Following the historic election of the United States to the U.N Human Rights Council, a round table was held at the Department of State to engage experts from the NGO field in a dialogue on strategy as Ambassador Rice prepares to move forward as a representative within the international body.  Representatives of Vital Voices attended the discussion, in which advocates echoed one another in urging that the United States “be bold” in its defense of human rights around the world.  Among specific issue areas mentioned for a role that will be assumed formally in September, women’s rights and violence against women were cited among the highest priorities.  The implementation of collaborative efforts and authentically bi-lateral and multi-lateral diplomacy were agreed to be essential methods of advocacy and activism on the part of the United States as the nation advances issues of human rights to the forefront of international political agendas.

At the 62^nd convening of the World Health Assembly, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke forcefully, castigating international signatories that have stood idly while maternal mortality remains “the slowest moving target of all the Millennium Development Goals.” Adamant in his conviction, Ban Ki-moon maintains that there is “no single issue that ties together the security, prosperity, and progress of our world than women’s health;” he cites the “damning statistics” complied by UN agencies that estimate 500,000 mothers die from complications during pregnancy and child birth each year.

In this, a “critical juncture for global health,” the Secretary General mentions the recent H1N1 influenza virus as the most recent reminder of the interconnected character of a globalized world. Pointedly, evocatively, he cautions: “Geography does not guarantee immunity. A threat to one is a challenge to all.”

Maternal health is widely recognized as an indicator of development within a state, the reverberations of which are reflected both positively and negatively throughout a society. In present, economically troubling conditions, concerns for women’s health have been shuffled further down the line in panicked triage schemes, which Ban Ki-moon warns may have devastating effects: “Children start falling ill again from preventable diseases. Families suffer. Communities break down. In the blink of an eye, the damage to generations can be too far gone. That is why I say that cutting investment on health at times of recession is not just morally wrong, it is economically foolish.”

Echoing the call of international NGOs and greater civil society, the Secretary General concluded in urging the adoption of an authentically collaborative spirit among governments and organizations, insisting that indeed we can only “move forward by thinking imaginatively…continu[ing] to connect our common challenges.” The impassioned Secretary General issued a call to action declaring that “In the 21st century, no woman should have to give her life to give life.”

Resilience and solidarity: our best response to crisis -Speech of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, WHO

Earlier this week, human rights campaigner Soraya Sobharang submitted testimony via video from Kabul before a House of Commons committee in Canada to express her concern regarding the possibility of new family law that would grant Sunni men sweeping rights over their wives.  Thought to be modeled after legislation signed into law this March by President Hamid Karzai, the proposed measure would replicate restrictions made on the Shia minority of Afghanistan, including provisions for the legitimization of a husband’s demand for sex from his wife.  The March signing provoked an eruption of criticism from human rights organizations around the world.  Fears that a male-dominated parliament will approve the measure and subsequently weaken proposed legislation regarding punishment for domestic violence are certainly warranted.
Afghan women fear onerous new rape law in works -GoogleNews

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Joyce Banda has officially been confirmed as Vice President of Malawi, the first female to hold this seat in the nation.  Chosen to run alongside incumbent President Mutharika, Banda served as a candidate for the Democratic Progressive Party in one of the most peaceful and well-organized elections of African history.

This remarkable development is not without some disappointment for proponents of women’s participation in politics –of a record 232 female candidates for parliament, just over 40 were successfully elected this May.  An initiative known as the ’50-50’ campaign has been largely responsible for the promotion of the practical involvement of women within the political sphere of Malawian life.  In this most recent electoral contest, the surprising losses of female representative seats occur in the backdrop of a historic win at the Executive level of government.

Having personally experienced the social and economic inequities of life as an impoverished Malawian woman, Banda formed a National Association of Business Women with the intention of enabling women to raise themselves from poverty through the employ of self-sufficient and sustainable businesses.  A shining example for struggling young women of Malawi, Joyce Banda will introduce a unique perspective to her newfound position in government.

Vital Voices congratulates Vice President Banda on her victory, and anticipates the realization of her admirable plans for the women and larger society of Malawi in the years to follow.

