FAWG Council meetings
The FAWG Council at its meeting on 1/4/09 has agreed to go back to the practice of holding monthly meetings to ensure that we are able to cope with the many activities of the association! The meetings will be held on the first Monday of the month from 1-2pm. The venues will change so please contact a Council member if you wish to attend a meeting.
Film night (s)
We thank the Young Members for their tremendous effort in organizing a series of film nights as part of the celebrations for the 2009 International Women’s Day. The film nights were organized from end of February and during March in conjunction with various High Commissions based in Suva and the Fiji Women’s Rights Movement. The FREE film screenings took place at the FIT Raiwai campus. The films shown were Whale Rider sponsored by the New Zealand High Commission; ‘Educating Rita” sponsored by the British High Commission and “Looking for Alibrandi” sponsored by the Australian High Commission. The sponsors provided refreshments and introduced the films. A donation box was placed at the film venue and the Young Members managed to raise a total of $297.95 for FAWG’s Scholarship Fund.
Monthly luncheons
The first FAWG luncheon for 2009 will now be held on Thursday 16 April at the Fiji Club from 12.45pm – 2pm. The speaker is Ms Anne Fussell, Managing Director, Fiji Times Limited.
Lunch tickets can be obtained from the following Council members: Alani Vuatalevu and Zakia Chand (FIT); Mary Montu, Senimili Vukikomoala and Annabel Boud (USP).
FAWG Triennial conference and BGM
The confirmed date for the Triennial conference and BGM is now Friday 3 and Saturday 4 July 2009. The suggested conference topic Environment and Economy has been taken from the IFUW’s Programme for Action 2007-2010 on the overall theme Women: Agents for Change, Building Sustainable Futures. The venue is the USP, Laucala Campus.
A conference planning committee to be joined by Young Members will be working on developing the topic and making it relevant to the Fiji situation. More information on this should be available in early May 2009.
For your information, the IFUW has proposed that Building Sustainable Environments involves:
Respecting the fragility of the natural environment, the limits of its resources, and the impact of the human activity and decision-making on the environment.
A knowledge of economic activity and its impact on the environment and the consumption of goods and services;
Balancing that knowledge with a concern for social justice and environmental futures.
Priorities for action – Develop gender sensitive programmes and projects that address:
- Environmental decision-making at all levels
- Sustainable urbanization, including housing, energy, water, sanitation and waste management
- Ensuring gender equity in practices of animal husbandry, crop management and trade
- Use of micro-credit for poverty alleviation
- Development of economic capacity
- Access to resources, employment markets, trade and appropriate commercial networks.
FAWG Scholarships
The Scholarship Committee met in March to consider the applications received and agreed to fund 3 students for studies at the Fiji Institute of Technology in 2009. However, the fees for only 2 students have been paid as it appears that the third student has obtained an FAB scholarship. The 2 students for whom fees have been paid are:
Ro Mereani Tuimatanasiga Galuvakadua – Diploma in Electrical Engineering Stage 3
Ema Anna – Diploma in Electrical Engineering Stage 3
The Scholarship Committee will meet again soon to consider the late applications received in the mail and may award another two.
2009 Subs
You are reminded that the 2009 subscriptions are now due. Please contact the Treasurer – Zakia Chand (chand_z@fit.ac.fj) or Secretary – Senimili Vukikomoala (vukikomoala_s@usp.ac.fj) to check on your membership status.
Fellowships
Expression of interest in UNESCO workshop - Pacific Freedom Forum. Building courage under fire and visioning freedom in the Pacific27 April -3 May 2009. The deadline is 3April09 so please contact Lisa Williams-Lahari urgently at lisa.lahari@gmail.com with Project XIX EOI in the subject line and attach your CV.
The Commonwealth Foundation is prepared to consider hosting the placement of suitable candidates for study in the following areas: Agriculture/Fisheries/Forestry; Education, Environment, Governance, Public Health and engineering/Science/Technology. Applications close 30 April 2009. Full details can be found on http://www.cscuk.org.uk/docs/ACUFormFv3final.pdf
IFUW Update March 09 : from Leigh Bradford Ratteree, Secretary General
CSW ADDRESSES FEMINIZATION OF AIDS AND REAFFIRMS NEED FOR WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
The 53rd Commission on the Status of Women adopted a draft resolution calling on Governments to better protect women and girls from HIV infection by creating an enabling environment for women's empowerment, strengthening their economic independence and inheritance and property rights, promoting their human rights and strengthening health care and services, including for sexual and reproductive health. The resolution urged Governments and all relevant stakeholders to help women better access HIV prevention and treatment, and care for others infected with the disease. The Commission called for administrative and other measures to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls as an integral part of national HIV/AIDS response and for Governments to institute and enforce laws to protect them from early and forced marriage and marital rape. The Commission also highlighted the need to improve -- and promote -- the accessibility of quality public health-care services, and design programmes that encourage men's responsibility for home-based care.
