Palestine

As Written by: MICHELLE BRIGNONE, WOW Intern in Geneva UN

The little girl was confident and self assured, speaking quickly as she explained her drawing. This was her house with flames coming out of it, here was her mother with the missile that killed her pointing at her head as she held the little girls hand. Over there was her father and brothers, each with a missile pointing at their heads.  In front of the house were the tanks and the trees the soldiers had uprooted. Behind the house were more soldiers and tanks; overhead was a couple of planes, dropping more missiles.  The neighbors were all on the ground, laying in pools of blood. She explains the drawing very matter of factly, without emotion, oblivious to the large gauze bandage covering her for-head and part of one eye; she is maybe 10 years old and the only member of her friends and family to survive the attack. She lives in Gaza.

Today, the United Nations Human Rights Conference turned its eye on the Palestinian territories. Richard Falk, the Special Rapporteur for human rights in Palestine, presented his report. Unable to actually enter Gaza due to the Israeli blockade, he addressed his report and remarks to the issues he was able to verify and from credible reports about areas off limits to him during his visit.

Israel has unlawfully occupied the Palestinian territories of East Jerusalem, Gaza and the Golan Heights since 1967. They have escalated the building of Jewish settlements in occupied territories, demolishing Palestinian homes and religious sites in the process. While they have returned Gaza to the Palestinians, they have blockaded them in, allowing very few to cross the border in either direction. Israel is in the process of constructing a wall, separating Jewish and Palestinian settlements, effectively walling off Palestinians from access to infrastructure and services (such as highways, trains, water etc).

Mr. Falk noted that the “continued building by Israel in occupied lands and the systematic killing or forced removal of Palestinian families from their homes is akin to ethnic cleansing.” Because Israel has banned exports and is severely limiting imports, Gaza has an unemployment rate of 45% and the citizens live in abject poverty among piles of rubble as the Israeli strikes have left very few buildings in tact. Israel even blocked a flotilla of humanitarian aid headed for Gaza amid worldwide outrage. The systematic eviction, beating and murder of Palestinians, and the continued exploitation of their land and resources by the Israeli’s, Mr. Falk maintains, constitutes the worst forms of colonialism, apartheid and ethnic cleansing.

With the obvious exception of the United States, who staunchly supports Israel, every other country weighed in, in favor of the human rights of the Palestinians and their right to self determination. All lamented the violence, perpetuated by both sides and urged an end to hostilities. All condemned the recent killing of an Israeli family as well as the devastation suffered by Gaza at the hands of Israel. The torching of Mosques and the killing of Palestinian families was also strongly condemned by the international community. Most were saddened to learn of the destruction of the historic Shepard’s Inn hotel in East Jerusalem and the continual illegal uprooting of olive trees planted there. All agreed that the continued excavation under Muslim and Christian holy sites must end as well.

No one denies the fact that Israel has a right to protect itself but, as the ambassador from Turkey pointed out, “If Israel is serious about the Palestinians having a state of their own and living side by side with them in Peace, they should start acting like it.”

All but the United States voiced the need for an independent state of Palestine with it’s capitol in East Jerusalem.

After nearly 2000 years of wandering from place to place, frequently being hunted and discriminated against because of their religion, I understand the need and desire of the Jews to have a homeland. But, after denying entry to many Jews during World War II, the guilty western states, had no right to give away the Palestinian homeland, it was not ours to give. The Palestinians had occupied that land for centuries. We would have fought to the bitter end if a bunch of countries got together and decided to give the Eastern seaboard away to someone else to have as their homeland without our permission, just as the Palestinians are doing. If someone came to our home and said their ancestors used to live there and they wanted the house back, we would call the police and have them removed. Why does Israel and the United States stubbornly refuse to recognize the rights of the Palestinian people? Why, in the United States, do we only hear about what terrible things the Palestinians are doing but never what the Israeli’s are doing?

The only comment the United States would give, was in defense of the good job, Israel is doing, investigating its own human rights abuses. With all due respect to our ambassador, that is like suggesting that the Nazi’s were competent enough to investigate their own human rights abuses. Ethnic cleansing is ethnic cleansing.

