E-Gender – June 2008

Dear E-Gender subscribers,
International Women’s Development Agency (IWDA) is committed to collaborating with project partners and stakeholders to promote and support dialogue in relation to women, gender and development. As part of our ongoing strategy to advocate for best practice in the sector, we are pleased to bring you the June 2008 edition of E-Gender. This document is for Australian and international readers to share information on their gender and development work, both nationally and internationally, as well as sharing international resources and items of interest.

Please note, IWDA does not necessarily endorse all the information contained in the newsletter, it is provided as an intended source of reference.

Executive Director

International Women’s Development Agency – www.iwda.org.au

June 2008 E-Gender

Contents

A) EVENTS/CAMPAIGNS/ PRESS RELEASES

B) PRIZES/AWARDS/FUNDING

C) CALL FOR PAPERS/PROPOSALS/ARTICLES

D) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT/ CONFERENCES

E) JOB OPPORTUNITIES

F) RESOURCES/MATERIALS/PUBLICATIONS

2) BURMA DISTASTER IWDA URGES INCORPORATION OF WOMEN’S NEEDS AND EXPERTISE IN BURMA’S DISASTER RESPONSE: IWDA is shocked and saddened by the suffering and devastating toll on human lives that cyclone Nargis has wreaked on the peoples of Burma. Most recent United Nations estimates are that more than 100,000 people may have been killed, 220,000 people are reported missing and close to 2 million people have been severely affected. To read the full statement visit http://www.iwda.org.au/au/2008/05/07/iwda-urges-incorporation-of-womens-needs-and-expertise-in-burmas-disaster-response/

3) GLOBAL CAMPAIGN FOR EDUCATION’S GLOBAL ACTION WEEK, ‘QUALITY EDUCATION TO END EXCLUSION’, STATEMENT:We know that quality education is a critical component of achieving gender equality. Girls who receive a quality education are more empowered, better prepared to protect themselves against violence, abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and less vulnerable to disease. To read the full statement visit UNGEI: http://www.ungei.org/infobycountry/247_1786.html

4) $3 MILLION REQUESTED BY UNFPA TO HELP WOMEN AND GIRLS DISPLACED BY MYANMAR CYCLONE: UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is appealing for $3 million to address the urgent humanitarian concerns of cyclone-affected populations, particularly women and girls, in Myanmar’s Ayeyarwady and Yangon regions. http://www.unfpa.org/news/news.cfm?ID=1128

5) NEW FILM SERIES TAKES ON CULTURE OF SILENCE ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: The First Global Broadcast of Women on the Frontline Presented by Annie Lennox

on BBC World went to air on 18 April 2008. It was broadcast to about 300 million households to help peel away the silence surrounding the brutality of gender-based violence that crosses all borders. http://www.bbcworld.com/Pages/ProgrammeMultiFeature.aspx?id=185

7) UGANDA – SCIENCE POLICY KILLING GIRLS’ HOPE FOR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION: Hundreds of girls have had their hopes of joining public universities on government sponsorship shattered since the introduction of a policy funding mainly science courses. The admission list of government-sponsored students at public universities shows a huge gap between boys and girls. This is because 75% of the state scholarships are for science programmes that are not popular with girls. http://allafrica.com/stories/200805140077.html

MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH WOMEN’S ICT, NEW DELHI, INDIA: It has become a reality that without the usage of ICT’s, a society will fall behind in the path of development. Much development work has been channeled into ICT projects and the development of ICT-enabled enterprises. These are an effective component for ICT-based and enabled enterprises for women. http://www.dev-zone.org/downloads/Connected%20Opportunities.doc

9) IRANIAN WOMEN’S RIGHTS DEFENDERS SENTENCED TO FLOGGING AND IMPRISONMENT: Iran is not a party to CEDAW and this movement by women seeking the removal of discriminatory provisions in the law should be a clear signal that the Iranian state needs to respond to the needs of its women citizens in a healthy, democratic and constructive manner. This must be in accordance with the mandate they receive from their people, not to suppress and oppress all forms of opposition and to encourage public debate on issues of public concern. http://www.wluml.org/english/actionsfulltxt.shtml?cmd[156]=i-156-561595

12) PAID PARENTAL LEAVE: Australias Productivity Commission is currently exploring the issue of paid maternity, paternity and parental leave. This is exciting news as it may mean Australia is one step closer to achieving paid parental leave. To show your support, take three-to-five minutes to fill out a survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=E15Cs1mLStCXkdsGSQ5dWg_3d_3d

1) ANNUAL PRIZE FOR WOMEN’SCREATIVITYIN RURAL LIFE: The award (US $ 3000 for selected organisations in Africa, and $ 500 for all other Laureates) honours creative and courageous women and women’s groups around the world for their contributions in improving the quality of life in rural communities, for protecting the environment, transmitting knowledge and standing up for human rights and peace. http://www.woman.ch/women/1-introduction.php

