2002_Women_and_Men_int_the_Search_for_gender_justice

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CONTENTS

Page Preface

3

Global Gender Strategy: Interregional Consultation on Gender Issues

7

How can men uphold women’s rights? Forming Networks of Men

17

What do these women want? – Aruna Gnanadason

24

Call for Solidarity - Helga Serrano

28

Domestic Violence: A Global Problem to Overcome • Research by Saralyn Allison

34

Feminisation of Poverty: • Research by Giselle Finne • World Alliance Position

59 69

Report Beijing + 5 – Solana Quesada

71

YMCA Programmes (Articles from “YMCA World”) YMCA Directory of Experiences Searching for Gender Justice in the YMCA (Articles from “YMCA World”)

82 92 105

Gender Committee leads the way • Strategies to increase women’s participation in leadership • Gender Committee Terms of Reference

116 117

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PRESENTATION Since the World Alliance of YMCAs convened its first World YMCA Women’s meeting in Aruba, 1988, there have been some visible gains in the matter of women’s participation at the world level. That meeting, however, did not confine its agenda to only creating spaces in terms of representation, important thought that was. It largely dealt with questions and concerns about the status of women in society as part of the wider question of social justice. The meeting clearly asserted the view that every society discriminates against and oppresses women. Equally unjust was the fact that women were not accorded a rightful place in determining the way in which social, economic, cultural, and political life are ordered.

The meeting in Aruba was not a single event from that era. Women-in-society found its rightful place in the agenda of the World Alliance of YMCAs in 1986 as an integral part of a three-year plan directed at tackling questions of justice-peace-development in an integrated and comprehensive way. Between 1986 and 1988, a series of regional level workshops were carried out with the express view that issues would be identified alongside strategies that could engage the YMCA in finding at least a foothold in tackling the gender question, as it is now better known. From “women-in-society” to “genderjustice” is not only a matter of terminology. On the contrary, it represents a paradigm shift achieved by persistence at study and action at all levels of the YMCA for some 15 years since 1988. It is relevant to add a significant note at this point - large parts of the women’s movement welcomed the YMCA’s expressed commitment to an increased leadership role in the YMCA, in society. They also encouraged a platform for men and women to unite their efforts in bringing about justice for women in the face of traditions that are oppressive and exclude women in decision-making.

Our records take us even further back. In 1969, the World Council called for equal rights for women in the YMCA. At that point in history, over a quarter of YMCA members around the world were women. Today, that percentage has doubled. More than half of the 35 million YMCA members and programme participants are women. However, at the level of leadership in boards and committees of YMCAs, there is no equitable representation. This situation has been viewed as unsatisfactory and in need of urgent rectification.

History records show that the YMCA started as, and remained, a male organisation for well over the first 50 years of its existence. But as the social dimension of YMCA mission developed into a wide range of issues and concerns, more women joined the YMCA. It soon became one of few social centres where co-ed activities became popularised. It was seen as healthy for young girls and boys to join common activities. World gatherings began to see more women join them. Quite obviously, this did not correspond with revised or new views about the status of women in society. Systems of patriarchy seemingly had taken root in the YMCA too. And that realisation seemed to have arrived as late as 1969.

Was that shift in attitude a product of the social ferment of the sixties? Probably, yes. For, since then, women have grown in numbers especially at membership and staff level in all regions of the world.

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In 1988 - clearly a defining moment in the World Movement as far as the women and gender question are concerned - women affirmed the hope that the YMCA would become a model of male-female relationships and not remain a mirror of the present day malefemale relationships which are patently unequal and unjust. The Women’s Committee set up in 1988, was exclusively comprised of women only as an initial step to create the space wherein women identify the substance and orientation of a women’s agenda. Their efforts were further cemented at the women’s meeting in 1991. Quite clearly, agendas related to the social advancement of women had been firmly established in the YMCA. In 1992, within a matter of four years, the Women’s Committee was transformed. Led by women, it included men. The YMCA has significant numbers of men who can related to and support the search and struggle for equality of women and men. The place to begin is the local community where YMCAs are at work. Thereafter broader networking will strengthen the local effort.

The current Constitution of the World Alliance stipulates that at least one third of the places in the Executive Committee will go to women. But the YMCA realises that much more needs to be done, especially in terms of women’s leadership. This legal provision is a guarantee that women will compulsorily have a place at the world level. Currently, there are only 18 women general secretaries and 14 women presidents from a total of 123 national movements. The fact that the YMCA has an equal number of men and women within its membership must place it in a good position to change the values and understanding of men vis-à-vis the issues of gender justice and women’s participation.

Since 1999, the members of the Gender Committee of the World Alliance Executive Committee have recognised the difficult situation women face around the world. Women, young women and girls are among the most affected by the current unjust economic structures, poverty, illiteracy, discrimination, unequal pay and violence in all the countries and regions of the world. Therefore, as a movement working for transformation, it is an obligation to address women’s needs and work for gender justice.

When in 1999 the World Alliance “Women’s Committee” changed its nomenclature and called itself the “Gender Committee” it was under the consideration that a gender approach evidences unequal relations between men and women and the need to transform them into just and solidary relations. This also brings about awareness that combined efforts on the part of men and women are needed to build sustainable development based on common human endeavour. This approach also allows for the incorporation of the gender perspective in all programmes, leadership training, etc., at all levels. Indeed the gender perspective allows for the integration of the cultural and social visions of both men and women, while at the same time recognising the importance of contributing to women’s leadership development.

“Women in development” (WID) strategies began when it was seen that women were the most affected by poverty. Although this approach recognised the multiple dimensions of the role of women and the positive impacts of including women in development, it has not been able to guarantee women the benefits of development. A WID strategy has selfimposed limitations. Its perspectives, focused exclusively and limited to one or another function and even centred to social assistance, consider women as a dependent, vulnerable or disadvantaged group. Questions of power and social relations among men and women are absent, even nullified.

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The “Gender and Development” (GAD) perspective, on the other hand, is an evolution that seeks to promote and create self-confidence, giving particular attention to peoples’ capacity to promote their own development, with the adequate support and environment.

This brings about a consciousness that men’s and women’s efforts are needed as a collective to bring about sustainable development based on the human being.

One approach cannot wholly replace the other. The acute situations of women require both. Women’s voices should be listened to in creating conditions for women to identify their own needs, strategies and solutions, taking into account violence against women and incorporating preventive mechanisms; extending gender analysis at the home, community and legal level, including legislation, international institutions, world markets; taking into account the transformation process of gender relations at all levels, making visible women’s work and permanently carrying out comparative analyses that present the inequalities and personal prejudices, focusing on local and global issues (in the communities, in the YMCAs, in women’s movements).

In short, a dual GAD perspective alongside a WID perspective can help to reach the goal of practical needs and strategic interests, because women’s practical needs derive from the functions resulting from her gender: access to water, work, health, and day care centres for her children, etc. But if only basic needs are met, work and power divisions are maintained and reproduced. Therefore, providing organic seeds can improve women’s health and diet, but this does not change women’s relative position within society. The objectives within the strategic needs based on a gender perspective are political equality and equity for men and women, elimination of all kinds of institutionalised discrimination, work in prevention of violence against women, and work towards equity. A gender perspective questions the unequal power relations among men and women with a view to contributing towards changing them.

Within this perspective, the Gender Committee focused its work during 1998-2002 on the following areas: • • • • • •

Women and education Violence against women Feminisation of poverty Women in decision-making Women, health/reproductive rights (HIV/AIDS) Networks of men

The Gender Committee recognises that men and women need to work together in finding solutions to the issues of violence against women, as well as the other areas of concern.

All this incorporates a focus on young women. It also believes that the YMCA should reexamine the renewal of culture and the dimensions of culture and spirituality. The Committee considers it essential to advance in advocacy and networking on these issues.

During its four year term, the Gender Committee has organised and/or participated in the following key actions: •

Interregional Task Group on Gender

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• • • • • • • •

Network of Men in Solidarity with Women – organised jointly with the World Council of Churches Beijing + 5 - representation of the World Alliance Workshop on Gender and Development in the African Youth Forum UMOJA Research and workshop on violence against women Research on feminisation of poverty Networking with other NGOs concerned with the issue of gender justice Directory of YMCA experiences on women’s programmes and programmes with a gender perspective Strategies to increase women’s leadership and participation in the YMCA

It has also published numerous articles on women’s involvement in the YMCA, as well as on programmes carried out by many national and local associations. These include programmes to develop women’s leadership, skills training, micro-credit schemes for women, and gender awareness in different countries. Some examples, along with the directory of experiences, are included in this compilation.

This publication presents a compilation of some of the recommendations, reports and research documents processed by the World Alliance Gender Committee. We hope that national movements and local associations find this material useful when designing and executing their work, and fulfilling the mandate contained in Challenge 21: “advocating for and promoting the rights of women”. We must not forget that in the YMCA we still have to work hard to create a just community of women and men, young and old.

As I finish my term, I would like to thank Martin Vogler, President of the World Alliance, and Nick Nightingale, Secretary General, for their support in carrying forward the agenda of the Gender Committee. A special thanks as well to all the Members of the Gender Committee and the World Alliance Executive Committee.

Jaidivi Núñez Varón Chairperson, World Alliance Gender Committee June 2002

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GLOBAL GENDER STRATEGY: INTERREGIONAL CONSULTATION ON GENDER ISSUES INTRODUCTION By invitation of the World Alliance of YMCAs, an Interregional Consultative Task Group on Gender and Development met in Geneva from January 14-16, 2001 in order to share programmes and methodologies and propose a common framework and policy to incorporate the gender perspective in the YMCA. Fifteen representatives from areas and national movements, experienced in developing women’s programmes or programmes with a gender perspective, discussed how to co-ordinate processes and efforts on the issue.

In a lively meeting, the participants of the group shared their regional experiences and programmes, as well as their personal stories, including difficulties and advances. They analysed where the YMCA is now in relation to the issue and why there had not been more advances. With this in mind, the group co-created a common vision, principles, strategic options and approaches, as contributions towards a global gender strategy. This is the content of this report, along with reflections on the strategic directions draft and inputs for the 15th World Council in 2002. The group suggested that the global gender strategy be incorporated into the Strategic Directions of the world Movement for the period 20022006, along with monitoring and evaluating mechanisms. In the World Alliance Executive Committee meeting in 2001, this report was adopted with the above recommendation. It was also suggested that the area organisations consider the implications of the gender strategy for work at the regional level.

OBJECTIVES • • • •

To map out existing programmes and experiences on gender and women’s programmes.

To share programmes and methodologies related to gender and development.

To explore ways and means of incorporating effectively the gender perspective in the Movement’s work at all levels.

To develop a policy framework for the Movement on the above issues.

The additional tasks/objectives were: • • •

Feedback/influencing Strategic Directions.

Input on gender to World Council Challenge 21 Festival Exploring a more co-ordinated and integrated gender approach/process

REGIONAL MAPPING The first objective of the meeting was to map out existing programmes and experiences.

The areas and regions shared the achievements they felt “proud” of and the situations they were still “sorry” about, as well as their approaches and programmes.

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EUROPE “Prouds”

“Sorries”

•

• •

Gender Equality – Influenced by long term tradition of Christianity and democratic society.

• Education • Social Security • Health care • Approximately equal income – economic independence.

• Relatively high level of women’s representation in decision-making bodies.

• Respect for maternity Wide variety of gender organisations

• • • • • • •

APPROACHES

Equity is still under construction Single parent family (lower income, higher risk unemployment) Women are victims of abuse and sexual abuse Domestic violence (trafficking of women) Lack of knowledge about gender differences Early pregnancy High number of divorces Focus on individualism (lack of social contacts) Feminisation of educational institutions (teachers)

PROGRAMMES IN EUROPEAN ALLIANCE

•

•

European Alliance of YMCAs wants to face gender issues by preparing strategic directions.

• • • •

Marriage encounters (Finland Czech Republic, Slovakia) Programme for expectant mothers Mothers’ centres Marriage preparatory courses Programme for unemployed women ( in areas with high unemployment)

USA The YMCA of the USA has over 2,372 local associations and YMCA presence in 10,000 communities. It has approximately 17 million members of whom approximately 49 % are female. There are 40% female volunteers and 60 % of the staff is female with 47 % in leadership roles.

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Each YMCA is: • Self organised • Self directed • Self financed

“Prouds” •

•

•

“Sorries” •

The USA YMCA and all local Associations have a very strict and well enforced sexual harassment policy (with periodical training for staff on discrimination) The YMCA has a national diversity Initiative.

• Major campaign to change the image of YMCA to reflect diversity.

• Numerous training and resource materials • Regional task forces and conferences (including the East/West specifically on women’s issues) Has a strong community agenda.

•

•

The biggest challenge has been the continued struggle to promote diversity at all levels of the YMCA. High level of violence against women in the U.S. • Dysfunctional family situations, single parent homes (mainly women) • Extreme class differences in relation to ethnicity and regions Besides affordable/supplemented childcare, there are few programmes that address gender violence.

AFRICA “Prouds” •

• •

•

•

“Sorries”

Issues of gender have been institutionalised at country and YMCA levels.

Gender issues have been incorporated in the countries’ constitution.

Most countries including YMCA national movements have attested to UN agreements.

Gender balance has been observed at the African Alliance and Zonal Youth meetings.

Defined visions, objectives and action plans on violence against women and feminisation of poverty have resulted from UMOJA 2000 (African Youth Forum held in Togo 2000) – filters to the zones and national movements for operationalisation.

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•

• • •

•

•

Linkage of Youth and Gender Committee at the African Alliance resulting in marginalisation, especially of gender.

Few YMCAs have committees focusing on gender Lack of filtering/operationalisation of laws/agreements on gender.

Backlash on women • Divorce • Family violence • Women abuse “ Gender” still synonymous with ‘Women’ – lack of understanding /knowledge/training on gender issue (both at country and YMCA levels).

There is resistance to change due to tradition / socialisation.

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Programmes in Africa 1. Animation on reproductive health.

2.

Family life education programme HIV/AIDS Peer education Civic education Community participation Family discussions Dissemination of information

• • • • • •

3. Rural community development • Civic education • Micro-credit project • Socio-economic empowerment 4.

Deliberate inclusion in all YMCA programmes/projects - gender dimension.

5. Networking / co-participate with other NGOs working on gender issues.

6. School discussions addressing.

• Gender • Life options • HIV/AIDS

LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN “Prouds” • • • • • • • • •

• • •

“Sorries”

Gender is no longer associated only to working with women.

Mainstreaming – not just a women’s project but included in all YMCA work.

More people are involved in gender issues Networking with women’s NGOs Joint gender programmes Shared vision, objectives and different strategies.

More women in YMCA leadership.

Policy to work with women and men Education programmes on reproductive health and laws relating to women (violence, equal opportunities) Educational spaces for staff Joint work on parenting, youth reproductive health rights, HIV/AIDS Gender module introduced in leadership training in some YMCAs. 10

• • • •

• • • •

•

Lack of documentation / systematisation Need more general funding for gender programming (not just for a project) Not enough sharing of work on gender issues (between YMCA movements) Need tools for strategic planning to integrate gender perspective into the programme There is no genuine empowerment of women.

Need spaces for reflection and discussion in rural communities Need to strengthen co-ordination among YMCAs. Need to take positions on issues such as abortion, reproductive/sexual rights and education.

Need to develop indicators to measure effectiveness of work.

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MIDDLE EAST

“Prouds” • • • • • • • •

“Sorries”

Momentum created for gender amongst NGOs. Open debate.

Better representation of women in NGOs. Literacy improvement in rural areas.

Improved life expectancy and Health/family planning.

Equal education opportunities for girls. more educated women.

Human rights instruments signed.

Legislation for women.

• • • • • • • • •

Intellectual movement not translated to grassroots.

