WASHINGTON – The Save Darfur Coalition is observing the internationally-observed “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” between November 25, 2009 (International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women) and December 10, 2009 (International Human Rights Day). For each of the 16 days, the coalition’s unique campaign will honor a leader in the fight to empower, protect and uplift women in Sudan and offer a corresponding action for activists.

The global “16 Days” campaign began in 1991 at the Center for Global Women’s Leadership at Rutgers University, and is observed by thousands of organizations across the globe. The Save Darfur Coalition is raising awareness about the endemic rape and sexual violence in Darfur by honoring 16 trail-blazing individuals or groups who are:

· Fighting to end violence in Darfur

· Promoting the empowerment of Sudanese women

· Contributing to a lasting peace in Sudan.

Daily actions taken by activists will range from contacting their members of Congress and local media to educating their communities about the ongoing suffering in Sudan. The “16 Days” initiative is part of the Save Darfur Coalition’s ongoing advocacy efforts to combat the epidemic of sexual violence in Darfur and provide comprehensive services to survivors.

A calendar with complete bios and detailed actions can be found at: www.savedarfur.org/16days

By Rene Devis, Heritagekonpa Magazine, Photo by Richarson Dorvil

The seed for the first Haitian Woman’s Business Convention was planted in 2003 to empower and enhance enhance women business owners and their businesses.

The 2009 convention, “Femmes Création et Production ”, provides business opportunities, panel discussions and a business expo to over 500 women from around the country. Convention attendees were also giving hands-on information on how to achieve financial literacy, balance a budget, accountability and means to healthy business choices.

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by Edwin Xol, Coordinator for FAES Network of Central American Grant Recipients

Translated by Daniela Martínez and Libby Mota, Vital Voices Guatemala

Guatemala, October 2009. On October 17, 23 young adults from the departments of Guatemala, Petén, Zacapa, Quiché, San Marcos, Alta Verapaz, and Retalhuleu received their diplomas for the completion of a course in Local Political Leadership. Seven of these participants were emerging women leaders that were empowered and trained to become the next generation of political actors in Guatemala.

This course, which was carried out between June and October 2009 at the Francisco Marroquín University (UFM) campus in Guatemala City, was organized by the Network of Central American Grant Recipients of the Foundation for Analysis and Social Studies (FAES), by Vital Voices Guatemala, and by UFM’s the Institute for Political Studies and International Relations (EPRI).

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Among the notable honorees at this year’s Glamour Women of the Year Awards, held in New York City, were the Women of Iran’s One Million Signatures Campaign. Vital Voices President & CEO, Alyse Nelson, and Vice President of Development, Mary Kopper, attended the presentation of the awards, which recognized the remarkable courage of this group of women to organize and advance a movement for their equality. Three years ago, the One Million Signatures Campaign was created with the aim of collecting one million signatures in support of a petition asking the Iranian Parliament to revise and reform laws that discriminate against women. The women have since faced tremendous pressure and intimidation, all having placed their lives at risk for the sake of the campaign for equality. One campaign member, Sussaan Tahmasebi, recalls the initial response to the campaign in an interview with Glamour: “We never imagined we’d be met with so much resistance. Our demands were so basic.” More than 50 members of the campaign have been arrested by authorities, punished with “everything from lashings to solitary confinement in prison,” writes Glamour. The campaign has thus been moved underground, with members holding meetings in secret as they try to work below the government radar. Several of the women to be honored were prevented from leaving Iran to attend the awards, further underscoring their bravery in the face of continued risk.

The Women of Iran’s One Million Signatures Campaign: The Activists: Women of the Year -Glamour

On November 16, Vital Voices and Diane von Furstenberg presented Vital Voices’ Global Leadership Award Honoree Chouchou Namegabe of the Democratic Republic of Congo at a luncheon in the DVF Studio in New York City. Chouchou spoke on the current crisis in the Congo, especially regarding the devastating effects of the ongoing conflict over women’s rights and security. The well-attended event included business executives, human rights advocates, and broadcast journalists including Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts from Good Morning America; Ann Moore, President of Time Inc; fashion designer, Dana Buchman and actor, Lorraine Bracco. Several attendees, inspired by Chouchou, offered their support in the form of generous donations of time and resources, and funds, including offers to host future events and to travel with our programs as speakers, trainers, or corporate ambassadors.

This month, we would like to update our network on the work of Marina Pisklakova, Russian domestic violence advocate and 2004 Vital Voices Global Leadership Award honoree.

