Taking Action for Guatemalan Women!

Dear Friends,

For 36 years, Guatemala suffered through an internal armed conflict in which at least 200,000 people were "disappeared" or killed. State-sponsored violence was widespread, entire villages were burned and razed, and rape was commonly used as a weapon of war against women. Numerous investigations have concluded that the vast majority of these human rights violations were conducted by members of the Guatemalan Army or intelligence services.

Today, a decade after the conflict's resolution, many of those responsible have escaped prosecution and now work with the police or private security forces. Perhaps it is no wonder that violence against women continues unabated, and that the perpetrators are virtually never brought to justice.

Human rights groups have documented a sharp increase in the rate of "femicides" or killings of women in Guatemala since the beginning of 2000. As of August 2006, 2,300 Guatemalan women had been murdered, and only 17 cases had been resolved, including both convictions and exonerations. In fact, so few convictions have been handed down that there is almost complete impunity for those who murder women in Guatemala. Investigators mishandle crime scenes and officials blame the victims themselves, often deciding that their murders are not worth investigating because they are deemed to be "nobodies."

The Women's Edge Coalition and the Center for Gender & Refugee Studies have joined together to condemn the institutional acceptance of violence against women in Guatemala. In November 2006, members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution calling on the Secretary of State to urge the Government of Guatemala to improve its procedures for investigating and prosecuting crimes of violence against women. Representative Hilda Solis of California re-introduced the resolution (H. Res. 100) in January 2007, and a vote is expected in the House very soon. (A similar resolution is currently being considered in the Senate.)

Join us in asking your representative in Congress to sign on as a co-sponsor of H. Res. 100. To identify and contact your Congressperson in the U.S. House of Representatives, click here; to check and see if your representative is already a co-sponsor of H.Res. 100, click here. If he or she has not yet signed on, you will find a sample message that you can personalize and send below.

The war in Guatemala is long over. It's time for Guatemalan women to enjoy the benefits of peace.

In Solidarity,

Karen Musalo
Director
Center for Gender & Refugee Studies

Barb Gottlieb
Director of Outreach & Membership
Women's Edge Coalition



[SAMPLE MESSAGE]

Dear Representative [name],

During Guatemala's decades of internal armed conflict, state-sponsored violence was widespread, and rape was commonly used as a weapon of war against women. Numerous investigations have concluded that the vast majority of these human rights violations were conducted by members of the Guatemalan Army or intelligence services.

Today, a decade after the conflict's resolution, many of those responsible have escaped prosecution and now work with the police or private security forces. Perhaps it is no wonder that violence against women continues unabated, and that the perpetrators are virtually never brought to justice.

Human rights groups have documented a sharp increase in the rate of "femicides" or killings of women in Guatemala since 2000. As of August 2006, 2,300 Guatemalan women had been murdered, and only 17 cases have been resolved, including both convictions and exonerations. In fact, so few convictions have been handed down that there is almost complete impunity for those who murder women in Guatemala. Investigators mishandle crime scenes and officials blame the victims themselves, often deciding that their murders are not worth investigating because they are deemed to be "nobodies."

I urge you to join your colleagues in Congress in condemning the institutional acceptance of violence against women in Guatemala by signing-on as a co-sponsor of H. Res. 100, which encourages the Guatemalan government to bring an end to these crimes. To co-sponsor H. Res. 100, contact Representative Hilda Solis's office at (202) 225-5464.

The war in Guatemala is long over. It's time for Guatemalan women to enjoy the benefits of peace.

Sincerely,

[name & address]

News from South Africa

Greetings from Boksburg, South Africa

After eight days of hard work the TEAM Conference - Toward Effective
Anglican Mission: Prophetic witness, social development and HIV and AIDS -
came to an end on 14 March. More than 400 people from 32 of the 38
provinces of the Anglican Communion, gathered together in Boksburg, South
Africa, to discuss our call to God's mission in the world of today. This
conference has energized all of us, as a Communion, to seriously contribute
to the achievement of the MDGs and, more importantly, to do so in the
context of God's mission.