Debates do not change reality of women (representation, salary and health…)

Still no true representation.

Low awareness and empowerment Genital mutilation still continues 28% of women are active in public life Legislation not translated to policy Lenient punishment for “Honour crimes” Violence against women (local and foreign) goes mostly unpunished due to lack of representation.

ASIA “Prouds” •

•

•

•

“Sorries”

Women’s voices are increasingly being heard owing to rapid emergence and dynamic activities of women’s movements and NGOs addressing gender issues. In some countries, law/policy has been enacted to protect women’s rights as an outcome of strong women’s movements Steady development in women’s empowerment programmes aiming at economic self-reliance and social awareness building Hopeful signs in the mindset of young generations in terms of gender perspectives. This is a challenge to the YMCAs in the sense how we could make use of these signs in transforming gender relations in our societies Priority has been given to gender issue at the regional level, incorporated in the 4Year Programme Plan of the Asia Alliance of YMCAs

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•

• •

•

•

In terms of YMCA programme, there exist many service-delivery programmes for women i. e. to meet women’s basic needs, but comparatively less programmes aiming at women’s empowerment, and fewer programmes dealing with gender equity (power relations between men and women).

Lack of understanding on gender issue.

Lack of women’s participation in governance (decision-making) both in and outside YMCA. Most of the ongoing YMCA programmes are so-called “victim-oriented”, very few policy-level programmes or advocacy actions.

In some cases, traditional cultures hinder women’s emancipation processes in our region. Religions often play conservative even reactionary roles in this regard.

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REFLECTION AT A GLOBAL LEVEL “Prouds” • • •

•

• • •

“Sorries” • • •

Advancement of women’s agenda (world conferences) Violence against women is a public issue Institutional mechanisms to follow-up on implementing CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women) Women move from gender-specific issues to proposals at political, social, economic levels (alternatives to globalisation) Women’s leadership increases More networking among women’s and other organisations.

Joint actions and voices seeking alternatives to globalisation

• • • • • •

Persistent violence against women More women among the poor.

Negative effects on health, education, and wellbeing of girls and young women due to structural adjustment programmes Lack of resources to follow-up institutional mechanisms Increased unemployment of women (although more educated) Male dominated (patriarchal) society, religious/cultural justifications.

Conservative and individualistic ideology – lack of solidarity Stripping significance of “gender” Non – recognition of the richness of diversity.

GENDER STATUS - WORLD ALLIANCE “Prouds” • • • • • • • •

“Sorries”

Gender is on the agenda of the World Alliance and Area Alliances Gender is not only at Gender Committee but also at the Executive Committee.

Youth open to gender perspective Quota system World Alliance sexual harassment policy Gender Committee Terms of Reference Programmes developed Network of Men

• • • • • •

Misunderstanding of Gender – still seen by men as a women’s issue.

Representation of women is not always quality No clear instruments to increase women’s representation.

Gap between intellectual debate and grass root work Traditional conservative leadership Lack of vision/advocacy/public speaking /transformational role.

TOWARDS A GLOBAL GENDER STRATEGY FOR THE YMCA Based on the mapping and sharing exercise the group reached the following conclusions: Analyses ... where are we now?

•

We are seeking a deeper common understanding of gender within our movements as a men and women issue, which touches every individual.

•

It should be made clear that we are working towards equity, not for men and women to be the same.

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•

We need to set up a long-term strategy, continuity and consistency on issues of gender.

•

We should take into consideration that traditional conservative YMCA leadership makes change more difficult. Sometimes newer/younger movements are more advanced in dealing with gender issues.

•

Regional - national movements are at different levels of development in relation to gender equity - there is still a need for equality.

•

The level of understanding of gender issues varies from movement to movement.

•

Reaching the mutual responsibility is a challenge for the world Movement with respect of the autonomy of national movements, while accepting the agenda of Challenge 21.

•

We have limited instruments, vehicles and capacities to deliver on the issues.

•

The need to deal with gender issues should be internalised by more YMCA leaders.

•

The networking and sharing on programmes, methodologies and approaches should be improved and supported.

•

We should work more on theological and biblical reflections (read the Bible with the eyes of a woman) and then use them in the whole process.

•

To carry out change we should create a process to clarify concrete needs and demands, a set of measurable targets and objectives while being aware of the gap between discussions and grass root implementation.

•

To be gender sensitive and to reach significant change, the YMCA should focus not only on service providing but also on capacity-building and develop focal points – “movers and shakers” - for gender equity.

•

Many times the work with women has only focused on the fulfilment of women’s basic needs and not dealing with power relations

•

Gender issues should be seen in the light of social, political and economic situations.

TOWARDS A SHARED VISION Guided by Challenge 21 and with respect to the diversity of our world YMCA movement we commit ourselves to building a community where: •

Women and men work in partnership for peace, justice and fullness of life for all.

•

Equality and gender equity are guaranteed and sustained in all levels of the YMCA.

•

Where young women and men share responsibility and leadership in the YMCA and where tenderness, caring and compassion prevail.

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TOWARDS A SET OF SHARED PRINCIPLES We understand gender as a social cultural construction that assigns different roles, functions and attributes to men and women, that currently implies an unequal power relation and domination of men over women.

•

Gender is an issue for both men and women.

•

In dealing with the issue of gender, both men and women should be equally involved: q Responsibility q Opportunities: employment, health, education, public life, housing q Participation q Development

•

It is necessary to take into consideration respect of cultural diversity which includes: Social factors q Political factors q Cultural factors q Economic factors q It is also important to recognise that all these are changing and dynamic factors.

•

The work towards gender equity is an on-going process, periodically needing indicators to measure progress.

•

Women should be recognised as actors in their own development and that of society.

•

Participation should be inclusive: men/women, young/old at all levels.

•

A need for YMCA to internalise or commit to gender equity – to take an integrated and holistic approach to gender within the YMCA and communities is essential.

•

YMCA work, including gender, should transcend service provision to development and empowerment.

STRATEGIC OPTIONS • • • • •

Young women and men as a priority, but not exclusively Gender mainstreaming/crosscutting issue Increasing women’s leadership Advocacy and networking Sharing resources (materials, training, monitoring)

GENDER … PRIORITY ISSUES • • • •

Women and education Violence against women Feminisation of poverty Health/reproductive rights (HIV/AIDS) 14

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• •

Women in decision-making Network of Men

TOWARDS SHARED … APPROACHES Gender mainstreaming/crosscutting issue •

• •

•

The gender perspective should cut across all levels and programmes of the YMCA, incorporating it in the planning process instruments to guarantee that the gender perspective is present in all programmes.

Work not only towards meeting (fulfilment) of women’s basic needs (e.g. economic empowerment – microcredit) but connect them to deal with power relations.

Work in a holistic and integrated manner, to influence and change economic, political, social and cultural factors that represent obstacles for women’s development as well as to reach a just society.

Identify and support the “movers and shakers” within each movement.

Women’s participation and representation • • • • •

Eliminate the barriers to the free participation of women (by providing resources/ services, e.g. space for children).

Looking at the hours of meetings).

Develop mechanisms to increase women’s participation and representation at all levels.

Monitor the participation of women at all levels.

Guarantee resources to implement the programme.

Youth •

Work jointly with youth committees, youth programmes and forums to incorporate gender perspective.

Networking • •

•

Network to share programmes, expertise, and instruments especially to learn from YMCAs leading in gender sensitivity.

Develop institutional coordination and networking with other NGOs and government agencies at local, national, regional and international levels in resourcing, information sharing, and advocacy and public policy processes.

Establishing processes for men, especially young men, to reflect on and explore their male identity e.g. men’s groups/networks and to work collaboratively with women towards a new community of women and men.

Resources • • •

Mapping of all experiences on gender or women’s programmes.

Pull together resources to develop a permanent theological and biblical reflection on gender (work with YWCA and World Council of Churches).

Generate and circulate information on gender.

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•

Generate methodological instruments that the community can appropriate (kit, manual, comics, and cartoons).

Training • •

Sensitise and train staff with skills to implement a gender perspective.

Provide leadership training for women, especially young women.

Monitoring and evaluation • •

Develop clear objectives and monitoring and evaluating instruments (indicators) to the level of gender sensitivity.

Develop an integrated gender strategy collaboratively between area alliances and the World Alliance.

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HOW CAN MEN UPHOLD WOMEN’S RIGHTS? FORMING NETWORKS OF MEN Both the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the World Alliance of YMCAs have recognised their responsibility for providing ecumenical spaces for networking among men who struggle with their identity and hopes for building a just community of women and men. During 1999, the WCC and the YMCA explored ways of working together on the question of how men can become actively engaged with women in addressing the issues of gender justice.

One of the means we agreed would be a way forward was to create a network of men in solidarity with women. An initial meeting to discuss the base and orientation of this network was held from November 6 to 11, 2000 in Bossey, near Geneva, Switzerland.

The 6 women and 14 men from all over the world discussed the situation of women, issues of gender justice, the role of men and a shared vision of a new community. Daily Bible studies not only inspired the group, but also revealed how certain interpretations of the Bible have been used to oppress women. The group reached conclusions concerning their future challenge in establishing a network to continue their task and commitment to develop the Global Network of Men: Working Towards a New Community of Women and Men. This report summarises the results of the intense discussions during the fourday workshop, facilitated by Steve Hobbs.

In 2001, the World Alliance Executive Committee endorsed this report for wide dissemination, as a working document and policy framework. It further recommended that the area organisations promote and develop the idea of networks of men in solidarity with women.

GLOBAL NETWORK OF MEN TOWARDS A NEW COMMUNITY OF WOMEN AND MEN: STATEMENT OF INTENT We are a network of men, gathered from every region of the world, called and supported by the YMCA and the WCC, in search for a new and just community of women and men to: • •

• • •

work towards a new consciousness for men of women’s reality, and gender justice; work towards the liberation of men from our complicity in dominant attitudes, practices and structures of life and develop an alternative paradigm of gender equal relations; challenge unjust structures and systems that maintain gender imbalances and inequity; work collaboratively with women’s agendas for justice; create and work with other networks of men, locally, regionally and nationally, in this journey.

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From the beginning, the group set itself the task to jointly create a vision for a “global network of men in solidarity with women” - and a plan for implementing that vision, as well as assuming the responsibility for its delivery.

The group first discussed the expectations for the workshop: to learn from others; to share experiences, agendas and visions; to encourage peoples’ and organisations’ understanding of women’s needs, as well as cultural and religious issues. The hopes, results and fears for the workshop were also discussed, which led the group to discuss if women would trust the initiative.

Some of the issues, which were highlighted in the initial discussions, include: • • • •

•

Information, education and communication Solidarity and trust (who, what is it, men-women trust) Advocacy (speaking out) Addressing political, cultural, theological and personal change - Violence, exploitation and domination - Reproductive health issues/responsible parenthood - Gender balance in institutions, ecumenical movement, government - Tolerance of sexual orientation - Male-to-male communication and male-female relationships - Power and authority Strategies (network, institutional change, etc.)

REFLECTIONS AND INPUTS The participants shared their own reflections as well as inputs from both the WCC and YMCA leadership. Konrad Raiser, Executive Director of the World Council of Churches, explored the meaning of the Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with Women, concluding that men were the problem. Women, he said, have a more natural solidarity among themselves, as victims of patriarchy, thereby facilitating the building of networks.

He highlighted that networking among the “powerful” was more difficult, and suggested certain steps.

First, men should analyse how they live their identity and role, understanding processes of socialisation and education as well as cultural and religious traditions. They should conscientise themselves by seeing themselves through the eyes of women and by exploring the impact of political structures on the identity of men. Second, men should seek other men who have gone through different processes, so as to strengthen and deepen the need to establish relationships with other men. This could lead to relate to men who are perpetrators of violence, as they need help. Third, men should be involved in transforming and changing traditional identities and roles, not just as individuals, but also contributing to build an alternative paradigm so men can contribute to a new community of women and men. It is important to develop a grass-root process, so that a network could grow based on real experiences of groups of men that act as catalysts.

Nick Nightingale, Secretary General of the World Alliance, shared with the participants his personal and organisational experience and commitment to gender issues and women’s rights. Ranjan Solomon, Executive Secretary from the World Alliance, explained how the 18

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YMCA began as a male organisation and expanded its membership in line with the social realities the movement faced. From the mid 50s there was an opening up to girls and coeducational opportunities. By the 1969 World Council, new questions were raised concerning the role of youth and students, followed by a deeper participation in the justice, peace and human rights agenda. 30% of the participants were women in 1969, while currently there is a 50% membership in many places. Unfortunately, the increase in membership has not always led to an increase in women’s leadership, which is something the movement is addressing now.

Aruna Gnanadason, Coordinator of the Women/Justice, Peace and Creation Team of the WCC presented “What do these women want?” where she explored the exclusion and discrimination of women, and shared the images and marks of the new community of women and men that we all need to build. Helga Serrano, Executive Secretary of the World Alliance, highlighted some of the main problems that affect women in “A Call for Solidarity”: globalisation, feminisation of poverty, violence, lack of women’s leadership, discrimination against women and gender injustice.

THE WAY FORWARD After the initial discussions and input, the men met separately and presented the following statement: From our Circle of Men: We acknowledge our complicity in the violence and unequal power that has brought pain to the lives of women and has distorted our societies.

We commit ourselves to transformative action to turn from our violence and dominant ways and to walk in partnership with women. We know we need to earn your trust and be attentive to your voice.

We acknowledge the work and the struggles of women towards a new community of women and men.

We ask for your patience, your understanding and your solidarity as we seek to live out our commitment to gender justice in our personal, institutional, political and social lives.

The group deliberated on the vision and values of a new community based on social and economic justice. They highlighted that it was necessary to make a constructive critique of cultures, looking at both the positive and negative aspects. They also affirmed plurality, the right to dream and the need to redefine words such as partnerships and compassion.

They recognised the importance of new theological insights and deepening the analysis of patriarchy so as to lead to profound transformation of women and men and of societal structures.

In their vision of a new community, they imagined:

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• • • • •

Visibility of men working for gender justice Reception of women into circles of power and leadership at every level Explicit and real trust between women and men A future free of violent/competitive images Time for relationships and meaningful communication

In their vision ideas for a network of men, they included: • • • •

Networks at different levels, arenas Diversity of life (age, colour, race, faiths, gender within the networks) Resourcing networks (that inspire, support, educate, empower) A coordinating, supportive body (e.g. WCC, YMCA)

They considered that the network could work in two ways: To lobby • Education • Church • Law To support through local groups • Dialogue with women • Young men and women • Sensitivity training • Leadership training The group hopes to develop regional and national strategies, by forming networks of men and developing a snowball effect. Input from women is essential, they said, as well as developing a circle of communication between men and women. The group also recognised they needed resources to get the network started.

They developed a communication strategy in order to sustain their work, which includes participating in global and regional events, publishing a quarterly electronic newsletter and developing a page on the WCC and YMCA websites. They committed themselves to contribute news and experiences from other groups and to use their own newsletters to disseminate information on networks of men.

EXPERIENCES OF NETWORKS OF MEN Over the last decade, men have become actively engaged with women in addressing the issues of gender justice. There are networks aimed at stopping violence against women and an increasing recognition that men need to speak among themselves particularly about the issue of male violence, male identity and male sexuality and how they respond with dignity to the growing liberation potential of and among women. They have also become more aware of the role they can play to influence and change gender relations into more equitable and just ones.

Some networks have begun to discuss the role of men, their responsibility and their potential in work towards gender equity by exploring the meanings and uses of 20

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masculinity. Others have used as entry points the need to stop violence against women, human rights and peace, poverty reduction, family, health, workplace and institutions.