Will the little girl who lost her family get to tell her story? That depends on you. Gazastrophe – the independent documentary made by Samir Abdallah and Kheridine Mabrouk, detailing her account and other atrocities of the last Israeli strike on Gaza, was supposed to be shown in a special screening here in Geneva. The theater owner cancelled at the last moment due to extreme pressure from the Jewish community. They cannot get the film shown in the United States at all. The film makers have been beaten and abused as they have tried to get their film shown in country after country, but they will not give up. As concerned citizens, we need to search out this movie, demand to see it. We are supposed to live in a country with freedom of speech, yet these filmmakers are being prevented from speaking.

Does Israel deserve a homeland? Yes, but so do the Palestinians. Does each side want to live in peace and safety, able to practice their religion and cultural customs free from the fear of persecution? I think so, so why can’t they find common ground and find a solution to the problem?

Fear and hatred; we fear what we do not know or understand. We hate what we have been taught to hate. We are not born this way, we have to be socialized and taught, just as the South Pacific song says, ‘…you’ve got to be taught to hate and fear… to be afraid of people whose eyes are oddly made and people whose skin is a different shade…to hate all the people your relatives hate, you’ve got  to be carefully taught.’ Only when mothers and fathers, teachers and preachers teach their children, students and congregations hatred and discrimination are unacceptable and that we are all children of God and all of worth will the attitudes and practices of hatred and discrimination end.

Consultancy Day: 55th Commission on the Status of Women Feb. 21, 2011, New York

As Written by: MICHELLE BRIGNONE, WOW Intern in Geneva UN

Our first opportunity to hear from Michelle Bachelet, the first Under Secretary General of UN Women

The historic 55^th session of the Commission on the Status of Women kicked off today in New York City with the introductory Consultancy Day before the formal General Assembly Opening session tomorrow.

Civil Society has lobbied long and hard to raise the status of women at the United Nations (UN) and the UN has finally heard us, they have consolidated all of the UN organizations for women under one new UN Women and raised it to an undersecretary level with Michelle Bachelet, the former President of Chile, as the first Under Secretary General.

Ms. Bachelet introduced the theme of the CSW, Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, sciences and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work, and laid out the priorities of UN Women for the year ahead. She applauded the Non Governmental Organization (NGO) community for its active participation in gender relations, Human Rights, and Peace, as well as the creation of UN Women.

“The Civil Society sector is invaluable in bringing the voices of women around the world to the attention of those in Government,” she said. She referenced her experience working with NGO’s in Chile both as a doctor and while she was President of that country and how the government and the NGO’s worked together to ensure the rights and health conditions of traumatized children in Chile.

“People are the solution to national and international problems,” Ms. Bachelet repeatedly told us. “Education is essential and the civil society can and must play an essential role as stake holders and not only as part of the problem, but part of the solution.”

The general assembly determined the need for UN Women to function at the secretary level, but at the same time, carry out operational activities at the country level and ensure and co-ordinate gender equality activity within the whole UN system.

Ms. Bachelet laid out a concise action plan for UN Women moving forward. The two main aspects are:

1.      Women and how they go to work in a civil society

2.      Access and participation of women and girls in education, training, sciences and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work. (This year’s CSW theme)

Un Women will support countries and deliver on the commitment for change in the lives of the women around the world suffering from gender violence and discrimination.

UN women will strive to strengthen coherence between the UN system, regional and country governments, NGO’s and other nongovernmental actors. UN Women will also lead, coordinate and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women within the UN system.

