index Issue 22 / January 2009
Irish Newsletter for Development Education Exchange
Debating Gender
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Editorial This issue of INDEX takes on the contentious topic of gender. Although both men and women suffer as a result of gender inequality, as a group, men benefit from the current patriarchal system. The global salary gap is estimated at 32%, women politicians make up a mere 17.5% of members of parliament, and 60% of the world’s countries have made no progress in recent years in expanding access to education for women (Social Watch Gender Equity Index 2008). We can see this in Ireland, where women earn, on average, 80% that of men. And although women have had the vote for ninety years they still have little voice in decision making with only 14 percent of our political representatives being women. In this issue, Sarah McCan explains how gender inequality is both a cause and a consequence of further inequality, injustice, and underdevelopment. Ann Moroney from Access Ireland explores the tension between culture and gender, while Ali Leahy from Comhlámh looks at gendered language and stereotypes. The profiles on page 9 highlight the work happening in Ireland to end the practice of female genital mutilation and look at how sport can be used as a method of empowering women in all areas of society. The News section on page 10 contains news, resources and funding information for development educators, and also contains information on events, resources, and organisations for those interested in educating about gender. Banúlacht’s Economic Literacy training course is reviewed on page 11. As usual we have news of what’s going on in Dev Ed, upcoming courses and events, international days and ways to celebrate them, and a cartoon. We encourage readers to write in to INDEX. Let us know what you think about the issues and opinions in the newsletter, and let us know about your Dev Ed activities. To have information included in the April issue of INDEX please email index@comhlamh.org or call the Dev Ed team on 01 478 3490 by March 6th.
“Men are taught to apologize for their weaknesses, women for their strengths” – Lois Wyse
Contents Why Gender Equality is at the core of Development and Justice by Sarah McCan
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Language Politics by Ali Leahy Culture and Gender Ann Moroney INDEX Links: Courses and Events
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EU Corner & International Dates to Remember
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Profiles: Irish Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence & Nepali Sportswomen promote Women’s Empowerment News: Dev Ed news, funding, and resources
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Resource Review: Banulacht’s Economic Literacy training course & Cartoon by Sarah-Beth Watkins
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www.comhlamh.org
INDEX is a free Comhlámh publication for people interested in educating on global development issues funded by Comhlámh, Trócaire, and Irish Aid. The views expressed in individual articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organisations to which they are affiliated, the editorial committee, or Comhlámh. Development Education is about increasing people’s awareness and understanding of global issues and of the interdependence of different countries and parts of the world in relation to those issues. The editorial committee are: Ali Leahy (Comhlámh), Jenna Coriddi (CGE, Belfast), Aoife Rush (Trócaire), and Lucy Hill (NYCI). Comhlámh is a signatory to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on Images and Messages (for full document see: http:// www.comhlamh.org/resources-library.html or contact us for a copy of the Dóchas flyer). Feedback on this issue is most welcome - email: index@comhlamh.org.
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Why Gender Equality is at the Core of Development and Justice
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hile poverty affects men and women disproportionately, two thirds of people living in poverty are women and girls. In developing countries 70 per cent of farmers are women. They produce 60-80 percent of food, yet are more likely to suffer from hunger than men. Women in Africa own one percent of the land and receive less than 10 percent of small farm credit. Often this is due to women’s unequal status in society. Also, discriminatory laws and practices prevent women’s ownership of land, and access to credit, basic services and education, and technology transfer. These consequences of gender inequality are also causes of further inequality. HIV and AIDS also affect women disproportionately. Globally, there has been a steady increase in the numbers of women infected, most starkly in sub-Saharan Africa where 61% of adults living with HIV are women (UNAIDS). Women are more vulnerable to infection than men, biologically, socially, and economically. For women with limited economic opportunities, transactional sexual relationships can be an important survival mechanism. Women and girls provide most of the home-based care for those who are infected with and affected by HIV. Sexual and gender based violence is both a driver and a consequence of HIV. Gender inequality affects women’s right to participate in politics and decision making. In most national parliaments and decision making bodies women are often the minority or simply absent. Supporting women’s leadership and participation is essential to redress the current imbalance, whereby the global percentage of women in national politics is a mere 16.6%.
