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Interview by Inter Press Service with Gigi Francisco
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The 56th session of the Commission on the Status of Women is on now at the UN Headquarters (27 Feb to 9 Mar 2012). The priority theme is the empowerment of rural women & their roles in poverty & hunger eradication, development & current challenges. In this article, DAWN Global Coordinator Gigi Francisco responds with some cautionary notes on current utilitarian approaches to gender & development, & highlights key achievements & gaps in transformative work toward gender equality.
Women, Victims of War, No Seat at the Negotiating Table: Excerpted from Thalif Deen's Article, Inter Press Service http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=106866Gigi Francisco, the Philippines-based general coordinator of Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN), told IPS that amidst the backdrop of uncertain times for economies worldwide and re-commitments made by the international community to ending poverty and achieving sustainable development, there is a more deliberate focus on ordinary women’s roles in production and consumption across the economic south.
By relieving women’s practical burdens linked to their gender roles, it is assumed that women and their families will become more efficient in accessing and distributing resources that would eventually redound to some degree of empowerment, she said.
At the same time, Francisco pointed out, when women become more efficient in performing their roles, the rest of the society and the entire economy benefit.
Focusing on the issues and concerns of grassroots women is the right thing to do. “However, what is fundamentally wrong with this approach is that without a women’s rights perspective the focus on efficiency confers entitlements to poor women solely on the basis of their labour,” she added.
As well, the approach does not lead to any transformation of the existing gender division of labour that positions women in a subordinated way within families and societies, she added. And being less poor does not mean that the gender gap had become less unequal.
Asked about gender progress, Francisco said the rise in the number of women entering official positions of power and authority at local, national, regional and global levels is a major achievement in one key aspect of gender equality.
While institutional arrangements and mechanisms for gender equality have provided the framework in progressively realising gender balance in political reforms, changes could not have taken place without the actions by women’s rights advocates and movements that pushed gender equality issues to the realm of public deliberations and resistances.
“In celebrating women who are in positions of power, we must remember that firstly, the situation for women leaders across and within countries considerably vary,” Francisco said.
“Secondly, that gains, even the celebrated ones, may be transient and seriously threatened by a host of neo-conservative reactions that emerge from simultaneous upheavals and uncertainties, and thirdly, powerful women will need to be assessed not in terms of how long they remain as poster girls for gender equality but in terms of their concrete contributions to ensuring that the rights and well-being of ordinary women are secured and promoted.
“And that the processes of governance at all levels remain accountable to women’s rights organisations and movements,” she said.
Related to this, she said, is a big challenge that UN Women now has to face: how it will work out its mechanisms and processes of partnership with and accountability to the women’s movements in a transparent and consultative way.
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Police Shut Down FWRM 25th Birthday Retreat
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DAWN urges the Fiji government to immediately rescind their close-down order so that the FWRM Strategic Retreat can go ahead. Further, we call for an end to the current renewals to the Public Emergency Regulations (PER) so that civil society, government and the wider community in Fiji can properly plan for free and fair elections.
The Fiji’s Women’s Rights Movement’s (FWRM) retreat and planning at the Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbor was shut down by police. Two staff members were taken in for questioning. It was noted that another NGO was holding a strategic planning event at the same venue and this event was not interrupted or by the Police.
At around 9.30am, a police officer, from the Central Investigation Department asked the hotel event coordinator whether FWRM had a permit. The information was relayed to the FWRM Executive Director, Virisila Buadromo, who informed him that the event was an internal FWRM planning. 25 representatives of the FWRM staff, management board and partners were spending three days reflecting on their achievements over 25 years.
Despite assurances from Buadromo that the gathering was part of FWRM’s annual internal planning of which a permit was not required, the police insisted that she be taken in for questioning to the Pacific Harbor station. He reiterated that FWRM had contravened provisions of the Public Emergency Regulations (PER). When Buadromo agreed to accompany him with a lawyer, he insisted that a lawyer’s presence would not be needed.