We began each day with eucharist - led by a different region each day, with
great variety in style and song - then Bible study, in the same small
groups, after breakfast. These discussions, focusing on the Bible and the
day's theme, provided our foundation for the day. We heard excellent
presentations and panels, beginning with Archbishop Ngongonkulu Ndungane of
Cape Town, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, who
grounded our deliberations in the theology of mission. Plenary sessions
were followed by a group of workshops to choose from. Conversations around
meals gave an opportunity to talk to some of the many people we met in more
detail. The days were long, full, and inspiring.

Sunday fell, happily, in the middle of the conference, providing a welcomed
change of pace. We were invited to attend one of about a dozen churches
around the Johannesburg area. Wherever we went, we were uplifted by their
warm hospitality and the varied expressions of faith lived out in their
worship. The church in Daveyton had much wonderful singing, in four
languages simultaneously and alternating quite naturally between hymns most
of us would recognize from Hymns Ancient and Modern and hymns from their
own musical traditions. The sermon was made even more interesting by the
synchronized interpretation and, before the rector blessed the children as
they went to Sunday school, he told the congregation that they were
struggling with the passage: "and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive
those who trespass against us", asking for their prayers, that the Holy
Spirit be with them.

There is very good news and audio coverage on the Episcopal News Service
at: http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_23466_ENG_HTM.htm so rather than
giving you more details on the conference here, we urge you to read the
articles and listen to the audios. For some of the presentations, the full
text is available through the news story. We especially recommend the
coverage of the opening eucharist; Archbishop Ndungane's opening address;
Archbishop William's presentation: Knowing the Lord; speakers set MDGs in
theological context, which includes Hellen Wangusa (excellent); but they
are all well worth reading. The keynote address of the Archbishop of
Canterbury is on his website at:
http://www.archbishopofcanterbury.org/sermons_speeches/070313.htm

If you read nothing else, the must read is Archbishop Ndungane's concluding
remarks, which amount to the executive summary of the conference and its
conclusions and call to action, at:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/3577_83593_ENG_HTM.htm (If you are unable
to access this, let Helena know, and she will send it to you in the body of
an e-mail.)

Other information, including the programme, can be found on the TEAM
website at: http://www.team2007.org/index.htm

There is much from this conference that we, as women, will want to advocate
and pursue. More to follow as we review the summary and reports. Suffice it
to say now that it was a superb and inspiring conference, examining what
God demands of us in caring for the poor and suffering and all of His
creation in the world of today.

Networking and links

There was excellent opportunity for networking and we were able to speak to
many, both men and women, lay, clergy and bishops - even archbishops -
about IAWN, the gathering in New York and our statement, giving out the
brochure, statement and resolution ACC13-31. Jenny Te Paa included the
statement in her presentation on the second day and it was very well
received and sparked a lot of interest. We had a surprise parallel event on
the UNCSW experience where several talked about how they brought it home
and the experience in New York.

A number of parallel events were led by other delegates who have been at
the UNCSW/IAWN sessions, including Lisbeth Barahona (Parallel event) on
Gender, Trade and Entrepreneurship; Claudette Kigeme (Seminar) on Investing
in Human Security to Prevent Conflict and Promote Peace Building; Hellen
Wangusa (Workshop) on Education as a Basic Human Right; and Martha Gardner
(Seminar) on Climate Change. Mugisa Isingoma, from the Anglican Church of
the Congo, was to lead a fully signed-up seminar on Bottom-Up Solutions:
Grassroots Women Participate in Post-Conflict Reconstruction, but was
unable to attend due to visa problems.

We invited all the women we talked with to join the IAWN network, and hope
many of them will respond.

