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UNIFEM EVAW
Programme Activities in 2003
Part I: Activities under the Regional Facility Fund (RAS/03/W48)
1. Lobbying Workshop
on Domestic Violence Legislation in Mongolia:
Since 1998, the
Mongolian Women Lawyer’s Association and the National Center Against
Violence have been working to create a draft law on domestic violence.
This draft law is based on the international model for domestic
violence laws and creates new mechanisms such as ex parte restraining
orders against perpetrators of violence. The draft will be submitted
to the Fall 2003 session of Parliament. Women’s NGOs and the
Parliamentarian Caucus have been conducting advocacy campaigns to
ensure that the law will be passed.
From the experiences
of Thailand and other countries, it had been realized that to pass any
bill related to the protection of women’s rights is difficult and long
process. Taking such background into consideration, UNFIEM realized
that it is necessary for women organizations and MPs to be effective
in lobbying as well as learning important aspects of women-friendly
legislation such as rights-based approach. From November 3-5, 2003 in
the capital city of Ulaanbaatar, UNFEM provided a training workshop
titled “Lobbying Skills in passing the Domestic Violence Bill”
to the total of 35 participants representing MPs, NGOs, Provincial
government officers, policy makers and the mass-media. The training
workshop was conducted by a consultant Ms. Maria C. Abdullah from
Women’s Development Collective, Malaysia and logistics by Standing
Committee on Social Policy of the Parliament in Mongolia as well as
UNIFEM Mongolia.
The workshop had 3
main targets: 1. To understand DV and its impact on gender relations;
2. To understand and utilize the rights-based framework and the
implications on legal reform; 3. To develop indicators for monitoring
and evaluation once the Bill is enacted. Also, the workshop aimed
women participants to have knowledge, understanding as well as skills
to lobby their representatives to hold the MPs’ accountability in
putting VAW issues into a political agenda. Through UNIFEM’s past
experiences, this seems to be the most efficient and effective
strategy for the passage of this DV Bill.
2. Women in
Politics Thailand -Beyond Understanding and Awareness–Strategic
Planning Workshops and Caucus:
For the past few
years, Thai Women Parliamentarian Caucus (TWPC) has been
actively involved in the process of creating understanding and
awareness on the issue of domestic violence. Several seminars and
workshops were organized throughout the country in which some good
suggestions have been raised. While moving on this direction, TWPC has
realized that there is a need to move beyond understanding and
awareness in order to reach a wider goal of creating a just and
peaceful society with gender equality.
Being a minority in
the Thai Parliament, members of the TWPC realized that it is much
needed to have more women at the decision making level, in particular,
in politics at the national and local levels. Therefore, TWPC
conducted a series of seminars this year aiming to increase women’s
participation in politics.
Specific Aims of the
seminars are:
- To find ways and
means to increase women’s participation in politics at the national
and local levels.
- To create a forum
for exchanges of domestic and regional experiences in increasing
women’s participation in politics.
- To create a
framework for increasing women’s participation identifying strategies
activities and time.
- To create a
functional network to achieve this goal.
The participants for
these seminars are the representatives from concerned organizations,
government, NGOs, as well as elected women representatives at all
levels. 4 seminars to which they invited WIP representatives from
model countries such as Pakistan and Indonesia, as well as several
preparatory meetings are to be held between August and early 2004.
Through these meetings and seminars, the TWPC aims to establish a
framework for strategies to increase women’s participation in politics
by achieving 30 % of women in politics as targeted by the Beijing
Platform for Action between year 2005-6.
3. Keynote Address
and Panel Discussion “1993-2003 – A Decade of Fighting Violence
Against Women; A Retrospective:
UNIFEM Bangkok
initiated a panel discussion event in the morning of September 24th,
at UNCC Room 3, in cooperation with UN Resident Coordinator office and
Soroptimist International Bangkok.
