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CSW59: Continuing the Global Conversation: Why We Need an International Legally-binding Instrument on Violence against Women

This panel will be hosted by AWAVA with WESNET, End Violence Against Women (UK), Imkaan, and Scottish Women’s Aid at 12:30pm at V Hall, Armenian Convention Center (630 2nd Ave, NY, NY)

Speakers:
Julie Oberin (Chair of AWAVA and WESNET)
Lesley Ann Foster (Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre)
Jackie Jones (President, European Women Lawyers Association, Chair, Wales Assembly of Women (WAW))
Lily Greenan (Scottish Women’s Aid)
Marai Larasi (Imkaan and End Violence Against Women Coalition)
Dr Vidya Sri (Harvard Kennedy School of Government)

And with Opening Remarks from Professor Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

For more information about AWAVA’s CSW59 participation, visit: http://awava.org.au/2015/03/10/announcement/awava-news/awava-parallel-events-at-csw59

Pamela Denoon Lecture (Free): Dr Marilyn Waring – Canberra

Thursday, 12 March 2015 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM (AEDT)

Theatre 1
Manning Clark Centre
Union Court
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2611
Australia

Price: FREE

“The Pamela Denoon Lecture was inaugurated in 1989 as a tribute to the memory of Pamela Denoon and as a reminder that the gains that have been made by women over the years have only been possible because of the enormous dedication of women like Pamela…

Dr Marilyn Waring

Marilyn Waring has spent the last 25 years working to empower women and men to challenge the priorities that mainstream economists impose on them. A public policy researcher well known for her research on the value of unpaid work her book: Counting for Nothing: what men value and what women are worth has had worldwide impact. Her extensive body of research is internationally respected, and spanned political economy, governance and public policy, gender analysis and human rights.

Her views about what should be done have evolved over time. She no longer believes that we should put monetary values on unpaid work and the environment. Instead she has developed a human rights approach that puts women and other vulnerable people at the centre asking: what would make women’s lives easier, safer and freer and what would make women more valued, productive, have more life opportunities, have more power?

All Professor Waring’s work springs from the communities in New Zealand where she grew up, the different concepts of value that she learned and the extraordinary environment which she and others are still battling to preserve against exploitation.

In this talk Professor Waring will set out her current thinking around what she has called the Economics of Dignity.”

For more information, visit: http://pameladenoonlecture.net/ or to register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/power-unpaid-work-the-darkside-of-womens-caring-roles-tickets-15868544243

CSW59: Preventing Violence against Women and Girls in the Digital and Technological World

March 11: Preventing Violence against Women and Girls in the Digital and Technological World

This panel will be jointly hosted by AWAVA and WESNET at 4:30pm Downstairs, Salvation Army (221 East 52nd St, NY, NY)

Speakers:
Margaret Augerinos (AWAVA, WESNET)
Cindy Southworth (Vice President of Development and Innovation at the US National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV))
Julie Oberin (Chair of AWAVA and WESNET)

For more information about AWAVA’s CSW59 participation, visit: http://awava.org.au/2015/03/10/announcement/awava-news/awava-parallel-events-at-csw59

Weekly Round-Up * 10 March

Welcome to the latest edition of the AWAVA Weekly Round-Up. This week has seen a huge number of events and developments for women in Australia and around the world. In particular, this week marks the start of the59^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) in New York City! AWAVA will be hosting three parallel events during the next 2 weeks and we can’t wait to engage with our international colleagues around violence against women.
Our Program Manager Sophie has recorded the following video to give a brief introduction to CSW and explain why this year in particular is important (hint: it’s the 20^th anniversary of a certain conference in Beijing!):

With International Women’s Day just behind us, it has also been a week of speeches. From the Federal Government, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash have both spoken about gender equality in Australia, as have Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek. We have also seen recognition of powerful women speakers more broadly, with Emma Watson giving a Q&A on Facebook about gender equality, Amy McQuirespeaking about her life and work as an Aboriginal Feminist, and this round up of ‘5 speeches by women that you need to hear.’ We hope that these powerful words translate into positive action throughout the community in the weeks, months and years to come.

