Knowledge is Power!

By Cherelle Fruean from the YWCA of Samoa

Cherelle is a 21 year old from Samoa who has been involved with the YWCA for three weeks. In this short time, she has participated in the YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand/YWCA Samoa Young Women’s Leadership Training, the Asia Pacific Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting and the International Leadership Institute. Here she shares some of her learnings and her hopes for the future of YWCA Samoa revitalization.

Cherelle Fruean

Three weeks ago today, I met an amazing woman named Sina Wendt-Moore. She was in Samoa at the time with other women from the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand conducting a Young Women’s Leadership Training in hopes of revitalizing the YWCA of Samoa. Twelve short days later, I was on a plane to Bangkok, Thailand, representing Samoa in the Asia Pacific Monitoring & Evaluation Meeting and the International Leadership Institute.

The past 10 days have been such an amazing learning experience! The lessons I have learned from my peers have been invaluable. I have gained an extensive knowledge on the issues that young women are facing in various countries around the world and what programs have been implemented to find solutions. For example, I learnt that:

• In Fiji they take a Christian and scripture based approach that supports a young women’s rights to make informed decisions and be free from violence and discrimination.
• In Haiti they have an after-school programme for girls which provides them with leadership skills and gives them intangible assets such as financial literacy, self-esteem and key economic concepts.
• In Lebanon they hold interactive workshops for young men and women in high school. They focus on creating awareness of violence against women and gender discrimination.

These examples are only few of many. I have found that each delegate I talk to shares similar concerns for the young women in their country.

With 80 young women leaders from around the globe, we have built a strong and collaborative network of which we will we use to help each other, learn from one another and grow together as a team.

The mentors and guest speakers at both of the conferences have all been inspirational role models and women leaders. From each session I have expanded my knowledge set on a vast range of current issues and as a result, expanded my overall skill set. Knowledge truly is power! I now have more confidence to speak in public, to articulate myself and express my opinion.

In June 2013, a YWCA Samoa meeting will be held to discuss and plan a Leadership Programme for young women. I plan to take all the lessons I have learned and all the skills I have gained to fully contribute to this planning and further pass on these lessons to young women in my country.

To close, I would just like to send a big Fa’afetai Lava, Khob Khun Kaa and Thank You to the incredible women that made this experience possible for me. Juli Dugdale, Sina Wendt-Moore and the amazing YWCA mentors and facilitators, you have changed my life. I can only hope to inspire others as you have inspired me.

Young Women Leaders Envision Their Future

On the first day of the International Leadership Institute, delegates from all over the world were asked to reflect on their

From left to right: Silvina Gerbaldo , Viciane Wessitcheu and Audrey Tauro

leadership journey and envision what they would like to be doing in 2018. Viciane Wessitcheu (YWCA Italy), Audrey Tauro (YWCA Zimbabwe) and Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA Argentina) share their leadership dreams in French, English and Spanish.

Le premier jour de l’Institut International sur le Leadership, on a demandé aux déléguées du monde entier de réfléchir sur le parcours en matière de leadership et d’imaginer ce qu’elles voudraient être en train de faire en 2018. Viciane Wessitcheu (YWCA d’ Italie), Audrey Tauro (YWCAdu  Zimbabwe) et Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA d’Argentine) partage leurs rêves de leadership en français, anglais et espagnol.

En el primer dia del Instituto de Liderazgo Internacional, delegadas de todos los lugares del mundo pudieron reflexionar sobre su recorrido como liderez al mismo tiempo se les ha preguntado de como se ven a ellas mismas en el 2018. Vaciane Wessitcheu (YWCA Italia), Audrey Tauro (YWCA Zimbabwe) and y Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA Argentina) compartieron sus sueños de liderazgo. Esto lo hicieron en Frances, Ingles y Español.