gender inequality is about: • Transforming unequal power relations between men and women; • Challenging the underlying structures that perpetuate inequalities such as laws, policies and systems; • Transforming attitudes. Gender equality is essentially about human rights and is underpinned by several human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination against Women, and the African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights. Supporting equal rights is a basic human right, but also contributes hugely to development. According to the World Bank, ‘if gender inequalities persist, women, their families, their communities and their countries will pay the high cost of slower economic growth, weaker governance and overall lower standards of living’. Investing in an extra year of a girl’s education can reduce infant mortality by 5-10 percent. Empowering women to be aware of and exercise their rights, socially, economically, legally and politically is essential. Supporting grassroots empowerment work linked with legislative and policy change around laws that discriminate against women is also key. Ensuring that legal frameworks protect women’s land and assets, inheritance, education and welfare is a first step towards obliging states to fulfil these rights. Addressing gender based violence requires a comprehensive prevention and care programme to support survivors of violence as well as working to prevent violence reoccurring. Such work requires ensuring that the legal framework protects women and girls from
Photo: Women’s Rights Workshop, North West Frontier Province, Pakistan: Image courtesy of Trócaire.
violence and that health psychosocial and legal aid services are in place. Women’s groups worldwide play an enormous role in keeping women’s rights on the agenda and pushing for change at all levels. Such groups must be supported. Working with men to advance gender equality is vital, as is working with faith leaders who often play a very influential role in terms of attitudinal change and in addressing harmful cultural practices. While there have been huge gains globally in terms of women’s rights in the past 30 years since the coming into force of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women. Now is not a time for complacency but for urgency as without gender equality it will be impossible for countries to meet the Millennium Development Goals and to break the cycle of poverty and injustice that are so persistent globally. Sarah McCan, Gender Programme Officer, Trócaire, www.trocaire.org.
Trócaire believes that addressing
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Language Politics
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ome argue that the pronoun ‘he’ includes men and women, however I for one don’t feel included. Persistent gender inequality is a human rights violation yet in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the male pronoun ‘he’ is used throughout. It can also be argued that the declaration is a product of its time, 1948, however the male pronoun is used to this day and it is interesting to explore the arguments used to support this. The weakest argument is perhaps that it is an historical, inherited ‘norm’. Other historical, inherited norms have included slavery, women not being able to work, vote, or own property, and to this day other ‘norms’ such as female genital mutilation still take place on a terrifying scale. Compared to this, the use of gendered language may seem unimportant, however if we are to envisage and take action to bring about a gender neutral world we have to find the language with which to have these discussions. Language that leaves out the half of the population that are non-men cannot lead to radical change. If we are to transform our society to realise a society where both genders are equally valued we also have to transform our attitudes. Where easier to start than by critically examining the language we use every day? Our society is saturated by gender stereotypes. They are used for entertainment, advertising, and even education. Some of them we are acutely aware of, while others can be harder to identify. One reason they are not always immediately obvious is because the gender roles expected of males and females change over time, and depend on place, class, level of education, religion, and many other factors. And so does the inequality between them. For example, the gender inequality experienced by Irish women in 1909 differs greatly from that experienced in 2009. It is also difficult at times to identify gender inequality because we have been socialised from birth to accept gender differences and to identify with and do our best to fulfil our gender role. This also makes it impossible to fully ensure that we do not perpetuate negative gender stereotypes. Some aspects of gender role are easier to identify and analyse (and see what steps we can take to challenge) than others. Educating for gender equality requires transforming our attitudes and behaviour, analysing how inequality is sustained, and empowering ourselves and others to take action to transform the structures that maintain