The programmes and networks that involve men and the role they can play in a movement towards gender equity, have developed slowly. Some of the experiences that have been developed can provide inputs for organisations interested in developing these kind of networks.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Men and Gender Equality http://www.undp.org/gender/programmes/men/men_ge.html This programme is carried out by a group of men within the UNDP to promote collaboration between men and women to reduce current gender disparities in the workplace and the world. They ask their male colleagues for “the sensitivity to renounce dominant stereotypes and a willingness to re-evaluate our own attitudes towards gender equality issues and the advancement of women. Some of the entry points that these men have identified to move the gender agenda forward are: • • • • •

Talk and exchange information meetings and electronic networks Mandatory gender training for all staff Designate men-women pairs to be UNDP Gender Focal Points (both should have academic background and professional experience in gender issues) Establish no tolerance towards sexual harassment Profile senior male gender advocates

Gender workshops with men - Asia As a response to the increasing awareness of women’s issues, various NGOs started to develop “gender sensitisation workshops for men”, such as the ones in Nepal, Bangladesh and India. Women led workshops for men, based in an integrative and holistic approach, that seeks to develop an understanding of gender and gender relations in the contexts of other divisions such as class, caste and North-South divide. Each workshop had 15 to 20 participants, and lasted four to five days in quiet and very simple places.

In every workshop, men are encouraged to talk about their personal lives and experiences, their personal relationships with women at home, in the work-place, and in society at large, to make them realise that, unlike other issues, gender cannot be dealt with merely as an intellectual discourse. The first step is to reassure the participants, as some came with anxieties, insecurities and hostility. Then there is a discussion on issues such as the position of women and men in society, the concept of gender, patriarchy, development policies, NGO structures and policies, feminism and the women’s movement, among others. Crucial issues, like the position of men and women in the family, cause certain uneasiness. Participants are asked to list on the blackboard all the oppression that women and men may suffer within the family. The women’s column gets quickly filled, while participants have to think hard to point out the oppression men face in the family. Men are then encouraged to look at the family from the point of view of women and to see that removing the prevalent inequalities can strengthen families.

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Atlanta, Georgia, USA http://www.menstoppingviolence.org/ “Men Stopping Violence” is an organisation dedicated to ending violence against women.

The focus is to stop battering, and their intention to work toward ending rape and incest.

As they work to help men change their abusive behaviour, they recognise that individual change is dependent upon changing social systems which support the private and institutional oppression of women. They believe that groups of men can work together to change patriarchal values and belief systems that oppress women and children and dehumanise men themselves. They look to the battered women’s movement to keep the reality of the problem and the vision of the solution before them. They support the work done by women’s groups. Believing that all forms of oppression reinforce one another, they also seek to confront other power hierarchies that are based on race, class, or sexual orientation.

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/CommunitySupport/Men4Change/index.htm The members of “Men For Change” are dedicated towards promoting positive masculinity and ending sexism and violence. It is a men’s group based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada that formed in the aftermath of the tragic killing of women engineering students in Montreal in 1989 by a man who singled out his victims because they were “a bunch of feminists”. Since then, the group has been meeting regularly to better understand the controlling behaviour and violence that all too often characterise male-female relationships in our society. From its inception they have focused on becoming more aware of the pitfalls of traditional “male culture”, how the assumptions and values of this limited version of masculinity adversely affect the lives of all men.

New York, New York, USA http://www.feminist.com/men.htm “Meninist” is a new global organisation of men that believes in a woman’s right for equality in society including political, social and in the workplace. The following represents the platform they believe in: • •

•

They are opposed to all forms of macho behaviour and obscene sexist attitudes; they respect all women.

They oppose all forms of violence against women, including rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence, as well as all negative stereotypes and violence against women in film, television and advertising.

They believe that women should be paid in parity to men for the same work done and women should be given the same opportunities in the work environment.

Brookline, MA http://www.cs.utk.edu/~bartley/other/realMen.html “Real Men” is an anti-sexist men’s group in the Boston area. They are called Real Men because they are attempting to contribute to a new understanding of what it means to be a man. They believe that, contrary to the popular stereotype about “real men” as macho

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tough guys, it is important for men to rethink and work to change traditional masculinity, which is often more difficult to do and takes more courage.

They are a political educational group committed to public activism. Their goal is to encourage more men to take responsibility for personal sexism as well as the overwhelming level of violence against women in society.

What do they do? They sponsor forums, provide speakers, organise informational pickets, sponsor walks, promote their views on radio and television programmes, distribute media packets, conduct speak-outs, and do whatever else they can to raise men’s awareness of their need to work actively against sexual inequality and violence. While they encourage men to get involved in organised political action, there are many other ways for men to work against sexism and sexual violence.

Malenetwork – Sweden www.man-net.nu/engelsk/start.htm “Malenetwork” is an informal network of men who work for the “good manliness, for gender equality, against violence and abuse by men – for the sake of children and women, as well as ourselves”. Their activities include: training men for fatherhood, placing men’s issues and the role of men in the international agenda, publication of material about violence, training for men to work as advocates against gender-based violence by giving lectures in schools and increasing public awareness through media and public debate.

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WHAT DO THESE WOMEN WANT?

by Aruna Gnanadason1

As women, we are very grateful for every act of solidarity we have received from you our brothers. The Ecumenical Decade of the Churches in Solidarity with Women process showed us that solidarity networks of men are critical for a true change in the quality of life of women. Women constantly challenge the WCC to recognise that it is not enough for us to organise women. The challenge has been to get into dialogue with men and to engage men in what are often “women only” meetings. But there is another voice, which we must heed. I remember a Pakistani Christian woman, a woman who has survived a violent marriage, saying at a meeting, “Why should I dialogue with men? Men are our oppressors, our rapists, our batterers .... why should we speak with them?” My response at all times is that at the heart of all our work as the WCC has been the fulfilment of a true “community of women and men”. But then, if I have to take seriously the pleas of many women such as my Pakistani sister, I have to add that we are nowhere near such a community. What are the marks of such a community? This is the question we have to ask ourselves.

But, I think we will need to continue to meet and organise women, as women - not as a separatist movement, but as a way in which we can strengthen the community. We still live in a time of tremendous violence against women; a time of systematic and deliberate exclusion of women from the fruits of development; a time when in spite of the great strides made by the women’s movement in all parts of the world (even in trouble spots like Afghanistan, Eritrea, East Timor, the former Yugoslavia and in every other country of the world) violations against women’s selfhood and dignity go on unabated in almost every country of the world. In a context of increasing racism and xenophobia, it is women who experience the most discrimination and violence.

Additionally, in a context of economic globalisation, it is women (and children) who face the worst consequences. There is ample evidence to show that the feminisation of poverty is a global phenomenon - even in the so-called “developed” parts of the world. Some years ago, we were told by a woman social worker, that in Switzerland many women in the watch manufacturing industry earn just CHF 2000 a month. This sounds like a huge amount if placed against the earnings of a woman agricultural labourer in India, but those of us who live in Switzerland know that for a single mother, for instance, this is an impossible salary to survive on. (Perhaps the only difference is that she survives because of the welfare system in Switzerland that will protect her - for the Indian woman there is no such safety net to fall back on.) But, what is happening to women globally - because of the absolutely unjust systems of trade, finance, capital flow, external debt, inflation, etc that have become the hallmarks of our world - is indeed grotesque and inherently inhuman. So, the first mark of the community is justice.

1

Co-ordinator of Women/Justice, Peace and Creation Team, World Council of Churches, Geneva.

Presentation made at the Global Network of Men Meeting, November 2000, Celigny, Switzerland.

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Mark of resistance - the commitment to survive I would like to affirm that one of the other marks of the new community are the newly emerging voices of resistance. Women all over the world are saying, “enough is enough” and are finding creative and constructive ways to survive and to challenge forces of exclusion and violence. Women all over the world ask new questions, they seek new theological and spiritual resources for their faith journey. In their ways of what we would now call “being church” are the signs of hope. Such signs of hope also lie in movements of men around the world who stand in solidarity with women. It is these voices that we see gathered here and our hope as women is that this newly emerging network of men will herald a new phase in the work of the WCC and the YMCA. Mark of affirming relatedness - challenge to essentialism Some traditional ideologies have defined personhood hierarchically - some such as the poor or the outcaste are not even deemed as persons. Christianity, which does value the autonomy and value of all persons, has ironically been used as the legitimisation on which discrimination is often based (e.g. the theological legitimisation of apartheid!). During the mid-Decade Team visits to member churches, the gospel was often invoked to legitimise discrimination against women, even violence against women. There is also evident an essentialism in defining who a “true person” is, and this is at the heart even of gender based discrimination. Women are increasingly speaking of “the concept of relatedness” that is more elementary than awareness of differences, of autonomy, individuality and even of freedom! As persons we live only in “perfect reciprocity with one another”, as Ivonne Gebara, women theologian from Brazil describes it. (“Longing for Running Water, Ecofeminism and Liberation”, 1999:83) We also need to challenge the original and simplistic notion of an oppression or of liberation that is common to all women. But then we see again and again that patriarchy will use any methodology to keep women divided - this weakens us and therefore this we must diligently watch out for. It is only when we deconstruct some basic oppressive societal and theological categories that have endowed power and privilege to some and have kept others submerged in silence that we can identify what solidarity we need.

Elizabetta Donini, a scientist who teaches physics in the University of Turin, calls for a notion of “pluralist friendship” based on a commitment to: “a notion of friendship that is not limited to the circle of those we consider similar to ourselves but is rather nourished by moving in exactly the opposite direction. At stake is the awareness that it is precisely the other’s own diversity, and not in spite of it, that constitutes her or his subjectivity. In other words there is no need at all to legitimate the other as similar to me.” (Women and a Politics of Diversity, in Ecofeminism and Theology, Yearbook of the European Society of Women in Theological Research, Germany/Netherlands, 2/1994:65) Women of the South engage in the struggle for our liberation, against many odds. We are often told, by mainly men in our communities - even men supposedly engaged in liberation movements - that we are “being elitist, because we are not speaking of poor women”, and we who dare to call ourselves feminist are branded as “westernised” and even of being “black outside and white inside”! We are often ostracised or just ignored.

Mercy Amba Oduyoye describes what happened when women in Africa discovered their power - to her the turning point was the UN World Conference in Nairobi in 1985. In her 25

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words, “In Africa, the move by women to seek more humane conditions for themselves was simply denied, When it was detected, it was assigned to the cracked pot of Western decadence, unbecoming to Young Africa. The deriding voices were mostly those of men … African men preened themselves on how well behaved and docile and content their African women were. They crowed loudly to the world: “See! We told you, our women are different. Of course there are a few bad eggs under the influence of decadent women of the West, but these deviants we can ignore.” However, Nairobi was different; though its full impact is yet to be felt, it seems to me that Africa must get ready for more “deviants”.

Before and during the Nairobi women’s meeting, African men insisted that liberation as applied to the African woman was a foreign importation. Some even called it an imperialist trap that would do Africa no good.” (Daughters of Anowa, African Women and Patriarchy, Orbis Books, 1995, p.3) In the rest of her fascinating book, “The Daughters of Anowa”, Mercy goes on to disprove such accusations - in her own inimitable way, drawing on the wisdom and energy of Africa and of African women. How can we celebrate our relatedness and yet respect women’s needs to discover their own tools in the struggle for liberation. How do we face with gentleness, the differences present even within the liberation paradigm? There can be no essentialist definition on what “liberation” means. We need an alternate vision, which would stress on our global interdependence and then leave it to each community, in its own place, to work out what “liberation” means to that community.

Mark of the new community of women and men - to recognise the depth of the analysis and the interconnectedness of issues Another reality that is becoming clear to me is that we have to reclaim some of the analysis we lost when we moved into the “gender discourse”. The women’s movement has identified patriarchy as a system of “graded subjugation”, which would include all forms of subjugation - race, class and gender. Elisabeth Shussler Fiorenza says that feminism “cannot be concerned with gender inequities and gender marginalisation but must also address other forms of domination, such as racism, poverty, religious exclusion, heterosexism and colonialism, all of which are inflected by gender and inflect gender”.

(Rhetoric and Ethic: The Politics of Biblical Studies, 1999:5) In the same book she goes on to suggest that it is more appropriate to speak of feminisms in the plural. She uses the expression “kyriarchy” as a term, which describes best the interconnectedness of oppressions. What she says is of critical importance. Additionally, in my understanding, the inadequacy of the gender discourse lies in the fact that it addresses “roles” and therefore of political, economic and social constructs. It overlooks sexual politics and the powerlessness of women whose sexuality has been at the heart of the violence they experience. It is through the control of women’s sexuality and sexual choices; the colonisation of women’s wombs and reproductive capacities; and through the commercialisation of women’s sexuality that women’s rights and dignity are most violated.

Some images of the new architecture for the community We have Mary Hunt’s image of “justice speaking friends” or Letty Russell’s image of “the church in the round” - both images rooted in a commitment to work for a new ordering of church and society. I have been particularly drawn by the image of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians - an ever expanding circle of women doing 26

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theology for the sake of societal and faith reconstruction. The other image I have been inspired by is that of “the earth community and earth ethic” that Larry Rasmussen offers of the microcosm and macrocosm enmeshed in one, where respect for and care for each other and for all of creation is at the core. There is also the important model being offered by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, with its focus on reconciliation. It affirms that the story must be told, so that the truth will come to the open.

Remembering, weeping, confession of guilt, forgiveness after acts of reparation and restitution and finally reconciliation and healing - each step is important as a whole nation struggles to embrace the long history of institutionalised forms of racism - of the deep differences so as to move on. It has something to teach us in our effort to seek reconciliation between women and men too.

The World Council of Churches has developed two new programmes into which I hope this emergent network can plug in - it is the process we have called Being Church: Women’s Voices and Visions. This study and reflection process aims at bringing more strongly into the church new values of what it means to Be Church in the world today. It will affirm the many forms of spirituality and liturgical and ritual forms that women have developed. It will also embrace other faith responses of women as they survive violence and exclusion. The other process we can draw inspiration from is the Decade to Overcome Violence - which is an invitation to work together to overcome violence. The concerns we have regarding violence against women, in all its forms, must be addressed within this framework. I hope in these days together we can begin this search… I believe we are slowly discovering the “living stones” that will go to build this community. To build something that is lasting and strong requires that we depend on each other’s solidarity.

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CALL FOR SOLIDARITY

by Helga Serrano2

First of all, it is a great pleasure for us at the World Alliance of YMCAs and the World Council of Churches to have all of you with us this week. We are happy because there has been important support from all the regions of the world to carry out this meeting. Thank you for giving your time and energies to exchange ideas and proposals with all of us.

I have just returned from Bagbe in Togo from a Youth Leadership Forum where one of the “core topics” was gender and development. During three days, each afternoon I worked with a group of 15 to 20 young women and men. We discussed and shared our understandings and misunderstandings of gender, justice, violence against women, feminisation of poverty and our role as members of the YMCA. Perhaps one of the most inspirational moments was after watching a video that we will share with you these days. It is about a “group of men against violence” formed in Nicaragua. The testimonies of the men and the changes that they went through made the men in this workshop in Africa realise that change is possible. And it was, of course, a lesson of solidarity with one of the main problems faced by women around the world: domestic violence.

So, with the memory of this workshop still fresh in my mind, I would like to talk about some issues that need to be addressed by both men and women, as we think about how to build a network of men in solidarity with women. If gender is about understanding unequal relations of power between men and women, it is also about working to transform them into relations based on equity and social justice.

Globalisation and human rights First of all it is necessary to situate the context in which the women’s agenda is being developed. And for that we will talk briefly about the process of globalisation which is producing winners and losers, and women are largely in the second category, that is, the losers.

Neoliberal globalisation has a direct impact on the exercise of human rights. The right to development, to equity between women and men, to work, to social security, to food, to health, to housing, to education, to culture, all are affected. The right to self determination of nations and peoples is also violated.