Around the Country

The Federal Government has announced $120,000 of funding over 2 years to assist women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to navigate the court system
Leaders from all three major political parties signed on to the UN HeforShe campaign at an International Women’s Day breakfast in Canberra
The Federal Government has announced a $30 million joint commonwealth-states campaign to address the issue of rising domestic violence
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, in conjunction with Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, hascalled for a national crisis summit on violence against women
Women’s Agenda has partnered with Twitter Australia with the goal of empowering women to speak out on the platform
In Queensland, domestic violence services have praised the Domestic Violence Taskforce’s report as‘holistic and thorough’ with two new domestic violence shelters announced by the State Government in line with the report’s recommendations
In the ACT, donations and public support continue to flow in memory of murdered woman Tara Costigan, with the accused also charged with breaching a domestic violence order
[TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence, death] and the ACT Domestic Violence Crisis Service reporting a spike in demand for support and information in the aftermath [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
Senior vascular surgeon Dr Gabrielle McMullin has received intense criticism after stating that she advises young female medical trainees to comply with sexual harassment if they hope to keep their career [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of sexual harassment]
In New South Wales, the State Government has announced the development of a domestic violence disclosure scheme to allow people to ask authorities for information if they are concerned their partner may represent a risk. The ACT Government has said they will monitor the pilot
In Victoria, country areas have the highest rates of family violence offenses reported to police with domestic violence support service the Centre for Non-Violence appealing for police in those areas torefer more victims to them for help
In Tasmania, the Law Society has called for legal change to allow judges and magistrates to order domestic violence perpetrators to undergo counselling and therapy
Author and activist Tara Moss has called for the full funding of the 1800 RESPECT free phone line
In New South Wales, the Salvation Army has issued an apology following comments from the manager of a Broken Hill refuge suggesting that women “use and abuse” the service
In Tasmania, a class action is being launched on behalf of underage female victims of sexual abuse after a convicted child sex offender allegedly ‘bragged’ about his actions on social media

Around the World

In Morocco, a new report has found that over 62% of the country’s women have experienced gender-based violence
In Europe and Central Asia, NGOs from nine countries have participated in a workshop aimed at eliminating violence against women
A United Nations funded educational soccer video game, Breakaway, has recently been shown to be effective in teaching young boys about gender-based violence
In Hong Kong, calls have been made for criminal law reform to better address domestic and family violence
In Somalia, representatives of the African Union and the United Nations have called for greater efforts to address gender-based violence
In Brazil, a law has been passed to make “feminicide,” or the killing of a woman because of her gender, a specific crime [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
In Turkey, a lack of official statistics on violence against women has led to speculation that the issue is worsening under the current government [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]
In the United States, Native American tribes have gained the legal rights to prosecute non-Native menwho commit crimes of domestic violence, dating violence or who violate a protection order against a victim who lives on tribal land
International evidence has shown that despite an increase in international aid focusing on gender equality, less than 1% of that money is reaching grass-roots women’s groups

Research, Resources and Reports

1800 RESPECT has developed a new app, Daisy, designed to connect women experiencing gendered violence to services in their state and local area. The app was launched in Melbourne last week by the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, and Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty
The Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has launched their free new ‘Good practice, good business’ resources to provide advice on a range of issues including recruitment and retention of older workers, gender equality, sexual harassment, race discrimination, employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, employment of people with disabilities, domestic and family violence, mental illness and supporting carers in the workplace
Paul Harpur and Heather Douglas have published a paper entitled ‘Disability and domestic violence: protecting survivors’ rights’ in the Griffith Law Review
The Australian Institute of Criminology has published a paper entitled ‘Exploring the feasibility of an enhanced monitoring program on human trafficking and slavery’
Human Rights Watch has published a new resource on gender-based violence designed for people with disabilities [TRIGGER WARNING: Descriptions of violence]

Get Involved!

Become an AWAVA Volunteer Intern! We’re looking for 2 Canberra-based interns – a Policy Intern and a Research Intern – to work 1 day per week and get some behind-the-scenes experience at a small NGO in the preventing violence against women sector
During the next 2 weeks, you can get involved with the action at the Commission on the Status of Women by tweeting along under the hashtag #CSW59

**Articles published do not necessarily reflect the view of AWAVA and are included as items of interest only.

AWAVA Parallel Events at CSW59

AWAVA will be hosting three parallel events during the 59th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (for a quick run-down of what the CSW is, check out this video).

March 11: Preventing Violence against Women and Girls in the Digital and Technological World

This panel will be jointly hosted by AWAVA and WESNET at 4:30pm Downstairs, Salvation Army (221 East 52nd St, NY, NY)

Speakers:

Margaret Augerinos (AWAVA, WESNET)

Cindy Southworth (Vice President of Development and Innovation at the US National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV))

Julie Oberin (Chair of AWAVA and WESNET)

March 12: Continuing the Global Conversation: Why We Need an International Legally-binding Instrument on Violence against Women

This panel will be hosted by AWAVA with WESNET, End Violence Against Women (UK), Imkaan, and Scottish Women’s Aid at 12:30pm at V Hall, Armenian Convention Center (630 2nd Ave, NY, NY)

Speakers:

Julie Oberin (Chair of AWAVA and WESNET)

Lesley Ann Foster (Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre)