“Educating for gender equality requires transforming our attitudes and behaviour, analysing how inequality is sustained, and empowering ourselves and others to take action to transform the structures that maintain it.” it. This is an essential and ongoing process. However, even when individuals have transformed their attitude in relation to gender it can be a very different challenge to change behaviour. We exist within certain structures and power relations that reinforce discriminatory norms. We are surrounded by messages and images that promote gender stereotypes. At times in obvious ways such as the images used in advertising, but also in more subtle ways. Similarly the use of gendered adjectives perpetuates negative stereotypes. Someone described as bossy, hysterical, or catty is unlikely to turn out to be a man. This can go beyond the language used, to the meaning attached to this language. ‘Man and wife’ is an example of the woman no longer existing except as man’s object. It is also interesting to look at how the term ‘feminist’ has been turned into a negative word instead of a word that depicts someone who takes action for human rights, equality, and justice. How did this happen? Who benefits from many women (and men) no longer wanting to identify themselves as feminists? In general we can ask who creates and perpetuates this language, these messages and these images? Who benefits from the general acceptance of these ideas? Related to this is how we can include a variety of voices, and value each of the voices equally, even when they contradict each other. Indeed, opinions on gender equality are unlikely to provide us with one answer or set of guidelines to follow. Instead they challenge us to think critically about these opinions, and relate them to our day to day lives. They challenge us to envisage in what ways we can take action, and what we are working towards. Alison Leahy, Development Education Officer, Comhlámh, www.comhlamh.org
Culture and Gender
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osanna (name has been changed for reasons of confidentiality) is a Roma woman in her thirties who has been living in Ireland for the past nine years. Rosanna always wanted to work as a health care worker but in accordance with Roma tradition, she left school to get married to a young man who had been chosen for her by her parents when she was 15. Not being able to pursue her studies was a huge disappointment to her but she remains happily married to her husband. In Ireland she was the first and remains the only Roma woman to drive a car. She has a daughter who has just done her Leaving Cert and who is now pursuing a university degree course in a health care profession. Rosanna is justifiably proud of her daughter who she feels is realising some of the career dreams that Rosanna herself was unable to realise. However she is equally proud that her daughter is soon to be married to another young man who has been as good as chosen for her by her parents. These small details from Rosanna’s life illustrate just some of the questions and contradictions that are part of any exploration of issues to do with culture, gender and migration. My own reaction to the details of Rosanna’s life is also an important aspect of that array of contradictions. Roma society has very prescribed rules around gender roles and relationships between men and women. It had seemed to my Western way of thinking that Rosanna was successfully negotiating a path through the barriers imposed by these rules. I was consequently shocked at what seemed like the traditional path in relation to marriage being taken by her daughter. But on reflection I was even more shocked at the Eurocentricity of my own reaction. Across all cultures women and men have very different roles to fulfill, and the relationship between men and women also differ. Most societies throughout the world have traditionally been highly patriarchal with the balance of power unquestionably in favour of men. The sustained impact of human rights doctrines and of feminism has gradually led to improvements for women. In Western, highly individualised societies these changes have generally been supported in legislation. This legislation has been slower to take off in more traditional, communitarian societies where roles and relationships remain more rigid and defined. Indeed in some countries culture is cited as a reason to maintain women’s inequality.
aspects of gender differences in other cultures that seem almost unacceptable. These aspects range from codes such as fathers having more say than mothers in decisions about childcare, to women wearing prescribed forms of dress such as the veil, or to more harmful practices such as female genital mutilation. However what can seem odd, shocking or even abhorrent in one culture makes complete sense and seems culturally normal in another. Every culture makes sense to the people within it even though they may not like every aspect of it. Many migrant women face an ongoing dilemma of how one lives with two different cultural ideals, that of honouring their culturally prescribed duties and responsibilities to family and community and at the same time embracing freedoms that seem indispensable but that sometimes come at a high personal cost. Intercultural Mediation can be a valuable tool and support in helping individuals and groups negotiate their way through the many dilemmas, not least those of culture and gender, they face in adjusting to a new culture. Access Ireland has been developing Intercultural Mediation since 2002. It is a dynamic process through which a professionally trained third party, usually from a minority ethnic background, acts as a cultural broker between client and service provider to assist them both in negotiating a path through the complex labyrinth of cultural difference and to reach a common understanding which will ultimately lead to more satisfactory outcomes in service provision and use. The aim of all services is to provide a non-judgemental service. In working with service users of diverse