The Commission reaffirmed the importance of women's empowerment by calling on Governments, along with the United Nations, civil society and the private sector, among others, to intensify efforts to fully implement the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action, to mainstream gender perspectives into all legislation, policies and programmes, and to incorporate a gender-responsive budgeting process across all policy areas.
- UN Dept. of Public Information. For the complete press release, the full draft conclusions and reports from IFUW's delegation, see http://www.ifuw.org/advocacy/csw.shtml.
ARMENIAN ASSOCIATION PREPARES ALTERNATIVE CEDAW REPORT
The Armenian Association of Women with University Education (AAUWE) co-authored an alternative report to the 43rd Session of the Committee on the Elimination of Dscrimination Against Women (CEDAW) assessing the discrimination Armenian women and girls face in areas such as education, employment and health. For example, the report highlighted the continuing underrepresentation of women in political decisionmaking. There is only one woman minister; only two women deputy ministers out of 65; only one woman regional governor out of 10, only one deputy governer out of 17 and women hold only 8.3% of the top-level positions in local and regional administrations. The report provides a critical analysis and recommendations for action needed to remedy the current problems. For the complete report, see - http://www.ifuw.org/advocacy/docs/2009_AM_CEDAW_AlternativeRpt.pdf.
In each of the CEDAW sessions, official reports from six to twelve countries are reviewed. Alternative reports from civil society partners or coalitions are welcome and are used in evaluating progress Governments are making toward meeting their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. IFUW's Working Group on the Girl Child and the Working Group on Education Advocacy are currently preparing material that will assist other national federations and associations (NFAs) that would like to take part in this process. At 44th Session in New York in June 2009, Argentina, Denmark, Japan, Spain and Switzerland are the countries reporting where IFUW has NFAs. In Geneva in January 2010, Egypt, the Netherlands and Panama will report. IFUW is pleased to accredit one or two representatives to these meetings from NFAs whose countries are reporting, but no funding is available to help with travel or living expenses.
JOIN THE IFUW ADVOCACY NETWORK
Members can receive regular updates on key international issues and IFUW's work with the United Nations and its specialized agencies by joining the IFUW Advocacy Network. To subscribe, send a message stating your name, city, country and national affiliate (or independent member number) to advocacy-sub@ifuw.org.
DAME DAPHNE PURVES REMEMBERS IFUW
IFUW has received a small legacy from Dame Daphne Purves (1908-2008), who served as IFUW President from 1977-1980. She was a noted educationist, who saw education as the key to better conditions for women worldwide and worked passionately through IFUW at the international, national and local levels. Her gift is much appreciated.
UNIVERSITY WOMEN OF ASIA TO MEET IN SINGAPORE, 1-2 MAY 2009
The University Women's Association (Singapore) will host the 8th Triennial Conference of the University Women of Asia (UWA) with the theme "Promoting Financial Literacy Among Women and Girls". Now, more than ever before, in the current economic crisis that is sweeping the world, there is a great need for women and girls to be educated in common financial literacy principles and attain a measure of financial capability that will both enable and empower them in all aspects of their life. The UWA Conference address a wide range of issues, from financial literacy programmes in schools, to debt management, microcredit and planning for retirement. The meeting is open to all IFUW members. For more information see http://www.uwas.org/index.php?click=UWAConference.
FRENCH ASSOCIATION WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARD
The French Association of University Women (AFFDU) has been awarded the 2009 Irene Joliot-Curie Prize for mentoring. This prize, awarded annually by the Ministry of Education and EADS Foundation, was created in 2001 and is awarded every year by Ministry of Education and EADS Foundation to promote women in research and technology in France and to highlight women's exemplary scientific career paths marked by excellence and dynamism. AFFDU was honoured its outstanding work over the years encouraging and mentoring young women entering scientific careers.
ALERT - CONFERENCE SCAMS
Several IFUW members have reported receiving invitations to fictitious conferences. We urge our members to be cautious when registering for conferences that have been advertised on the internet. Do not divulge any personal information or transfer funds until you are certain the event is legitimate. For some hints that a conference might not be real, please see
http://www.ifuw.org/docs/conf-scams.shtml.
IFUW SURVEY OUTCOME AND NEW PROGRAMME FOR ACTION PROCESS
The IFUW Board of Officers and Status of Women Committee (SWC) would like to thank the many members who took part in the 2008/2009 Programme Survey. Dr Marcia Penn, the consultant from the USA who developed the survey, provided the initial analysis. There was general agreement that the current mission of IFUW, “to empower women and girls through lifelong education for leadership, decision-making and peace” is appropriate and should be continued as the organization moves forward. There was also positive confirmation as to the value and creative uses of IFUW’s Programme for Action (PfA) at the national and local level, but a clear desire that themes should be developed as a result of discussions and findings from the Triennial Conference and other interactive communication methods.
As a result, the IFUW Board and SWC have adopted a new process for developing the next PfA, which will give NFAs and members a greater voice. In April 2009, the SWC will issue a first call for programme development input from NFAs and members. This will be followed by two on-line discussions to help identify priority issues for IFUW's work. Several sessions at the 2010 Conference in Mexico City will offer participants an opportunity to define programme priorities further before the adoption of a new PfA. The new PfA material will then be developed following the Conference based on input from this process. More information will be available soon. The full survey analysis can be viewed at: http://www.ifuw.org/docs/2009-survey-analysis.pdf.