According to Ignacio Ramonet, director of the newspaper Le Monde Diplomatique, globalisation is the interdependence of the economies of many countries, especially the financial sector, which dominates all economic spheres. Its objective is to conquer markets, not countries and to possess wealth.

2

Executive Secretary, World Alliance of YMCAs, Geneva. Presentation made at the Global Network of Men Meeting, November 2000, Celigny, Switzerland.

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Globalisation has developed due to technology and informatics. It reaches every corner, ignoring the rights of the peoples. One of the consequences of globalisation is the destruction of the collective and the privatisation of the public sphere. The market is more important than social well-being, individualism is imposed over collectiveness and everything can become a merchandise, including life itself.

Economic globalisation has expanded the gap between rich and poor. The relation between the richest country has grown from 44 to 1 in 1973, to 72 to 1 in 1992, and to 82 to 1 in 1995.

The State is being reorganised to serve the interests of the market forces. These interests are not those of the citizens, and rather cause more poverty and exclusion. The primary preoccupation of the State is achieving macro-economic stability, not dealing with human problems. And this has largely affected women all over the world.

Therefore, it is easy to prove how the market system has failed to solve the problems of poverty faced by most of the world, especially women. Globalisation has created winners and losers, and it is the same system that creates losers, the one that creates winners.

Therefore it is difficult to talk about sharing the benefits of globalisation. It is the system itself that has to be resisted and questioned in order to seek alternatives. But since this system was created by human beings, it can also be changed by human beings.

Feminisation of poverty If we look at how women’s rights are affected by the system, perhaps one of the first issues we should address is that of feminisation of poverty. We should remember that 70% of the poor in the world are women, and to this we have to add the discrimination women face in the access to resources and to property.

Let us just remember that women: • are one half of the world’s population, • head one-third of all households, • are responsible for half of the food production, • receive one tenth of total income, and • own one-hundredth of property.

This situation has been worsened through the effects of neoliberal policies and structural adjustment programmes.

The recently held Beijing +5 review in New York recognised the negative impact of socio-economic policies in the life of women, although it did not go so far as to question globalisation, but rather called for the development of “safeguards against the uncertainties and changes in conditions of work associated with globalisation”.

This comes as no surprise. The effects of structural adjustment programmes imposed on Third World countries to ensure funds for debt repayment, have deteriorated living conditions for the majority.

Basically, governments in the Third World have cut back spending on health, education and basic services. This affects especially girls as they are the first to be removed from 29

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school. It also affects women, who are the usual providers of these services for the family.

The State assures that women’s time is available as a complementary source.

Contradictorily, while government spending has been cut back to just over 25% of the gross development product (GDP) in the south, in the countries that belong to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) - which is like a club of the 27 richest countries in the world - the proportion of State spending relative to the economy has grown to 50% of GDP. The working conditions have deteriorated for women. Their wages are the first to be cut back, and wage differentials increase in relation to men. In free trade zones and maquilas (which are manufacturing processes contracted out to countries where there is a cheap labour force), women – especially young women – work long hours with low salaries, on a piece-rate basis, in terrible working conditions, with no social security or day care centres.

These jobs are frequently repetitive and require full concentration. Other women who cannot find other means to sustain their families, enter into the sphere of sex workers.

It does not always help for women to be more prepared. For example, in Spain, women constitute 60% of university students, but this is not reflected in employment. Women have double the unemployment rate of men. So even if women are better prepared, this does not guarantee jobs.

All this leads to a greater exclusion of women as their citizen’s rights are not fully recognised. They can hardly have access to the right to health, social wellbeing, food, shelter and decent work. But poverty is not only the lack of means of subsistence: it deeply affects the dignity of human beings.

Migration has grown along with poverty. People look for means to support their families.

This often leads to searching for work in other countries, in Europe and in the United States. With long working hours and much discrimination, women must leave their children back home in their own country, while they care for other people’s children.

Discrimination and marginalisation are even harsher against black women, indigenous women and young women.

Violence against women Another issue that I would like to address today refers to violence against women.

Although there have been some advances in making more visible the issue of violence against women, there has not been enough progress as all types of violence continue to be exercised: domestic violence, homicide, dowry-related, honour killings, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, etc.

According to the research on violence against women that is being carried out by Saralyn Allison, Young Professional at the World Alliance this year, “Women are most at risk of physical and sexual assault and homicide from men they know, often their husband, male partner or ex-partner. They are more likely to be injured or murdered by a spouse than any other person.”

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This is really frightening. A woman runs more risk in her own home than outside! This is outrageous!

A few months ago there was a photo exhibition at the United Nations. There were moving pictures of women who had been burnt with acid by men in Bangladesh. As I stood in front of one image, two feelings crashed inside me: on the one hand I felt anger, and on the other tenderness. It was the image of a woman from Bangladesh, blinded by acid thrown at her eyes, with her face burnt also by acid, breastfeeding her small child. Staring at that image I felt so outraged, so powerless. But I also felt sure that my anger could be used to help in whatever way, to stop that violence.

As all of you are aware, domestic violence crosses ethnic, racial, age, national origin, religious and socio-economic lines, as well as class. “When it comes to violence against women, there are no ‘developed’ countries,” said Charlotte Bunch, President of the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership, during the Commission of Human Rights last year here in Geneva.

During the workshop in Africa, men and women identified the causes of violence against women: insecurity, poverty, lack of education, social, cultural and economic factors. Some said that it was men’s way of exercising power. But some men also justified it, saying that women nag too much, and that they have to know who is the chief in the home. There is still much work to do.

Sexual abuse, especially of young women, is of growing concern. Girls and young women face constant sexual aggressions from older men, often members of their own families or their own partners. It hurts so much just to know that in South Africa alone, one million three hundred girls and young women are raped every year.

Another important dimension is the lack of legal action when cases of violence against women – including murder – are brought to trial.

I frequently watch the news on the TV channel from Spain. This year, up to now, more than 50 women have been murdered by their male partners in Spain. Most men are not in jail. There is always a “legal technicality” that saves them. We must, of course, remember that we live in a male-dominated world where legislation also favours men.

However, as I said earlier, there is increasing recognition that violence against women constitutes a violation of human rights. The evaluation document at Beijing +5 also acknowledges “the historical significance of the adoption of the Crime Statute of the International Criminal Court, which provides that rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation and other forms of sexual violence are war crimes, under war and also crimes against humanity”.

Women in decision-making A third issue that I would like to talk about is women’s participation in leadership.

Women are further away from access to power and decision-making spheres, due to the phenomena associated with globalisation, whereby women are in a comparatively disadvantageous position.

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This is true even if there has been an increase of the number of women in politics and government bureaucracies. According to a study by the women’s organisation DAWN (Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era), “This increase has not led to a significant shift in the balance of power between men and women. Women’s participation in structures must be backed by a gender consciousness if it is to promote social transformation.”

So it is not enough to have more women. We need more women and men who are gendersensitive and willing to work for justice in all spheres.

At the State level, and in our own organisations, when we talk about gender mainstreaming, we are not talking about a responsibility of women alone.

We understand it as the responsibility of all key decision-makers at all levels. This means promoting full and equal participation of women in decision-making, not a special project or programme for women.

So, gender mainstreaming is not about changes for women that will benefit women, but it is about changing gender relationships between women and men in order to achieve more equal sharing of power. Therefore it requires changes in women’s roles, attitudes and behaviour, and it requires changes in men’s roles, attitudes and behaviours.

A call for solidarity And that is why we are gathered here this week, to see how we can weave our concerns, hopes and aspirations to reach gender equity within a framework of social justice and social transformation. This should be aimed at redistributing resources and social value more equally between women and men.

It is important to remember that women do not want to “erase” differences. The idea is to work for gender equity that respects the differences.

We also think that women’s movements and organisations with women’s membership cannot work alone for social transformation. We need to unite with others who are also seeking alternatives to globalisation. Our ecumenical partners are very good allies.

Churches and organisations like the YMCA have more than a responsibility, an obligation as Christians to work for justice. The stakes are high, and we cannot be simply bystanders.

The current trend of globalisation is unsustainable. We have to face the challenges of guaranteeing a life of dignity for the people of the world, including the 50% who are women. How can we ensure States act in the interests of their citizens? How can we ensure changes at the global level? There are no easy answers.

On the other side, we also have to be aware how changes at the global level can result in social transformation in terms of social relations, of relations between men and women, rich and poor, and other relations.

So, if globalisation leads to growing competition and individualism, we must seek alternatives and collective responses. This means that solidarity and collective action 32

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makes us stronger. And this is what we seek to build here – a network of solidarity, to work together on some of the challenges I have mentioned today.

We think there is great potential for us, women and men, men and women, to work together, in solidarity.

There are threads we can intertwine. We would like to see men questioning violence against women, for example, not only because it hurts another person, but because it hurts themselves. We think there is much value in men rethinking their roles, as they are models to be followed.

Women are increasingly concerned about the role of the State, questions of democracy, another vision of citizenship. This means that there is growing concern for the society as a whole. And within that sphere, we must also recognise the specific demands and challenges faced by women around the world, especially in the unequal relation of power with men. But we must remember that there are also class differences that require attention.

There is an increasing role for peoples’ movements, non-governmental organisations, Churches and civil society to produce information, ideas and proposals that can form public policy and global agendas. Women’s movements placed on the national and international agenda concepts like liberation, emancipation, oppression. In the late 60s and 70s, they were “subversive”, they had anger. Because of this, their struggle shaped global thinking and agendas today. The change of focus from “women” to “gender”, has also been important. However, in this change, some institutions, like the World Bank, have sought to strip “gender” of its transformational significance, leaving it only as “women’s and men’s issues”, without recognising that it refers to unequal power relations that need to be transformed. Let us not forget this. So, women’s movements have contributed in an important way to place on the national and international public agenda the promotion and defence of women’s rights. But women also know that this cannot be done alone and are joining with others to work for debt cancellation, redistribution of wealth, alternative ecodevelopment, and gender justice.

Gender-sensitive men, as well as women, can be valuable collaborators or compañeros, as we say in Spanish, in our common struggle for real justice and equity.

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: A GLOBAL PROBLEM TO OVERCOME Research by Saralyn Allison3

Presentation by Jaidivi Núñez Varón Chairperson, Committee on Gender Development, World Alliance Executive Committee

We acknowledge that women and young girls are vulnerable for they are potential victims of discrimination due to their condition of being women. They are vulnerable to suffering violence in society. They have difficult access to financial means. They are vulnerable because of the inequality prevailing in daily life that is reflected in the degree of participation and lack of influence in political decision-making that could have a positive effect on the quality of life for themselves and their family. However, this situation is contradictory, since throughout history women have demonstrated their strengths and potentialities in their role in educating the family, in relating to the labour market, and in their capacity for association, organisation and ability to make strategic decisions in life that affect themselves and others.

The YMCA in the world has been characterised by working “shoulder to shoulder” with civil society, since it believes that participation in society is needed to generate a more just collectivity based on respect and fellowship, irrespective of gender, colour, race, cultural or socio-economic status. Hence, our Movement cannot remain silent in the face of the prevailing factors of violence against women.

For this reason, the Committee on Gender Development of the World Alliance would like to share a reflective research on the dynamics of prevailing violence against women and the girl child. This research is only a first step on a long journey yet to come. We recognise that our task is only just beginning, and that local, national and regional movements have an even greater challenge, “to stop violence”, so as not to be the accomplices of those who believe that the use of force, intimidation and power, amongst others, justify abuse, mistreatment or violation of the fundamental human rights of any human being.

Therefore, our Movement has a duty and a “call of love”. It must play the main role in interrupting the cycle of violence against women and the girl child, probably through professional intervention with the offender or unconditional support to adult and young women who are victims of violence. It can bring about a network of coordinated action between agencies to stop violence and to exert political influence on States to promote scenarios that favour respect for life, individuality and integrity of women in society. Most certainly, the analysis presented on the dynamics of violence against women would be useful to further our goal as a Movement: to build a world with love and justice for all!!

We welcome the challenge!!

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Young Professional at the World Alliance of YMCAs, 2000 34

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INTRODUCTION Violence against women is the most widespread, yet the least recognised human rights abuse in the world. It denies women and girls equality, security, dignity, self-worth and their right to enjoy basic freedoms. It is also a serious health problem, draining women’s energy, compromising their physical health and eroding their self-esteem. Reports of abuse from around the world confirm that domestic violence is a pandemic to which no one is immune. It is difficult to know the extent of this pandemic because of the hidden nature of domestic violence. Not only do families try to hide it because the abuser may threaten to kill her if she tells, but women are often too ashamed to report incidents. In many countries there are no legal or social sanctions against the abuse so there is nowhere for these women to turn.

Many men use abuse to control and dominate women because they believe their masculine identity depends on this image. In some cultures societies approve of the ‘disciplining’ of wives and usually ignore incidents of domestic violence. Even if the police are notified, they may feel reluctant to intervene in domestic problems in respect for the privacy of the family or mistaken vision of marital rights. There seems to be a fear in the community that if we admit that family violence occurs, we challenge the idea of what family means mainly love, safety and security.

Children are also victims. Research shows that children are affected even when the abuse is not directed at them. These children develop long term problems that may also cause them to be violent when they have families of their own.

Although domestic violence against men is not as prevalent, it is not an exclusive issue to women and children. Men in North America have just begun to speak out about violence that is committed against them. Men are often portrayed as strong and women as weak which is why so many people have difficulty realising that men are also victims of domestic violence.

PURPOSE OF THE PUBLICATION The purpose of this publication is to show the effect of domestic violence around the world and for YMCAs to be aware of the extent of the problem. After examining the problem, existing programmes will be talked about and how as the YMCA community we can be more involved in the process of prevention and how to take steps towards human dignity. By encompassing domestic violence against men as well as women, it will help us to realise that there is a problem for men too and we as a community, including women, cannot ignore this fact. This publication is the information that accompanies the YMCA domestic violence awareness-training manual.

Data was collected through the Internet as well as other non-governmental organisation reports. Due to the enormity of the problem, research had to be limited to certain aspects of domestic violence. Therefore, this document does not include aspects of female genital mutilation, harmful traditional practices (apart from honour killing and dowries), exploitation or structural violence. The last one is mentioned as a part of financial/material violence, but does not go into detail.

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EXAMPLES OF ABUSE

Dowry-related India: Madhavi met Deven, a successful businessman from Ohio and got married within a week. Deven flew back to the US ten days later and Madhavi lived with her in-laws to wait for her US visa. After Deven left, her in-laws started dropping hints about money and jewellery. After two years, Madhavi’s visa was approved.

She packed her bags with gifts for her husband and sisters-in-law, bid farewell to her taunting in-laws and looked forward to a happy new life with her husband. A few days after Madhavi arrived, she sensed something was wrong. Her sister-in-law was mad that she hadn’t brought her enough gifts. “My husband yelled at me in front of his sister”, remembers Madhavi. “I had never felt so humiliated before. I realised my husband was totally governed by his family’s greed.” Fights raged for the next few days. Madhavi got so scared that she went to a neighbour and told her to please come help if she ever heard screams. “I had to rely on my neighbour, an absolute stranger to me and my problems.”

Two weeks later her husband came home from work and, without any apparent provocation, threw a cooking pot at her head. She fled to her neighbour’s house and stayed there until her husband agreed to talk about their problems.

Bangladesh: A bride whose dowry was deemed too small was disfigured after her husband threw acid on her face.