Viciane Wessitcheu, YWCA of Italy:

“On pense bien souvent qu’en Europe, tous les droits humains sont plus ou moins acquis et l’on oublie alors que beaucoup d’entre eux y sont souvent bafoués. Me rendant compte que dans mon pays d’adoption, l’Italie, les droits des femmes en général et des femmes de couleur en particulier n’étaient pas toujours respectés, j’ai décidé de devenir agent du changement et de m’engager pour les droits des femmes immigrées en Italie.

Je pense que les femmes immigrées doivent essayer de se positionner en première ligne dans leur pays d’émigration pour lutter contre les injustices et défendre leurs droits et ceux de celles qui ont moins d’opportunités, et ne pas toujours déléguer aux autres, parler en leur nom, car elles savent mieux que quiconque les problèmes et difficultés qu’elles rencontrent.

Etre présente, relever des fonds et participer activement à la vie économique, sociale, et culturelle, pour être moi même membre du changement dans mon pays d’adoption est la raison qui m’a poussée à entrer en politique où je suis actuellement la responsable régionale de l’immigration.

Je m’implique et me bats aujourd’hui pour me donner des opportunités en espérant que d’ici 2018, mes compétences et mes expériences seront valorisée et que je pourrais ainsi être à mon tour mentor pour les jeunes filles immigrées, car je me sens responsable pour celles qui n’ont pas de voix et je voudrais responsabiliser mon gouvernement à ce sujet.”

“We often think that in Europe, all human rights are more or less respected. We often forget that a lot of them are still violated there. I have realised that in my country of adoption, Italy, women rights in general, and in particular black women rights, are not all protected and and the laws protecting human rights are not implemented. I have decided to become an agent of change and have committed myself to develop the rights of immigrant women in Italy.

I think that immigrant women should try to stand on the front line in their countries of emigration to advocate against injustices and defend their rights and the rights of  those who have less opportunities. We should not always delegate this task, we should speak out because we better know the problems and difficulties they face. Be active, do some fundraising and participate to the economical, social and cultural life. To be an agent of change in my country of adoption is the reason why I have started to enter into the political sphere where I am now the regional delegate in charge of immigration.

I am committed and I am advocating today to give me opportunities, hoping that by 2018, my skills and experiences will be valued and that I can be a mentor for young immigrant women, because I feel responsible for those who have no voice and I want to held my government accountable on this subject.”

Nosotros constantemente pensamos que en Europa, todos los Derechos Humanos son respetados; muy constantemente olvidamos que alli tambien se violan los Derecho Humanos. Yo me he dado cuenta que en el pais que me ha adoptado, Italia , los Derechos de las mujeres en general no son respetados y aun mas los Derechos de la mujeres negras y de color son aun menos reconocidos, al igual que no existe una implementacion de las Leyes que reconocen los Derechos Humanos. Yo me he comprometido a ser un agente de cambio y luchar por los derechos de las mujeres inmigrantes en Italia.

Yo pienso que las mujeres inmigrantes debemos estar en las primeras lineas de trabajo para abogar por nuestros derechos en los paises en los que vivimos, necesitamos luchar por la igualdad y apoyar a aquellas con menos oportunidades. Nosotras no debemos delegar esta tarea a nadie. Nosotras debemos hablar por nosotras mismas; ya que somos conocedoras de los problemas que enfrentamos.  Necesitamos ser mas activas; involucrarnos en las actividades sociales, economicas y culturales. Para ser un agente de cambio yo he decidido entrar en la esfera politica de mi pais de adopcion, esta es la razon por la cual me he convertido en la delegada regional cuya labor es promover cambios en el area de inmigracion.

Yo estoy comprometida y abogo por oportunidades que me permitan  incrementar mis habilidades como lider, de esa manera adquiero mayor experiencia y por tanto me puedo convertir en una metora para las mujeres jovenes que son inmigrantes, ya que creo que es mi responsabilidad ser voz de aquellos que no la tienen y tambien es importante que el gobierno se haga responsable y tome cartas en el asunto

Audrey Tauro, YWCA of Zimbabwe:

“The word enjoins us to write our visions down and make it plain. I have a dream, I have a vision to transform lives by giving shelter to troubled children all over the world. I see myself in business with lots of money that I will use to be a blessing to others, to develop social entrepreneurs and continue to use the word of God as a tool for transformation.”