The event welcomed
Dr. Radhika Coomaraswamy, Chairperson of the
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and former UN Special Rapporteur
on Violence against Women of the UN Commission on Human Rights as a
keynote speaker. At the same time, it hosted H.E. Dr. Andrew
McAlister, Canadian Ambassador to Thailand, Mr. Kraisak Choonhavan,
Chairperson of the Committee on Foreign Relations and Thai Senate,
Ms. Lucita S. Lazo, UNIFEM Bangkok Regional Program Director as
panelists. The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. J.K. Robert
England, United Nations Resident Coordinator and United Nations
Development Program Resident Representative.
The panel discussion
was regarded as an important opportunity to raise awareness and
sensitize general-public on this serious issue of Violence Against
Women. It was also considered as one of few opportunities to exchange
the opinions, experiences and concerns in an informal manner among the
participants with the varied background. More than 100 people
participated in this event representing various UN agencies, civil
society, NGOs, Government agencies, MPs as well as Media, which
indicated high interest among society in women’s human rights issues.
Part II: Activities under the Regional EVAW Programme (RAS/01/W01)
4. Creating a
Regional Parliamentarian Network in Putting EVAW into political agenda
(Component 1):
On February 13, 2003, UNIFEM, with a joint cooperation
with Thai Women Parliamentarians Club organized a half-a-day
conference in Bangkok, inviting H.E. Mu Sochua, Minister of Ministry
of Women’s and Veteran’s Affairs (MWVA) that is directly in charge of
drafting a DV Bill in Cambodia to be the key note speaker. Other
participants included the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Security of Thailand, members of women parliamentarians in Thailand
and representatives of women’s organizations among others.
The DV Draft Bill of
Cambodia is expected to pass by the parliament, after the long effort
from various organizations to realize it. On the other hand, Thailand
is one of the countries that still have not passed DV Law. In order to
successfully put EVAW issue on political agenda more forcibly in
Thailand, UNIFEM realized that it is the right time for the
parliamentarians and women NGOs to get together and share the
experiences of Cambodia.
The workshop
resulted into the following outcomes: experiences and lessons learnt
of advocacy & lobbying strategies and the political process in the
passage of DV Bill of Cambodia are shared; Views & information between
Thai and Cambodian women parliamentarians and; create a network among
Thai and Cambodian women parliamentarians/ organizations are
exchanged.
5.
EVAW Network, Development of a Fund Raising Strategy Plan, Thailand
(Component 1):
With the recognition of under-utilization of the
substantial funds available from the Thai government, UNIFEM supports
the National EVAW Action Network of Thailand to formulate fund raising
strategies to set up a fund for supporting the activities of the EVAW
Network in Thailand. Hotline Center Foundation has been nominated as a
representative organization of the EVAW Network which will take charge
of organizing a series of workshops from April 2003 to March 2004 as
follows:
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Workshop 1 -
Development of the fund raising framework. Brainstorming and
coming into an agreement among the EVAW Network members on selective
areas of activities for raising funds as well as on the framework to
compile all the previous work done.
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Workshop 2 -
Analysis of the experiences.
Listing all the
work/projects implemented previously in order to extract lessons
learned, identify strengths and weaknesses/gaps of the EVAW Network
Activities.
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Workshop 3 -
Development of communication strategies. Identify and invite
resource persons from other expert organizations such as UNICEF to
share their communication strategies for effective fund raising.
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Workshop 4 -
Identification of effective presentation tools.
Identify and
invite resource persons to provide technical assistance in producing
effective presentation tools in fund raising.
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Workshop 5 -
Learning about the government funds. Research and share the
information on available government funds.
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Workshop 6 -
Preparation for the implementation of the fund raising plan.
Nominate the EVAW network members to take charge of the actual
presentation, lobbying and follow-up which includes partnership with
media.
6. E&SE Asia
Regional workshop “Domestic Violence Legislation: Moving towards
Regional Networking and Strategies” to create & strengthen
regional EVAW Network (Component 1):
UNIFEM, in
cooperation with the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security
of Thailand, The Asia Foundation and Forum Asia organized a regional
workshop in Bangkok from 1-3 December 2003. The workshop was
well-attended by about 80 participants who represents EVAW network,
governmental bodies, NGOs and civil Institutions such as academics
from 14 countries in the region; Cambodia, PR China, Timor-Leste,
Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lao PDR, Mongolia, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, New Zealand and Papua New
Guinea.