Lasting Effects India/North America: “Radha”, a real estate agent, married Ravi, a civil engineer. Soon he began severely berating, ridiculing and criticising her. It got so intense she hated going home. One day, in a fit of rage, he slapped her. “He took me by surprise. I fell and hit a chair in the dining room. He had never raised his hand to me before. The next thing I remember, he was beside me, saying he was sorry and didn’t mean to hit me. The next day, he surprised me with a lovely, meaningful card and flowers. For months I tried to put the incident out of my mind, telling myself that there was no reason to fear him. But I found it increasingly difficult. Even a little argument scared me. “I kept thinking, ‘He hit me once, it could happen again.’ ”

Effects on Children USA: Linda has been repeatedly battered by her husband, Gary. She has a daughter, Beth (age 12), by her first husband, now deceased. Linda and Gary have a son, Carl, age 5; Linda had two other pregnancies that, because of abuse, were terminated by a miscarriage and an abortion. Gary began drinking heavily and also became harsher with Carl, slapping the child for not waiting on his father. Gary bought a gun; two months later, he forced Linda (at gunpoint) to ingest pills and alcohol, after which he called the police and reported her as being drunk, suicidal, and high. She was taken to the emergency room,

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interviewed, and released with prescriptions. Linda became increasingly anxious and fearful and, within a few months, tried to commit suicide by overdosing on these drugs.

Linda had been uneasy about what she regarded as Gary’s inappropriate attention to her 12-year-old daughter. She worked up the courage to confront Gary with her concerns about his interest in Beth; he responded by verbally abusing Linda, raping her and breaking her jaw. Beth, who was a witness to this violent scene, called the police. On their arrival, one officer seized Gary’s gun, the other officer phoned for an ambulance, but neither officer arrested Gary.

India: Five-year-old Sunanda saw her mother being doused in kerosene by her drunken father. She heard her screams and two years later still wakes up sobbing inconsolably for her mother.

Honour Killing Pakistan: In April 1999, Samia Sarwar was gunned down in a much publicised honour killing at the behest of her parents for seeking a divorce. Other women were attacked by or at the instigation of family members, for choosing their spouses.

Law Britain: A man who felt ignored by his pregnant wife, sexually assaulted his 12 year old stepdaughter, but got off free. The judge said that ‘A pregnant wife’s lack of sexual appetite leads to problems for healthy young husbands.’ Nothing was said of the problems for the stepdaughter.

Italy: The country’s Supreme Court says it is not a crime for a jealous husband to beat his wife, as long as he does not make a habit of it. He will not be punished even if he lands her in hospital.

Nigeria: Wife beating for the ‘purpose of correction’ is legal.

South Africa: In 1997, a Johannesburg radio station broadcast a 35-minute programme called ‘How to Beat Your Wife’. They defended the show by saying that there is nothing wrong with wife beating as long as it is done ‘responsibly’.

Violence as Private Uganda: Ms Arach reportedly married Mr. Sikuku in 1997. It is reported that Mr. Sikuku abused Ms Arach severely to the point of causing a miscarriage. The abuse allegedly caused her to leave her job, and eventually to leave Mr. Sikuku and move to her mother’s house. It is reported that the police did not investigate the case seriously but rather implied that Ms Arach was having an affair and sent the case to the local council. The local council allegedly told Ms Arach to return to her husband and settle their family problems.

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DEFINITION OF TERMS There is no universally accepted definition of violence against women. Some prefer a broad definition, but here they are more specific. This publication only covers intimate and family relationships, but not other people who may live in the same house (for example, domestic helpers).

Assault and Abuse Abuse and assault are very close in definition, so for the purpose of this document they will be considered in the same context.

Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behaviours aimed at gaining power in order to control an intimate partner. It is a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviour, including psychological, sexual and physical abuse. The majority of the time, it is a female who is abused. There are instances of a male being abused but it seems to be less common.

Violence against Women This is part of the definition of violence that was developed by the United Nations. The definition also encompasses domestic violence but is not restricted to it: “Violence against women” means any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life. Violence against women encompasses physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation* and other traditional practices harmful to women*, non- spousal violence* and violence related to exploitation*. (*not covered in this document)

TYPES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Some abusers will blame the victim for the abuse or use jealousy as an excuse as to why the abuse happened. All these types of violence are ways the perpetrator controls the victims’ body and mind.

Physical Abuse • slapping, punching, hitting, kicking, shoving, scratching, biting, throwing objects • threatening/attacking you with a weapon • locking you in/out of the house • abandoning you in a dangerous place • refusing to help you when you are injured, sick or pregnant • deprivation of food • choking, pushing, tying up • murder • disfigurement

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Sexual Abuse • making you wear clothes or to do sexual things that make you uncomfortable or that do not want to do • forcing you to have sex when you do not want to; raping you or threatening to rape you • forcing you to have sex with other people Marital Rape In some countries rape in marriage is not recognised by law, and in countries where there is legal sanction against rape, many women do not define forced sex as rape if they are living with their attacker.

Emotional (psychological) Abuse • insulting/ignoring you • making you feel stupid/worthless • name calling and criticism, ridiculing your beliefs • humiliating you in public/private • intimidating or harassing you; • monitoring your movements • being overly jealous or possessive • isolating you from family and friends • preventing you from going to work/school • attacking your children/pets • threatening to kill you/leave you/throw you out • threatening to kill himself or go mad if you leave or do not do what he wants • threatening to harm family or property • coercing you into doing things that you find humiliating or against your moral/religious principles • lying, breaking promises, destroying trust • false accusations and blaming you Financial/Material Abuse • taking/spending your money • preventing you from having a job • taking or destroying your possessions • spending most of the money on himself or giving you a small allowance • expecting you to account for every cent or to do more with the money than is possible • refusing to give you information about your joint financial situation • harassing you to the point that you turn over your pay cheque as a way of avoiding further abuse • restricting access to resources

WHO AND BY WHOM ?

Domestic violence crosses ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious and socio-economic lines as well as class, physical or mental ability and status as a refugee, migrant or prisoner. Women are most at risk of physical and sexual assault and homicide from men they know, often their husband, male partner or ex-partner. They are more likely to be injured or murdered by a spouse than any other person. Although women 39

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can also be violent, the vast majority of partner abuse is perpetrated by men against their female partners.

•

•

•

USA: approximately 1/3 of the men counselled for battering are professional men who are respected in their jobs and their communities. These have included doctors, psychologists, lawyers, ministers and business executives.

Canada: In 64% of abusive situations of women admitted to transition home facilities, the spouse/partner was cited as the abuser; in 21% the ex-spouse/partner was cited as the abuser.

USA: 76% of women who reported they had been raped and physically assaulted since age 18 said that a current or former husband, cohabiting partner or date committed the assault.

Domestic violence usually occurs with those who are young.

•

•

USA: Women aged 46 or older are least likely to be battered by an intimate and women aged 19-29 are most likely to report violence by intimates than any other age group.

Canada: 79% of women in transition home facilities were admitted to escape abusive situations. Of these women, 43% were aged 25-34.

FACTS AND STATISTICS No single indicator or source of information is sufficient to describe the magnitude, health and social consequences of violence. Because domestic violence is hidden from public view or because of the powerlessness, fear and/or stigmatisation of the victim, much violence is unreported or misdiagnosed. Violence-related deaths may be hidden in mortality statistics when such deaths are recorded or attributed to accidental injuries.

Many violent deaths and injuries of women, children and the elderly are ascribed to falls or burns by the perpetrators and/or the authorities.

In every country, where reliable, large-scale studies have been done, results indicate that from 27-67 % of women have been assaulted by the man they live with.

Physical Abuse a. General Battering Percentage of crimes reported that occur in the home: Country Brazil Ghana Peru

% 70% - domestic violence 28 % - wife battering 70 % - wife beating

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Women who have been physically attacked by an intimate partner: North America USA 28% Canada 29% Asia and the Pacific China (Beijing) 23% - men admitting to it Japan 59% Malaysia 39% New Zealand 17% Papua New Guinea 58-67% (urban-rural) Republic of Korea 38% Sri Lanka 51% - low income Latin America and the Caribbean Barbados 30% Chile 60% Colombia 20% Ecuador 60% - low income Mexico (urban) 33% Europe Belgium 25% France 48% Norway 25% Poland 25% - repeated violence Switzerland 20% United Kingdom 25% Africa Kenya 33% - abused at least once South Africa 25% - rural areas Uganda 41% Zimbabwe 32% Middle East Egypt 35% Israel (Arab women) 32% b. Pregnancy Battered women are more likely to suffer miscarriages and to give birth to babies with low birth rates.

Costa Rica: In a study of battered women in San JosĂŠ, Costa Rica, 49% reported being beaten during pregnancy.

Canada: Pregnancy increases the risk of abuse: 40% of women reporting abuse during pregnancy said that the abuse began during pregnancy.

USA: 26% of pregnant teens reported being physically abused by a boyfriend. About half of them said the battering began or intensified after he learned of her pregnancy.

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c. Homicide South Africa: At least one woman is killed by her partner every six days in South Africa.

Bangladesh: The killing of women by their husbands accounts for 50% of all murders.

Canada: Family violence accounts for 60% of female homicides.

Australia: 25-31% of homicides in Australia occur in a domestic context. In 1990, 21% of homicides occurred within a spousal relationship, and the victims of 85% of the homicides were women.

Kenya: 60 women in Kenya reportedly died as a result of domestic violence in 1998 and 1999.

India: More than 5,000 women are killed each year because their in-laws consider their dowries inadequate.

USA: Of women killed in 1992, their relationship to the killer was known in 69% of homicides. Of this percentage, 28% were killed by a spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend or exboyfriend.

In some cases in the Middle East and Latin America, husbands are often exonerated from killing an unfaithful, disobedient wife on the grounds of ‘honour’. d. Medical Attention Victims of domestic violence often require medical care, although they may conceal the cause of their injuries.

South Africa: Research carried out in Soweto in 1994 found that 1 in 3 women attending a clinic for any reason had been battered at some time by her husband or boyfriend.

Canada: 43% of injuries inflicted by spouses require medical attention.

USA: 37% of women who sought treatment in emergency rooms for violence-related injuries in 1994 were injured by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend.

Sexual Abuse Japan: a 1993 sample study of 796 women surveyed nationally in Japan, found that 59% of battered women were also raped by their partners.

Canada: 20% of women admitted to transition home facilities for reasons of abuse reported sexual abuse.

USA: 8% of high school age girls said ‘yes’ when asked if “a boyfriend or date has ever forced sex against your will”.

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USA: 71% of all teenage sexual assaults are planned.

Threats/Emotional Abuse Ireland: 30% of women in one study in Ireland reported that the ‘mental torture’ was the worst part of the battering experience; a further 27% said it was ‘living in fear and terror’.

Colombia: a detailed country-wide survey in Colombia revealed that one in three women have been emotionally or verbally abused by their partners.

Canada: 47% of women admitted to transition home facilities for reasons of abuse were being threatened.

Compared to Men a. General Battery Canada: of 22,000 victims of spousal violence reported to a sample of 179 Canadian police agencies in 1997, 88% were female and 12% were male.

South Africa: while some men are abused by their female partners, 95% of the time it is women who are the victims of violent abuse in the home.

USA: Women are five to eight times more likely than men to be victimised by an intimate partner. b. Homicide

Women

Country

Men

Canada South Africa

23% were killed by their spouses 77% were killed by their spouses Over 50% of women who are killed are Most men are killed by strangers murdered by their partners 3% were known to be killed by 26% were known to be killed by husbands wives or girlfriends or boyfriends

USA

b. Medical Attention USA: male violence against women does much more damage than female violence against men; women are much more likely to be injured than men.

USA: 37% of women injured by violence and treated in an emergency room were injured by an intimate; 5% of men injured by violence and treated in an emergency room were injured by an intimate.

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d. Sexual Abuse USA: 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.

The Cycle and Recidivism This section also relates to how violence affects children.

Canada: violent men are 3 times as likely as non-violent men to have witnessed spousal violence in childhood, and women who were raised in similar circumstances are twice as likely to be victims of spousal violence.

USA: some children (especially boys) who experience domestic violence in their homes grow up to repeat the same behavioural pattern.

Canada: Men who abuse their wives are often abused as children or witnesses of abuse of other family members. Women who are victims of family violence will often report being abused as a child or were witness to it.

USA: during the 6 months following an episode of domestic violence, 32% of battered women are victimised again.

• 47% of men who beat their wives do so at least 3 times per year.

• 1 in 5 women victimised by their spouse or ex-spouse report they had been victimised over and over again by the same person.

Warning: Despite decades of attention, Britain reports that child abuse today is just as serious a problem as it was 50 years ago. If we accept that those individuals who abuse were abused as children or were witness to it, we can expect the circle to continue into the next generation.

Questions we need to ask • • • • • • •

How can the cycle be broken?

How does the community play a role in these statistics?

Does society accept and ignore the violence that is happening?

The word ‘family’ suggests a place of safety and security where its members can find comfort from pressures and difficulties of the outside world. Recent studies show otherwise.

Are people ignorant because it is not happening to them?

Are people ignorant because they have grown up with the abuse and do not know any different?

How can violence against women be recognised as a violation of human rights?

CAUSES . . .

There is no one cause of violence. A culture of violence, absence of moral or spiritual teaching and exposure to media violence increase violence levels. A number of research studies have shown that viewing violent materials can provoke or intensify subsequent

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violent behaviour.. We all experience traumas, stress, anger and fear, but an abusive man chooses to abuse as a way of dealing with his pain or problems. He uses excuses to avoid taking responsibility for his behaviour. Frequently he tries to blame the woman for the abuse by saying that she is a bad partner, a bad mother, that she provokes him or asks for it. He needs her to believe that she is bad and stay dependent on him.

Gradually, the understanding that violence against women is a gender issue is being accepted across sectors. Those who lack power in society are the most likely victims of violence; they are vulnerable because they lack the means to resist abuse, to escape from dangerous situations and to warrant protection from society.

Excuses • He had a sad or traumatic childhood.

• He drinks or uses drugs. (Although domestic violence and substance abuse are often interrelated, not everyone who abuses substances will perpetrate family violence, but research indicates that men who drink regularly are more likely to abuse family members.)

• His life is very stressful.

• He has trouble expressing his feelings.

• He is oppressed because he is poor.

• He cannot control his anger.

Research indicates that family violence may be linked to delinquency and violence, mental health problems and suicide. It is generally a pattern of abusive behaviour and control rather than an isolated act of physical aggression Why ?

• In the USA, 25-33% of adolescent abusers reported that their violence served to ‘intimidate’, ‘frighten’ or ‘force the other person to give me something’.

• Living in a small, crowded space increases the risk of violence. Financial insecurity is another factor. If a man cannot establish his authority intellectually or economically, he will tend to do so physically. Domestic violence is exerting control, not losing control.

• Why do women stay with their abusers?

Structural violence, dependency on men and status of woman affects domestic violence.

Isolation • the abuser may forbid her to see people or attack her when she tries to reach out • he may threaten to harm the people she cares for • people she turns to for help may not believe her or may blame her for what is happening • social exclusion Emotional Factors • love, pity or sorrow for her partner • belief or hope that the abuser will change • belief that she can make the abuse stop if she tries hard enough • fear of the unknown 45

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• • • • •

fear of not being able to cope on her own fear that the abuser may kill her if she leaves or refuses to withdraw the charge numb to the abuse (usually follows a history of child abuse) low self-esteem; feelings of worthlessness; belief that she deserves the abuse paralysis caused by fear

Cultural and Religious Restrictions • land/property rights, inheritance rights • acceptance that domestic violence is part of the culture/religion • unacceptability of being single or divorced Economic and Legal Factors • financial dependence on the abuser • lack of employment or skills • fear of being unable to support the children and not receiving maintenance • fear of losing custody of the children • lack of alternative accommodation • lack of knowledge of the law and her rights • lack of faith in the police, often based on bad experiences with police in the past • privatisation, women now need to pay for services • economic control by men Societal Factors • shame and embarrassment about the abuse • desire to protect her partner, parents, children or other loved ones from the shame involved • belief that the children need their father • fear that she will not be believed or helped by the police, her family, or the community • lack of support from friends, family and others • lack of shelters • lack of social security • lack of education - illiteracy For those who leave…

It is a process. It often includes periods of denial, self-blame and endurance before women recognise the abuse as a pattern. Most women leave and return several times before they finally leave once and for all. . . . AND EFFECTS There are many different effects that are caused by domestic violence. Health may be impaired, which includes anything from minor injuries to chronic problems. Children and young women are also greatly affected through both experiencing and witnessing abuse.