However Buadromo insisted that it was within her rights.
At the police station, Buadromo was accompanied by FWRM lawyer, Roshika Deo, and were told to wait while “he consulted his superiors.” During that time, Buadromo called several women human rights defenders to inform them of what was happening as well as a human rights lawyer. She was advised by the lawyer to request that her statement be given in Suva in his presence. However this request was denied by the police.
After half an hour of phone calls between the police officer and someone at the Suva CID headquarters, Buadromo and Deo, were informed that charges would not be pressed, the meeting had to be dispersed and that this should be viewed as a “warning.” Whilst waiting at the station, a police officer told Deo “it’s because you are an activist that is why they have brought you in …..to check!”
Buadromo and Deo returned to the Pearl Resort with the police officer to confirm the FWRM planning was shut down. In the last 10 minutes (11.30am Fiji Time), the police have returned stating that a senior intelligence officer from CID HQ was on his way to ask further questions. When inquired whether this was an official investigation, he was hesitant to confirm or deny.
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Campaign for Democratic and Progressive Constitution
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WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS THRASED AND DETAINED
Despite the call for a nationwide strike by a respective political party, the Women's Campaign for Democratic and Progressive Constitution defied this call, and continued their campaign for the 23rd Day. The campaign has been led by 7 women's network involving different sections of women's movement, under one umbrella as Women's Campaign for Democratic and Progressive Constitution. The movement constitutes of Defenders advocating for different thematic issues such as equality and non discrimination in the areas of disability, sexual orientation, land rights, squatter rights, natural resources and workers rights respectively. The campaign has been supported, and promoted by numerous members of civil society, networks, institutions respectively, creating a campaign of/for all. The campaign has involved used social networking (facebook) as a tool to disseminate the information as widely as possible.
The Campaign has been organizing sit in protest in front of the Constituent Assembly from 14th April. One of the core strategies of the Campaign is, to demand for a conducive environment to implement the pledges committed by the Political Parties, to bring the Peace Process to an end by promulgating the constitution on the stipulated time of 28 May, 2011.
The demands of the Campaign are:
a) To update the citizens about the current status of the constitution, and promulgate the draft constitution on 28 May;
b) To create a dependable environment to implement the peace process;
c) To ensure the 33% representation of women in all Portfolios of Ministries, and other structures related to Peace Building
This morning, the government declared the areas around the Constituent Assembly as "a Prohibited Zone". No one is allowed to organize any forms of protest around the area. Around 11 AM, as a part of the regular campaign activities, the women activists entered the zone, and continued their protest peacefully stating that the Constituent Asssembly cannot be dissolved, and the Constitution has to be promulgated on stipulated time. However, the Police intervened, and started abusing the women in foul languages; one of the activists claim that" it was a way to destroy our spirit, and insult and harass us for just being women."
The first group of 21 Women Human Rights Defenders entered the zone, and protested peacefully. The Police intervened, and started baton charging the women. The detained Defenders claim that when the Women Police made hesitant gestures to the Male Police, it created anger amongst the male, and they started charging the women vehemently with their batons. Most of the women sustained injuries, while four defenders sustained minor injurites while one Defender, Shyam Sah from Siraha district who was standing behind the group was chased all the way outside of the Prohibited zone, and when she tried to take seek refuge inside the house, she was mercilessly dragged out, and charged repeatedly with batons. All the 21 Defenders were arrested and then detained at the Baneshwor Police Station. Some of the injured have been taken to the hospital upon the request made by the activists to the Police Personnels.
We condemn such brutal act of the Goverment.
Please disseminate this widely to your networks.
We will update the videos and photos later.
Thank you for your continous support.