Prior to the
workshop, UNIFEM Bangkok and the EVAW network organizations had
produced an Advocacy Kit on the rights-based approach to the DV
Legislation as well as on the status quo of DV and the Legislation in
the participating countries, which was contributed by the EVAW network
partners in each country. UNIFEM also produced a poster targeting
young male generations declaring their commitment not to be violent
towards women. The kit and the poster have been distributed to all
the participants, UNIFEM offices in the region, UN Agencies,
International Donors and National Women’s Machineries in the region.
A variety of
activities are already taking place in Cambodia, Philippines and
Thailand to address VAW and to provide services to survivors. However,
more sustained, intensive and consolidated cooperation and
collaboration at the national and regional levels would help overcome
many constrains that have been identified to the elimination of VAW
and pressure governments to place VAW on the national policy agenda.
Effective networking and joint effort will increase collaboration
among and between NGOs, communities and government agencies would
facilitate more effective actions and help civil society and women’s
groups to hold accountable for meeting their obligations under
international conventions such as CEDAW and agreements to address VAW
through effective and appropriately resources policies and programmes.
Hence,
the aim of the workshop was to strengthen the regional network in
order to seek future collaboration and link the EVAW programmes among
the economically advanced countries (Japan South Korea, Singapore, New
Zealand) and the economically developing countries (Cambodia,
Thailand, Indonesia, China, Mongolia, Vietnam, East Timor, Lao PDR and
Philippines). Final report of the workshop is being produced now and
is expected to be available early 2004.
7. Supporting Local
Initiatives to Eliminate Violence Against Women (Component 1):
The 2-year project which started in 2002 and will be coming to an end
by the end of 2003 seeks to strengthen and promote community- and
local-based approaches to eliminate violence against women (VAW). In
particular, it seeks to facilitate the exchange and sharing of
experiences and resources; provide venue for information updating and
skills upgrading, particularly on the rights based approach to VAW as
well as advocate for replication of these approaches. On the second
year, the project will target key policy-makers and public officials
at the local and national levels.
The Over-all/Long-term Objective of the project is to
strengthen and promote local initiatives that seek to eliminate
violence against women (VAW) and Immediate Objectives are as follows:
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To facilitate the
exchange and sharing of experiences and resources among advocates,
practitioners and supporters of local approaches to eliminate VAW.
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To provide a venue
for common information updating and skills upgrading of advocates
and supporters of local approaches to eliminate VAW, particularly on
looking at VAW as a human rights issue.
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To advocate for
the replication of local approaches to eliminate VAW in areas where
it has not been implemented.
In order to achieve
the above-mentioned objectives, PILIPINA, a Pilipino NGO coalition and
an executing agency for this project employed strategies below:
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Networking –
advocates, practitioners and supporters came together at least once
a year for exchange and sharing of experiences and resources. It is
hoped that through this, participants will feel that they are part
of a movement and that they are contributing to a whole and
concerted effort to eliminate VAW.
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Capability-building – the project also filled the need of advocates,
practitioners and supporters for inputs on the state-of-the-art of
the work to eliminate VAW as well as skills upgrading so that they
can continue to effectively and efficiently deliver services on the
ground. Emphasis will be given to the rights based approach and to
promote women’s human rights.
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Advocacy – The
project continued to promote community- and local-based programs to
eliminate VAW from a rights based approach perspective, to other
areas which have not tried it out.
The main activities
to be undertaken include1. Three day national conference on community-
and local-based approaches to eliminate VAW; 2. Writing and
publication of a handbook; and 3. Forum-cum-launching of the handbook.