“Le mot nous entraîne à transcrire sur le papier nos visions et de le faire clairement.  J’ai un rêve, j’ai une vision pour changer des vies en donnant  accès à des foyers pour des enfants faisant face à des problèmes tout autour du monde. Je me vois à la tête d’une entreprise avec beaucoup de profits qui seront alors utilisés aux bénéfices des autres, pour développer l’entreprenariat social et pour continuer d’utiliser la parole de Dieu comme un outil de changement.”

Cuando escribimos  acerca de nuestras visiones esto lo hace mas real. Yo tengo un sueño, yo tengo la vision de transformar vidas al proveer techo para niños y niñas que esten en dificultades en todas los lugares del mundo. Yo me veo con un negocio y teniendo mucho dinero, el cual usare para bendecir a otros; desarrollaria programas y negocios con contenido social y seguiria usando la palabra de Dios como una herramienta de transformacion.

Silvina Gerbaldo, YWCA of Argentina:

“Es el 2018. Yo me encuentro en cierta posición de toma de decisiones, con muchas personas a mi alrededor. Quizás en un puesto en Naciones Unidas, quizás en desde una Organización no Gubernamental, quizás desde un trabajo comunitario  pero siempre defendiendo, promoviendo y difundiendo la situación de la mujer en mi país. Me imagino como un nexo, una conexión o red entre mujeres de diferentes situación es social es y edades. Me imagino haciendo y no solo diciendo.”

“It is 2018. I am in a position of decision making with lots of people around me.  It is probably a position at the United Nations, maybe it is a position at a non-government organization, or perhaps in a community job- but I am always advocating, promoting and communicating about the situation of women in my country. I see myself like a link, a connection or in a network between women of different social contexts and ages. I see myself in action not only speaking about it.”

“Nous sommes en 2018. Je suis en position de prendre des décisions entourée de beaucoup de gens. C‘est probablement un poste au sein des Nations Unies, peut-être au sein d’une organisation non gouvernementale, ou peut-être un travail au coeur des communautés – mais dans tous les cas, je suis toujours en train de plaider, promouvoir et communiquer au sujet de la situation des femmes dans mon pays. Je me vois comme un lien, une connexion ou même un réseau entre les femmes de différents milieux sociaux et âges. Je m’imagine en action, pas seulement en train de parler de cela.”

My awesome experience at the Study Session

Krist Angela Ziçishti is a young woman volunteer in the YWCA of Albania. She was a participant at the European Study Session in Strasbourg and enthusiastically shares the lessons she learnt on leadership and the friends she made for life.

I am very happy to be here at the European Study Session, with all these great and strong young women! I have learned so much since I came here, especially about leadership.

Krist Angela Zicishti & Kgothatso Mokoena

I always thought that leadership is something you have to demand and be assertive about, that you had to be superior in some way or that you had to be smarter than other people. I have never really thought that I have the virtues to be a leader. But I now understand through the various exercises and sessions we participated in, that a leader has to have humility. A leader is also someone who knows what is right and stands for it no matter what. She has to be sincere, she has to be herself, and she always has to grow spiritually.

I was touched when Juli Dugdale, Global Programme Manager Women’s Leadership and Movement Building at the World YWCA, was talking about leadership. I was somehow at  peace with myself and accepting of myself, that somehow the qualities of leadership were in me too. It was just a retrospective of my life. It was like all my living came in front of me and was telling to me

“Be yourself! You are great!”

I realized that there were moments where I had set an example of people around me to be themselves and be comfortable with their personalities. Everyone has their own charisma, everyone has their own defects but these are what make us special and beautiful.

An experience I had that was extremely meaningful to me was a session where we were divided into groups and asked to design campaigns. We were also given themes to base our campaigns on. My working group received the theme of ‘violence against women’. We presented a very short movie ,with no words,  just the expressions of our faces and gestures.