Meeting of ACC network representatives

Kenneth Kearon called a meeting on Saturday, March 10, of all the
representatives of ACC networks. We found this very instructive and
helpful. In the course of this discussion we realized that in fact IAWN is
doing quite well. The discussion centred on how each network was doing, its
structure and succession. All of us have problems of communication and
funding. Most of the others meet very rarely, while others have big
meetings every 3-5 years. Some are more active than others. Kenneth said
JSC is very supportive of the work of the networks. All networks are
expected to submit yearly reports to the JSC as well as a triennial report
to the ACC.

The Anglican Communion website is being redone. All networks will have a
link on the site and the IAWN Steering Group will be updating our website
over the coming months. (More on this as it develops.)

Conversation with Hellen Wangusa

We had a delightful and informative conversation with Hellen one evening.
She very much regretted not being in New York for the UNCSW but visa
problems (still unresolved) and other matters made it impossible. Hellen
has an amazing grasp of both the UN and the ACC, and a real sense of what
she wants to do. She strongly believes that we should always keep what we
do in a theological context, and not be just another NGO, but a strong FBO
(faith-based organization). We feel it will be a joy to work with her.

Our comments and reflections

Discussing all this with Lisbeth Barahona one evening, we agreed that there
are exciting possibilities ahead. And that our work has more direction and
clarity after being here.

The Anglican Communion rarely has meetings that bring so many together from
across the Communion. As those of us who have been in New York for the
UNCSW know, there is great and wonderful diversity in our Communion, and a
deep commitment to the mission of our church. The same was true in
Boksburg. It was a wonderful opportunity to get to know others, share
concerns and joys, and build and strengthen relationships across the
Communion - a significant outcome in itself. Everyone there was deeply
committed to furthering together the work of Christ in the world.

In mission,

Esperanza Beleo and Helena Mbele-Mbong

IAWN representatives at the TEAM Conference

BBC E-mail: Slave Children with Rageh Omaar

Alyssa saw this story on the BBC News website and thought you
should see it.

** Message **
Here is a great report on modern-day slavery around the world. Listen to it tomorrow night on BBC.

** Slave Children with Rageh Omaar **
Around 8.4 million children are enslaved today. Now, five of them tell their stories.
< http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/programmes/this_world/6446051.stm >

** BBC Daily E-mail **
Choose the news and sport headlines you want - when you want them, all
in one daily e-mail
< http://www.bbc.co.uk/email >

** Disclaimer **
The BBC is not responsible for the content of this e-mail, and anything written in this e-mail does not necessarily reflect the BBC's views or opinions. Please note that neither the e-mail address nor name of the sender have been verified.

If you do not wish to receive such e-mails in the future or want to know more about the BBC's Email a Friend service, please read our frequently asked questions. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/help/4162471.stm

Waking up Jesus

This is a photo of Jolly Babirukamu from Uganda. She was my first real connection with the Anglican Women's delegation. She was a calming presence the entire time we were in New York, quiet and wise. I found out that she often assists in training staff for Compassion International, an organization I worked with in the 90s. Jolly is a rock, that was obvious.

On our first day at the UN, following Morning Prayer, we were to make our way across the street, passed security and tried to get in line early for registration and documentation. Early means at least an hour before the UN desk opens for registration. I was at once lost, dazed, and confused after passing the gate into the UN, and she waited for a few of us newbies and took us under wing until we landed in the correct line. So, I got to sit on the floor with her and chat a little.

The Anglican Women were, of course, a little tense as we gathered only one day after the Primates meeting in Dar es Salaam. Were our African sisters friend or foe? And why were we even asking that question? Being one to address the elephant in the room, I gingerly began talking about the church. Jolly gave me no personal opinion, nor did her feathers ruffle and a statement ensue. She looked at me and said, "You know, we need to wake Jesus up."

I've never really thought about waking Jesus up, and the only thing that came out of my mouth was, "Wake Jesus up?" She went on to say that when the storm came and the boat was in danger, the disciples yelled and hollered and woke Jesus up to do something about it before they all went down. She said, "Our boat is sinking and we need to wake Jesus up."