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Health a. Physical Beyond immediate injury (broken limbs, scars, lacerations, cuts, bruises, internal organ damage, brain damage, reproductive damage - including inability to bear children, violence often leads to serious long-term health problems, including chronic pain, physical disability and suicide attempts as well as: • unwanted pregnancies • STDs • miscarriage • pelvic inflammatory disease • chronic pelvic pain • headaches • asthma • irritable bowel syndrome Victims of violence are likely to develop behaviour that is self-injurious, such as substance abuse and smoking and unprotected sex to deal with the pain, anxiety and fear of their situation. b. Psychological As a victim said: “The body mends soon enough. Only the scars remain… But the wounds inflicted upon the soul take much longer to heal. And each time I re-live these moments, they start bleeding all over again. The broken spirit has taken the longest to mend; the damage to the personality may be the most difficult to overcome.”

Some victims may experience a decrease in self-esteem as a result of being abused, since perpetrators frequently degrade, humiliate and criticise victims. Some victims of domestic violence suffer psychological effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression, as a result of being abused.

Victims of violence may find it difficult to sustain trust in relationships over the long term.

Some are afraid to leave their homes. Nervous breakdowns and suicidal attempts/thoughts also stem from violence. These are more prevalent in victims of sexual violence.

Depression, anxiety, psychosomatic symptoms, compulsive and obsessive disorders, low self-esteem, eating problems, sexual dysfunction and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are all common to victims of partner violence. c. Fatal outcomes Suicide, homicide, maternal mortality, HIV/AIDS. On Children General Statistics Canada: Three-quarters of women admitted to transition home facilities escaping abusive situations were admitted with children. Almost half of these children were under 5. Thirty

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percent of women admitted indicated that they were protecting their children from psychological abuse, 16% from physical abuse, 14% from threats and 6% from sexual abuse.

USA: Nationally, 50% of all homeless women and children are on the streets because of violence in the home.

Witnessing Abuse Children who live with violence can also develop inappropriate attitudes about violence as an accepted way for men to relate to women and to resolve conflict. This sometimes results in young men perpetuating the cycle of violence in future relationships.

Studies have shown that children who witness violence in their homes are themselves traumatised, often believing that the violence is somehow their fault.

Children who witness violence grow up in a family atmosphere of tension, fear, intimidation and tremendous confusion about intimate relationships.

For a child, witnessing abuse can result in: • low self-esteem • poor social skills • aggression • withdrawal • depression • passivity • constant anxiety • fear, terror • stress disorders • guilt • lack of self-confidence • feeling vulnerable • substance abuse • self-abuse Witnessing violence in the home can be as traumatic for children as experiencing violence in the home. Younger children are more likely to suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), particularly when the violence they witness is frequent and is perpetrated in close proximity to them. They experience significant psychological and behavioural problems that interfere with their ability to function in school, at home and with peers. Children who grow up in violent homes are more likely to be aggressive with peers, and as adults are more likely to become batterers or victims.

Canada: children are present during 80% of wife assault incidents. Violent behaviour is learned; some studies indicate that between 60-80% of assaultive men in childhood had witnessed their mothers being assaulted.

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Experiencing Abuse Canada: there is a 30-40% overlap between children who witness abuse and children who experience physical abuse.

Ghana: Ghanaian middle class males are increasingly being implicated in the escalating number of incest cases in the country.

USA: 40-60% of men who abuse women also abuse children.

Violence has been associated with greater sexual risk-taking among adolescents, and the development of sexual problems in adulthood.

For a child, experiencing abuse can result in: • nightmares • sleep disturbances • eating disorders • substance abuse • self-abuse • lack of self-esteem • depression • emotional and behavioural disorders • poor interpersonal relationships • continued self-blame • sexual phobias • lack of sexual motivation Homicide USA: When children are killed during a domestic dispute, 90% are under age 10; 56% are under age 2. In one study, 27% of domestic homicide victims were children. In 1994, 38% of domestic homicides were multiple-victim, usually combining a spouse homicide and suicide, or child homicide.

Young Women Young women are more likely than adults to blame themselves for dating violence.

A large number of young women in Canada have been victims of violence in an intimate (dating) relationship. The impact of violence is dependent on (a) the age of the young women at the time of the assault; (b) the length and depth of the relationship; (c) her coping skills; (d) her acceptance of traditional roles; (e) her psychological functioning before the assault; and (f) availability of support.

The most common responses following rape or battery are: • SD (post-traumatic stress disorder) • fear and anxiety • depression • disruption of social functioning 49

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• • • • • • • • • •

problems in sexual functioning low self-esteem suicide attempts sleep disturbances & obsessive-compulsive symptoms shock confusion helplessness powerlessness somatic complaints hostility

HISTORY, RELIGION AND CULTURE History Violence against women is a manifestation of historically unequal power relations between men and women, which have led to domination over and discrimination against women by men. A man could beat his wife with a stick, provided it was no wider than his finger - ‘the rule of thumb’. Sex was also a right of the husband. These ideas reflected the general view of society that the wife was subordinate to and the property of her husband.

As a result, she was to be treated and punished as he saw fit. Society has created this image of man being strong, educated, creative and clever, while a woman is the opposite of all these things.

Religion • Abused women often feel abandoned by God. • Rather than offering resources and alternatives to battered women, pastors, priests and Rabbis have often advised women to return to violent homes and be “better wives”.

• Too often, churches, synagogues and other religious communities, along with the wider society, have encouraged the privatisation of sexual violence.

How has religion been misinterpreted to allow for domestic violence? How has religion allowed for gender inequality?

• Patriarchy and oppression • Interpretation of the Bible and the Koran by men Islamic: Wife battery is not a criminal offence under Syariah law. Wife abuse has hurt many Muslim women, destroyed many Muslim families, and weakened the entire Muslim community. It is completely contrary to the example of Prophet Muhammad, the Muslim community nonetheless tends to dismiss the seriousness of mental abuse. Some men use Islam to “justify” their abusive behaviour. They wrongly use the Qur’anic verse that says men are the protectors and maintainers of women to go on power trips, demand total obedience, and order their wives around. They disregard the Islamic requirement for the head of the household to consult with other members of the family when making decisions. Then, if their wives dare to speak up or question their orders, these men misinterpret a Qur’anic verse that talks about how to treat a disobedient wife and use it as a license for abuse. Abusive men are completely disregarding the Islamic teachings of kindness, mercy, gentleness and forgiveness. Some women sincerely but mistakenly

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misinterpret Islam by putting the importance of family privacy above any harm that might come to them.

Jewish: Jewish women may feel pressure to not bring shame to their community by revealing the abuse in their marriage, or that it is their responsibility to maintain shalom bayit, or peace in the home.

Christian: Christian women often feel compelled to stay in abusive relationships by scripture mandating them to ‘submit to their husband’ or ‘turn the other cheek’.

Hindu: A subtle factor contributing to wife abuse is the post-Vedic writings and attitudes which severely marginalised the value, opportunities and position of women in Hindu society. Even today, when Hindu women diverge from the moulds these writings dictate, a certain stigma condemns them, indirectly making them more vulnerable, and targets for abuse.

Culture Culture is not static - it needs to change to include women’s rights.

How has culture been misinterpreted to allow for domestic violence? Violence is often given cultural justification such as traditional practices. In most cultures, women have low status within the family and society. This means that violence against women, particularly when it occurs within the family, is very often not recognised and may even be legitimised. Women may therefore not seek help, even when they face violence day after day. If they do, they often find no protection from the health or legal systems.

How has culture allowed for gender inequality?

• Belief in the inherent superiority of males.

• Values that give men proprietary rights over women and girls.

• Notion of the family as the private sphere and under male control.

• Bride price / dowry • Abuses of power are reinforced by traditional societal attitudes and maintained by existing barriers to social equality.

• Some cultural sanctions have traditionally denied women and children an independent legal and social status.

• In many societies, women are defined solely by their reproductive function and their status as property. Once married, a woman ceases to be the property of her family and becomes the property of her husband and his family. Women have no rights over their bodies and chastity is emphasised as a virtue above all others causing marriage to be the time to prove their virginity. The obsession with a woman’s virginity goes as far as constituting the basis of male honour.

Muslim Abusers are often part of a cycle, picking up the habit after watching their own fathers abuse their mothers. Their own children learn this abusive behaviour and abuse their wives. For cultural reasons, some Muslim men accept the idea that it is normal for a man to hit his wife and that she is no more than a piece of his property and when looking for help, many abused Muslim women have turned to relatives only to be told to accept the

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abuse because making a big deal out of it could hurt the relatives’ family honour and reputation.

African Many cultures hold that men have the right to control their wives’ behaviour and that women who challenge that right - even by asking for household money or by expressing the needs of the children - may be punished. Typically, men are given relatively free reign as long as they provide financially for the family. Women are expected to tend to the house, mind the children and show their husbands obedience and respect. If a man perceives that his wife has somehow failed in her role, stepped beyond her bounds, or challenged his rights, then he may react violently.

Asian Because the sanctity of the home is so valued in Asian culture, most victims remain silent rather than reveal the presence of abuse. Even if victims do confide in family or friends, they are told to tolerate the circumstances for the children’s sake or family honour. The origins of abuse often trace to a confused mix of stereotypes, traditional gender roles and socio-religious ideas about women. The notion of a man as being superior/dominating and a woman as being inferior/subservient is deeply embedded in the Asian psyche and is probably the most potent factor in the wife abuse syndrome. The cultural limitations of women of South Asia are rooted deep into centuries of submissiveness, passiveness and denial. Divorce is still a social taboo in the South Asian community so it is unthinkable for many women. Often a woman believes that if she chooses to leave her husband, she will not be accepted anywhere else.

Malaysia Of the total adult population, 15% (men and women) said that it is “okay” to beat their wives. Of this 1.3 million who condone wife-beating, 72% said a man can beat a woman if she has an extra-marital affair; 58% said it could be done whenever she does not do as she is told. About 22% of Malays (Muslims), 6% of Chinese and 8% of Indians believe that it is okay to beat your wife.

India Some Asian men expect their wives to still adhere to all the strict social protocols for women observed in their homeland, even though they are in a new Western land. They restrict them from the lifestyle and freedoms that are acceptable for women in the Westsuch as talking to the opposite sex (which he feels may lead to promiscuity), wearing Western clothes (which he feels reveals too much and may attract the opposite sex), listening to Western music (with lyrics that may excite sexual feelings) and watching Western movies (which may give immoral ideas).

Practices such as dowry and the expectation to bear a son put cruel pressures on Asian women. There are many cases in the US where Asian women have been brutally beaten just because they were infertile or only gave birth to girls. Many women are also forced to abort their child if they know it’s going to be a girl; a cruel and tragic form of abuse.

Probably the most traceable cause of domestic violence is a history of abuse in the husband’s family. Men who abuse their partners are often a product of an abusive environment. In many cases they watched their fathers abuse their mothers, aunts and sisters and consider the ill treatment of women as the norm, not the exception.

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Canada Violence is supported by Canadian social values. Violence is seen by many as a natural expression of aggression or an inevitable result of stress, anger and frustration. Girls and women are victims of violence due to attitudes that often blame women for the violence and justify or excuse male aggression and fail to protect children from sexual and physical abuse within the family. Recent research indicates that one in five people think that wife abuse is acceptable and most do not want to get involved. A number of studies have uncovered an alarmingly high level of tolerance of abuse by males against females, especially at the high school and college levels. These attitudes are more prevalent among males, but many women and girls also hold them.

Numerous studies have pointed to the continued gender stereotyping in television, radio, video games, songs and other entertainment media. These images, which are often linked to violence, reinforce and often condone both subtle and overt violence against women.

WHAT ABOUT MEN ?

Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse of men is something that doesn’t get talked about very much. A lot of people are very emotionally and politically invested in believing that violence isn’t something that women do. Family violence and abuse are issues of control rather than an issue of who is stronger.

USA • 20-30% of all young men will be victims of sexual assault before they are 18.

• A woman is the perpetrator in 19% of domestic homicides.

• 5% of all annual violence against men is perpetrated by intimates.

• The November 1998 Department of Justice report on the “National Violence Against Women Survey” showed 36% of the victims of domestic violence being men.

Canada We are just beginning to hear about husband abuse. Some believe it is a reactionary problem. Others feel it has something to do with inequalities in power, much in line with wife abuse theories. The difference, however, is that the wife has assumed the ‘traditional’ dominant husband role.

A 1996 Health Canada report found that it is as difficult for men and boys as for women and girls to admit that they are abused and more difficult to find help. The current “patriarchy theory” of abuse, the expectation for males to be tough and able to protect themselves and a lack of recognition of the different forms of sexual abuse contribute to this problem.

Differences between abused men and women appear primarily in the severity of physical injury. Women are more at risk for extreme or life-threatening injury. Abused men exist, in higher numbers than we care to acknowledge, but most goes unreported.

Women are overwhelmingly the ‘victim’. They are injured more and are afraid for their lives more often. If we ever want to stop this cycle of abuse in families, it requires nonviolence by all parties. We need to realise that women are also capable of physical aggression. It is not just a masculine trait.

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WHAT PROGRAMMES EXIST TO HELP VICTIMS? What has been done for defining laws ?

“Family violence is not simply a legal problem - it is a social one. Not only must attitudes towards women change, but also what our concept of family is.”

Malaysia: Under the Domestic Violence Bill (not passed yet) it has been proposed that a fine for first offenders be about US$800. Under the Act, the court can, among many other stipulations, restrain the offender from harassing the victim at his/her home, workplace or any place that the victim frequents and from writing or telephoning the victim. It can also order offenders to compensate the victim for medical fees. This law will be inclusive of Muslims under Shariah Law. Jordan: In 1999 the Cabinet approved the proposed amendment from the Ministry of Justice sending the proposal to parliament for review that had exempted or reduced the punishment for honour killing.

Canada: Criminal Code of Canada and Canada Evidence Act have been amended to make spousal assault a criminal offence with responsibility placed on the police to make arrests where there are reasonable grounds.

South Africa: 1999 - Domestic Violence Act came into operation. This was much in need because South Africa is one of the most violent countries in the world.

Peru: Peru was among the first countries in Latin America to adopt special legislation on domestic violence “Family Violence Law”. They sought to define more clearly the respective roles and responsibilities of those within the justice system who are involved with such cases. The law and the implementation of the law is still considered to be flawed despite the amendment.

India: India has legally abolished the institution of dowry, but dowry-related violence is on the rise, including acid attacks and kitchen fires.

Countries that have enacted legislation against: Domestic violence Argentina Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Bolivia Brazil Canada Chile China Colombia

Costa Rica Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Ecuador El Salvador Finland France Guatemala Guyana Honduras Ireland

Israel Italy Jamaica Malawi Malaysia Mexico New Zealand Panama Paraguay Peru Portugal St Lucia 54

St. Vincent South Africa Spain Trinidad/Tobago Tunisia United Kingdom United States Uruguay

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Marital Rape Australia Austria Barbados Canada Denmark

France Germany Ireland New Zealand Norway

Poland South Africa Spain Sweden Trinidad/Tobago

United Kingdom United States

What has been done for lobbying for women’s rights ?

Women’s rights, including domestic violence, have been placed on the international agenda.