MALAWI: MALAWI HAS FIRST FEMALE VICE PRESIDENT -iKNOW Politics

In the eve of impending elections, Mauritanian women’s groups have recently constructed an agenda for the advancement of women’s rights within the African nation.  A regrettable attendance rate informs that 2 out of 5 young girls are never enrolled in primary education, and less than 50% of those fortunate enough to attend secondary schools complete their formal education.  Maternal mortality is especially high, with injuries and disabilities widely suffered by young women who survive childbirth.  Mariam Mustapha, a women’s rights activist, laments a reality that has dictated that male politicians only remember women’s issues at the time of an election, only to “close their doors” to women constituents after securing seats as representatives.

Mustapha describes an innovative method to mobilize Mauritanian women by ensuring that “this time around we are all active on the ground” in support of “a strong and unified position that will serve as a common platform for all of us.”  Among the chief issues of women’s development being promoted, equitable access to credit, the elimination of discriminatory and harmful traditional practices, and an increase in political appointments and participation of women are notable examples.  With national elections set to take place on June 6^th, which include a presidential contest, the women of Mauritania are actively working to unite voters and advance women’s issues to the lasting forefront of political concerns.

POLITICS-MAURITANIA: ‘Justice and Equality for All’ -IPS News

In the two months preceding the June 2008 presidential election in Zimbabwe, nearly 2000 women were raped in torture camps and rural villages of the nation.  The elections were a second-round attempt at democracy following then-candidate Morgan Tsvangirai’s removal of his name for consideration after state-sponsored attacks on his supporters.  After allegedly failing to achieve the margin required to take power in a first round of balloting, Tsvangirai refused to honor the widely contested elections, leaving President Robert Mugabe as the sole candidate and ushering in a political stalemate until the signing of a Global Political Agreement establishing a government of national unity.

The Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) released a statement earlier this month calling for the institution of a Truth and Reconciliation Commission as a necessary component for the promotion of peace: “Attempts of national healing and reconciliation without justice provide a short-lived remedy to conflict.”  The human rights organization recalls “massive, calculated and targeted violence” in the time of the first and second election rounds, displacing over 200,000 Zimbabweans.

At the launch of a documentary on the widespread sexual violence perpetrated in Zimbabwe, women’s rights activist Kudakwashe Chitsike said “We urge the Zimbabwean government to incorporate all signed human rights instruments relating to women into domestic law, particularly the South African Development Community Protocol on Gender and Development,” which was signed in Johannesburg in 2008.  An ‘Organ of National Healing’ has been created by the unity government, but it is yet uncertain whether there will be a commission element to the agency; the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s office responsible for National Healing and Reconciliation has commented “We are going to do what the people of Zimbabwe want…If they are demanding a reconciliation commission…we are going to set it up.”

Recognizing that any semblance of peace will not endure within a political culture of impunity, we echo the call for a redress of the sexual violence inflicted on thousands.

RIGHTS-ZIMBABWE: Women Call for Truth, Justice and Reconciliation -IPS News

WCoZ’s Demands in the Transitional Process of Zimbabwe - Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe: Women Call for Truth Commission, Gender Equity -AllAfrica.com

Often weathered by virtue of their field, microenterprises are adept at basic survival, a quality that is sustaining Peruvian women amidst a global financial crisis. Sonia Arenaza, a Peruvian member of microfinance network ACCION International, attests to the characteristic resilience of microenterprises: “Microbusiness owners have always operated in tough conditions. For them, there has always been a crisis.” The role of women in microenterprise has historically confirmed development theories that dictate women produce double dividends when actively involved in development investments; the positive impact of microcredit is felt not only in the immediacy of the individual’s situation, but as well in the family and greater society of the woman.

Arenaza speaks to the endurance of women microbusiness owners, insisting that “during this time of global financial crisis, women who run microbusinesses are doing a better job at withstanding the negative effects…they are performing better in financial and entrepreneurial terms.” An estimated 3 million microbusinesses are contributing substantially to the continued employment of millions in Peru.