cultural and ethnic origin, service providers must assess when it is appropriate to intervene in a cultural practice and when not to. Intercultural Mediators, with their unique bifocal understanding of culture, are particularly well placed to support, advise and advocate in such situations. The overall position that intercultural mediation takes is to acknowledge that each individual’s relationship with their culture is complex, that culture is constantly changing and that it is important to understand and clarify the wishes of the individual within the wider socio-cultural context so that these wishes and individual freedoms and individual protection are always honoured. In broad terms Intervention is only called for if the practice is in opposition to Irish law or there is a potential for psychological or physical harm. Ann Moroney, Director, Access Ireland, www.accessireland.ie
To people raised in Western cultures there can be many
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Courses Comhlámh’s Options and Issues in Global Development Course These workshops provide a chance for those thinking of volunteering overseas or working for global development to meet with others and consider the options available. The course explores development and underdevelopment, the role of the volunteer/development worker, types of development and aid agencies, motivations for going overseas, and solidarity work from Ireland. Date: One day workshop: 15th Saturday 31st January (10am-4.30pm) in Galway. Two-day workshop: Saturday 28th March (10am-4.30pm) and Sunday 29th March (10am-2pm March), Dublin. Cost: €35.00 (members) / €60.00 (non-members), €25 (students and unwaged), including lunch Contact: Kate at 086 226 5802 or email kate@comhlamh.org Climate Change and Development A three day interactive training course designed to build knowledge and capacity within development organisations to bring them up to speed on the latest climate change thinking and design ways of more effectively integrating climate change into development planning processes. Date: 3-5 February Contact: Selam/Niamh dtalk@ kimmagedsc.ie or phone 014064307 Global Development This course is developed for people who have an interest and/ or involvement in the issues and challenges that shape our world. Next course begins in January 2009 in the Dundalk Institute of Technology. For more information, Contact: bobby@ developmentperspectives.ie Trade Justice Course 2009 The five evenings organized by Comhlámh’s Trade Campaign Group introduce you to the world of global
trade, asking: How does global trade work? What role do Ireland, the EU, and the WTO play? What impacts are they having? What alternatives can we propose? Date: Five Wednesday evenings starting on the 14th of January, 79pm Venue: Irish Aid Centre, O’Connell Street, Dublin 2 Cost: €45 for members, €65 for non-members, €25 for unemployed/ students, €2 for asylum seekers’. Contact: Fleachta at 01 4783490 or email fleachta@comhlamh.org Skills in Development Education This nine evening course uses participatory methods to introduce participants to the concepts of development education, and to equip them with the skills to work more effectively and creatively with groups when exploring intercultural and development issues. Date: Tuesday evenings, February 17th- April 28th Venue: Dublin city centre Cost: €180 non-members; €145 members; €100 unemployed/ student; €5 asylum seeker Contact: Ali at 01 4783490 or email ali@comhlamh.org Accredited Global Youth Work Training NYCI and YMCA training course for youth workers, ‘Global Justice in Youth Work’, aims to increase youth workers familiarity with the opportunities that global youth work brings to existing youth work practice, develop their knowledge and understanding of the interconnectedness of the world locally and globally, recognise the value and challenges of incorporating many different perspectives and enhance their skills and capacity to employ a number of methods when planning for global justice work with young people. The course, which is offered at FETAC level 5, will be over two residentials and will combine group learning with practice in youth work settings.
Dates: (First course) 12 – 14 Feb and 5 - 7 March 2009 Dates: (Second course) 1 – 3 Oct and 22 – 24 Oct 2009 Contact: Alan Hayes at alan.hayes@ nyci.ie or call: (01) 4255932, or visit www.youthdeved.ie. New Undergraduate Degree bringing together Education Studies and Development Studies Starting in October 2009, Bath University is launching a new undergraduate degree in Education and International Development. The course includes a range of units and offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by spending a year on a professional placement overseas or in the UK. Visit: www.bath.ac.uk/education/ internationaldev/. Charla Latina This Latin American Solidarity Centre (LASC) course explores development issues through Latin American Spanish. Date: Thursday’s 22 January - 26 March, from 6:00 pm - to 7:30 pm. Cost: €90 / €80 for members Contact: Email events@lasc.ie or call 01 676043, visit www.lasc.ie Dtalk courses How to be a Successful Trainer Date: January 26 -29 Advocacy & Policy Influencingrefresher course Date: February 16 Advocacy and Policy Influencing Date: February 17 -19 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Humanitarian Contexts Date: March 10 -12 Introduction to the Dóchas Code of Conduct on the use of Images and Messages Date: March 26 Monitoring and Evaluation Date: 30 March – 2 April Contact: Niamh Brennan or Selam Desta, dtalk@kimmagedsc.ie, call 01 4064307 or visit www.dtalk.ie.