We filmed it with a lot of passion , giving our best , and really getting into our roles and characters. We had a lot fun  and laughter too, especially with my mistakes during the takes of the video.

I love working in a team because you have wonderful friends that encourage you to go on, to have dreams, and maybe one day these dreams will become my reality. I will say it again , I am so happy that these young women came into my life, and they came like an hurricane , determined, they have the will to succeed , they give me positive energy . I am going to miss them!  I feel so sad and so happy at the same time that the study session will soon end and we have to part. But now I will have friends from all over the world and I will celebrate them all.  They are all wonderful leaders in their own unique ways.

I love you girls… don’t ever forget me…!!

Small changes make a big difference

Eliana Tahiri was a participant at the European YWCAs study session 2013. She is an active volunteer at the YWCA of Albania and shares her spirit to make a difference.

You know that feeling you get on a lazy Sunday afternoon when you realize that the weekend is over and a whole tiring week is ahead of you? Well, this time, my Sunday, the 5^th of May, 2013 when the European Study Session began, was different, my Sunday was special.

Eliana Tahiri

It is not every day you have the chance to visit Strasbourg. It is not every day you have the chance to raise your voice and fight for your rights fearlessly and in a free space. It is not every day you have the chance to meet people from all around the world and feel like you are a all so alike. Can you imagine doing all this in ONE week?

Through the various sessions, we each had the chance to put all of our thoughts and project plans on actual paper.  A project plan is a design for a programme to address a direct or indirect violation of human rights. First we learned the theoretical part and what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was and how it applied to us. We also learnt what a project is and what a project presentation should look like, as well as training on presentation skills and everything about fundraising.

The second part (the best part!) was putting into practice everything we learned during the day, making a project proposal which we could actually develop! We were offered the chance to change something,..ANYTHING concerning us and our countries. We had the chance to make a difference.

But do you know the ‘funny’ part was? While trying to choose the main idea of the project, a feeling of excitement, dreaming of making a difference we got suddenly mixed with confusion!  How can we choose only one when every day we experience unfairness, cruelty and inequality? So many issues, so many problems, so many target groups, so many homeless people, survivors and victims of abuse and violence,  people living with diseases,  people living with disabilities  and… so little time.

The secret is: taking a deep breath and walking in small steps. Each of these small steps creates small changes and these small changes make a big difference. Together, we can make everything happen!

The Portrayal of Women in the Media

By  Amy Smith

Amy is from the UK.  She works for a project by Sheffield YWCA in the UK called “Peile Court and Tulips” and her role there  is to support teenage parents to learn the skills they need to live independently and be successful parents to their children

She is a participant at the European Study Session taking place in Strasbourg and shares her views on the objectification of ‘women’ in advertising and media today.

Amy Smith

 

I am lucky enough to be here in Strasbourg, representing YWCA GB at the European study session with a focus on young women’s leadership, gender equality and human rights.  Parts of ta session that I attended left me feeling extremely disconcerted. The session looked at the portrayal of women in advertising, and while I was aware women can be portrayed in a negative way, I was left shocked by the advertising campaigns that some very high profile brands have used. There were some common themes that we looked at which I will now explain here.

Sexism

Gender stereotyping is a key theme in many adverts, portraying women as typically young and physically attractive and filling the stereotypical ‘good housewife” role. Many adverts display women in these roles that are derogatory to women.

Subordination

Another common theme in advertising is the presentation of women as subordinate to men.  They are often presented as though their worth is determined by their appeal to men.  Women are also positioned in inferior ways or in sexually related positions.  Women are referred to in a sexually derogatory manner, suggesting they their role is to fulfil a man’s sexual desires.

Sexual Violence

Something about the session that particularly troubled me was the disturbing use of images showing sexual violence against women. I was appalled, for example,  to see the Dolce & Gabanna advert that depicts a woman being pinned down by a man while other men stand over her looking nonchalantly. Dolce & Gabanna is a brand many women buy yet they are using scenes alluding to gang rape to advertise their brand!