“UN women will be a catalyst for change.” UN Women’s mission is one where, “Women and men have equal rights and opportunities and where the principle of gender equality and women’s empowerment are thoroughly integrated in UN development, Human Rights, and UN Security agendas.” To meet these objectives, UN women will center its work on 4 core principles;

1.      Support national partner initiatives to enhance implementation of international women’s standards.

2.      Support intergovernmental processes which strengthen the role and  framework on gender equality

3.      Advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment, championing the rights of women and girls

4.      Leading and promoting coherence in the UN system’s war on gender inequality

“Women will never have equal rights if they are not empowered. We have seen that in so many places and in so many different contexts. When we talk about physical security, it is very difficult for women who are victims of violence to get out of their homes because they do not have the capacity or economic autonomy.” Women’s voices cannot be heard if they are not empowered enough to speak out. To that end, UN Women will focus on five essential issues:

1.      Expanding women’s voices, leadership and participation will be one of our main areas of focus. To improve political participation but that means improving women’s negotiating skills, and developing qualified candidates for any and all positions from Govt. trade unions, NGO’s etc.

2.      Enhance economic empowerment

3.      Ending violence against the girl child and women

4.      Strengthening Peace and Security Agenda, we need more women in peace talks.

5.      Support national partners and encourage gender equality at all levels of Govt.

Ms. Bachelet is setting up NGO advisory panels for herself as well as for the regional representatives to gain greater access and to hear the voices and stories of disadvantaged women in the poorest areas, so that UN Women can better serve the needs of women worldwide and be a catalyst for change.

“While access to education is growing, access alone is not enough. Despite the closing gap between boys and girls in school at all levels, progress is wildly uneven and women are still being barred from labor force participation.” Ms. Bachelet laid out the following statistics;

97/100 girls/boys ratio in school at the primary level

96/100 girls/boys ratio in school at the secondary level

108/100 girls/boys ratio at the tertiary level

But

In 2008, only 52.6% of women were able to participate in the labor force, while 77.5 % of men participated. To counter this, Ms. Bachelet set a framework for change:

1.      It is crucial to improve the quality of education as well as access

2.      We need to eliminate gender stereotypes in schools and the workforce

3.      We need practical measures to facilitate transition from school into the job market

4.      Girls need to be encouraged to get involved with gender sensitive science and technology.

While education is good, it is not enough. We must eliminate violence against women and the girl child, we must achieve gender equality and sustainable development, and we must drastically lower or eliminate maternal mortality and morbidity rates

“If women do not have information and an education, they do not have any power.”

Following Ms. Bachelet’s speech, Dr. Kaosar Afsana, the associate director of health programs at BRAC and this year’s Woman of Honor, spoke about how mobile technologies are helping poor women in Bangladesh and should be considered as inexpensive, innovative ways to connect poor, disadvantaged women to the healthcare and legal services they so desperately need. She referenced today as being the Bangladesh Independence Day (liberation day from Pakistan) and how the area now known as Bangladesh used to be known as Golden Bengal because of its wealth and resources but now it is known as Bangladesh, for its poverty.

Dr Afsana spoke of Gandhi offering women, “Peace, love and friendship” but in 2005 45% of women in Bangladesh lived below the poverty line. In 2010, that number is slightly better at 35% and the MMR went from 574 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2007 to 194 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2010. While a 40% reduction of fertility deaths in 9 years is great, more can be done. As the number of educated women increases, the number of fertility deaths decreases. But there is still a vast lack of education, technical skills and access to help in Bangladesh as evidenced by the fact that only 27% of birth attendants are skilled.

As BRAC expands out of Bangladesh, currently in nine other countries, their successes are spreading throughout the developing world. With the expansion, come the skills and technical access necessary to lower MMR rates permanently.

Manoshi, which are mobile birthing centers for poor rural women, offer privacy, experienced help, and referrals to hospitals when complications arise. Manoshi are mobile health centers (mhealth), with mobile phones and hotlines for care and emergencies.

In Bangladesh, only 23% of poor, rural women have access to mobile phones (with no infrastructure for landlines). Manoshi gives each pregnant woman a cell phone number with free access to the local Manoshi cell phone, when the woman calls the number, her picture comes up on the phone, and all of her health information is displayed for the medical technician so that accurate medical help can be given. The woman can ask questions, receive important information during pregnancy, deliver and post pregnancy to facilitate healthy mothers and babies as well as family members reporting deaths of mother or child, if something goes wrong.