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Events Bewleys First Wednesday Debates A popular series of debates held on the first Wednesday of every month at 6.30pm in the heart of Dublin. The Bewleys Café Theatre is the scene for lively debate and discussion on topics of global social justice and human rights. Admission is free, but turn up early to avoid disappointment! Venue: Bewleys Café Theatre, Grafton Street, Dublin 2 Contact: info@comhlamh.org Conference Celebrating International Women’s Day 2009 The National Women’s Council and Banúlacht will host a conference in respect of International Women’s Day. This conference is aimed at highlighting the position of women globally and to celebrate 30 years of CEDAW (Convention of the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women). Date: March 5th Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Visit: www.nwci.ie Centre for Global Education Conference CGE’s 2009 annual conference aims to share practice in development education and to facilitate indepth discussion on aspects of development education delivery. Details for this conference will be available soon! Date: March 12th Visit: www.centreforglobal education.com Seamus Heaney Lecture Series 2009 Globalisation and Identity: Reflections from the Irish Experience 23 February, Professor Peadar Kirby Poetics of the Stranger: Hospitality and Imagination 2 March, Professor Richard Kearney Theatre of the Oppressed 23 March, Chrissie Poulter Visit: www.spd.dcu.ie/shl
Teaching from Theory, Learning from Practice DICE is hosting a conference on ‘Teaching from Theory, Learning from Practice: A Development Education Conference for the Primary Sector’. Date: 27 - 28 of February Venue: Froebel College of Education, Blackrock, Co.Dublin Contact: Matthias Fiedler matthias@ diceproject.org / 01-4970033 DEEEP Summer School The Development Education Exchange in Europe Project’s 2009 Summer School will look at “Recognizing, motivating, engaging, Young People as Actors in Development Education, Campaigning, Advocacy”. Date: 21 – 28 June 2009 Venue: Romania Contact: Visit www.deeep.org to download application forms and for more information. Earth – the Power of the Planet This lecture will invite the public, media and politicians to hear Professor Iain Stewart discuss communicating about climate change, and looking at the dangers and pitfalls of communicating complex science to the public. He will also discuss the problems of a sceptical public and political establishment, and the implications this has for successfully tackling the issues. Book online at: shop.ria.ie/ shop/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=2 2&cat=Event%2BRegistration. Date: 19 January at 7 pm Venue: W5 at the Odyssey, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast BT3 9QQ Cost: Admission free, but by ticket only Contact: email david@ nienvironmentlink.org or call (028 NI / 048 RoI) 90 45 5770.
less certain is the timescale within which major changes are expected and the magnitude of those changes. Much research is going on in Northern Ireland and elsewhere in the UK on a variety of aspects of causes, adaptation and mitigation. This conference will bring together many of those involved in the research and practical application to discuss the scientific uncertainties, to recommend actions and to encourage our politicians and public to recognise and accept their roles in combating the impacts. Date: 20 January, 8:30 am – 5 pm Venue: W5 at the Odyssey, 2 Queens Quay, Belfast BT3 9QQ Cost: Admission free, but by ticket only Contact: email david@ nienvironmentlink.org or call (028 NI / 048 RoI) 90 45 5770. First Coming Home Weekend of 2009 “Coming Home Weekends” are an enjoyable opportunity to share your experiences, meet others home from overseas, learn, socialise, network and exchange advice. The weekends are run by other returned development workers and Comhlámh staff. Date: 13-15th February 2009 (Friday Evening – Sunday afternoon). Contact: For further information deirdre@comhlamh.org Tel 086 3367683
Climate Change – Dealing with the Reality Scientists are agreed that climate change is happening, that potential consequences are severe and that action is required urgently. What is
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EU Corner Dev Ed Advocacy Toolkit Learn how to encourage decision makers to support Dev Ed! This toolkit provides arguments and tips on how to promote Dev Ed towards politicians, state authorities and within civil society organisations. It also contains an overview of global education strategies and funding in Europe. The new updated version of the toolkit is free to download from www.deeep.org.
European Development Days The third edition of the European Development Days was held in Strasbourg, France on 15–17 November 2008. Organised by the European Commission. The hope is that by breaking down walls between different issues, the European Development Days can serve as a natural platform for debating the major issues of development cooperation and launching new initiatives. Visit www.eudevdays.eu to learn more.
