iKNOW E-Discussion on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics
The International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics is pleased to invite you to join its first moderated E-Discussion on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics, to take place from 10-14 December 2007. Violence or the threat of violence has been identified by members of the iKNOW Politics community -as well as through global and regional meetings of women politicians and their supporters sponsored by iKNOW partner organizations- as a significant impediment to women’s political participation. While crimes of violence against women in politics are receiving increasing international attention, the attention is often limited to high profile cases, while the overall scale of such violence – including violence occurring at the local level - remains underreported and under documented. It is in this context that we launch the E-Discussion on Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics, aiming to strengthen the knowledge base on violence against women in politics. To participate in the discussion, visit www.iknowpolitics.org and create an account. After creating an account you may subscribe to the e-discussion forum by clicking on the “E-Discussion” link in the right menu bar on the iKNOW Politics homepage. Please contact connect@iknowpolitics.org with any questions. iKNOW Politics, the first global networking platform for women political leaders and their supporters, is a joint initiative of UNIFEM, UNDP, NDI, IPU and International IDEA.
Thanks to iKNOW Politics for
Thanks to iKNOW Politics for suggesting this important topic for discussion. At my organization, Women's Edge Coalition, we work to promote women's economic opportunity, but have come to focus on the issue of gender-based violence because of its direct link to women's poverty and economic and political development.
It is generally known that gender-based violence is an extreme human rights violation, but the policymakers and other audiences we work with in the U.S. do not necessarily realize the pervasiveness of the problem and that it is also a major impediment to women's political and economic participation, to civil society building, and to the overall economic and political stability of countries. For example, a World Bank study found that women in Colombia who suffer physical violence have 14 percent lower earnings than women who do not, costing the nation an equivalent of 0.85 percent of the 2003 Colombian Gross Domestic Product.
One of the ways we are working to address gender-based violence is through S.2279, the International Violence Against Act. In partnership with Family Violence Prevention Fund and Amnesty International USA, we've led a coalition of about 150 groups from across the women's, faith-based, development, humanitarian, health, HIV/AIDS, education, legal reform, UN and other communities to develop a piece of U.S. legislation with U.S. Senators Biden and Lugar to integrate efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women across U.S. foreign assistance programs.
The intention is for U.S. international assistance efforts to collaborate with multi-lateral partners and overseas groups to scale up and design programming to address gender-based violence in a comprehensive, multi-sectoral way because stand-alone programs are not enough. (If you are interested in reading more about this effort, please visit www.womensedge.org.). I would be very interested in learning about other complementary efforts by the iKNOW community and if/how we can link our work.
Violence remains inevitable!
For as long as women remain denied of their opportunities to active participation, for as long as women are victimized, scandalized and blackmailed whilst in public offices, for as long as the leadership of women is not appreciated - the violence will continue!
Its is ineffective to address violence without addressing the peculiarly backward place the female gender has especially in Africa.
When the a girl child is appreciated at birth, the young girl isn't given away in marriage; when the female is allowed to attain the highest heights in the education an other spheres, then violence against women not only in politics, but in the diverse spheres of life will stop.
Emilia!
Thanks to iKNOW Politics for
Thanks to iKNOW Politics for suggesting this important topic for discussion. At my organization, Women's Edge Coalition, we work to promote women's economic opportunity, but have come to focus on the issue of gender-based violence because of its direct link to women's poverty and economic and political development.
It is generally known that gender-based violence is an extreme human rights violation, but the policymakers and other audiences we work with in the U.S. do not necessarily realize the pervasiveness of the problem and that it is also a major impediment to women's political and economic participation, to civil society building, and to the overall economic and political stability of countries. For example, a World Bank study found that women in Colombia who suffer physical violence have 14 percent lower earnings than women who do not, costing the nation an equivalent of 0.85 percent of the 2003 Colombian Gross Domestic Product.
One of the ways we are working to address gender-based violence is through S.2279, the International Violence Against Act. In partnership with Family Violence Prevention Fund and Amnesty International USA, we've led a coalition of about 150 groups from across the women's, faith-based, development, humanitarian, health, HIV/AIDS, education, legal reform, UN and other communities to develop a piece of U.S. legislation with U.S. Senators Biden and Lugar to integrate efforts to prevent and respond to violence against women across U.S. foreign assistance programs.
The intention is for U.S. international assistance efforts to collaborate with multi-lateral partners and overseas groups to scale up and design programming to address gender-based violence in a comprehensive, multi-sectoral way because stand-alone programs are not enough. (If you are interested in reading more about this effort, please visit www.womensedge.org.). I would be very interested in learning about other complementary efforts by the iKNOW community and if/how we can link our work.
Violence remains inevitable!
For as long as women remain denied of their opportunities to active participation, for as long as women are victimized, scandalized and blackmailed whilst in public offices, for as long as the leadership of women is not appreciated - the violence will continue!
Its is ineffective to address violence without addressing the peculiarly backward place the female gender has especially in Africa.
When the a girl child is appreciated at birth, the young girl isn't given away in marriage; when the female is allowed to attain the highest heights in the education an other spheres, then violence against women not only in politics, but in the diverse spheres of life will stop.
Emilia!