Archives: Events

Events to be listed on events calendar page(s)

OURs at the AWID Forum: “How Can We Reclaim Our Rights? – Universal Human Rights and the Fierce Backlash of Religious Fundamentalisms”

This session will publically launch the Observatory on the Universality of Rights (OURs) initiative and its first trends report on the impact of religious fundamentalisms on the international human rights system.

The session will open with a visual presentation illustrating key concerns being addressed by the OURs project and the trends report. We will then open up a discussion regarding the ways in which conservative actors are using arguments based on religion, culture, and tradition to undermine the universality and indivisibility of human rights standards, and move into a critical reflection on the growing and important influence of these actors in international human rights spaces, their organizing and collaboration and their tactics, and strategic opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for gender justice movements.

Speakers:

  • Zainah Anwar, Musawah
  • Cynthia Rothschild, Independent expert/WHRD-IC
  • Carrie Shelver, CAL
  • Naureen Shameem, AWID

Time: 11:30 AM–1:00 PM, 9 September, 2016

This session will be a collaborative effort planned by the OURs Working Group.

Protection of the Rights of the Child and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Call for Inputs

Your contributions are invited for the report of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the protection of the rights of the child in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In formulating your inputs, you are invited to consider, as appropriate, the following questions:

  1. What key lessons learned from the experience of implementing the Millennium Development Goals should be taken into account to ensure that the rights of the child are protected in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?
  2. What approaches to implementing the 2030 Agenda would ensure the protection of the rights of all children, and that no child is left behind? Please define your response in relation to the following areas:
  3. Equality and non-discrimination
  4. Investing in children
  5. Partnerships for implementation
  6. Accountability and monitoring
  7. Other relevant considerations

Please send inputs (max. 5 pages) by 17 October 2016 to: childrights@ohchr.org and registry@ohchr.org

UN Working Group on Discrimination Against Women in Law and in Practice: Call for Inputs

In accordance with its mandate, the UN Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and practice will prepare a compendium on “good practices” in eliminating discrimination and empowering women. Given the centrality of the law to the Working Group’s mandate, the report will focus on the processes by which laws that support women’s equality and enjoyment of human rights come into being and are implemented in ways that support women’s enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In this regard, the UN Working Group would like to invite stakeholders to contribute to its research by submitting information as per the following questionnaire available in English, French and Spanish.

The questionnaire intends to solicit information on how  a specific law aimed at addressing discrimination against women and promoting women’s substantive equality has come into being, was effectively implemented (I), and what impacts the law has had for women on the ground (II).

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) clearly establishes State obligation to respect, protect and fulfill women’s human rights, ensuring the de facto enjoyment of those rights by women.  CEDAW’s framework is founded on the principle of substantive equality, which requires States to take active measures to not only eliminate laws and practices that directly discriminate against women, but to create an environment in which women’s rights can be fulfilled.  Good practices in the promotion of women’s human rights thus require a holistic approach that addresses both the causes and consequences of discrimination, and aim at social transformation.

Recognizing the aspiration of the Working Group to better understand the processes and elements which contribute to build “good practices” in legislation and its implementation the Working Group requests that you provide detailed information on at least one law adopted in a State that has been successfully implemented in that it has had a notably substantial impact on eliminating discrimination against women in the specific area related to that law and  has enhanced women’s enjoyment of their human rights in your national context, such that you consider it a “good practice.”  Processes of substantive change often take place over a period of many years, so the law need not be new: this survey should focus on a law whose impact has been substantiated and the impacts of which are still being seen.

The UN Working Group notes that various individuals and organizations may wish to develop documents and reports of consultations for submission for consideration. In accordance with the established practice of mandate-holders, the UN Working Group welcomes all relevant submissions that NGOs and other stakeholders may wish to present for its consideration. These submissions should be sent towgdiscriminationwomen@ohchr.org.

The deadline for submissions is 12 September 2016.

United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women: Call for Submissions

The Special Rapporteur on violence against women, its causes and consequences, Ms. Dubravka Šimonović took up function as Special Rapporteur on 1 August 2015 and intends to, inter alia, focus on the legal and policy frameworks of her mandate and the international human rights mechanisms to discuss the gap in incorporating and implementing the international and regional standards related to violence against women.

The Special Rapporteur considers that the discussion on the adequacy of the international legal framework on violence against women initiated by the former mandate holder1should continue and she wishes to secure views from different stakeholders, including States, National Human Rights Institutions, Non-governmental organizations, as well as members of academia.

