Empowering Women HR Defenders in Countries of Conflict and Post-Conflict

Posted by sabina on October 22, 2009

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation supports networks between women’s organisations in various countries and regions. Women from Albania and Kosovo at a network meeting on violence against women, held in Shengjin in Albania.

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation works in conflict and post conflict settings where we cooperate with Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD) and their organisations.

The objective of the MDG3 project “Women´s Organisation, Security and Participation” is to empower WHRD in countries of conflict and post-conflict, in order for them to find new strategies for increased security, outreach and visibility within their respective communities as well as within the international community.

Achieving this objective will contribute to the advancement of human rights in the regions of Western Balkans, the South Caucasus and the Middle East, in particular in the areas of violence against women, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and women’s participation and representation in national parliaments and public administration.

For the development of WHRD´s security strategies the report “Insiste, Persiste, Resiste, Existe” will be used as a basic tool. The report focuses on the securities of WHRD´ s and the challenges they face in their daily work for defending human rights.

Within the MDG3 project, the report will be translated into Russian and Arabic, soon available to be downloaded. To further develop security strategies that suits women activists in their own context, workshops will be held in the three targeted regions were the participants will get the opportunity to learn about security strategies of others, discuss and share experiences.

An analysis of the situation for women and WHRD in regions of conflict and post-conflict gives us a rather glooming picture. Conflicts tend to increase nationalism and strengthen traditional norms and values. Serbia and Montenegro are examples of countries where the situation for WHRD continuously has worsened since 2003.

The MDG3 grant covers support to eight women’s organisations from Serbia and Montenegro, which are taking a clear and public stance against nationalism and militarism. Their questioning of the current political elites, their demands for transitional justice and their refusal to accept violation and neglect of women’s rights have put them in a position where they meet fierce opposition, including threats and violence.

Upcoming events:

• A regional seminar addressing the role of civil society will be held in May 2010 for approximately 130 WHRD from the Western Balkans. The seminar will provide a forum where participants can exchange knowledge and experiences, which will give them a basis for formulating new strategies regarding outreach and security.
• A network meeting, gathering women from the Western Balkans, South Caucasus, the Middle East and the DR Congo will be held during 2010, with the purpose of discussing the strength of women’s organising and their achievements so far. The results will be used by all participant as well as make the work of WHRD more visible for the international community and relevant regional actors.
• A publication will be produced, subjecting women and security, giving a voice to women activists working in the context of conflict and post conflict. The report will be based on activists experiences and create space for their voices.

For more information about Kvinna till Kvinna, please go to www.kvinnatillkvinna.se