The Objectification of Women

I felt both saddened and shocked at how widespread this kind of imagery is in the advertising world, especially in such well known and high profile branded products! I will certainly be paying closer attention in the future to the portrayal of women in adverts to inform my product choices. I will certainly boycotting those brands that depict women in a derogatory manner. A stronger stand needs to be made against this type of advertising and we need to challenge the way women are viewed in our societies.  I hope this article encourages others to join me in boycotting brands that portray women in such degrading ways!

Human rights is something that starts close to home

By Pauline Mukanza, from the YWCA of Great Britain

Pauline Mukanza

Pauline Mukanza is from the YWCA of Great Britain, she’s a Board Member and a participant in the European Study Session taking place in Strasbourg, France from May 6 to 12, 2013.

This year’s European Study Session, in Strasbourg, has just started yet the 32 young people from 20 different countries have already noticeably stretched themselves as young leaders. This is by no means an easy task, but an intellectual and a feeling task which requires the emotional ability of intense soul searching and great socialisation. The reality is that it is the people around us that make us acknowledge our own abilities and help mirror someone else’s personal potential.

I have already learnt that the European Youth Centre is a safe space, with support to help explore how and what it means to be a natural leader, as yourself, by utilising your personal intuition. Some more modest, quiet and eloquent while others are more assertive and out spoken, but all bringing value in their own unique way.

They reason for our fast progress, must be due to yesterday’s ice breakers and team building exercises. This fast forwarded us to reach a point where we feel comfortable and brave enough to share our diverse thoughts and opinions. It has also been very useful and indeed appropriate to have concrete factual session on what the Declaration of Human Rights and Gender is.

It is important to appreciate that human rights is something that starts close to home and in your daily conversations. By this I mean that working for an equal society starts with looking at what you do in and around your community and questioning your acquaintances, family and friends comments that may echo patriarchy. The same way it is essential to understand that gender is a performative and a doing (see J. Butler, 1990 for more on this) rather than the biological sex of a man and a woman.  Recognizing the depths of these two components both determines and changes the dynamics of future discussions. It has certainly led to participants being on the same starting points when talking about complex issues.

We may be here as individuals but the ultimate aim is to act as ‘multipliers’ and to share with other peoples in order to establish a chain reaction of young women and girls ready to set off on their own journey of leadership. There are still four whole days that are more likely to feel like months, of sharing, reflection, fun, laughter, disagreements and networking.

Another world is possible, We are Unstoppable

By Naheel Bazbazat, from the YWCA of Palestine, shares the realities faced by women and girls in Palestine & her experience at CSW.

Naheel Bazbazat

I work as a women’s rights coordinator at the YWCA of Jerusalem, focusing on delivering awareness campaigns for dropout students and women who have had early marriages, as well as on capacity – building and leadership training for young girls.

Violence against women is a layered issue in the occupied Palestine territory as is the case elsewhere.  Palestinian women are often made victims of a traditional; patriarchal structure that devalues their role in society added to this is the stress of living under Israeli occupation: the everyday humiliation, violence, and frustration that leads to increased tensions in the home. Dr. Nadera Shalhoub professor and criminologist at Hebrew university, emphasises how living with the constant anxiety and instability of the occupation affects the lives of women, noting that “domestic violence increases, patriarchal and masculine violence increases and economic violence against women increases”.

Moreover, all aspects of live including health and education worsen, further inhibiting women’s ability to develop socially and economically. Home demolitions are particularly traumatic as this targeting of the home space changes the entire social fabric of the community and shifts relationships within the family, which may leave young women vulnerable to violence.  Furthermore, it is important to note that Palestinians are left with less than 22% of historic Palestine, where almost 30% of the population is aged between 15-29 years old, who are and continue to be the direct victims of the occupation.