Jackie Jones (President, European Women Lawyers Association, Chair, Wales Assembly of Women (WAW))

Lily Greenan (Scottish Women’s Aid)

Marai Larasi (Imkaan and End Violence Against Women Coalition)

Dr Vidya Sri (Harvard Kennedy School of Government)

And with Opening Remarks from Professor Rashida Manjoo, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women

March 17: Prioritising Women’s Safety, Working Towards Gender Equality, and Holding Perpetrators to Account through Men’s Behaviour Change Programs

This panel will be jointly hosted by AWAVA and WESNET at 12:30pm in the Hardin Room, Church Center United Nations (CCUN), 777 UN Plaza

Speakers:

Julie Oberin (Chair of AWAVA and WESNET)

Pauline Woodbridge (Coordinator, North Queensland Domestic & Family Violence Resource Service (NQDVRS), WESNET Member)

Margaret Augerinos (AWAVA, WESNET)

International Women’s Day

“When: 8 March

Where: Everywhere

What: International Women’s Day (8 March) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. In some places like China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women’s Day is a national holiday.”

For more information, visit: http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

All About Women Festival – Sydney

“All About Women celebrates its third year in 2015 as part of the Sydney Opera House’s Ideas at the House program. It returns with a program bursting with world-class storytellers, thinkers, adventurers and legends.

The festival aims to invigorate discussion on important issues and ideas that matter to women, and to bring global and Australian perspectives to the stages of the Sydney Opera House. ”

For more information, visit: http://aaw.sydneyoperahouse.com/about/

AWAVA at CSW59

Check out this video of our Program Manager Sophie Hardefeldt giving you the run-down on next week’s CSW 59!

—-Transcript—-

The Australian Women Against Violence Alliance is excited to be travelling to New York City later this week for the 59^th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.

But what is it?

The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the main global policymaking body that is dedicated exclusively to gender equality and the advancement of women.

The Commission meets once a year in New York. This year it will be taking place from the 9^th to the 20^th of March.

Each year about 3,000 representatives from governments and NGOs converge on New York to discuss, advocate, and share ideas about how we can achieve gender equality throughout the world.

The Commission includes official negotiations between governments and parallel events where NGO representatives come together to share best practice models and ongoing action to address ender inequality.

The Commission’s outcomes document or ‘Agreed Conclusions’ is developed through negotiations between all Government Parties and is agreed by consensus.

The agreed conclusions are used by governments to strengthen domestic policies around gender equality. They can also be used by NGOs to advocate for policy or practise reform within their home countries.

Why is 2015 so important?

This year’s CSW is particularly important because it will be reviewing governments’ implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was developed at the 4^th World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. The progressive and visionary document addresses diverse issues including:

Women and poverty
Education and training of women
Women and health
Violence against women
Women and armed conflict
Women and the economy
Women in power and decision-making
Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women
Human rights of women
Women and the media
Women and the environment
The girl child

20 years on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is still the most comprehensive global policy and framework relating to gender equality and the realisation of women and girls’ human rights.

Over the next 2 weeks the Commission will review the implementation of th Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and look at the ongoing challenges to the realisation of gender equality.

How can you follow the action?

Even if you aren’t able to attend the Commission in New York, you can still follow the action from Australia.

The United Nations films some of the official proceedings and government events and you can watch them on their website webtv.un.org/

You can get updates from the United Nations CSW organising committee on Twitter using he handle @UN_CSW. You can also check out the official hashtag #CSW59.

AWAVA will also be sharing information throughout the event via Twitter and Facebook. Our Twitter handle is @AWAVA_women and you can find us on Facebook as The Australian Women Against Violence Alliance.

We’re excited to keep you in the loop about this amazing international event and can’t wait to hear your thoughts and reflections.

International Women’s Day Breakfast: Sydney

“Join: Ethel Falu Sigimanu and Catherine Fox to celebrate IWD: Let’s not wait another 20 years to achieve gender equality

When: Friday 6 March

Time: 7am – 9am

Where: Australian Technology Park

Early Bird Ticket Prices end 30 January 2015:

Corporate Table* (10 seats) $1750

Individual Ticket $95

Concession Ticket $77

*Corporate tables receieve: company logo displayed on table and on presentation played on large screens throughout event. ”

For more information, visit: https://unwomen.org.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=179

International Women’s Day Breakfast: Perth

“Join: Ethel Falu Sigimanu, Carmen Lawrence and Yassmin Abdel-Mageid to celebrate IWD – Let’s not wait another 20 years to achieve gender equality.

When: Thursday 5 March

Time: 7am – 9am

Where: Perth Convention Centre”

For more information, visit: https://unwomen.org.au/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=177