NEW DATES FOR 30TH IFUW CONFERENCE - 5 TO 9 AUGUST 2010
In response to the global economic situation, the IFUW Board of Officers and the Mexican Federation of University Women have made every effort to streamline the Conference and minimize costs. As a result the core Conference has been reduced to five days, with the two IFUW Council Meetings and a selection of single to multi-days tours offered pre- and post-Conference. The new dates are 5 to 9 August 2010. Participants will be offered an exciting programme, with a wide choice of activities. Further details on registration and costs will be available at http://www.ifuw.org/meetings/2010.shtml by 1 May 2009.
CALL FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY SEMINAR PAPERS FOR 30th IFUW CONFERENCE - DEADLINE 30 JUNE 2009
The Status of Women Committee is now accepting abstracts for papers to be presented at the 30th IFUW Conference in Mexico City, 5 to 9 August 2010. Twelve seminars will be offered as part of two thematic days with keynote speakers, seminars and workshops addressing Advancing Women Through Lifelong Learning, Challenges to Women's Empowerment in the 21st Century, New Challenges for Sustainable Development, and Towards a Just Society. This is the first and only call for papers. The deadline for submission is 30 June 2009. No abstracts will be accepted after the deadline. Those wishing to submit a paper will find individual seminar topics and submission guidelines attached. They are also available for downloading from http://www.ifuw.org/ifuw2010/seminars/.
BINA ROY PARTNERS IN DEVELOPMENT GRANTS - APPLICATION DEADLINE 30 JUNE 2009
The 2009 Bina Roy Partners in Development Programme (BRPID) competition is now open. Grants ranging from 1000 to 2000 Swiss francs will be offered for a twelve-month period beginning 1 September 2009. Under the new guidelines, national federations and associations (NFAs) in developing countries with a gross national income (GNI) of less than US$10,000 are eligible to apply. All applications must be for new projects related either to IFUW's Strategic Priorities or to the IFUW Programme for Action . The application deadline is 30 June 2009. The BRPID grants will be awarded on a competitive basis and will no longer be linked to IFUW dues. The IFUW Projects Committee will closely monitor the projects selected and will offer assistance with establishing evaluation frameworks. Grants will be paid in three instalments, the second and final payments upon submission of a mid-term report (four to six months after the commencement of the project) and a final report (within two months of the completion of the project period). IFUW will advance 15,000 Swiss francs for the 2009 grants. Donations from IFUW NFAs, branches and individual members received during 2009 will fund projects the following year. The new approach is expected to strengthen NFA project development and implementation capacity and to increase ability to attract outside funding. Additional details and application forms can be found at: http://www.ifuw.org/brpid/index.shtml.
IFUW EMPOWERING WOMEN POSTER COMPETITION - DEADLINE 28 APRIL 2009
Only a few weeks are left to submit entries for IFUW's poster competition designed to raise awareness of the challenges facing women and girls in access education and leadership positions in today's world. All IFUW members are automatically eligible to participate. Each NFA may sponsor up to two entries from artists who are not members. The deadline is 28 April 2009. Full details are available at http://www.ifuw.org/postercomp/.
HEGG HOFFET COMMITTEE UPDATE
The Hegg Hoffet Fund for Displaced Women Graduates provided three grants in 2008: to a Sudanese refugee in Egypt for computer courses, to a Pakistani doctor in Egypt for language courses, and to a Colombian doctor in western Canada for expenses related to nurses' training. The Hegg Hoffet Committee would like to thank the NFAs and local branches who donated a total of 1315 Swiss francs in 2008 to the Fund, which assists women graduates (in special cases tertiary women students) who have been displaced as a result of war, political upheaval or other serious emergencies. They would especially like to thank the Swiss Association and the Canadian Federation for their continuing support of the programme. In addition to raising funds, Committee Members promote personal links between NFAs and the grantees. Prior recipients have provided positive feedback about the success of the grants and the importance of these contacts. Efforts are now underway to advertise the Fund more widely, both through IFUW affiliates and through UN refugee agencies. Additional information about the programme is available at http://www.ifuw.org/hegg-hoffet/.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE SETS PRIORITIES FOR 2009
The Membership Committee met virtually this year, using a phone conference and an on-line team planning tool. Committee Members have been corresponding with potential affiliates in Benin, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Sudan and Tunisia. Applications are already under consideration from groups in Niger and Hungary. The Greek Association has also asked about re-affiliation. Ensuring that new groups are sustainable is a key concern, as many of IFUW's smaller associations are struggling. The Committee has developed a business plan to assist NFAs, which it plans to test in the coming months with some of the new groups. Priorities for 2009 include finding ways to increase NFA reporting of activities, increasing awareness of IFUW among higher education institutions and promoting greater involvement of young members, at both the international and national levels.
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