The YWCA of Palestine clusters all it programmes under four main thematic areas, each thematic area has specific strategic objectives that fulfill its goals and values, and is in line with the overall vision and mission:

1. Women’s economic development to empower women to earn a fair and competitive income,
2. promoting women’s rights to create spaces for young women in its targeted communities to learn about and advocate for their rights, whether social, economic or political,
3. youth leadership training and civic engagement for enabling youth, particularly female youth, to participate in civic life and contribute to build a free and democratic Palestinian society through youth leadership program,
4. primary education and cognitive learning for children-to improve inquisitive and play skills.

Through this opportunity to attend the Commission on the Status of Women 2013, I have been able to share the work of the YWCA of Palestine and the realities faced by Palestinian women and girls and therefore raise their voices and demand that Palestine be free, so that women and girls can truly live a life free from violence!

Furthermore, I have developed my knowledge around UNSCR 1325 and CEDAW. It has been a real pleasure and richness to engage politically and gain more skills in lobbying and to advocate for as part of the YWCA delegation at CSW. I have enjoyed meeting all the young women in our movement from around the world and also sharing with them all the issues and the realities in each of our countries. Together we have discussed how we will be leaders in communities.

The most amazing time for me was during the march on International Women’s Day- 8^th march 2013; I always attend the march every year in Jerusalem. We work a lot with other women’s organisations and we stand for women rights and demand freedom. This year it’s really different for me being in New York and it was more than an honour to march with all the diverse women gathered and chant through hope and anger- that “Another world is possible, We are Unstoppable”, I believe we can end violence against women. CSW has been such a truly amazing experience in my life which I will share with fellow YWCA members.

I was a child bride; Mereso’s Story

By Mereso Kilusu, Special to CNN

Tanzanian Mereso Kilusu was a child bride . She found comfort and her purpose with the local YWCA. She is now an activist against child marriage

Nine of the 10 countries with the world’s highest rates of child marriage are in Africa: Niger, Chad and Central African Republic, Guinea, Mozambique, Mali, Burkina Faso and South Sudan, and Malawi.

My country, Tanzania, did not make the list. But in traditional Maasai communities like mine, marrying off girls is very common. I was married at 13 to a man in his 70s. It happened during Christmas break. My father told my school that I had died. Even if he hadn’t, I would have been forced to leave when I got pregnant because that was the law at the time.

I gave birth to my first child within a year. I had no professional prenatal care and no trained medical assistance during delivery. I had to depend on my husband and his other wives for guidance. It was a very painful experience. Every time I became pregnant after that I felt sick and scared. Because of all these difficult births I have a hard time controlling my bladder and it can be painful to urinate. Today I am a mother of five at 29 years old.

In communities like mine, age is not understood as a number. Our traditional values dictate girls are meant for marriage, and when the men decide we are biologically ready, we are married. Marriage is sometimes a way of forming and cementing relationships. But it is also a way of earning money. My family received a bride price from my husband and then he took me away to become one of his wives.

He beat me regularly, and so I fled back to my village. But my father and brother told me the price had been paid, this was no longer my home, I had to return. It wasn’t until six years ago that I was able to take charge of my own destiny. I ran away to the city of Arusha and met Rebecca, a volunteer with the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). Through counseling, workshops and friendship, I gained more confidence in my own voice and learned to support myself.

When I returned to my village, I found an ally: one of our community leaders named Abraham. In his own extended family girls were running away from forced marriages. He felt obliged to support them by giving them shelter and food. Quietly, he was encouraging them to go to school hoping it would be a way to get girls out of their situation. When he learned about how I was able to find support from YWCA he was inspired. Knowing there would be places for girls to go outside their communities helped convince him they would be OK if they left their marriages. But I love my family and my community, and I didn’t want leaving to be the answer.

So I set up a YWCA in my village. And slowly, change is happening.

Some men and boys are not happy with what I’m doing. I have to be around others all the time to protect myself from harassment. I don’t know if my own father would approve if he were still alive. But many are recognizing that this is the way forward. That girls have value beyond marriage. That we can earn money and contribute more to our communities when we stay in school.

