NGO Committee on the Status of Women, Geneva

A joint statement on Violence against Women & Girls, “RAPE IS A CRIME” has been written by a group composed of representatives from Femmes Africa Solidarity (FAS), Inter African Committee (IAC), Women World’s Summit Foundation (WWSF) and World YWCA. This statement is to be delivered at the 57th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in New York.

“We, members of the NGO/CSW in Geneva, therefore call upon Governments and other stakeholders to enforce legislation to protect women, and to prevent and respond in a timely manner to cases of sexual violence including rape against women. We call for a strengthening of strategies that address gender inequalities irrespective of the circumstance or culture. We call for an end to impunity and the denial of the rights of victims. Sexual assault is not about lust and desire; it is a violent crime of power, control and dominance. We appeal to the decision makers to ensure reforms needed to protect women, ensure access to justice, end impunity and advance their rights.”

The full statement can be downloaded here.

on 12 September 2012 at 12:00 to 14:00
in room XI of the Palais de Nations.

Welcome address: Asha Kowtal WinG-India (10 mins)

Chair:  Lia van Broekhoven Cordaid-GPPAC, Human Security Network (5 mins)

Panelists:

• Renu Takhellambam Gun widow and President, EEVFAM
• Lilabati Baishya Survivor of Sexual Violence, Assam, India
• Frank van Lierde Writer and Researcher, The Netherlands

Book release – “We the widows of the Gun”:

• Nengchin Khongshai Gun widow, Manipur, India
• Namrata Daniel All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch 

Closing comments NoniBala Narengbham WinG-India

Organized by WinG – Co-Sponsors: Pax Romana, WILPF, GNWP, NGO CSW Geneva

Downloads:

• Event’s Flyer
• Concept note
• About WinG, Women in Governance, India.

An NGO Consultation on Violence against Women and remedies, organized by Elly Pradervand (WWSF) and Marie Claude Julsaint (World YWCA) took place on March 21st, 12.30 – 14.00 at the Ecumenical Center, Geneva.

Speakers: 

• Manon Boisclair, Second Secretary Human Rights, Permanent Mission of Canada
• Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, President-NGO CSW Geneva
• Nyambura Njoroge, Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiative in Africa, WCC

Downloads:

• Concept note
• Event flyer (with co-sponsors as of 19 March 2012)
• Minutes of the meeting
• Research paper by WWSF

10:00 – 13:00 – Maison des Associations, 15 rue des Savoises, Geneva

The interrelation of armed violence and violence against women

Keynote Speakers:

• Ms Ruth‐Gaby Vermot‐MANGOLD, DrPhil. Former MP and member of the Council of Europe, President of 1000 PWAG
• Ms Alanna ARMITAGE , Director UNFPA Geneva office

• Ms Christiane AGBOTON JOHNSON, Deputy Director of UNIDIR
• Ms Nyaradzayi GUMBONZVANDA, General Secretary of World YWCA and President of the NGO CSW Geneva
• Mr Ireneo Omositson NAMBOKA, Expert Trainer retired UNHCHR

Downloads:

• Event flyer
• 16dayaVAW-2011 Theme (in French)
• Report (French version)
• Report (English version)

Mrs. Berhane Ras-Work, a long time member of our Committee and WG Convenor, has been awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria, the highest award of Austria, by President Heinz Fischer.

The award ceremony took place on 26th April 2010, with attendees including international diplomats, members of the Austrian Parliament, NGO’s, ministries, as well as EU and UN representatives, and international journalists.

Among other things, Mrs Ras-Work has been fighting Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and other Harmful Traditional Practices(HTP). Mrs. Ras-work is the first African/Ethiopian to break the taboo of FGM and the founder of The Inter-African Committee which now operates in 28 African countries to bring an end to FGM and other HTPs.

Further details about Mrs. Ras-Work pcan be found on her website: www.berhane-raswork.com.

The issue of girl infanticide, or the murder of children because they are female, is of growing concern in contemporary society worldwide. This violation of a girl’s basic right to life requires urgent attention and action. This report, drafted by members of the Working Group on the Girl Child (now part of the WG on Violence against Women and girls), focuses on two main areas: the right to be born (female foeticide) and the right to live (girl infanticide). The Working Group recognizes these two areas as being of particular importance in the education of the concerned societies. This report also identifies many of the root causes of girl infanticide in the private and public sphere of society, thus identifying specific actions to be taken.

This report was published and presented at the 51st Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, meeting in New York from 26 February to 9 March 2007, and focusing on the “Elimination of all forms of discrimination and violence against the girl child”. It is hoped that this report will serve as an educational and working tool for civil society, social entrepreneurs, other NGOs and the interfaith community to help them speak out against girl infanticide. Through this report, the Working Group also calls upon governments to get more involved in developing and promoting effective policies to bring an end to the girls’ human rights violation of girl infanticide, everywhere in the world.

Report “A girl’s right to live” for download