Jordan: The YWCA has a centre for battered women and abused children. They also have advocacy sessions against violence. Follow up visits to families in need is also done.

Nigeria: The YWCA speaks out on many issues such as marital and child abuse.

Pakistan: The issue of killings in the name of honour began to appear on the political agenda in Pakistan in 1999 as a result of growing pressure from NGOs, the media, activists, and UN agencies. On April 21st, 2000, at a National Convention on Human Rights and Human Dignity, the Chief Executive of Pakistan announced that such killings would be treated as murder. “The Government of Pakistan vigorously condemns the practice of so-called ‘honour killings’. Such actions do not find any place in our religion or law.” The killings continue, but steps are now being taken to address the issue.

United Nations: The Women’s Caucus at the Human Rights Commission in March and April 2000 were lobbying for women’s rights, including violence against women.

What is being done to educate people about domestic violence?

Russia: Association - No To Violence (ANNA), an organisation running the nation’s first domestic violence hotline, is developing a national awareness campaign designed to educate Russians about domestic violence, improve the official response and create intolerance for abuse. Crisis Centre leaders are training judges, police and activists on domestic violence issues.

Ireland: Activists have developed a Women’s Rights Are Human Rights Bus Project, a travelling education and awareness initiative. The bus travels throughout the country, serving as a public information and education centre; workshops and public events are held in each town the bus visits, educating people as to why domestic violence is a human rights abuse.

South Africa: Women’s rights and health advocates are working with the newly formed state government to design violence against women prevention messages that will be woven into a popular television programme watched by millions throughout the nation, called “Soul City”. The effort begins with baseline opinion research to assess individuals’ current attitudes about domestic violence, so the programme can address the excuses that are commonly made to pardon battering.

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Bulgaria: Creating awareness of the problem and its violation against women.

USA: Many medical schools have recently included domestic violence in their core curriculum to help identify abused women coming in for medical treatment.

Argentina: The YWCA wants to improve the professional capacity of 50 women teachers or policewomen in Cordoba through a course on domestic violence - how to help and assist the women they work with. Through this project, the YWCA hopes to stop the escalating violence in society. The course will be carried out through 8 modules on: the family, violence and victimisation, marital violence, child abuse, violence against the elderly, mass media and family violence, and child violence. As a result of the course the participants will be qualified to offer assistance in cases of family violence, and will know how to contact appropriate help centres.

Bolivia: The YWCA is sponsoring women 20-30 years old to attend seminars by the National Police Force and led by qualified professionals, on how to prevent violence against women.

Norway: The YM-YWCA provides a Church Research Centre for abused and violated women, personal counselling and therapy, and advice and education on matters of abuse and violence.

What is being done to help women in these situations?

India: The Jagori Group organises women in the poorest section of Delhi into a Single Women’s Group, named to counter the negative stereotypes of single women and to challenge marriage as their only option. The group gives members an opportunity to discuss and look for solutions to violence, sexual abuse, police harassment, forced caste marriages, desertions and dowry demands. Members of the Single Women’s Group confront men who abuse their wives, using peer pressure and shame to change behaviour.

The YWCA provides shelter and counselling for women in distress as well as care for children. It also has referral services and skills training programmes.

Women only police stations: Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador have women only police stations, established specifically to respond to domestic violence, with specialised sections that have been created within regular police stations for the same purpose. Recently there has been ‘one-stop centres’ put in place for victims of domestic violence. Under one roof, women can find police officers, medical examiners and state prosecutors.

Kenya: Plans are underway to establish a centre to house victims Canada: There are over 365 transition homes in British Columbia with programmes for women and children and 413 shelters across Canada with information on crisis lines and support groups. Police departments operate victim support/crisis units which can be of assistance in both information and referrals.

Britain: The YWCA has four projects for young women who are in need. They provide 56

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housing, support/counselling, referrals and training in practical skills so that when they leave the homes they will be able to survive on their own.

Greece: The YWCA has a project for migrant women which includes safe housing for women, newcomers and for those in crisis situations - including violence and exploitation.

Italy: The YWCA in Italy has a project for women in need to provide assistance and support. This project involves working with other local associations.

Malaysia: The YWCA shelter and counselling centre for women in crisis situations can accommodate women and their children.

Nepal: The YWCA provides shelter for women and girls in crisis situations. They are provided with shelter, food and other needs, including informal counselling.

Zambia: The YWCA provides shelter, support and counselling for battered women through an upscale residence where they are able to cook, do housework and garden.

Chile: The YWCA is working to create an information centre and provide support, especially psychological, to women experiencing violence in the home. At the Centre the women will receive advice on legal procedures. The law against violence in the family is fairly new in Chile and many victims are not aware of their rights. The helpers at the Centre intend to meet with the women and their husbands to try and help the relationship.

Group activities will be held for the women on topics such as the facts of violence, the expression of violence, and sexuality.

Jamaica: The YWCA have programmes that include: activities to develop self-esteem, responsible decision-making, leadership, conflict resolution, career guidance and counselling, time management, setting personal goals, peer and group counselling, organising activities to promote community and social responsibility, parenting skills and adolescent-parent workshops to improve family relationships, substance abuse counselling and referrals and reproductive health counselling.

Men can stop violence USA: Men Stopping Violence is an organisation dedicated to ending violence against women. As they work to help men change their abusive behaviour, they recognise that individual change is dependent upon changing social systems which support the private and institutional oppression of women. They believe that groups of men can work together to change patriarchal values and belief systems that oppress women and children and dehumanise men themselves. They support the work done by women’s groups. They believe that, contrary to the popular stereotype about “real men” as macho tough guys, it is important for men to rethink and work to change traditional masculinity. They are a political educational group committed to public activism. Their goal is to encourage more men to take responsibility for personal sexism as well as the overwhelming level of violence against women in society. They sponsor forums, provide speakers, organise informational pickets, sponsor walks, promote their views on radio and television programmes, distribute media packets, conduct speak-outs, and do whatever else they can to raise men’s awareness of their need to work actively against sexual inequality and violence.

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Canada: The members of “Men For Change” are dedicated towards promoting positive masculinity and ending sexism and violence. It is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was formed in the aftermath of the tragic killing of women engineering students in Montreal in 1989 by a man who singled out his victims because they were “a bunch of feminists”.

Since then, the group has been meeting regularly to better understand the controlling behaviour and violence that all too often characterise male-female relationships in our society.

Namibia: In February of 1999 about 250 Namibian men came together for a conference to discuss and debate the issue of violence against women, and in particular what men can do to end violence against women. The media was asked to be involved and report on what was happening during the conference.

HOW HAS THE YMCA BEEN INVOLVED ?

Canada: YMCA of Ottawa-Carleton, Family Services Department. This YMCA offers a counselling programme for families focusing on pre-school children and violence including individual and group counselling. Programmes were developed with the support of the Programmes for Children who have Witnessed Abuse Network. At the same time there are parents’ groups to explore issues of self-esteem and parenting skills.

FINAL REMARKS Programmes need to be multifaceted. Domestic violence is a health, legal, economic, educational, developmental and human rights problem that includes the need for both men and women to act. Men need to challenge other men to stop abusing women and to be role models to younger men and boys. Women need to help other women prevent or leave domestic violence situations.

What are the goals for the YMCA? • advocacy and awareness • training • resource development There are five steps to help: 1. Prevention 2. Protection 3. Early intervention 4. Rebuilding lives of survivors 5. Accountability It can be said that a woman’s worst enemy is often a woman herself. Sadly, a wife can suffer through a beating, a threat, or a rape while a mother-in-law looks the other way, a sister-in-law smiles, a mother does not accept her daughter, or a friend chooses to ignore.

If domestic violence is ever to be combated, women must be each other’s supporters first.

Men’s and women’s organisations should work together in this. The YMCA is special in this way because the YMCA already includes both men and women.

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FEMINISATION OF POVERTY Giselle Finne4 The powerful movement towards globalisation conjures up images of a revolution of information, the intertwining of economies and free, worldwide circulation of capital and prosperity, technology and the internet. Possibilities of enhanced opportunities, opening of borders, free movement of capital, goods and resources and a rapid spread of wealth coexist with this growing international system. One can reach across the world, quicker and easier than ever before maximising the potential of success and wealth. However, 1.6 billion people remain excluded from the evolution of affluence and opportunity. 1.6 billion people, the majority of whom are women, live in unfathomable conditions of poverty, which are further worsened by globalisation, accompanying transitional corporations and extreme policies of structural adjustment programmes in developing countries.

Globalisation increases the perspective of cooperation and participation, however parallel to this are trends of marginalisation and exclusion. Free market capitalism is the force behind globalisation allowing market forces to rule and opening economies to free trade and competition. Rewards will consist of efficiency and a new flourishing economic system, allegedly for every country in the world. Concentrations are on expansion of world trade, international finance markets and the rapid growth of technology, all supporting long-term trends of globalisation, integration of markets and international production. The world’s economy, as a result, is more interdependent.

Yet, global economic competition between markets and countries is nothing but fair. How can all markets compete on equivalent levels when some are industrialised, others underdeveloped? Multinational corporations are competing with a small private owned business, or national companies, destroying any visions of local enterprise. The fate of numerous national companies in developing countries and the sovereignty of many nations is placed in the hands of private funds. Principles of fair competition vanish amid struggles for supremacy and control by dictatorships of the most powerful banks and multinational companies. Yes, perhaps globalisation will eventually expand the world’s free market and opportunistic possibilities along with decreasing unemployment, but what about the abundant numbers of impoverished women and children who struggle daily in the face of death? Initially, resolutions must be established for the severe and distressing societal problems which deprive many of basic human rights. By the time aspirations of globalisation are reached, the lives of the impoverished will have ended in death and a new generation of children, raised in bitter conditions of poverty, lacking education, training and health care, will have become the global future.

An open market society does have benefits including increased wealth and opportunities, but these benefits are suspended from the developing countries, generating backlashes primarily on women. Globalisation is not about trade, but rather is concentrated around power and control, a reshaping of a world without borders regulated by an elite few, the world’s most powerful.

4

Giselle Finne worked as a volunteer researcher with the World Alliance of YMCAs between October and December, 2000. The findings and conclusions of this research are her views and are not the official position of the World Alliance of YMCAs at this point in time.

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Present economic developments, accompanied by the characteristics of globalisation and structural adjustment programmes, foster devastating effects on developing countries.

Poverty levels are either maintained or increased while education, training programmes, social services and health care are immensely depleted. Moreover, violence levels increase, access to credit and land is denied, traditional and cultural practices of labour are eliminated, family structures destroyed, and women, primarily, suffer most from these consequences and bear the burdens. Human rights are violated, along with the sovereignty of national companies and the diversity of political regimes. The independence of national companies and their employees in developing countries is controlled by a distant group of elitists who are mainly concerned with personal profits. As a result, national markets are ruined as the power of financial institutions is increased. The debt repayment programmes of developing countries, with their exceptionally strict policies, further exclude their markets from economic progression widening the gap between the rich and the poor. The richest one fifth of the population owns 80% of wealth, the poorest .5%, and increasing disregard for the current situation threatens to lower the already small percentage, increasing poverty.

THE GLOBAL ECONOMY, STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMMES AND POVERTY The lack of income is not the sole determinant of poverty. Hunger, malnutrition, ill health, death, homelessness, inadequate housing, unsafe environments, social discrimination, exclusion and insufficient access to education, productive resources, health care and decision-making power in civil, social and cultural life combined define an impoverished society. A complex, multidimensional problem, poverty has its origins in national and international domains, structural programmes being a primary cause. Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAPs), do not assist in poverty alleviation, but on the contrary, their economic restructuring and debt repayment policies either maintain or initiate further impoverishment. The economically and politically privileged exert authority over developing countries threatening traditional structures, controlling development aid and sovereignty. SAPs destroy equitable distribution or redistribution of resources and income.

Consequently, the created poverty leads to a diminishing sense of democracy, a world without economic and social justice. The world’s most powerful countries have mechanisms to impose their will and judgement while vetoing any incompatible results.

No alternatives exist for these societies who are forced to abide by rigorous policies and rely on structural adjustment programmes. Competitive corporations, which must be accepted within the countries, also control economic resources and political agendas. The unwanted imposition of multinational corporations and SAPs have demolishing consequences on the impoverished, specifically on women. Women are further excluded from economic and political participation and experience losses of equity in economic opportunities and advancement. The current global market and SAPs provoke the poverty crisis, principally for females, creating and contributing to the feminisation of poverty.

The most dramatic effects of SAPs and their economic implications are concentrated on women. SAPs have additionally exacerbated gender roles in aspects of rights, wages, labour conditions and societal equalities. Ill-designed structural programmes have increased female unemployment, forcing acceptance of inequitable jobs lacking in protection. The limited economic development which occurs does not benefit men and women equally. SAPs, established to aid with debt repayments, prevent women’s

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advancement. Instruments that can alleviate women’s poverty, such as education, health care, and employment opportunities, are non-existent due to the lack of finances. Women are the first cut from services as developing countries struggle to meet repayment guidelines totalling over 160 billion dollars to western financial institutions. Against traditional structures, women are forced to work outside of the home without labour protections, while being neglected in educational programmes and health services. SAPs, the current economic environment and globalisation bring extra wealth to the rich while contributing to the extreme impoverishment of the world’s 1.6 billion poor, predominantly women, and abusing all people’s human rights.

IMPOVERISHED WOMEN The feminisation of poverty is a severe reality of the present global situation. Female poverty has reached a historical highpoint, as 70% of the world’s billion poverty-stricken people are women. The number of rural women living in poverty has risen 50% over the last two decades, compared with the 30% for men. The feminisation of poverty is concentrated, but not limited to rural areas, and affects not only women but children and elderly directly, whole communities and state welfare indirectly. As women are principally responsible for childcare, the future of these countries is at stake. As a whole, the number of impoverished women has increased disproportionately to men, therefore poverty alleviation measures must refocus on women’s current situation. The victims of poverty cycles are more likely to be women therefore it is increasingly necessary not only to rid the present suffering with a gender perspective but to maintain, globally, human rights.

One critical question regarding poverty and its alleviation is why are women more likely to be poorer than men and how does poverty affect genders differently? Factual evidence proves that women, by a significant percentage, are poorer then men. Various reasons are responsible but a majority stem from problems related to female discrimination.

Discrimination diminishes escape routes from poverty for females including education, training programmes, health care, social services, equal payment opportunities and access to credit, loans and land. Also affected by female discrimination, further contributing to poverty, is the absence of economic opportunities and women’s autonomy, lack of access to economic resources and minimal participation in decision making processes, lack of access to technology, extension services, social protection, political representation, negotiating capabilities, limited participation in markets, illiteracy, domestic violence, health and nutritional problems, and single female headed households. Other factors responsible for feminised poverty are low income and perceptions that women’s work is insignificant.

Women perform 2/3 of the world’s work and earn 1/10 of the world’s income. Work done by females is often underestimated or discriminated against. Gender specific divisions of labour result in underpaid, undervalued and of a lower status of female labour compared to that of men. Costs and development are often disproportionately distributed in terms of age and sex. With increasing poverty, women are responsible for their dependents while they must work even though poorly paid, if at all. A shocking 900 million women make less than one dollar a day. Poverty affects whole households, but because of gender divisions of labour women carry the bigger burdens. Not only is gender discrimination present in employment but also in education, literacy, health care and social services.

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The United Nations suggests that three factors are relevant to the feminisation of poverty.

First, strong family ties bind women to their families and dependents while male abandonment is common. Additional factors include lack of employment opportunities and the current social welfare system. Gender specific endowments, production and exchange failures seem to explain why, living amongst the poor, women are the poorest.

Wars, conflicts, breakdowns of traditional family structures, rising death rates due to AIDS and the increasing number of refugees all enhance the conditions of the feminisation of poverty.