In the second year (2003), a write-up on the state-of-the-art of
community- and local-based programs to eliminate VAW and promote
women’s human rights was undertaken which was published in handbook
format. A forum-cum-launching of the handbook with policy-makers and
public officials (both local and national) as the primary audience was
also conducted.
8. 16 days Activism on EVAW
(Component 2):
Since 1999, UNIFEM has been sponsoring women
organizations in 8 countries (Cambodia, PR China, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Mongolia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) to initiate
activities in their countries during the 16 days of Activism Against
Gender-based Violence as its annual event. UNIFEM, in collaboration
with the EVAW Network, takes 16-day period to create a solidarity
movement that raises awareness around gender-based violence as a
violation of women’s Human Rights. The movement works to ensure better
protection for survivors of violence and calls for elimination of all
forms of violence against women.
As this year falls as the 10th anniversary of Vienna
Declaration in which women’s rights were globally recognized as human
rights and that violence against women is a serious violation of
women’s human rights. Hence, the theme of this year was entitled
“Violence Against Women violates Human Rights: Maintaining the
Momentum Ten Years after Vienna 1993-2003”. 8 projects in 7 countries
were carried out for this year under the theme, such as Youth Theater
play, mini marathon, street performance and march, award presentation
etc.
As this year is also the final year for the campaign with EVAW Phase
I, UNIFEM subcontracted the consistent partners in the past years in
Thailand and Cambodia to conduct an impact assessment of the past
campaign created on the general public in terms of awareness raising
on VAW issues.
In addition, in cooperation with the Office of Women’s Affairs and
Family Development under the Ministry of Social Development and Human
Security of Royal Thailand, UNIFEM Bangkok Regional Programme
Director, Lucita S. Lazo presented plaques and special white ribbons
at the media conference to 13 outstanding male figures who had
demonstrated true commitment to EVAW on November 6th to
commemorate for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence
Against Women. The similar event was held in PR China, Mongolia and in
the Philippines. The plaque presentation aims to raise public
awareness on VAW issues as well as to encourage man’s participation in
the effort to EVAW.
9. Putting EVAW on Political
Agenda-Philippines: 2003, “From Fear to power: Putting the Elimination
of DV in the National Agenda” (Component 5):
Although the
Philippines is a signatory to the CEDAW and other international
instruments recognizing the rights of women to be free from violence,
discrimination and abuse, it still does not have a legal recognition
of this most common crime against women and other persons perpetrated
within the family. UNFIEM, in partnership with KALAKASAN worked to
implement this project to generate public interest in the issue of DV,
that DV is a violation of women’s human rights so that politicians and
legislators will act on local and national legislation for the
prevention and elimination of DV.
The
ultimate objective is this project is to mobilize the public,
especially
women,
to put pressure on the local government officials to pass the
ordinances against DV and to in turn create a critical mass in key
cities to pressure the National Congress to pass the Law against DV.
The main activities being carried out are the followings for the
duration of 1.5 years:
As part of the
campaign to increase awareness on the issue of domestic violence and
to keep the pressure on our national legislators on the issue,
KALAKASAN initiated the creation of a women’s park in Marikina City to
commemorate the victims of domestic violence. Groundbreaking was held
last December 5, 2002. The project was fully supported by the local
government led by Mayor Marides Fernando and Congressman Del de
Guzman. An artist is currently drafting the whole design of the
park. Mayor Fernando and Congressman Del de Guzman have committed to
help in raising funds for the park in time for Women’s month. A
prayer rally was also held last November 22 with the other members of
the Task Force Maria Teresa Carlson in Mendiola.
City Tours
1. Advocacy for the
implementation of the Domestic Violence Ordinance in Cebu:
On June, 2002 the Sangguniang Panglungsod (City Council) of Cebu City
and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (Provincial Council) of Cebu Province
passed Ordinance No.1938 on Anti-domestic Violence. The Ordinance, a
first in the Philippines, enables a victim residing in Cebu to file a
case and have her abuser arrested. It also provides for Protection
Orders to be implemented by the barangay (village) officials.