Women's Campaign for Democratic and Progressive Constitution
The names of the detained defenders as below:
1.Sabitri Neupane
2.Archana Lama
3.Rita Dhakal
4.Nirmala Kafle
5.Sunaina Thakur
6.Sharad Kumari Chaudhary
7.Rijana Khatri
8.Apsara Upreti
9.Ankita BK
10.Niva Singh
11.Babita Jaiswal
12.Rita Thapa
13.Chanda Thapa
14.Stella Tamang
15.Merita Kesakar
16.Susan Risal
17.Renu Sijapathi
18.Durga Sob
19.Smriti Karki
20.Gita Thapa
21.Bidanu Kumari Lamichhane
22.Tulasa Lata Amatya
23.Shyam Sah
24.Laxmi Thapa
25.Urmila KC
26.Nira Fade
27.Durga Karki
28.Meena Poudyel
29.Anita Ghimire
30.Maya Thapa
31.Srijana Pudasaini
SEE VIDEO HERE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYopcmp9OnM
Source:
Jyotsna Maskay
National Coordinator on Violence Against Women Campaign
WOREC Nepal
Email: worec.whrd@gmail.com
Website: www.worecnepal.org
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Is Uganda’s “Kill The Gays” Bill Being Used To Blind The World?
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Press statement for release on Monday 9th May 2011 by Uganda's Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights and Constitutional Law
Just days after opposition leader Colonel Kizza Besigye was deliberately blinded with pepper spray while on his way to work, the internationally reviled Anti-Homosexuality Bill was brought back to Parliament for public hearings in preparation for the second reading. Speculation is rife that the Bill, once believed to have been permanently shelved by Cabinet in light of its many absurdities, is being used to blind the world to everything else that is going on in Uganda right now. Alternatively that re-opening the discussion about a backwards looking and harmful proposal is symptomatic of a more general problem of weak governance.
Whatever the case may be, Uganda is struggling to come to terms with rampant inflation, teargas and mass arrests on an unprecedented scale: As civil society protests the draconian crack-down on protesters and opposition, it is clear that if the hate-filled Kill the Gays Bill is passed, it will finish the process of burying alive not just the sexual minorities of Uganda, but also all those who support the principles of constitutionalism, human rights for all, inclusivity, and democratic governance.
The essence of our submission to the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee of the Ugandan Parliament, as made on Monday 9th May 2011, is therefore as follows:
From a LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, the Anti-Homosexuality Bill is:
1) Unconstitutional because it violates the rights to privacy, freedom from discrimination, equal protection for all, and protection of minorities. These rights as they relate to sexual minorities have already been established in Uganda’s High Court in the cases of Victor Mukasa & Another vs. Attorney General (High Court Miscellaneous Cause No 24 of 2006), and Kasha Jacqueline, Pepe Onziema & David Kato v. Giles Muhame and The Rolling Stone Publications Ltd. (2011)
Six of the eighteen substantive provisions of the Anti Homosexuality Bill 2009 are UNCONSTITUTIONAL. This implies that parliament can only pass them after amending the constitution.
2) Disproportionate because it elevates the crimes provided for to the same levels as those of terrorism, treason and misprision of treason. The Bill therefore proposes that consensual sex between adults is as dangerous to the people of Uganda as the placing of a bomb in a crowded nightspot!
3) Redundant because it replicates existing provisions. Most importantly:
- Homosexuality is already criminalised under the ‘unnatural offences’ provisions of Section 145 of the Penal Code Act of Uganda Cap 120.
- Sex with children under the age of 18, whether girls or boys, is already criminalised under the 2007 amendment to the Penal Code Act
The new provisions of the Bill if passed into law would be are largely incapable of implementation. Most importantly:
- Attempts to commit homosexuality
- Detention with intent to commit homosexuality and
- Failure to disclose the offence
Twelve of the eighteen substantive provisions are REDUNDANT. This is because they either replicate existing law or they are incapable of being practically implemented. In essence, this makes the whole bill a waste of time, for without a constitutional Amendment, it would be useless to pass a Bill whose provisions are either unconstitutional or redundant.
From a MEDICAL PERSPECTIVE the Bill is based on false science, myths and discredited theories with regard to:
- Sexuality, sexual orientation and homosexuality
- The possibility of changing sexual orientation
If adopted, the Bill would force Medical professionals to inform on their homosexual clients, thereby breaking the two most fundamental tenets of their profession, namely the Hippocratic Oath and the commitment to total client confidentiality.