Taking into consideration the important role that different stakeholders play in reinforcing universal human rights standards, she would be very interested to receive input and views on the following questions:

  1. Do you consider that there is a need for a separate legally binding treaty on violence against women with its separate monitoring body?
  2. Do you consider that there is an incorporation gap of the international or regional human rights norms and standards?
  3. Do you believe that there is a lack of implementation of the international and regional legislation into the domestic law?
  4. Do you think that there is a fragmentation of policies and legislation to address gender-based violence?
  5. Could you also provide your views on measures needed to address this normative and implementation gap and to accelerate prevention and elimination of violence against women?

All submissions should be sent by 1 October 2016 to vaw@ohchr.org.

CEDAW: Call for Comments on General Recommendation 19

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is currently updating its General Recommendation No. 19: “25 years of CEDAW General Recommendation No. 19 (1992): Accelerating efforts on gender based violence against women”.

At its sixty-fourth session, the Committee decided to invite all interested parties to submit comments in writing on the “Draft update of General Recommendation No. 19” (to be indicated in the subject title) to the following email address: cedaw@ohchr.org

After a thorough and due consideration of comments provided, only the Committee will decide on the contents of the final version of the update of General Recommendation No. 19.

All submissions :

  • Must be submitted in one of the working languages of the Committee – English, French or Spanish;
  • Must be submitted in WORD format;
  • Must be submitted in one single document indicating precisely the paragraphs on which comments are being made;
  • Must not exceed a maximum of 5 pages for all comments made;
  • Should be written in a concise and focused style;
  • Will not be translated;
  • Will be posted on the CEDAW web page devoted to the draft update of General Recommendation No. 19.

Deadline:

Comments must be submitted by 30 September 2016.

Feminist Dissent Journal Launch

South Asian Women’s Creative Collective (SAWCC) London celebrate and launch Feminist Dissent, a new journal on gender and fundamentalism.

A dynamic night of discussion, dance, music, and comedy.

Following a packed out event in 2014 with Women Against Fundamentalism, SAWCC London join Feminist Dissent and the University of Warwick to celebrate the launch of a new journal that brings together feminist academics, activists, writers and artists to produce critical insights on gender, fundamentalism and related socio-political issues.

Programme:

Discussion: Karima Bennoune in conversation with Maureen Freely

Karima Bennoune is a Professor of Law, University of California, Davis School of Law; Author of “Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here: Untold Story from the Fight Against Muslim Fundamentalism”, and United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights. She will be talking about her work with Maureen Freely, Professor of English and Comparative Literary Studies, President of English PEN, author of seven novels, and the translator of five books by the Turkish Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk.

Dance: Nahid Siddiqui

Nahid Siddiqui is one of the finest Kathak dancers and choreographers in the world. Her creations have been original and ground-breaking, blending traditional and contemporary techniques extending Kathak’s repertory and developing it as a universal vocabulary. She left Pakistan for the UK during the 1970s because Zia Ul Haq’s regime viewed Kathak as un-Islamic.

Reading : Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti

An award-winning playwright. Her plays include Behsharam (Shameless); Behzti (Dishonour), which caused a media storm in 2004 and was controversially cancelled; Khandan (Family); and Behud (Beyond Belief). Screen credits include Everywhere And Nowhere, andEastEnders. She also writes regularly for BBC4 radio drama The Archers.

Comedy: Daphna Baram

Stand up comedian and commentator (The Guardian, The Independent, Ha’aretz, AlJazeera,BBC).

Music: DJ Ritu

Pioneering British South Asian feminist DJ, turntablist & BBC Radio presenter, co-founder of Outcaste Records, and manager of two popular London club nights: Kuch Kuch and Club Kali.

Hosts: South Asian Women’s Creative Collective (SAWCC) London, in collaboration with Warwick University

SAWCC London (pronounced “saucy”) — the South Asian Women’s Creative Collective — are a creative network of women artists and appreciators with origins from, or a keen interest in South Asia and diaspora. SAWCC nurture independently-forged British South Asian female creative expression across disciplines. Featuring free and popular public events, SAWCC offer a platform for women to share, develop, and promote creative ideas and works. Founded in 2004, SAWCC London is the sister organisation of SAWCC New York.

Feminist Dissent – A new journal housed by the University of Warwick, providing innovative and critical insights on gender fundamentalism and related socio-political issues. It will open up new ways of thinking about secularism, religious freedom, civil liberties and human rights, nationalism and identity politics, anti-racism and multiculturalism, neoliberalism, and feminist resistance.

