International Women's Day

In 1975, during International Year of the Woman, the United Nations celebrated March 8 as International Women’s Day.  Two years later the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights to be celebrated each year on March 8.  By adopting this resolution the UN cited that in order to secure peace, social progress and fundamental freedoms for all people in the world women must have active participation and equality.

For women of the world, March 8 signifies a time to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development.  It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.  Each year a different theme is highlighted to mark the day.  In looking at many of the themes studied in the past such as violence against women, gender equality and human rights it seems like we have not made much progress.  Let’s try to make a difference this year!!!

The theme for March 8, 2010 is

Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all!

Over the next few weeks, leading up to March 8, WomenTeachingWomen will not only explore this theme but take specific actions to help make the theme’s message a reality.  Please sign up at womenteachingwomen.blogspot.com to see what you can do!!

Empowering Women In Egypt With Micro-Loans

In Egypt’s densely populated cities, women are especially and unequally affected by limited decision-making power within families, communities and society at large. Ancient laws of inheritance are problematic for women. Single or widowed women can inherit only half of what a man does, and sons inherit a father’s land before the wives do. With little or no inheritance, women face difficulty applying for loans to support themselves and their children. In Cairo, HANDS ALONG the NILE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES(HANDS) Village Partnership program enables women to break the cycle of poverty by granting micro-loans. With such an opportunity, some women buy livestock which will reproduce and provide both food and an income from the eggs, milk or meat. Those with space to garden may buy tools or seeds and grow vegetables for resale. Others purchase textile supplies to produce goods which can be sold in the marketplace. Already, more than 10,000 families have been helped and more than 1,600 new jobs have been created through this program.

"The Gun Women"

     The Turkana are Kenya's third-largest tribe and the second largest group of nomadic pastoralists (after the Maasai). They mostly live in the Turkana District of the rift valley in northwest of Kenya bordering Sudan.  Most of the Turkana people are cattle herders, some engage in small-scale agriculture and fishing on Lake Turkana.  On the Sudanese side of the border is the Taposa community.  Both of these tribes are completely dependent on the land for their sustenance.

      This fertile region (the Nadapal Belt) is also considered one of the most volatile areas in east and central Africa.   The Kenyan and Southern Sudanese security forces have in the recent past engaged each other in violent attacks, as both countries try to secure this green belt, considered the lifeline of the pastoral communities, for themselves.

       Scores of people have been killed and an undetermined number of animals have perished in these renewed hostilities that have derailed any hopes of peace on the Nadapal Belt. Adding to the tension is a persistent drought that has resulted in a shortage of pastureland and water.

        The recurrent attacks and severe drought are threatening the lives of more than 2,000 families in this area. The violence has forced the Taposa people to move to safer areas taking them within what is considered the Turkana land.  In an attempt to claim this land as their own the Toposa’s continually attack the Turkana.  The women and children from the Turkana community are left abandoned in the bush struggling to look for water and grass for their livestock.

        In recent days the Turkana women have joined forces with their husbands to protect their land and livestock.   Speaking on camera the Turkana women expressed their anger and said they had to take up guns to fight for their land and survival.

I just received these pictures from my friend and colleague, Felix Masi (Documentary photojournalist/Co-founder Voiceless Children).  He spent the last week out in the bush taking photos to document this sad story.

Day 16 - Zeinab Eyega

Last day to act....do it now and make a difference in someone's life!!!

http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-16

Day 15 - Ann Curry

Today's honoree.....

http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-15

Tanzania: YWCA Starts Human Rights Program for Women

Makama is a 28 year old housewife who grew up in the village of  Simanjiro on the outskirts of Arusha, Tanzania.  Her family arranged for her to be married at the age of 15 to a 70 year old man.  During this marriage her aged husband’s sons sexually abused and brutally beat her.    Unfortunately this is not an unusual situation and women from the villages around Arusha accept violence against them as part of their daily life. 

A few months ago the YWCA (Young Women’s Christian Association), a non-governmental organization in Tanzania  embarked on a program to offer training to women and children on their rights and domestic violence.  The training is taking place in a church in Arusha and so far has helped women who live in the villages as well as students from the Arusha Secondary School.

       The project faces many challenges because domestic violence and acts of wife beating is part of the tradition for many tribal groups.  It is hoped that attitudes can be changed slowly through the process of education.  The program teaches that it is the responsibility of all people to protect children and women against violence and molestation. 

The objective of the program is to redefine the way women look at their lives and help them to understand what their rights are.  It is hoped that this will produce peaceful family units that will lead the way for  positive futures for the youth in the villages around Arusha.

Day 14 - Humanitarian and Civil Society Organizations Working on the Ground

Two more days to make a difference....

http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/day-14