Feminist Leadership, Movement Building and Rights Institute East Africa

18.11.2013 – 23.11.2013, Nairobi (Kenya)

The fifth Feminist Leadership, Movement Building and Rights Institute is a week-long course designed to strengthen feminist leadership, strategies and collective power for social transformation in Africa. The Institute will combine reflection on the current political landscape as well as past organising strategies for women’s rights in Africa by using a trans-movement-building approach. Looking at diverse movements in Africa and globally, participants will be able to relate some of the experiences and lessons from these movements to their own contexts, countries, and regions.

Applications are due on or before 15 September 2013. To apply online, go to the following website: http://apps3.creaworld.org/creaforms/node/17

In memory of Anna Politkovskaya

2013-10-07

Seven years ago, on October 7th of 2006, our PeaceWoman Anna Politkovskaya was brutally murdered in the staircase of her apartment in Moscow. On this very sad day we want to remember Anna’s courage and her fearless struggle against injustice and human rights violations.

Last Friday the British NGO Raw in War gave the Anna Politkovskaya Award to Malala Yousafzai – a very brave and young woman from Pakistan who stands up and bravely claims the right of education for all children. We congratulate Malala Yousafzai for raising her voice for all girls and boys all over the world.

Website: http://bit.ly/YMz0N

Enough! No More Violence Against Women and Girls! 

11.01.2013, Delhi (India)

Following the recent death of a young Indian woman who was raped by a group of men on a bus in New Delhi, the Co-President of the 1000 Peacewomen, Kamla Bhasin, has written a statement to express her feelings about this horrifying incident and to call for a culture of respect, dignity and equality for girls and women across the globe.

Another LIFE, another LIGHT, full of energy and potential has been snuffed out by violent masculinity and our woman-hating mind set and culture. As part of this culture I am ASHAMED!!

I bow my head in SHAME and in GRIEF. I share the pain and loss of the family and friends of the latest victim of violence against women.

A Billion women and girls routinely face such violence in the world. As we mourn today let us resolve to say ENOUGH!! No more violence against women and girls.

Let us resolve to put an end to our woman-hating mind set, cultural beliefs and practices. A deep change needs to take place INSIDE each one of us, WITHIN our families and IN all the institutions we are part of.

Let us resolve to create a culture of respect and dignity for girls and women, a culture of equality, mutual respect, democracy and peace in our families and every where else.

I salute the spirit of feminine strength and values and the spirit of the young woman who passed on. I know that only her body has died. Her spirit, like the spirit of our struggles, is IMMORTAL.

Kamla Bhasin

Exhibition «1000 PeaceWomen Across the Globe»23.11.2012 – 30.11.2012, Panama (Panama), Simon Bolivar’s Main Library Lobby of the University of PanamaOn November 23, 2012 the Exhibition «1000 PeaceWomen Across the Globe» took place in Simon Bolivar’s Main Library Lobby of the University of Panama. The aforementioned exhibition was organized by CEDEM (Centro para el Desarrollo de la Mujer) and the Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office, PeaceWomen Across the Globe (PWAG).

The opening of the ceremony was in charge of Dr. Urania Ungo, Director of CEDEM, who explained the importance of the exhibition.

After that, María Julia Moreyra, Regional Coordinator of PWAG, talked about PeaceWomen Across the Globe, the history and meaning of the exhibition and she highlighted the history and role of PeaceWomen (PW) from Panama.

Ediofelina Fuentes, PW from Panama, referred to her experience as PeaceWoman and her feelings when she knew that she was one of the 1000 women nominated to the Nobel Prize in 2005.

Alma Montenegro de Fletcher, another PW from Panama, attended the event, too.

Unfortunately, the third Peacewoman from Panama, Marta Matamoros, died some years ago.

The ribbon cutting ceremony was in charge of Ediofelina Fuentes and Alma Montenegro’s sister. After that, the public could appreciate the exhibition which remained open until November 30, 2012.

We want to express our deepest gratitute to PeaceWomen Ediofelina Fuentes and Alma Montenegro de Fletcher; Dr. Urania Ungo and her work team: Sheila Ramos, Kamaris Aldeano, Ricardo Martinez, Marina Abrego, Lorena Jove and María José Magallanes.

Solidarity with Honduran PeaceWoman Itsmania Pineda Platero

Bern/Buenos Aires, 23.05.2012

Itsmania Pineda Platero is one of the 1000 PeaceWomen who were nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. As journalist and human rights defender especially of children, young people and women, as well as director of the organization XIBALBA Arte y Cultura, she has been object to constant persecution and death threats over the past year.

Honduras is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world. In 2004, 30.7 homicides were registered per 100 000 inhabitants according to the World Health Organization and in 2011, the equivalent amount was 86.5. Itsmania Pineda Platero’s profession as journalist bears high risks today in Honduras where freedom of expression, a fundamental human right, is rigorously violated: Since the military coup in 2009, 18 journalists have been murdered and what is worse, 100% of the cases are resulting in impunity as no one has been condemned and made responsible for these murders.

PeaceWomen Across the Globe calls for the solidarity with Itsmania Pineda Platero. We want to express our support also to the numerous other journalists in the country whose human rights are violated, and to their families. We demand the Honduran government to respect the national laws and international agreements Honduras is obligated to and, to restore the right for freedom of expression and information. Furthermore, we call for the adoption of adequate measures for the protection of journalists and social activists who fall victims of crimes due to their profession.

Clarifying the human rights violations against the Honduran people will not only bring peace to the families of the victims but, will also present a positive message for the humanity.

Ruth-Gaby Vermot Mangold

Co-President

María Julia Moreyra

Coordinator/Latin America

More information on www.1000peacewomen.org

Promote the implementation of UNSCR 1325: Show the PWAG exhibition «No Women – No Peace» in your town!