute.

FWRM and DAWN Pacific are grateful for the support of our partners NZAID and Oxfam New Zealand .

Tara Chetty

Information & Research Officer

Fiji Women's Rights Movement

www.fwrm.org.fj

DAWN/FWRM Young Feminist Advocacy Training - July 2007 - PNG

DAWN/FWRM Young Feminist Advocacy Training - July 2007 - PNG
participants and facilitators pose for the camera