The neo-natal mortality has been reduced from52, in 1993 to 30 in 2010. Because of the built in software in the cell phone, Mother, mobile health technician and an experienced doctor can all access the patient’s health information without paperwork, expensive computers and software packages etc. The mobile phone keeps costs down to a minimum, allowing more women to be covered.

Dr Afsana started and ended by quoting Gandhi, “The future is the woman.”

Following Dr Afsana, there was an expert panel on Women, Science and Technology, which explored the gains made by women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) subjects as well as the barriers to getting more girls and women involved at all levels.

Dr. Eleanor Nwadnobi from Nigeria spoke about increasing women’s access to and use of technology, including more gender responsive products. She stressed availability, affordability and ability (ability of women to use the technology, a purposeful building of their skills). Dr. Nwadnobi was quite a dynamic speaker with a good sense of humor, which did not offset the urgency of her message at all.

Shelley Canright, from NASA, spoke of the importance of studying the cultural phenomenon of why girls, who showed an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) subjects in grade school, begin to drop out in middle school and are all but nonexistent in STEM subjects by the time they graduate from college. While the White House Counsel on Women and Girls is trying to address the issue, more can be done. NASA is partnering with local organizations to educate girls in STEM subjects, concentrating on middle school teachers, who are brought to NASA, educated on engaging ways to teach and then sent back to school to engage girls in the sciences. She stressed the need to engage girls in STEM outside of the classroom as 80% of a child’s time is spent OUT of school.

Dr. Miriam Erez, from Israel, addressed the lack of girls in STEM subjects from a point of lack of motivation and gender role segregation or social norms. She spoke of the incredible opportunities for change with technology, calling attention to social network sites as an example. If women and girls got involved with technology they already use and love, they can improve it. Technology is no longer for engineers or computer geeks. All technology is really in the customer service sector. Apple does not build a cell phone, cell phones have been around for decades, apple creates services and experiences, things girls’ value. Dr. Erez used the example of Will.i.am, from the Black Eyed Peas, being named Intel’s Director of Innovation, anyone can be creative in any field, STEM subjects seem to have a cultural barrier for girls, in access, motivation, and ability to enter into the labor force. She offered three ways to change this:

1.      Education

2.      Curriculum – show the link of technology with everything around us

3.      Policy Incentives – change social norms and gender role segregation by using effective role models to inspire young girls (such as the CEO’s of Yahoo, Dupont, Sonoco and Wellpoint, who are all women).

Dr Akanisi Kedrayate Tabualevu, from Fiji, spoke of the massive gender gap in enrollment at the University of the Pacific, which serves 13 countries and has an enrollment of 22,000 students. She sited possible barriers to female enrollment as being Cultural – patriarchal society, Religion, curriculum, scarce resources and no available jobs to women in traditionally male industries upon graduation. She recommended a compulsory gender unit in school for boys and girls, government initiatives, especially the creation of more scholarships for girls,

After a brief lunch, we separated into breakout sessions to discuss various aspects and challenges of higher female participation in STEM subjects so we could then go back to our individual NGO’s and be better equipped to address these needs at local and national level.

Overall, it was a great way to kick off CSW55. We left unified and motivated to carry on the work of women not only for the two weeks of the commission but going forward for the rest of the year as well.

Report of the CSW55, Feb 22-March 04, 2011

Carol, in center, with her Granddaughters

As Written by: CAROL UGOCHUKWU, Member of WOW Board of Directors

Theme:  Access and Participation of Women and Girls to Education, Training, Science  & Technology,  including  for the Promotion of Women’s Equal Access to Full Employment and Decent Work”.

While, UN official representatives, Government officials and Non-Governmental officials met from February 22 to March 4 at the UN headquarters in New York, Civil Societies represented by accredited NGO’s met various locations close to UN headquarters.  This year most of the side events were scheduled outside the UN building.  The Church Center, YWCA, UN Millennium Hotel and some close by Hotels were venues for most panels.