I'm not sure if the other women who had circled around by that time have still been thinking on those words, but they stuck with me. Now, from what I have witnessed over the years, I can tell you that the African church knows how to wake up Jesus. Perhaps, I wonder, we are too quiet? There is a time for quiet contemplation, which is what sustains me, but there is also a time for that desparate, intentional, "Hey! Wake up, we need some help...fast!"

Draft Agreed Conclusions

Here is a link to the "Draft Agreed Conclusions on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination and Violence against the Girl Child –CSW51." From first glance it seems as if some our recommendations were indeed implemented! I know for the Peace Caucus, our suggestions appear to have been accepted. Of course, other Caucus's could have also reinforced some language.

http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/csw51/pdfs/CSW%20agreed%20conclusions_as%20adopted_9%20March.pdf

If you are an American reader, I encourage you to do what you can locally to lobby your government at all levels to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The United States is only developed nation to NOT have ratified these two conventions. For the US reservations to ratifying, see the last blog on the "Letter to Sen. Biden." The lives that are being destroyed at alarming rates because of uninformed fear is devastating. Here is the first recommendation on norms and policies in the Agreed Conclusions:

"Consider ratifying or acceding to, as a particular matter of priority, the
Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women and their respective Optional Protocols, limit
the extent of any reservations that they lodge and regularly review such reservations with
a view to withdrawing them so as to ensure that no reservation is incompatible with the
object and purpose of the relevant treaty; and implement them fully by, inter alia, putting
in place effective national legislation, policies and action plans; AGREED"

Letter to Senator Biden

Here is a copy of the letter (some minor protocol changes will be made) the U.S. NGO (non-governmental organization) Caucus is sending to Senators Biden and Boxer.


March 1, 2007

Senator Joseph Biden and Senator Barbara Boxer
Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Cc: Representative Nancy Pelosi
Ambassador Patricia Brister, U.S. Mission to the United Nations

Dear Senator Biden and Senator Boxer,
We, the U.S. members of the North American NGO Caucus to the 51st Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, call on you and other members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Select Committee to schedule hearings on the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) during this coming session of Congress. Beginning Congressional hearings on this critical treaty is an important part of the United States’ effort to reestablish its place as a leader in human rights and equal opportunity around the world.
At a time when the majority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives is a woman, now is the moment for Congress to reconsider the positive impact that CEDAW has on women’s lives around the world. CEDAW enabled countries like the Ukraine, Nepal, Thailand, and the Philippines to pass laws against sex trafficking. CEDAW helped Pakistan introduce coeducation in primary schools. CEDAW played a role in Australia, Mexico, and Argentina providing health care programs to indigenous and migrant women. As you know, currently 185 countries—including Iraq and Afghanistan—have ratified this international treaty.
In a season when the political winds of change are being felt in our nation’s capital and around the country, it is time once again to take on the myths about CEDAW on the Senate floor. For too long, opposition to this treaty has rested on the misconception that support for family planning will mean encouraging abortion. Your own committee recognized in 1994 that this is not the case, and the State Department has recognized that CEDAW is “abortion neutral.” Likewise, the idea that CEDAW somehow interferes with traditional family structures is also a myth that needs shattering. As you know, the treaty urges governments to “adopt education and public information programs to eliminate prejudices and practices that hinder women’s equality.”
The United States has best practices to share with the rest of the world in the areas of advancement of women in this country. Yet our nation simultaneously suffers a very tarnished image abroad when it comes to human rights and equal opportunity. Ratification of CEDAW and the Optional Protocol would demonstrate the progress that the U.S. has made in women’s rights.
In conclusion, we urge you to put CEDAW, a treaty that the United States was instrumental in forming, on the schedule again for hearings in this upcoming congressional session. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,

It's a Small World, After All

It's funny how connected we are. I wanted to post this comment left last week when a reader responded to the "On a Plane" post.


Hello.. I wanted to share the Press Release concerning the gentleman you sat next to on the plane. His name is Robert Battles.