2) RESISTING AND CHALLENGING RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISMS – LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE, SUBMISSION DATE 13 JUNE 2008: Are you confronting religious fundamentalisms or regressive political-religious movements in your daily life and work? Are you witnessing important links between different types of fundamentalisms (economic, national, social, cultural and religious) and seeing similarities in how these work across religions and regions? Have you or your organisation been involved in actions to resist and challenge religious fundamentalisms that you would like to share more widely with women’s rights advocates from around the world? CF@awid.org, www.awid.org/go.php?pg=challenge_fundamentalisms

1) 2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE FOR THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR FEMINIST ECONOMICS – WOMEN’S WORK AND EDUCATION IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY. 19 TO 21 JUNE 2008, TORINO (TURIN), TORINO, ITALY: The conference will examine the effects of women’s and girl’s education on migration, political participation, and family outcomes. Topics for sessions include; Sex Work and Trafficking, Gender and Decentralised Governance, Women and Violence and many more. http://www.iaffe.org/conferences/annual/index.php or http://editorialexpress.com/conference/IAFFE2008/program/IAFFE2008.html

2) CONGRESS OF WOMEN IN POLITICS AND GOVERNANCE – FOCUS ON GENDER AND CLIMATE, 19-22 OCT 2008, MANILA, PHILIPPINES: Climate change is not a neutral process; women are, in general, more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. They represent the majority of the world’s poor and are more than proportionally dependent on natural resources that are threatened by climate change. www.capwip.org www.onlinewomeninpolitics.org

3) CORTONA COLLOQUIUM 2008 – GENDER AND CITIZENSHIP: NEW AND OLD DILEMMAS, BETWEEN EQUALITY AND DIFFERENCE, 7–9 NOVEMBER 2008, CORTONA, ITALY: The Colloquium will be focused around, though not limited to, the following areas; Equality and Inequality in the Family, At Work and in Society, Gender Policies and Politics: Equal Opportunities, Welfare Models and State Actions, Women’s Political Participation and Representation, Multiculturalism and Rights: The Borders of Citizenship, Gender and Globalization: New and Old Patterns of Inequality. Contact: international@fondazionefeltrinelli.it

4) COURSE-GENDER, RIGHTS AND DEVELOPMENT: KIT has organised courses and training workshops on gender and development for over 20 years. Our courses include resident workshops at KIT’s training centre in Amsterdam and regional training programmes. These have been developed in collaboration with partner organisations in the South, and tailored to the local context. http://www.kit.nl/smartsite.shtml?id=15627

1) RESEARCH ADVISOR – GENDER, EAST TIMOR, CLOSING DATE 4 JUNE 2008: The Secretary of State For Promotion of Equality is seeking a research adviser in the area of gender. You will build the capacity for research through mentoring a local counterpart in conducting research on the social, economic, political and cultural dimensions of gender equality in Timor-Leste. http://www.australianvolunteers.com/work/index.asp?menuid=170&artid=2574

2) SENIOR TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, GENDER, VIOLENCE AND RIGHTS (GVR) – WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, CLOSING DATE 15 JUNE 2008: The position holder will serve as a senior member in the Health and Development Group and, in addition to leading conceptual development and fundraising for the Gender, Violence and Rights portfolio, will contribute to its integration within the Group’s broader portfolio of work on gender, health and development. http://www.comminit.com/en/node/269945

3) GENDER BUDGETS ADVISER (INTERNATIONAL), INDONESIA, CLOSING DATE 16 JUNE 2008: LAPIS aims to contribute to the quality of basic education in Indonesia. We are seeking a development consultant with strong experience working in gender budgets analysis. The consultant will deliver professional development for key LAPIS Stakeholders through a series of workshops on gender analysis of budgetaryexpenditures. http://www.dev-zone.org/jobs/Detailed/10530.php

4) GENDER TRAINER, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN, CLOSING DATE 22 JUNE 2008: Under the supervision of the Country Director, a Gender Trainer will work to encourage equal opportunity principles and practices into all of Internews’ work in Afghanistan. They will provide training to media personnel in gender reporting and carry out gender audits and action plans for all departments. http://www.internews.org/about/employment/consultants/job_0011c.shtm

5) PROGRAMS/RESEARCH INTERN, GENDER ACTION, WASHINGTON, DC, USA, CLOSING DATE 30 JUNE 2008: Gender Action seeks a Programs/Research Intern to work directly with staff, providing support on projects which will require research, analysis and writing. www.genderaction.org

6) CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS – ON-LINE ENGLISH TUTORING FOR AFGHAN WOMEN: The Alliance for International Women’s Rights, based in New York, is a not-for profit organisation composed entirely of volunteers. Their Armchair Volunteer Program, currently operates in Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Afganistan. Their Afghan partner organisations have asked for long-distance ESL classes to be provided for their staff members as part of this Armchair Volunteer Program. This will work to improve the English capacity of women leaders and future women leaders so that they can better reach out to the world for information, ideas and support and help other Central Aisian women improve their status through knowledge and education. For more information visit: Admin2@womenpeacesecurity.org

2) GENDER SENSITIVE DISTASTER MANAGEMENT: In light of the recent natural disasters in China and Burma, this resource provides a set of practical steps to assist governments, the non state sector and civil society to respond to women’s concerns and needs in post disaster situations. They have been developed based on the reports of the Survey of women’s human rights violations in the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. http://www.apwld.org/pb_gendersensitive.htm

3) IRAQI REFUGEE WOMEN AND YOUTH IN JORDAN: REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FINDINGS A SNAP SHOT FROM THE FIELD: This paper presents the problems facing Iraqi refugees in Jordan, highlighting the plight of women and children. The authors discuss their first hand picture of difficulties faced by displaced, abandoned, Iraqis. The focus of the document is on the lack of reproductive health care and other needs. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=36257&em =080508?=gender

4) GENDER, REMITTANCES AND DEVELOPMENT – PRELIMINARY FINDINGS FROM SELECTED SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COUNTRIES: It is argued that though there is no scarcity of research on migration in SADC, existing research is highly weighted towards understanding male migration to the mining and agricultural sectors in South Africa, which has left significant gaps in information and analysis. It also shows that not one existant study successfully or satisfactorily explains the linkages between gender, migrancy, remittances and development in or between SADC countries. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=36520&em =080508?=gender

5) A NEW PUBLICATION: “FROM OUTRAGE TO COURAGE: WOMEN TAKING ACTION FOR, HEALTH AND JUSTICE”: In this searing cradle-to-grave review, Anne Firth Murray tackles health issues ranging from prenatal care to challenges faced by aging women. Murray makes clear the issues are more political than they are medical. This inspiring book documents women’s courage to transform their situations and communities, providing inspirantion and models for change. http://www.commoncouragepress.com/index.cfm?action=book&bookid=390 and/or http://www.outragetocourage.org/

6)DEVELOPING WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND E-BUSINESS IN GREEN COOPERATIVES IN THE ASIA AND PACIFIC REGION:This document explores the potential for women in entrepreneurship and e-business within the niche area of green or “organic” cooperatives. It seeks to promote women’s entrepreneurship and e-business development by providing policymakers and entrepreneurs with context and provide potential entrepreneurship and e-business development opportunities, and a discussion of its implications for rural development. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=35859

7) GENDER BASED TAXATION (GBT) AND THE DIVISION OF FAMILY CHORES: While its long run effects should be further explored, GBT offers an alternative way to promote gender equity – something which should be considered by researchers and policy makers. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=35832

POLITICISING MASCULINITIES – BEYOND THE PERSONAL: What does it take to politicise existing work with men on gender? This publication captures some of the exciting new thinking and possibilities that emerged from an Institute of Development Studies symposium on ‘Politicising Masculinities’. http://www.siyanda.org/static/esplen_greig_politicising.htm?em=0805&tag=QG

9) GIVING THEIR DAUGHTERS FOR SURVIVAL REFUGEE SELF-RELIANCE, VULNERABILITY AND THE PARADOX OF EARLY MARRIAGE: This report examines the widespread occurrence of early marriages in Uganda’s refugee settlements and how this phenomenon relates to the ‘vulnerability’ and self-reliance paradigms which underpin official protection and assistance. The authors seek to understand why so many refugees engage in early marriages which are illegal under Ugandan and international law and widely recognised amongst refugees themselves as harmful. http://www.eldis.org/cf/rdr/?doc=36411&em=140508?=child

10) SOCIAL WATCH 2008 GENDER EQUITY INDEX (GEI): More than half the women in the world live in countries which have made no progress in gender equity in recent years. This is the main conclusion of the index which, for the first time, shows recent evolution and trends in bridging the gap between men and women in education, the economy and empowerment. http://www.socialwatch.org/en/avancesyRetrocesos/IEG_2008/index.htm
11) NEW PLATFORM FOR INFORMATION ON GENDER AND CLIMATE CHANGE: Women for Climate Justice is glad to launch their new platform for information, knowledge and networking on gender and climate change. In addition to information on gender issues within international climate policy and related areas of action like biodiversity, water, energy or disaster risk reduction, the web site provides databases of literature (currently some 350 references), case studies, women’s activities at UNFCCC conferences, and links to their campaigns related to climate change from around the world. www.gendercc.net

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