The Newly inaugurated UN Women:

The CSW 55 was co- coordinated for the first time by the new UN Women.    According to bulletin produced by the UN Women for this conference, the organization is headed by an Under Secretary- General, Dr. Michelle Bachelet.  It will support the CSW in the formulation of policies, global standards and norms.  It also states that it will help Member States to implement these standards, standing ready to provide technical and financial support  to countries that request for such assistant.  It will forge effective partnership with Civil Societies.  A major key role for the UN Women will be  to promote accountability within the UN systems for its own commitments  on gender equality, including, regular  monitoring  of system -wide progress.

Grant Writing Workshop:

Two members of WOW-Africa  joined Afton Beutler and Michelle who were in New York on February 23, 2011, for  a training on Proposal Writing and Evaluation. Sponsored by The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund (VGIF) in New York..   A friend told me about this training and so I registered some of our members on line.   Michelle attended this training but she paid $50 while it was free for participants from developing countries.  I understand the training was quite useful, Michelle may provide more information on this.

Christy Cunningham, Carol Ugochukwu, and Afton Beutler

Arrival of Participants from Africa:

After weeks of correspondence to facilitate the Visa application of members of WOW-Africa coming from Africa, Seven women arrived and participated in CSW55. Afton, Christy Cunningham, Michelle, two of my grand children, and myself attended.  Afton did a great job in ensuring that all participants were registered and got their ground passes.  It took many efforts for Afton to scale through this registration hurdle.

Most of us arrived in the early hours of March 2, 2011 and joined the different panels as scheduled for the day.  Due to several security restriction,  most events took place at the Church Center, Salvation Army, UN Millennium Hotel and other hotels close to the UN. I

At 8:30 am, We had morning prayers at the Church Center followed by the  NGO briefing. We picked the NGO/CSW Parrallel Event Schedule  and our members went to different  parallel events  and caucuses.  In the evening we met at the Bedford Hotel and discussed issues raised in the different panels that we attended.

About 7 major UN Women Conferences for women has been convened:

• the 1975 the first UN Women Conference in  Mexico City in 1975,
• to the 1980 Copenhagen Conference in 1980,
• 1985 Nairobi, Kenya,
• 1995 Beijing,
• 2000 Beijing plus 5 ( B+5),
• 2005 Beijing plus Ten (B+10),
• 2010 Beijing + 15 (B+15);  whose outcome linked the advancement  of Women to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
• As usual,   the discussions were  centered on the same issues:

gender  equality, empowerment  of women , human rights and women, Women’s  maternal health and reduction of Infant mortality,  education and training,  poverty eradication,, Women in Armed Conflict and Violence Against Women, the Girl child .

At the CSW 55, it was not different.   Apart from talking to the main Conference theme which “ Access and participation  of Women and Girls to Education, training and Science Education…………”.    Most parallel events focused on the main theme and also  the following:

• Gay & Lesbian, Bisexual and transgender discussed  the Yogyakarta Principle  which is described in same circles as the “Magna Charter” of the sexual Rights Movement.  These principles begin by declaring that “ Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral to every person’s dignity and humanity and must not be the basis for discrimination or abuse.  It further states that “sexual orientation”   and “gender identity” is human rights and therefore states cannot limit or restrict the expressionof sexual or gender identity in any way.

• A few organizations talked about Family and Motherhood.  For instance the Nigeria, Ambassador Joy Ogwo, Permanent Representative , Permanent Mission of Nigeira to the United Nations and the President , Executive Board of  UN , Women was honoured at one of the Parallel Events at Church Center with the Excellent Mother Award.  Dr. Delois Bla, Community Major of Harlem, Ambassador Goodwill to Africa & Harlem Women International, Inc. was Chair of this panel. Co chair was  Lady Justina I. Okogun of Safe womb International Foundation, Moderator was Ngozi Eze Esq .

Ambassador Ogwo in accepting the honor stated that she raised five sons.  She was a career women who combined motherhood and her career.  With her supportive husband beside her, they have a successful family.   She pointed out that being a mother will always be  her most cherished job.

At the side event organized by the Heart of the World Foundation, at the Beekman Towers Hotel 2 blocks north of the UN, on March 3, 2011, Shelly Locke, Utah Young Mother 2007, spoke on Motherhood- the Greatest Work on Earth.