My brother used to think I was wrong to leave my husband. But seeing how well I am doing selling traditional Maasai jewelry and clothing he is starting to respect my choice. He no longer beats me, but he still won’t let me have access to any of my father’s farms. Thankfully I have supporters in my community who help give me other options to grow food for my children. I believe my relationship with my brother will get better with time. I am still working on it.

My mother is so proud. She used to fear my disobedience to my husband would reflect poorly on her and she would be cast out of the community. But now she sees I am welcome and respected and she is so happy to have me back in her life. When attitudes begin to shift from within communities this way, then people start to have hope. And politicians gain more courage to act. Without support from community leaders, parliamentarians fear passing laws will cost them votes and they will lose power to make any difference at all.

Likewise passing laws provides no guarantee girls will be protected unless they have community support: 158 countries have set the legal age for marriage at 18 years but the laws are simply ignored by communities where marrying children and adolescent girls is common practice. In the fight against child marriage, the biggest battle is finding those who are ready for change and giving them the courage to speak to others.

Those of us who believe in the power of girls, who have seen what they can do when they have options, we need to tell everyone we can.

Editor’s note: Tanzanian Mereso Kilusu was a child bride and is now an activist against child marriage. Her story was translated by LoeRose Mbise, of YWCA Tanzania, and edited by Marlee Wasser, of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health.

The World is Watching!

Raechel Mathews is from YWCA Australia (YWCA NSW). She represents the young women of her community and the movement at CSW 2013

At 10am, Monday, 4 March, 2013, the 57^th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations, New York, was officially opened! This year’s theme is ‘Elimination and

Raechel Mathews

Prevention of Violence for Women and Girls’, involving negotiations between 45 member states of the United Nations, to come to a set of agreed conclusions about policy changes to be adopted in their home country in support of the advancement of women’s rights.

Commencing with a passionate address from the Chair of the Commission, HE Ms. Marjon Kamara from Liberia, stated that ‘the words we speak here in condemnation of violence will be transformed into new and systematic actions on the ground that create real and meaningful change in the lives of women and girls’. Ms Kamara also emphasized that the Commission participants must have a commitment to ‘enhance accountability from stakeholders about promises made’. As well as highlighting successes achieved, obstacles faced and outstanding challenges that the delegates are expected to share during their country presentations, Ms Kamara acknowledged the panel and side events which are to be held outside of the negotiations during the next two weeks; encouraging her colleagues to participate in interesting exchanges, and embrace ‘the vibrancy of side events and inspiration you get from the stories’ to ensure CSW will be a valuable experience.

The Chair, on behalf of the Bureau,(other members include Ms. Ana Marie Hernando (Philippines) of the Asia-Pacific States Group, Vice-Chair; Ms. Irina Velichko (Belarus) of the Eastern European States Group, Vice-Chair; H.E. Mr. Carlos Garcia Gonzalez (El Salvador) of the Latin American and Caribbean States Group, Vice-Chair; Mr. Filippo Cinti (Italy), Western European and other States Group, Vice-Chair) stressed that due to the disappointing collapse of last year’s agreed conclusions, globally, ‘all eyes are on us’  and full participation is required for a productive session.

The proceedings continued with an address by the Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr. Jan Elisson, who in his rousing speech, also highlighted the significance and importance of CSW, and reinforced the collective feeling in the room from delegates who share his passion about breaking the cycle of violence.

He acknowledged that ‘Women’s empowerment is picking up speed… but we need to do more’ and that ‘Ending violence against women is a matter of life and death’; describing it as ‘global scourge’.

He stated that knowing about violence against women is not enough, and that as a global body, it is imperative for member states to change minds and laws; mobilising forces to ‘create a culture where shame around these crimes is solely directed to the perpetrators’. The Deputy Secretary General stressed the importance of encouraging men to break gender stereotypes and to take an equal share of responsibility in their homes and families; and that ‘you do not have to be a politician and policymaker’ to eliminate violence against women.