Launch of European Global Education Days During autumn 2008 festivals, film screenings, photo exhibitions and workshops were organised by the Global Europe Network of Young Europeans. These days raise awareness of this Europe wide activity. Visit www.gleneurope.org to read more.
“Ideas for Development” Blog This international blog aims to stimulate debate on development issues, such as the food, energy, and financial crises. It aims to offer a new forum for open discussion and interaction between scholars, students, professionals of various backgrounds and the public at large with the common goal of advancing the cause of development. Read it at www.ideas4development.org.
25 February - 8 March
Fair Trade Fortnight
Make it happen by creating your own event in 2009! For resources and more information on this event, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/get_involved/.
8 March
International Women’s Day
This day is an occasion to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. Visit www.nwci.ie for events happening in Ireland.
21 March International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination A day for the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. More information at www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/. Download anti-racism resources at http://www.nccri.ie/training-resources.html.
22 March
World Water Day
The theme for World Water Day in 2009 will be on transboundary waters. Visit www.worldwaterday.org.
7 April
World Health Day
World Health Day is used to draw attention to particular priorities in global health. Events are held at local, national and international levels. For toolkits on how to celebrate it in 2009 and for year’s theme, visit http://www-who-int/world-health-day/toolkit/ea/
Reconciliation and Social Justice Pedagogies Project
22 April Earth Day
Grundtvig Funding
25 November International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
This project aimed to improve the learning and life opportunities of marginalised students, while empowering all students to work for a more socially just society, by engaging teachers and researchers in developing educational materials that integrate these ideas in practice. Read more at www.reconciliation.cardet.org.
The Grundtvig Action seeks to improve the quality and European dimension of adult education, and to make lifelong learning opportunities more widely available to Europe’s citizens. Any kind of institution or organisation involved in Adult Education can apply for funding, from community groups to Universities. The deadlines for 2009 are: 16th January, 30th April and 15th September 2009. Contact Denise Shannon or May Diamond in Leargas, 189 Parnell Street, Dublin 1, call 01 8731411 or visit www. leargas.ie/education.
International Dates to Remember
The history of Earth Day mirrors the growth of environmental awareness over the last three decades. Celebrate it in 2009 with those around you. For ideas of what you can do, visit www.earthday.net.
Various activities are arranged around the world to draw attention to the need for continuing action to eliminate violence against women. Groups can organise rallies, communal events and activities for this day. For more information, visit http://www.unifem.org/. Download a Campaign in a Box Resource Kit from the White Ribbon Campaign, men working to end violence against women, at http://www.whiteribbon.ca/ciab/default.asp.
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Profiles
Irish Joint Consortium on Gender Based Violence In 2004, Irish human rights, humanitarian and development agencies, Irish Aid and the Irish Defence Forces came together to discuss how best to respond to reports of very high levels of rape in the conflict in Darfur, Sudan. It was recognised that gender based violence (GBV) was endemic worldwide, that responses to GBV by the international community were, mostly, isolated and ad-hoc, and that there was a pressing need for the issue to be addressed in a more comprehensive manner. The Consortium aims to build capacity to adopt a coherent and coordinated response to prevent and respond to GBV among member agencies. The objectives are: 1. To ensure that actions to prevent and respond to GBV are visible and systematically addressed in the policies and work of all member agencies; 2. To document experience and share resources on the prevention of, and response to, GBV; 3. To develop and implement an
advocacy strategy at national and international levels, to promote awareness of and improve actions on prevention of and response to GBV. The Consortium has produced publications that identify steps that each agency should follow to respond effectively and systematically to GBV and provide guidance on institutionalising GBV prevention and response within organisations. In November 2008, the Consortium held a conference exploring how the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 can address the impact of armed conflict on women and ensure that women are central to conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace-building. They launched a report entitled ‘Stepping up Ireland’s Response to Women, Peace and Security: United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325’. It can be downloaded from www.gbv.ie. In 2009, the Consortium intends to develop a three year strategic plan,
DRC 2004, Reflect Workshop, A woman participates in a training day, Munigi Village, Goma. Photo: Kate Holt/Eyevine/ActionAid.
which will look in more detail at the links between GBV and poverty, and continue the roll out of strategies and actions on learning and sharing best practice on prevention of and response to GBV, both internally to member organisations and more widely. To learn more visit www.gbv.ie.