Chris Igweatu, a man, paid tribute to mothers and spoke from his personal perspective. He believes that motherhood is the most important and enduring endowment and specialty ever known to humankind…

Oge okeke President, WOW-Africa, Lagos,  Ngozi Onwuzulu Coordinator WOW Abuja , Ethel Eruchalu WOW- Awka , Brittney Ifemembi, Njideka Akudinobi and I spoke on the vital roles of mothers and the issues facing them throughout the world.

Susan Roylance was the moderator and coordinator of these events.

We immediately went to the workshop moderated by Afton Beutler, Molecular and Genetic Biologist and Co -Convener  of NGO CSW Geneva, “Women’s Right to Health” working group.

The topic was “Amazing Achievements by Women, Science, Leadership and Humanitarian Work”.

Speakers were:

• Hendrica Okondo, Regional Director of the world YWCA for Africa and Middle East.  She spoke on: ‘Young Women Leadership Program the Difference it makes”.

• Ethel Eruchalu, Principal Girls Science  School, Abagana, Anambra State, Nigeria.

She spoke on: “Young Women and their Pathway to Education.”.

• Becky Douglas, Founder of the Rising Star Initiative , India,  spoke on “What a Difference Education can make on the Grass root Level”.
• Michelle helpful with getting the names of participants and also manned the projector.
• Christy attended this workshop and covered the event.  She  may have the photos.
• I was a Special Guest   who gave the opening comments and spoke about  my journey through life and the role of Education in making the difference

That workshop was well attended and the participants made favorable comments.

Third Committee Meetings:

Occasionally we went to the temporary building and  listened to Committee discussions of Government representatives.  We also went to as many parallel events as we could afford within the time available. .

Comments:

The conference was a splendid opportunity to network and for us in WOW- Africa we met with a number of organizations in Africa that we will work with. They have gone back to Africa with great resolve to work together for the common good of society.  They resolved  to  schedule a  conference with other Pro-family groups in Africa before the next CSW.    These resolutions, on issues and concerns  for men., women and children will be submitted to the  Women Affairs Ministry.  It will be a guide to Government representative at the Third Committee at the UN to ensure that right concerns of people back home are addressed.  I hope to participate in this conference.

We met a woman who is a good fundraiser and I immediately got her acquainted with Afton.

WOW's awesome intern Michelle

This year’s CSW was good but I believe that next year may be better.

These  side events are quite enlightening.  I found the Conversation  with the New Generations of African Leaders from Malawi, Nigeria, Lesotho, South Africa, Uganda, The Gambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Namibia, Liberia,  Democratic Republic of Congo(DCR) most interesting.   It was an interactive discussion where the young girls described their struggles growing up in poverty and how their training in Moremi Leadership Initiatives (MILEAD) help them triumph.  At one of the events it was noted that although these NGO parallel events were motivational and useful, greater lobbying  for effective language is advocated at the Third  Committee with  Government Representatives.  . The Global Educational Opportunities Program in Geneva, Switzerland, is an important International activity for WOW just as WOW humanitarian programs are towards achieving the UN Millennium Development Goals( MDGs)  and  that effort should be supported by WOW.  Afton really made so much sacrifice to be in New York  for about two weeks for the CSW.  I think that WOW has to do some fundraising for the GEO Program.

Suggestion for the Future:

A crucial missing link is  WOW connection with the pro-family groups in  the UN.   Although Suvi is a member of the Family Rights Caucus Meeting ,  with her new schedule , it is becoming increasingly difficult for her to attend most meetings.    WOW needs to network  and collaborate with  more organizations with similar  values on certain issues.   Afton does that effectively in Geneva.  We need to do more at the UN New York.  It is important for WOW also focuses  its attention on the Third committee  and lobby Government representatives on language on  family, social, human rights  and gender issues.

CSW56 2011

The CSW 56  in 2012 will be:

“ The Empowerment of Rural Women and their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradication, Development and current Challenges”.  My dream is to try to bring real a real rural woman to tell her life story at one of events.  It is only a dream who knows if it might come true.

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