Ms. Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women, opened her speech to the Commission with athe clear statement that ‘the world is watching’ and in the wake of violence in India and Pakistan, the priority theme of CSW is timely. Ms Bachelet recounted several stories of violent attacks from around the world, including a young woman from the US who took her own life after being raped by men she thought were her friends; to a woman from Northern Mali who was raped for 2 nights by 7 men whilst her arms were chained to avoid her fighting back. She also talked about slavery, trafficking, economic abuse, female genital mutilation, and early and forced child marriage. Ms Bachelet credited the bravery of Pakistani schoolgirl Malala Yousazfai, who was shot in the head for advocating girls’ right to education; received applause for reinforcing the importance of gender mainstreaming to be featured in the Millennium Development Goals; and identified the need for more women on the justice frontline (police, lawyers, judges) to encourage more women to report crime and receive assistance. Ms Bachelet conveyed that implementation of laws, policy and programmes must be accelerated, stating ‘Prevention of Violence AgainsftWomen requires acceptance from all members of society, including men and boys. Words need to be matched by action’.

Other speakers included the Chair of the Committee of the Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Ms Nicole Ameline, as well as the Special Rapporteur for Violence Against Women, Ms Rashida Manjoo, who spoke about disability and  institutional abuse.

This was an encouraging way to begin CSW 57, and to hear all speakers expressing their personal and their respective organisation’s desire for sustainable change. Let’s hope over the next two weeks this momentum and passion continues as the negotiations over policy language begin!

Hearing about UN Women’s commitment to eliminate early and forced child marriage is a positive step forward towards the World YWCA’s own campaign, which you can support here:

http://www.worldywca.org/Take-Action/SIGN-THE-PETITION

Reflecting on the Impact of CSW 2013

Alexis Warth of YWCA USA and is an active participant from the YWCA movement at the CSW 2013. Alexis sheds light on the issues concerning governments and laws pertaining to the issue of violence against women.

Alexis Warth

For the next two weeks, government delegates and representatives from over 6,000 organisations from across the world will be meeting in New York for the 57th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The CSW meets annually to assess the progress of gender equality in countries around the world and to develop standards and resolutions to promote the equality and empowerment of women. The CSW theme for 2013 is the “elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls,” making this year’s focus particularly relevant to the YWCA. As a representative from the YWCA USA, this event provides a meaningful opportunity to join together with women’s organizations from across the world to discuss how violence touches lives in every community and every country around the world and what movements and tactics have been effective in addressing this widespread issue.

What has been striking so far in these events and discussions with representatives from across the globe is the commonality of the issue of violence against women (VAW).  This violence can manifest itself in countless ways, from intimate partner violence, to sexual assault, to the restriction of sexual and reproductive health and education, to sex trafficking, to discrimination in the workforce and the political system.   Communities and countries may be at different points in the development of support systems and services, government laws and policies and public awareness around the issue, but violence against women is still at an epidemic level on every continent.

How is it possible that despite differences in economic development, culture, religion, history, government structures, etc., women in every community are still experiencing so many forms of violence?  How is it that 1 in 3 women globally, including in countries like the U.S. who have significant federal laws concerning VAW, will still experience physical violence, sexual assault and/or stalking by her intimate partner in her lifetime?

A common reaction is to turn to the legal and political systems in each country to pass and adopt laws to protect women from violence, prejudice and discrimination.  But as the Executive Director of UN Women Michelle Bachelet so eloquently put it at a CSW opening event over the weekend, “policies and declarations aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on if there’s no implementation and accountability.”  While the formal consideration of violence against women in the governmental and legal spheres may vary from country to country, even in countries that have extensive laws and policies in place that address the safety and equality of women, a person’s gender is still a significant risk factor for violence and often a barrier to equal participation in society.

Already, there have been many discussions at this CSW about the underlying issues that allow VAW to continue to plague societies across the world, including issues around implementation of laws and policies; ongoing patriarchal structures; allocation of power, control and resources; dehumanization; and entitlement and privilege.
As one of the largest women’s organisation in the world, these discussions of how to not only address the crisis of violence in individuals’ lives, but also the underlying structural and societal causes of violence against women is essential to inform the ongoing work done by the YWCA across the globe.