From a PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE the Bill, if passed into law, would be a direct attack on Uganda’s already weak efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, as it would criminalise outreach, education and information at a time when new infections are on the rise and more people need to be placed on ARV treatment. It is generally understood that stigmatisation of vulnerable and at-risk groups is one of the biggest obstacles to HIV prevention; this Bill simply worsens the stigma and makes it impossible for health workers to do their jobs. The Bill, if passed into law, will thus become a further hindrance to Uganda’s attainment of the Millenium Development Goals. From a mental health perspective, the Bill is bound to produce an increase in depression and suicides by persons who feel they have no choice but to suppress their sexuality.
From a GOVERNANCE PERSPECTIVE the Bill is repugnant in that it criminalises a range of civil society activities, and thereby circumscribes their capacity to intervene effectively. It undermines civil society’s freedom of expression through banning the ‘promotion’ of sexual health and sexual rights
messages. It also asserts a single model of family rather than recognising the diversity of traditional and modern structures already existent in Uganda. As such it stifles the majority of Uganda’s heterosexual citizens, alongside their homosexual brothers and sisters.
From a POLITICAL PERSPECTIVE the Kill the Gays Bill, and the wider homophobic discourse which it is derived from, and which it seeks to exacerbate, is being used to divert the attention of ordinary Ugandans from more immediately pressing issues.
CAN THE BILL BE AMENDED?
The Coalition has been reliably informed that attempts have been made to find a ‘win win situation’ which protects both National and International interests by amending those portions of the Bill which are most offensive to international best practice. We also hear that Honorable Bahati, has
proposed a number of amendments to his original Bill.
As a Coalition we do not believe that there is any conflict between national and international perspectives on the failings of the original Bill, nor do we believe that amendments in any way offer an acceptable way forward; while the wording may change, the intention of an Anti-Homosexuality Bill will remain the same: to Kill the Gays. We therefore reject the original Bill, together with any attempts to amend it, in their entirety.
HAS THE PROCESS BEEN SUFFICIENTLY TRANSPARENT?
We also protest the manner in which, since the tabling of the Bill in 2009, attempts have been made to exclude the voices of civil society actors from the debates about the Anti-Homosexuality Bill. Laws, unlike sex between consenting adults, should be done in public, not behind closed doors. We therefore thank the Legal & Parliamentary Affairs Committee for hearing our submissions on Monday 9th May 2011.
POSITION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE WAY FORWARD
1. We call unanimously for the complete withdrawal of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, whether in its original or amended form
2. We urge the incoming Parliament to pursue urgent legal reform to introduce clear legal recognition of the distinction between consensual and non-consensual sex between adults, whatever their gender. Specifically:
- The existing definition of rape must be modified to recognise male victims for purposes of comprehensively criminalising non-consensual sex
- The Penal Code must be amended in order to decriminalise consensual same-sex relations.
3. We call for a broader, more informed and ongoing dialogue on sexual health and sexual rights, between a broad range of stakeholders, including but not limited to: Government, religious leaders, traditional leaders, human rights activists, feminists, journalists, public health workers, sexual majorities and minorities, to minimise the manipulation of sexuality for political purposes, and to maximise human rights, public health and good governance for
all.
For further information on the work of the Coalition, please go to www.ugandans4rights.org or write to us on info@ugandans4rights.org
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Corporate Lobby Launches Weak Counter-Attack on Capital Controls
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by Sarah Anderson
The corporate counter-attack begins with flimsy arguments about how loosening capital control restrictions would undermine everything we hold dear as Americans, from good-paying jobs to national security. They then go on to make a contradictory argument that reforms aren't necessary because our trade agreements already allow capital controls.
Read full text at http://www.ips-dc.org/blog/weak_corporate_counter_attack
Source: Institute for Policy Studies
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