WHEN
WHERE
Rich Mix – Venue 2 (bar area, 4th Floor), 35-47 Bethnal Green Road,, London, E1 6LA

UN HRC32: Ask an #ImamsForShe Champion

An event on Monday June 13th 12-3pm from Muslims for Progressive Values (MPV) featuring:

  • Dr Usama Hassan (UK)
  • Dr Mongia Souahi (Tunisia)
  • Imam Khalfan Elie Bukuru (Burundi)

 

 

UN HRC32: #ImamsForShe: Workshops on Preventing and Countering VAWG

#ImamsForShe: Workshops with International Imams and Scholars of Islam on Preventing and Countering Violence against Women and Girls

Muslims for Progressive Values have organized a unique event consisting of three workshops involving #ImamsForShe champions, who are tasked to resolve real case studies of discrimination and violence against women and girls. Together with women’s rights defenders and activists, the #ImamsForShe champions will demonstrate that women’s rights can be promoted using international human rights law and Shari’a. Key issues assessed are early and forced marriages, inheritance, female genital mutilation and cutting (FGM/C) and access to education.

Sign up on MPV’s website to participate in the workshops

UN HRC32: Ending violence against women and ensuring an enabling environment for WHRDs

 

Monday 13 June, 13:00- 14:30
Unwarranted restrictions on civil society space represent a fundamental impediment to eliminating systemic violence and discrimination women human rights defenders (WHRDs) are subject to because of their identity and their work. Violence and gender based discrimination against women and girls from both state and non state actors limits their capacity to participate fully and effectively in society and in the development of their communities. Civic space restrictions prevent WHRDs and feminist organisations from participating in policy- and decision-making processes to end violence and systematic gender based discrimination.

The panel provides a critical ingress to discuss how an enabling environment for WHRDs and feminist organisations should be implemented as a central component of combating all forms of violence against women and girls. The panel consists of three women human rights defenders who will share experiences on their work on LGBT issues in Tunisia, the protection of WHRDs in Guatemala and legal assistance to survivors of violence against women in Afghanistan. The UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, Dubravka Simonovic will share her visions on ending violence against women in relation to WHRDs.

Refreshments will be provided.

Inroductory Remark by Catherine Godin (Permanent Mission of Canada)

Panelists:

  • Dubravka Simonovic (UN SR on VAW)
  • Aida Khemiri (Mawjoudin,Tunisia)
  • Angela Fuentes (UDEFEGUA, Guatemala)
  • Natasha Latiff (Strategic Advocacy for Human Rights, Afghanistan)

Moderator: Sara Katrine Brandt (CIVICUS)

Event hosted by the Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID), and the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)

Contact Renate Bloem: renate.bloem@civicus.org

 

UN HRC32: Freedom of Religion or Belief and Sexuality: A Conversation

The UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and Muslims for Progressive Values cordially invite you to a public event, 10 June 2016 from 14h30 to 17h00 in Room IX at Palais des Nations

With the Civil Society: 14:45-15:30

Moderator: Kate Gilmore, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

  • Ganoune Diop is the Secretary General of the International Religious Liberty Association.  He is the Director of the Public Affairs and Religious Liberty Department (PARL) at the Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters. He is currently secretary of the Conference of Secretaries of the Christian World Communions. He extensively works to foster mutual understanding between Christian faith traditions and other world religions and philosophies.
  • Javaid Rehman is the Professor of Islamic Law and International Law (and former Head of School) at Brunel University. He remains one of the leading scholars in the subject of human rightsand Islamic jurisprudence. He has been an advisor and consultant to various international organisations and global think tanks.
  • Joleen Mataele is a transgender woman activist for HIV & AIDS awareness and LGBTIQ issues. She is the President and Executive Director of the Tonga Leiti’s Association (TLA) which is the only Organization for all LGBTIQ in Tonga and the President/Co-Founder of the Pacific Sexual Diversity Network (PSDN), also the only network for the LGBTIQ in the Pacific.

With the UN Experts: 15:30-16:15

Moderator: Ani Zonneveld, Founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values

  • Heiner Bielefeldt has served as United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief (since 2010). He is Professor of Human Rights and Human Rights Policy at the University of Erlangen. From 2003 to 2009, Bielefeldt was the Director of the German Institute for Human Rights, which monitors the human rights situation inside Germany.
  • Margaret Segakkya was the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights Defenders (2008 -2014). She held the position of chairperson of the Uganda human Rights Commission from its establishment in 1996 to 2008.
  • Vitit Muntarbhorn is the Commissioner of the (UN) Commission of Inquiry on Syria (since 2012). He was also the Chairperson of the (UN) Commission of Inquiry on the Ivory Coast (2011), former UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, UN Human Rights Council (2004-2010) and former UN Special Rapporteur on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, UN Human Rights Commission (1990-1994).

For NON-UN participants, please register with spbconsultant7@ohchr.org