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IWTC Women's GlobalNet
#241 This issue is by Isha Dyfan,
IWTC Programme Director: Human Rights, Human Security, Women
in the Peace-Building Process WOMEN FIGHT TO KEEP HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE STAGE Ten years after the World Conference on Human Rights in
Vienna, -a conference transformed by women activists into
one that placed women’s human rights centre stage on the
global agenda-, women continue the struggle to ensure that
their rights are effectively implemented. However, there are
some bright moments to report, including the following
awards recently made to outstanding women and groups who are
leading the fight on behalf of women’s human rights. UNITED NATIONS AWARDEES FOR THE 2003 PRIZE IN THE FIELD
OF HUMAN RIGHTS: On December 2nd, 2003, the UN announced six
recipients for its quinquennial (5 years) prize in the field
of human rights. The six awardees were honoured at
ceremonies that took place at UN Headquarters in New York on
December 10, 2003, International Human Rights Day. Three of
the awardees were women and/or women’s groups. They are: 1. The Mano River Women’s Peace Network (MARWOPNET), a
network of women’s organizations from Sierra Leone, Liberia,
and Guinea working for regional peace and security through
advocacy, conflict prevention and resolution and peace
building. MARWOPNET has been active at both the grassroots
level and the highest levels of government and in 2001
played an instrumental role in bringing the three leaders of
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to the peace table, thus
averting the outbreak of hostilities between the three
countries. More recently, MARWOPNET was a delegate, mediator
and signatory to the Liberian peace talks in August 2003. 2. Ms. Shulamith Koenig, honoured for creating a global
human rights culture through her establishment of the
People’s Decade for Human Rights Education. Specific
attention is drawn to her work to support the UN Decade for
Human Rights Education; her initiation of the “Human Rights
Cities” project, a 3-year global program to be implemented
in 30 cities and train 500 young community leaders in
strengthening human rights, civil society and democracy; and
her tireless work with human rights advocates and community
leaders in more than 60 countries to promote societal change
through human rights education. 3. Sra. Enriqueta Estela Barnes de Carlotto for her work
as President of the Association of Plaza de Mayo
Grandmothers. The association was established in response to
the forced or involuntary disappearance of hundreds of
children following the military coup in Argentina in 1976
when children were either abducted with their parents, or
born in clandestine detention centres for young pregnant
women. Since then, Sra. Barnes de Carlotto and the
Association of the Plaza de Mayo Grandmothers have located
many missing and kidnapped children and restored them to
their rightful families. For more information on any of these awards visit the
website of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR) at: < GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP FOR KNOWLEDGE (GPK) GENDER AND ICT AWARD Amongst the many awards presented by GPK at a special function at the World Summit of the Information Society in Geneva last week was the Gender and ICT Award for the category of Outstanding Multi-Stakeholder Initiative, National/Local. This award, sponsored by GPK in partnership with the APC Women’s Networking Support Programme (APC/WNSP) went to Isis-WICCE (Women’s International Cross Cultural Exchange) for their initiative in “Documenting Experiences of Women in Situations of Armed Conflict in Uganda.” Isis-WICCE through its three programme areas, the Exchange Programme, Information and Documentation Programme and the Publication Programme uses information networks to overcome gender inequalities. For more information on the Awards, visit <http://www.genderawards.net/>. You can also find out more about Isis WICCE by visiting their website at <http:// www.isis.or.ug>
PERDITA HUSTON HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD Dr. Sima Samar, Chair of the independent Afghanistan Human Rights Commission, Afghanistan’s first human rights commission, was this year’s recipient of the Perdita Huston Human Rights Award. Dr. Samar oversees the conduct of human rights education programmes, the implementation of a nationwide women’s rights education program, and the monitoring and investigation of human rights abuses. Honoring the memory of Perdita Huston, author and journalist, the Award recognizes outstanding advocates for women’s rights in the Third World PLEASE NOTE: There is a February 1, 2004 deadline for nominations for the 2004 Perdita Huston Award. For more information, visit the website at <http://perditahustonaward.com>
IWTC Women's GlobalNet is a production of:
International Women's Tribune Centre
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