List members may be interested in a new discussion list which has been
formed to address issues related to ending violence against women.
***************
[Si vous desirez recevoir ce message en francais, merci de contacter
<end-violence-mod@edc-cit.org>]
[Si desea recibir este mensaje en espanol, por favor contactar:
<end-violence-mod@edc-cit.org>]
HELP SEND A MESSAGE TO UNITED NATIONS LEADERS!
JOIN UNIFEM'S INTERNET WORKING GROUP
TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
On 24 November 1998, the United Nations Development Fund for Women
(UNIFEM), in collaboration with other UN agencies, will host a
landmark event on the most effective strategies being used at local
and national levels to end violence against women. The event - a
global Videoconference - will link advocates in the field with
co-sponsoring UN Funds and Programmes and delegates from UN member
states. Human rights advocates, government representatives,
parliamentarians, academics, media representatives and others will
meet with UN decision-makers via live, two-way video to discuss
critical policy directions, steps that must be taken, and successful
experiences in eradicating violence against women.
UNIFEM is committed to ensuring that the Videoconference furthers
the agenda of advocates working to end gender-based violence around
the globe. The event will:
* showcase success stories and future challenges to achieving
women's human rights and eradicating violence against women
* share effective strategies to end gender-based violence * honor
human rights defenders who have made significant contributions to
eradicating violence against women
* help to build a global partnership to end violence against women *
challenge the international community to commit increased resources
to end violence against women
In preparation for the Videoconference, the World Bank, the Global
Knowledge Partnership, and UNIFEM are sponsoring a "Virtual Working
Group," <end-violence>. The Working Group, which will begin 7
October 1998, will discuss:
* Policies, legislation, strategies, and partnerships that will help
end violence against women around the world
* Case studies, best practices, and other examples representing
successful government and civil society efforts to overcome
challenges and help to eliminate violence against women
* Ways in which new information/communications technologies can be
used to support efforts to end violence against women
The results will feed into the Videoconference, become part of the
1999 review of the International Conference on Population and
Development, and be a permanent, publicly available reference.
JOIN THIS 6-WEEK WORKING GROUP! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO HELP
FORMULATE SUGGESTIONS AND DEMANDS WHICH WILL BE HEARD AT THE UN
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, as they commemorate the 50 anniversary of the
Univeral Declaration on Human Rights!
UNIFEM extends a special invitation to those in the South, and
especially to grant recipients from UNIFEM's Trust Fund in Support
of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women -- we hope
you will share your experience and express your needs!
A TRAVEL GRANT WILL BE AWARDED FOR THE WORKING GROUP MEMBER
who contributes the most striking example of an action or strategy
that has helped to prevent and/or eradicate violence against women.
The member who is selected will be invited to attend UNIFEM's
Videoconference in one of the participating sites (New York,
Brussels, Washington, DC, and a site in Africa, Asia and Latin
America). All travel expenses for the selected member will be
covered by UNIFEM.
HOW TO JOIN THE <end-violence> WORKING GROUP
Anyone who has electronic mail with Internet access can subscribe to
the <end-violence> Working Group. To join, please send an e-mail to
the LISTSERV host:
Do *not* enter a subject. In the body of the message, type the
text:
SUBSCRIBE end-violence
Do *not* put anything after <end-violence>. You will receive a
Welcome Letter to the Working Group.
WORLD WIDE WEB SITES FOR THE WORKING GROUP
The Global Knowledge for Development Web site
<http://www.globalknowledge.org> provides information about the
<end-violence> Working Group, as well as archives of <end-violence>
messages. The WomenWatch Web site <http://www.un.org/womenwatch>
provides the <end-violence> archives and information about the
videoconference. Also UNIFEM Web site <http://www.unifem.undp.org>
links to the <end-violence> Working Group and gives a wide range of
information on efforts to end violence against women and related
activities. In addition, the Development Forum, a global discussion
space opening early October 1998, on the World Bank's Web site
<http://www.worldbank.org>, will provide access to the
<end-violence> archives as well as related material and
presentations.
WORKING GROUP ADMINISTRATOR
This Working Group is administered and moderated by Education
Development Center, a nonprofit organization. EDC is working
collaboratively with UNIFEM and is directly supported by the World
Bank, the Global Knowledge Partnership, and UNIFEM
for the activities in this project.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
For further information about <end-violence>, please contact:
Janice Brodman
EDC
janiceb@edc.org