Nepali Sportswomen promote Women’s Empowerment The first all-female Nepali climbing team successfully climbed Everest in May 2008. They hope to break down barriers for Nepali women in a currently male-dominated society. Read about their journey at www.longtail.info/fiwse/. Sporting activities can help to fight discrimination against women in society. “Given the presumption that women and girls are often disadvantaged relative to males in their societies in many factors (education, social status, physical mobility, freedom and range of choices etc), if sport offers a means of
empowerment, then it makes sense to support opportunities for girls and women to participate”, (Martha Saavedra). Attitudes and values towards gender in sport activities can reflect the values and attitudes within society. Women’s access to sporting activities is affected, and can be hindered, by culture, politics, traditional messages and stereotypes. Society telling men and women that certain activities are closed to them because of what is traditionally seen as either ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine’, can make it very difficult for people to excel in their preferred
field, and even to choose to take part. Sport encourages confidence and ambition. It empowers the individual and challenges negative social attitudes. The Nepali climbers hope to inspire other women to have the confidence to pursue new roles, not just within climbing, but within Nepal itself. For practical suggestions on how to use sport as a tool for peace and development download the International Platform on Sport and Development’s toolkit at www. sportanddev.org/toolkit/index.cfm.
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News
Dev Ed News
Ireland and to address the needs identified by women contacting AkiDwA. Download it from www.akidwa.ie. Contact info@akidwa.ie or phone 01 8148582.
Feminist Open Forum
Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender and Human Rights
Monthly meetings for those interested in feminist issues to engage in the debate on feminism today. Email feministopenforum@gmail.com or phone 0872055433
50/50 Democracy In 2009, Europeans will elect a new European Parliament and a new European Commission will be appointed. The 50/50 Campaign for Democracy aims to ensure that women and men are equally represented among them. Visit www.5050democracy.eu/ and take action.
KADE Photopack and Primary School’s booklet
Conference Celebrating the Journey of Women
The Photopack, assists educators to explore different themes of development in Ireland. The booklet ‘Dimensions of Development’ provides ideas and sources of information on development and intercultural issues. Call 066 718 1358 or visit www.kade.ie.
Join the Every Human Has Rights campaign
RAG 3
Join a powerful people network to protect the rights of your fellow global villagers and encourage others to do the same in your communities, workplaces and schools. Sign your personal Declaration at www.everyhumanhasrights.org.
The third issue of the RAG, an Irish anarcha-feminist magasine, was launched in November 2008. Visit http://ragdublin.blogspot.com/.
Driving Dev Ed Forum
This index shows recent evolution and trends in bridging the gap between men and women in education, the economy, and empowerment. It shows that the greater equity levels to be found in education are not paralleled by acceptable levels in the economic field nor in the empowerment of women. Visit www.socialwatch.org/en/avancesyRetrocesos/
In October 2008 Turas na mBan, a conference celebrating the journey of women, was held in Mayo. Visit www.turasnamban.com.
The 2008 Irish Aid Development Education Advisory Committee (DEAC) forum entitled ‘Driving Development Education was held on November 20th. Visit www.irishaid.ie.
16 Days of Activism
The 16 days of activism against gender violence took place November 25th – December 10th. Visit www.cwgl. rutgers.edu/16days/home.html for more information.
The Power of Movements The Association of Women’s Rights in Development’s 11th International Forum, held in Cape Town in November, united feminists and gender equality advocates. Visit www.awid.org/forum08
Resources Dev Ed in the Tertiary Sector The Centre for Global Education has produced a research document on the courses and modules on international development available in the north and south of Ireland. Visit www.centreforglobaleducation.com.
Understanding Gender-Based Violence: An African Perspective
In March 2008 AkiDwA produced a summary booklet ‘Understanding Gender Based Violence, an African Perspective’ in response to the changing client profile attending gender-based violence service providers in
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The 2008 UNFPA state of the world population report explores culture and how it is central to development and must be integrated into development policy and programming. It shows how this process works in practice. Available at www.unfpa.org/publications/index.cfm.