Have a Great Day


AFRICATOWN, USA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & CEO
ROBERT BATTLE
PLAYS HOST TO 14 WEST AFRICAN DELEGATES
& AWARD WINNING AUTHOR
SYLVIANE DIOUF
MARCH 16, 17 & 18 2007


Mr. Robert Battles, CEO and Executive Director of the AfricaTown, USA Community Mobilization Project, Inc., an Alabama based non-profit organization, is gearing up for a grand three-day cultural symposium March 16, 17 and 18th. Expected to arrive is a 14 member West African delegation of Filmmakers, Artists, representatives from the African fashion and hair design industry and culinary specialist. Two of the members of the African delegation Mr. Thomas Akodjinou from Benin and Mr. Felix Eklu from Togo are returning to Alabama to continue the due diligence they began in November and December 2006 on their AfricaTown documentary project. Embarking on a 3 state tour, of South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama they gathered research and visited several African American & Civil Rights locations.

One of the key moments of the event is a special appearance by renowned and celebrated Senegalese author Sylviane Diouf. Dr. Diouf received a doctorate from the University of Paris and has taught at Libreville University in Gabon and New York University. She is the author of “Dreams of Africa in Alabama: The Slave Ship Clotilda and the Story of the Last Africans Brought to America”. As the CEO of AfricaTown, USA, “Dreams of Africa in Alabama” was especially interesting to Battles because it documents historically the work that he has been doing for over twenty years. He went to New York recently to meet with Dr. Diouf and to facilitate the planning of her Alabama visit.

On Friday, March 16th the City of Mobile Museum will host Dr. Sylviane Diouf in a Meet The Author and book signing of DREAMS OF AFRICA from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. At 7:00 pm the Mobile County Training School * 800 Whitley Avenue * Plateau, Alabama will also host a book signing for Dr. Diouf.

Saturday, March 17th kicks off with the Original AfricaTown Folk Festival Community Day from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm. Come out and meet Mr. Thomas Akodjinou, Mr. Felix Eklu and the other members of the African Delegation. Enjoy the music, fashions and cultural presentations.

On Sunday, March 18th the closing ceremony “Feast of Relatives and Friends” will be held at the Plateau Community Center * 850 Edward Street * Plateau, Alabama. Special African cuisine and other culinary delights will be available. Dr. Sylviane Diouf will be the guest speaker.

For More Information – Call 251-518-1262

Submitted by D. Cameron
usaartistobenin@aol.com

Anglican Girl Delegates to the UNCSW

Here are the Anglican girl delegates to the UNCSW. (Actually, a couple are missing from the photo.)
I am sure New York was psychologically challenging to many of the girls, but especially the tribal.
I will just submit the bios the girls sent in when applying to the UNCSW. I'd rather it be in their own words and let them speak for themselves, rather than put words in their mouths.

(Starting from the far right)
The girl on the far right wishes to not be named.
Faith Nenkai Meitiaki from Kenya--Faith is from Kajiado Kenya. She is in the 11th grade at Alliance High School. She is from one of the Pastoral communities of Kenya, the Masai. In the past, she has attended conferences on women and girls both in Kenya and outside Kenya. She knows that she has some of the information required to be in this conference in their support of girls and women.
Delores-Mai Macauley--Delores is from Newark, NJ. After school, she plays on a basketball team and is part of a book club. She is part of her youth group, which is part of a resilience project, and spends Saturdays handing out liturgies at the local basketball game.
Angie Chan Nga Ki--Angie is from Hong Kong, is in the 11th grade, and attends St. Stephen's Church. She hopes to learn more about how international organizations work so that she may play a part in helping needy people around the world and accomplishing God's will on earth.
Anne Wenk from New Work--Anne is 14 years old and is in 8th grade. She sings in the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and she is very excited about A.W.E. and CSW.

Steffi (Deepti Steffi)--Steffi is from India and is in the 9th grade. She has a big sister and a little brother. Her passion is education for girls and believes that through education, many problems that affect girls can be solved.