Marina Pisklakova, a member of the Vital Voices Leadership Network and founding member of the Advisory Council, openned the first domestic violence crisis hotline in Russia. Her organization, National Center for the Prevention of Violence – ANNA (Association – No to Violence), is a regional non-governmental non-profit organization focused on prevention of violence and development of services for women survivors of violence. By conducting educational and prevention programs, collaborating with mass media to raise awareness, and providing legal aid and psychological support, ANNA is assisting survivors of domestic violence across Russia, with more than 40 centers currently operating.

In 2008, ANNA created the National Independent Commission on Women’s Human Rights and Violence Against Women. The commission recently released a new report entitled “Territory of Silence.” Analyzing statistical research, the commission found that violence occurs in one in four families, and each year 14,000 women die as a result of spousal abuse in Russia.

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November 25 marked the 10^th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Vice President Biden released a statement to commemorate the day, saying:

“Violence against women is found in every culture around the world. It is one of our most pervasive global problems, yet it is preventable…I urge all Americans to join with the international community in calling for an end to these abuses.”

Biden further noted that violence against women results not only in human suffering, but has considerable social and economic costs as well, since “violence robs women and girls of their full potential.” Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, released a statement on the day echoing the Vice President’s remarks in calling for action on the part of the United States and the international community to “end impunity for perpetrators of gender based violence.” Ambassador Rice cited research from UNIFEM to illustrate the scope of violence against women:

“Up to seventy percent of women have experienced physical or sexual violence by men…The ability of all women and girls to live free from abuse and fear is a fundamental human right.”

Statement by Vice President Biden- White House

Statement by Ambassador Susan Rice- United States Mission to the United Nations

Rehmah Kasule, center, addresses the crowd in Kampala, Uganda.

On November 21, Uganda joined the other six countries around the world to participate in the Global Mentoring Walk 2009.

During the FORTUNE/US State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Program in May 2009 one lady at AXA Equitable asked me the three things that if I had that would have made my life better. This was indeed an “A-ha” moment for me… This is a question that had gone through my mind for years. My answer was: “If I had proper guidance, support networks and self belief, my journey would have been simpler and better.” Coming back home, mentoring other women has become my mission - to support and guide women in Uganda by starting Mentoring Clubs which will help girls in school, women in employment and women entrepreneurs to unleash their potential.

The major purpose of the Uganda mentoring walk was rooted in Augusto Lopez-Claros’ quote “It is indeed very likely that there is a strong and positive correlation between Africa’s economic growth and the unleashing of female talent”. My objectives were:

· To raise awareness about Mentoring as a key tool for personal development.

· To bring together women professionals and emerging women professionals in mentoring partnerships in order to create a network of role models.

· To illustrate women’s dedication to building leadership and spotlight the accomplishments of women in Uganda.

· To initiate a series of activities which will identify, guide and support young women “to lead a life of Choice not Chance” so that they make a positive transition into adulthood.

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On November 18, the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs presented “A Conversation with Dr. Helene D. Gayle” as part of its Distinguished Women in International Affairs series. CARE President and CEO Dr. Gayle touched upon a range of topics, including women and development, climate change, health, and foreign assistance reform.

Dr. Gayle highlighted CARE’s emphasis on capacity-building and country-led reform, with the majority of their staff being natives of the countries they work in. She explained how CARE decided to take a major stand in not accepting monetization funds two years ago, despite losing $45 to 55 million. CARE’s leadership has drawn attention to the fact that transporting food from the U.S. to developing nations is highly inefficient and breeds dependence. Monetization is currently being discussed as a major aspect of foreign assistance reform.

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Vital Voices Global Partnership is thrilled to have been able to help coordinate the 2009 Global Women’s Mentoring Walk on Saturday, November 21, 2009, where women leaders across the globe walked to support the next generation of aspiring women professionals.

The 2009 walks built upon the success of the 2008 Inaugural Mentoring Walks held in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Peru, and Serbia. This year, mentoring walks were held in 6 different countries across the globe including Argentina, Egypt, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia. Vital Voices had a staff presence at the walks in Argentina, Malawi and Uganda.

At the walk in Kampala, Uganda, Vital Voices Global Programs Manager Alyson Wise was accompanied by Geraldine Laybourne, Founder and former CEO of Oxygen Media. Ms. Laybourne’s yearly discussions with participants of the FORTUNE/US State Department Global Women Leaders Mentoring Partnership largely focus on her own efforts to empower young women professionals through mentoring walks in New York City and across the United States.

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