Social Watch’s Gender Equity Index 2008
International DAWN
DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era) is a Third World feminist network which looks at the cultural and economic factors related to women’s participation in the development process. Visit www.dawn.org.fj.
Funding Artist in the Community Grants Scheme
Twice yearly, the Arts Council offers grants to enable artists and communities of place or interest to work together on projects. The next deadline is 01 February 2009. Call 01 473 6600, email support@create-ireland.ie, visit www.create-ireland.ie.
Irish Aid Funding
Visit www.irishaid.gov.ie/article.asp?article=1127 to find out what projects received Irish Aid funding for Dev Ed activities in 2008. The Dev Ed funding application deadlines in 2009 are January 30thand June 26th. Visit www.irishaid.gov.ie/grants_education.asp.
INDEX
Reviews & Resources
Banúlacht’s Economic Literacy training course Sarah-Beth Watkins, Project Manager, Templeshannon CDP Templeshannon Community Development Project (CDP) was delighted to host Banúlacht’s Economic Literacy training course in February and March 2008. The CDP had identified, through its work with women’s groups, women who had an interest in global issues. Women from various development groups and community organisations in Co. Wexford attended the training with a view to demystifying the economy and a woman’s place in it. What is a woman’s role in the economy? And what has it been? Being a blow-in myself, I found the discussion on the role of women in Wexford society through the ages a fascinating experience. This exercise led onto discussion about gender and why it seems that women are always the carers, providing and supporting. Looking at a woman’s role at home and at work as a group gave us a great sense of solidarity and our group bonded very quickly. Terminology can be confusing and the group had many opportunities for discussion to create a shared clarity. There was a lively debate on Fairtrade or free trade, looking at the historical context and the way in which we perceive it today. The women gave it a local slant by discussing the cost
of Fairtrade food, where to get it and how to promote Fairtrade fortnight. Is a healthy economy a measure of the well-being of a country’s people? This question sparked an interest in investigating how poverty is measured and whether methods used by governments are a true indicator of people’s well-being. What does it mean to be happy and well and is it the same across the globe? Our discussions continued around women’s human rights. Maeve, our facilitator, explained the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in detail but made what could be a heavy topic much lighter by asking us to unscramble mixed up words that form the articles. We made up our own convention that day! We were really lucky to have special guests inputting into our course. We were delighted to welcome representatives from the Maria Elena Cuadra Working and Unemployed Women’s Movement (MEC) and the Central America Women’s Network to discuss the civil and economic rights of Nicaraguan women. Their organisations work with women workers across many different sectors to create an awareness of their rights and campaign for change.
Kate from Women Working Worldwide also came to visit our CDP and gave a great presentation on using consumer power to promote women workers’ rights. It looked at how we are all connected to low wage workers across the globe. We discussed how we can make a choice as consumers in what we buy and also in protecting workers’ rights. Our group was highly motivated by Kate’s talk and suggestions for action. It made us realise that simple actions could be taken to raise awareness of the plight of women workers and to promote their rights amongst our indigenous supermarkets. For example, what was our local supermarket doing about labour standards? There was a real passion and energy at the end of the course around moving forward. We were much clearer on our link as women at a local level and globally. Injustice, discrimination and the detrimental effects of globalisation still need to be fought. This course put the fire back in our bellies! For more information on Banúlacht courses visit www.banulacht.ie.
Have you ever used cartoons as a resource for Dev Ed? Each issue we feature a cartoon you can cut out and adapt for your particular needs. Why not build up your toolkit? For a great introduction and insight into ideas and activities for using cartoons in education go to www.developmenteducation.ie/cartoons
Cartoon by Dr. Martyn Turner: Courtesy of NDP Gender Equality Unit www.ndpgenderequality.ie
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Let a thousand flowers Bloom!
www.bloommovement.org People acting together for radical change and a just world
Design: www.alicefitzgerald.com Printed on recycled paper
INDEX is a free newsletter for people interested in educating on global development issues To subscribe to INDEX visit our INDEX page at www.comhlamh.org/media-publications To join Comhlรกmh go to www.comhlamh.org/get-involved-join-us.html INDEX is a Comhlรกmh publication for the Development Education sector, funded by Comhlรกmh, Trรณcaire, and Irish Aid