These girls became much more articulate and focused as the days progressed and they learned from other girl delegates about the issues facing each in their own countries. Education for all--especially where girls are often denied education--became very important and was repeated at many of the events at the UNCSW. Also, enforcement of laws that have been passed to protect girls, and creating a global awareness of the atrocities happening in each country to girls and women, even here in the U.S. Again, education to the general public makes a difference.

FGM--Female Genital Mutilation

OK, here's a term you don't hear every day in the US, but I have learned it is very real in many parts of the world, affecting millions of girls. Meet Tema, a 15 year old Masai girl from Tanzania. She tells the story of most girls in her country and what they endure from this practice, including herself.
Girls are "circumcised" at an early age to keep them pure, so to speak, stopping any physical sexual desire. They are married off at a very early age, often to very elderly men. Some girls have been married off before they were born. Tema says that 89% of the girls are affected, and the Masai are the first people to use this practice. Some of the many side effects of this practice are how it interferes with the body's ability to give birth, great psychological trauma, and other health problems. Also, when the girls give birth at such an early age, the reproductive organs of the body are destroyed.
Tema was doing fine until she turned age 8, and her father offered her to another man for marriage. She ran away in the night and found a shelter that took girls in who were in her situation. She was able to get an education and now works hard for a change in law and practice in her country. She believes that nothing will change for girls if they do not have access to education. She loves her culture and her people, but thinks some practices should change because they are not good. Early child marriage interrupts the girls' education and to enforce a law that protects "girls" is useless because once these girls are married off and give birth, they are no longer considered girls, even if they are 13 or 14 years old.
I've discovered there is a big discrepancy between ratification of law and implementation and enforcement. There is little recourse when the girls live in remote areas and rape is so rampant. I will keep telling the stories I've heard here for a long time, even though I return home Sunday night. There is so much to digest, process, and plan. I want to find a way to move from telling of stories to action and implementation.

Texan and Afghan

I spoke to an Afghan women today at the Artisan's Fair. She was selling things from Afghanistan to support the Afghan Women's Fund. Her name is Fahima Vorgetts and she was the winner of a lifetime Achievement Award for "Extraordinary Contribution to Peace and Justice" awarded by the Ann Arundel Peace Action Organization in 2002. She has had a number of such awards since then.
Fahima first asked where I was from, and when I told her I lived in Texas she was afraid to speak to me. I had to assure her that I was not a threat, nor did I collaborate with George Bush. I told her I sincerely wanted to know what was going on in her country, and after a minute she told me, in no uncertain terms, how the country has been abandoned and is in shambles.
She is raising money for the rebuilding of Afghanistan because the money that was allocated for the rebuilding has not made it into the country for Afghani's. It has been re-directed to Iraq and gone to pay US corporations in Afghanistan and Iraq. Particularly here at the UN this week she is raising money for four schools and health facilities for women and children. Some of the rugs, jewelry, and tapestries were very old, but the people need facilities and help. She doesn't have time to manage selling on her website, but you can read about the organization by going to http://www.womenforafghanwomen.org.
Here is an insert from her blog dated September 2006. This brief story clearly tells the tale of Afghanistan today, especially for women and children:

A very sad time for Afghan women
12:28 am

This is a very sad time at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Afghanistan. Yesterday the provincial director of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Kandahar was assassinated by two men outside her home while she was on her way to work.

This slaying is a senseless and cowardly act, more proof that security in Afghanistan is deteriorating rapidly. The Taliban and Al-Qaeda are winning in the southern part of Afghanistan and women’s human rights are a prime target of their fanaticism.

Progress for women in Afghanistan has been frustratingly slow, but it has been happening. We call upon women throughout the world, those who are still fighting for their rights and those whose rights are honored and protected by their governments, to take every necessary step to prevent a reversal of this progress and a return to the time when Islam itself was falsely interpreted as sanctioning tyranny over women.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Safia (Amma Jan).