A growing awareness of the effectiveness of microcredit and microenterprise was recently highlighted by President Obama as he spoke at the fifth Summit of the Americas. The American President announced the formation of a microfinance fund for the promotion of development in the Western Hemisphere.

PERU: Microbusiness Helps Women Weather Crisis -IPS News

Trainers from the UN peacekeeping mission in Liberia, UNMIL, recently conducted a mock hostage exercise for visiting Security Council ambassadors, showcasing the innovative methods and capacity of female-dominated Liberian security forces. President Sirleaf, the first woman elected president of Liberia, has teamed with Ellen Margrethe Loj, the senior UN official in Liberia, to design a model whereby women are the empowered leaders addressing and overcoming challenges of corruption and lawlessness. Habits of a 14-year civil war have permeated Liberian society, emerging in forms of sexual violence such as the brutality of mass rape. As she seeks to forge peace, to introduce as viable the concept of peace itself, President Sirleaf is compounding this effort with a potentially transformative initiative of women’s empowerment.

An all-female police unit comprised of 130 Indian women trains Liberian female officers and defies perceptions that would dictate Liberian women are helpless to defend themselves against sexual violence. Commander Annie Abraham has witnessed “Liberian women seizing the opportunity to assert their rights,” adding that the impact is truly societal, “we have also been able to change the perception of the Liberian men. They feel their women can do much more.”

Posters hang throughout the capital, announcing it is “Time to rebuild mama Liberia, not time to destroy her.” From the heaviest burdens of a failed state, relief rises from a discounted resource –the women of Liberia.

In 2006, Vital Voices inaugurated the Global Trailblazer Award in honor of President Sirleaf, the first democratically elected African woman to serve as head of state. We only continue to be encouraged by the accomplishments of this remarkable leader, herself an impetus for positive reform within and without Liberia.

UN Endorses Johnson Sirleaf’s Liberia Turnaround Effort -VOA News

Thuraya Judi Alwazir is one of 21 women seated as judges on the Palestinian Authority’s Judicial Authority; this judicial branch of the Palestinian Authority (PA) is comprised of a total of 180 judges.  There has recently been an initiation by donor parties to the PA for the concentrated effort of government to encourage female participation in civil institutions, the intended effects of this initiation appear to be gaining momentum.

An assured and insightful voice on the status of women unique to Palestine, Judge Alwazir shares her experience within the first Arabic society to appoint female judges, insisting that the consequences of a protracted political struggle endemic to the region have been strangely fortuitous for the progress of women’s rights. She explains that “Palestinian women have long stood alongside men in the struggle for freedom and independence. Women have been forced through circumstance to take on all the traditional roles and responsibilities of men, with so many men being killed and imprisoned by Israelis, so the concept of a woman as equal is not something new.”

In regions where poverty is absolute, however, the more archaic, patriarchal habits do take precedence over gender equality; young sons are first to benefit from formal education.  Admittedly, there remains great progress to be achieved within Palestine, yet Judge Alwazir stands as an example of realized potential for the younger women of her generation.

Q&A: ‘More Women Need to Judge’ -IPS News

South Asia Director of UNICEF Daniel Toole recently expressed concern as families in Afghanistan become increasingly fearful of sending their young daughters to school while anti-government and Taliban attacks on education centers are pronounced.  With dismay and uneasiness, Toole reported that the state of education for girls was “probably worse now than a year ago…reversing a trend of improvements over the last few years.”  He added, reflectively, “In general, the situation is so much better than three or four years ago…we have to recognize that.”  UNICEF estimates that there are 1.7 million girls presently enrolled in schools across Afghanistan, while only 18% of Afghan women can read and write.  Taliban rule from 1996-2001 had imposed a comprehensive ban on the education of all girls, and though laudable progress has been made, there remains a significant, marginalized effort to move forward on universal education for all Afghan children.  Vital Voices will monitor this developing situation of an arrant abuse of the basic human right to education, recognizing that the education of young girls is integral to the progress of a larger movement for the actualization of human rights.

Attacks threaten gains to Afghan girls’ education: U.N. -Reuters