However, women’s
groups in Cebu realize that a wide gap exists between policy and its
actual implementation. Continuing information and advocacy is needed
in coordination with the various stakeholders from legislators,
police, village officials, community leaders, women’s groups and
justices in order to ensure that the ordinance is effectively used in
addressing the needs of battered women.
The City Tour in
Cebu had the objective of facilitating discussion among agencies,
organized groups about the practical details in implementing the
ordinance and to inform the public about the existence of such a law
and how they can benefit from it. The foras were successfully held in
four areas within Cebu Province.
2. Advocating
legal and community responses to DV in Bacolod:
In partnership with
the DAWN Foundation, the City Tour in Bacolod served to further
highlight the increasing number of cases of violence against women in
the province. In conjunction with a local TV and radio ad on domestic
violence, the foras aim to discuss ways of addressing domestic
violence in the community thru the passage of an ordinance and by
community based direct actions.
3. City Tours in
Naga, Cagayan de Oro and Baguio City:
The City Tour in
Naga City, Bicol Province was conducted in January while the Tours in
Cagayan de Oro and Baguio City was done in March.
Television
Advertisement
The TV ad is a
30-seconder entitled “Havanah” was aired for 2 weeks at television
channels 5, 9 and 13 for free through a broadcast order made by the
Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the KBP (Kapisanan ng mga
Brodkasters ng Pilipinas). This was made possible by the endorsements
of government agencies which support KALAKASAN’s Domestic Violence
campaign namely the National Police Commission, Department of Social
Welfare and Development and the National Coalition on the Role of
Filipino Women (NCRFW).
The response so far
has been positive. We have had new clients who got the Hotline number
from the TV plug. However, two weeks airtime is short so we are in
the process of negotiating two more rounds of airing time – this
January and on March to commemorate Women’s Month.
10. Training Conference on
Counseling –working together to help and support victims of
gender-based violence, ie. DV, rape and trafficking in Mekong
sub-region (Component 5):
UNIFEM supported GTZ
and the Ministry of Women’s and Veterans’ Affairs (MoWVA) in Cambodia
to organize a 3-day training conference on counseling targeting
Mekong Sub-regional countries such as Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and
Viet Nam. The conference took place at the National Institute for
Public Health in Phnom Penh, Cambodia from November 17-19, 2003.
The conference aimed to improve the services for victims of
gender-based violence in the Mekong sub-region. Women and girls are
exposed to many forms of violence throughout the world. Services often
focus on legal, housing and financial solutions and pay not enough
attention to the emotional damage caused by the violence. World wide
studies show that attending the skilled counseling is essential for
the victims’ recovery.
The
conference sessions provided an initial introduction to counseling to
those who receive victims of gender-based violence including NGOs and
Governmental officers. The conference consisted of various trainings
that provided practical experiences which participants can share in
their organizations back home.
The
training conference adopted participatory teaching methods. With
consent of the participants, the training sessions were videotaped.
Taped sessions with good practices and recommendations from
experienced counselors and trainers were made available for the
participants after the conference.
Part III: Scheduled project for EVAW Programme in 2004 (Jan-March,
2004)
As EVAW Programme is
ending by December 2003, we will spend next 3 months to evaluate and
review each project in order to assess the effectiveness of the models
and approaches taken as well as the impact each project created.
Report should be made available by mid-2004. The findings are to be
reflected in the future projects, possibly in the EVAW phase II.
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Regional network
building and strengthening.
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Fund Raising for
Phase II, with focus on men’s involvement for EVAW.
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Wrap-up of the
remaining projects, internal/external evaluation and reviews of
projects in Phase I.
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Publication of
good-practice in phase I.
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Technical
assistance to Lao Women’s Union in the Domestic Violence.
Legislation drafting process, operating the shelter, capacity
building for LWU to make counseling services available throughout
the country.
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Technical
assistance to Mongolia to draft the National Plan on Domestic
Violence.
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Reorganization of
all the project files and cleaning up of the unused files and
documents for the future reference.
Updated 12Feb2004
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