ASPECTS AND EFFECTS OF FEMINISATION OF POVERTY Literacy, education, training programmes Impoverished females if given a basic education could initiate progression, for themselves and their children, out of poverty cycles. Finances allocated to provide schools, teachers, training and educational programmes are severed to support SAP conditions. Money that could serve for development purposes goes instead to pay only the interest incurred debt, obliterating any chances of development, progress or poverty alleviation for women.

Education is first cut from females before males whether in schools or training programmes. Girl-children are removed from school to assist with family needs, care for other children, or work themselves, while boys remain in school. The few girls provided with education must remain in the poor neighbourhood schools where one hundred children are taught by one teacher without regular attendance. Due to severe mobility limitations after puberty, girls are not allowed out of the near proximity while boys are sent to nearby schools with better programmes. Additionally, perceptions exist that girls do not need much education re-establishing present cycles of the feminisation of poverty and the limitations in opportunities. Poor job possibilities and a lower role in society, and incredible illiteracy rates in females are all effects of limited education in developing countries. Women outnumber men two to one in the number of illiterates. The higher a nation’s illiteracy rate, the higher the fertility and mortality rates. Under 5 years of age mortality rates are the greatest among women with no education. The lack of education not only forces women into poor jobs, but into the dangerous informal sector of prostitution, sexual exploitation and slave labour where protections are obsolete.

Violence against women Many women, due to the lack of education and training, are forced into the informal sector of work including jobs of prostitution, sex exploitation, street trade and domestic labour.

These manipulating jobs force women to live daily in situations of violence. Domestic violence is not only in the protectionless informal sector but is also present in the formal sector and in the home. The rates of domestic violence are high in the lives of impoverished women. Third World women in developing countries experience various kinds of violence, physical and mental, including gender persecution, brutal rape, marital rape, systematic rape, slavery, forced pregnancy, female genital mutilation, female exploitation, abductions, beatings, murder, dowry-related violence, and sexual harassment.

The deterioration in already poor living standards is often expressed through violence, primarily on women and their children. Poverty, with its deep-rooted problems, causes women to suffer from diverse acts of violence and is declared as a form of discrimination against women that seriously inhibits women’s ability to enjoy rights and freedoms on a basis of equality with men.

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Health and nutrition Similar to the inadequate funds for education, SAPs dramatically affect funds allocated for health and nutritional services, primarily on women. Women, as a result, have limited to no access to health care or nutritional services affecting their personal wellness along with that of their dependents, whether children or the elderly. In addition to SAPS, the increasing trend towards unconstitutional privatisation also results in a proliferation of health services with little guarantee of quality. Males receive most health care attention over females. Discrimination fosters limited access to basic health needs and services therefore most impoverished women suffer from ill health throughout their lives.

Impositions of user fees for basic health care cuts off these services to poor women.

Furthermore, when traditional medicines are offered women choose them over more advanced, safer methods due to cost, convenience and lack of education.

Half a million women die unnecessarily each year from poverty related health complications. Protein malnutrition is significantly higher in women along with other nutritional problems. Impoverished women also have a greater chance of pregnancy complications, 200 times greater, then women in industrialised countries with access to health care. 99% of maternal deaths occur in developing countries. Poor families have higher adolescent pregnancy rates and there is a lack of access to contraception and sexual education. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a persisting problem within impoverished societies.

Among developing countries the virus intensifies existing labour and agricultural problems of women and further increases widespread malnutrition. HIV/AIDS is growing faster among women then any other group.

The neglect of health care and nutritional services among poor females results in early deaths rates, an increase in diseases, including a growing population afflicted with the AIDS virus, malnutrition, starvation, infection, higher pregnancy rates and establishes extra burdens on impoverished women. In addition to household tasks, women are required to manage their own health problems along with those of the children and elderly in their household. The current health care inadequacies limit financial capabilities, mobility and work hours redefining the inescapable poverty cycle. Sickness is a catastrophe that can lead ultimately to economic ruin or death. The feminisation of poverty is an outlying determinate of poor health and nutrition which threats, directly and indirectly, the lives of not only the impoverished women and their dependents but whole societies.

A patriarchal society: power and decisions Patriarchal societal structures are part of deep-rooted institutional barriers contributing to the feminisation of poverty. Predominately, in developing countries, a strong gender bias exists in decision-making legislation, representation and within the social culture. Social and political exclusion, citizenship and human rights are limited for women; women are not fully able to benefit from security and basic human services. Females, living in impoverished societies, are entirely denied political power and social representation.

Decisions wholly affecting the lives of these women are decided by men who have limited experience regarding the lives and hardships of impoverished women. Since women’s capabilities are undervalued a strong perception exists that their participation is worthless.

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How can situations of poverty be improved if the impoverished voices are left unheard and they are denied representation or participation in decision-making processes?

Women are thought to have a limited understanding about money and consequently are excluded from financial decisions and expenditure, even if it is money they earned. In many cases, women are denied access to their own money or involvement in expenses; men usually collect women’s income. Regarding labour power women exercise lesser control over labour power, even though they compose a vast portion of the labour force.

Labour policies are determined by men who are far removed from the lives of feminised poverty. Overall, women’s voices are left unheard and neglected, their role in life and participation in society is so undervalued that it hardly exists, their human rights desecrated.

They have no means to pull themselves out of poverty by means of representation. Female representation is critical to poverty alleviation. If women comprise 70% of impoverished people how can they be left ignored in decisions that further contribute and create the extreme situations? A beginning in alleviation rests in the power of women, representation and in decision-making. Unfortunately, men are obviously in charge and hold positions of higher status.

Female labour and employment The feminisation of poverty is additionally deteriorated by three factors that channel women into low-income jobs. Initially, reproductive and domestic roles are perceived as women’s primary functions, anything else is secondary and better done by a man.

Secondly, there are restrictions on time and mobility for productive work, productive work is seen as men’s work and as a result women’s economic role is secondary to reproduction. Thirdly, women have limited access to productive resources and services.

Women run 70% of small scale businesses and comprise half of the official labour force, however, women’s work goes unrewarded, unrecognised and underpaid. Women are paid 30-40% less then men for comparable work increasing circumstances of feminised poverty. With no moneymaking opportunities, women are fixed in poverty with no means for advancement.

Women work more hours per week then men but this is a combination of paid and unpaid labour such as housekeeping, cooking and laundry. On the whole, females do almost all of the unpaid substance work. In developing countries, women daily spend up to five hours collecting firewood and water and up to four hours preparing food. Their sixteen hour days are spent not only performing these tasks, but growing and harvesting food, tending crops, performing operations such as food storage, handling, stocking, marketing, and processing food, along with caring for families and personal needs. Moreover, the economic environment and mandatory adjustment procedures force open trade liberalisation; small female owned businesses and national companies close, limiting women’s work options. Trade liberalisation threatens traditional women’s industries because women who produce these goods cannot compete with cheaper subsidies. Work is consequently found in the informal sector without protection. The economic situation forces workers to continue in unprotected labour, a situation which does not encourage women to defend their rights. Lack of opportunities, education and skills compel many women into the dangerous informal sector as street traders, domestic servants, homeworkers, seasonal labourers and prostitutes. The informal sector has no protection 64

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and fails to fully pay women for the work they perform. Furthermore, with massive levels of unemployment in developing countries, women are the first to lose jobs. For example, a company in the mid region of Africa was required to lay off 50% of its workforce and terminated all women workers. Cycles of feminised poverty are repetitive because women are forced to work in low to no paying jobs, without protection or regularity.

Consequently, the finances essential for poverty eradication are unattainable.

Single female-headed households, dependents Households headed by females with dependents experience the worst afflictions of poverty. Numerous families in developing countries are headed by single women. Men migrate to urban areas in search of better economic possibilities or women are the victims of divorce, desertion, abandonment, widowhood, or unpartnered adolescent parenthood.

Female-headed households often have a large number of persons to care for per worker leaving a majority of the people within the household not working. Therefore, a number of children are supported principally by women whose average revenue is lower than that of men, with less access to resources such as credit or land. Poor families are larger than rich ones which increases burdens.

Female-headed households are the poorest and experience a lower earning percentage.

Contrary to traditions in developing countries women now have numerous roles, the care giver, the bread-earner and parental figure, subsequently childcare suffers and patterns of poverty are repeated. There is a general notion that children are women’s so the men in these societies distance themselves from such concerns. One out of five children are raised in poverty. These impoverished children are raised with little or no support, many in female-headed households with a limited presence of parental role models and a diminutive chance of escaping poverty deficiencies.

Credit, land, production The present culture, specifically in developing countries, reinforces a patriarchal controlled society. The concentration of men’s supremacy fosters an inability to acquire credit, loans or lands for women, limiting their power and the importance of their roles in society. Beliefs that females have a limited knowledge of finances ruins their allowance to manage personal capital and destroys any possibilities of economic privileges. Women are seen as lesser beings in society thus men question how women, if given financial liberties, would manage the money and satisfy repayments. In some cases legal restraints exist on women’s access to credit. Such legalities limit women’s evolution out of poverty. Low to no paying jobs and numerous dependents deplete finances, and extra money to assist with societal progression is non-existent. By denying even small loans or credit hopes of progress are denied. Discouragement becomes a factor in the daily lives of impoverished women due to the lack of responsibility, opportunities or finance.

Women have even smaller access to land or productive resources. Females are forbidden to own the land that they work on even though they are the primary agricultural employees. Men have possession over the land and decisions regarding it. Again, there are incredibly limited opportunities for women to gain any type of ownership or responsibility involving land. Women also receive less for production such as food, health care or clothes.

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SOLUTIONS With 1.6 billion people living in such extreme situations of poverty amongst huge concentrations of wealth the realities of developing countries must not be disregarded.

These impoverished people live daily without adequate health care, education, social services or representation. The current economic system not only reinstates these inadequacies but encourages solely the elite, educated and industrialised, not only worsening already appalling living conditions but destroying the human rights of the poor.

Existing situations diminish human development capabilities, reinstate poverty cycles and fail to give any means of aid to the poor. Rather, economic procedures, specifically Structural Adjustment Programmes, enforce mandatory yet unfeasible conditions, which are the basis for these societal problems. Any funds that a developing country sustains must pay interest on a debt accumulated in past decades, depleting finances for poverty alleviation resources such as credit programmes, education, training and social services.

Transnational corporations, despite the preferences of developing countries are forced into their markets, exterminating small and medium businesses, trade and production, reinforcing poverty. Poverty awareness and the pursuit for eradication must develop as a priority on international agendas; it is essential that human rights are restored to all populations, only afterwards can a focus can be placed on economic opportunity and success.

Seventy percent of the world’s billion impoverished are women. Poverty alleviation therefore must now focus primarily on women. Effective poverty alleviation depends on abilities to reach and assist poor women and includes women in participation for eradication, not just the recipients. Female participation will instil positive and more effective methods of alleviation. Since women are the majority of impoverished their knowledge and assistance with eradication is necessary for success. Women’s role in society is a contribution and must be seen as such, emphasising the value of women’s participation in social, economic and political decisions. Women are not a burden or a cost to development but a vital and dynamic factor for growth and poverty eradication.

Economic progression and improvements of the quality of life for all people is more rapidly achieved where women’s status is higher. Hence, resources must be redirected towards women. This is not simply a focus on a single individual, but, because of women’s communal role, positive effects will be seen in the family, home, environment, children, elderly and whole communities and nations. Improvement of women’s economic capabilities and status require women to regain equal access to decision-making regarding economic policies, bargaining power in the household and marketplace, and access to control over economic resources.

Unfortunately, despite women’s immense capabilities, they are left unacknowledged within developing countries. Given the opportunity and resources, females have proven to be active partners in development and efficiency with active characteristics and openness to innovation. Impoverished women have a significant responsibility in these countries, producing more than 2/3 of the food produced. They are exclusively accountable for the nutrition and wellbeing of their dependents and are exclusively in charge of processing, storage, stocking and handling food. A significant part of the women’s household income is spent on buying additional food for families, maintaining any type of education and providing health care. Women have full accountability over the rearing of children as well.

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All of women’s work is performed in extreme conditions of poverty without hope or support.

With the importance of women’s societal roles and their capabilities and hands-on knowledge, their presence and representation is an essential factor in alleviating feminised poverty in developing countries. Without their participation eradication efforts can be forgotten. First, beliefs and preconceived notions must be transformed. Women must be seen as active agents in alleviation and within society. If given opportunities, women will prove and maintain their capabilities. To progress towards solutions of these societal problems, the female position must be promoted in order that they can receive improved incomes. Self-employment must be encouraged and assistance must be given to women’s small and medium sized businesses. There must be a focus on dynamic, sustained, humancentred economic growth and development in a manner that facilitates employment concentrated on women. To reduce half of the world’s hunger by 2015 efforts must be made to improve the working conditions of rural women. Allocations of public expenditure should promote women’s economic opportunities. Female discrimination in labour markets must be alleviated to guarantee women’s right to and at work. By provisions of social and cultural support and opportunities for women, job discrimination will be eliminated.

Additional necessities in eradication of feminised poverty, along with increasing employment possibilities, are expanding women’s education and training, assisting in improved job opportunities, allowance and access to public resources and control over allocations such as land and credit. For any societal improvements, investments are to be made in women’s health care, education and training. Education and training will assist in a more knowledgeable society where women can have better employment choices to progress out of poverty. To further improve women’s situation they must be encouraged to be organised and form groups; an organisation has numerous advantages assisting with poverty eradication.

The eradication of feminised poverty consists not only of improvements in employment, training, education and women’s empowerment; other factors are concerning governments and economic trends. Women are the best advocates for change in policies and the market place, but additional modifications must also be made. An adjustment in macroeconomic and social policies must include full and equal participation of women. Discrimination must be alleviated. National government and international policies need to refocus with the purpose of placing women and men on equal footing. Equal employment opportunities are a primary factor, but employment must also create economic growth, sound macroeconomic policies, and improvements in labour markets to proceed with poverty eradication. Governments and development must proceed with integrated thinking and multilateral decisions, not just desire of elites. Global markets affect all, therefore all related people should be represented in policy-making procedures. There is a need to reinforce democracy and fundamental freedoms within governments to proceed towards eradication. Policies must seek a redistribution of richness along with equal representation.

Other options for poverty eradication via markets is debt cancellation of the impoverished countries. The presence of debt prevents developing countries from economic and social development and contributes to creating unacceptable living conditions affecting the human rights of men and women. These countries will never be able to pay off interest

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incurred by debt. The money from cancellation would be better utilised creating social and educational programmes to assist women’s development.

Poverty alleviation and employment promotion in developing countries will create equal opportunities and benefits for both men and women, helping to eliminate discrimination.

Stability will be found in all societies.

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POSITION OF WORLD ALLIANCE OF YMCAs ON FEMINISATION OF POVERTY The YMCA is a world-wide movement in 125 countries with 35 million members, of which a little over half are women. In the last few years, women have taken an increasing role and hold key responsibilities in the world movement. During the May 2000 meeting of the Executive Committee of the World Alliance of YMCAs, the issue of feminisation of poverty was identified as one of the main areas of concern for the world movement. This was adopted through a proposal made by the Gender Committee of the World Alliance.

The adoption of this issue was influenced by the recognition of various facts. Poverty affects more women and young people around the world. Seventy percent of the poor are women. Although women are half of the world’s population and are responsible for half of the world’s food production, they only receive 1/10th of the total world income and own 1/100 of the world’s property.

In the 21st century, women’s increased participation in the labour market is accompanied by the worst labour conditions: subcontracts, maquila, informal work, work at home, part time work and others. Women receive lower wages and face more discrimination.

Additionally, unpaid domestic work continues to be mostly carried out by women.

Increased foreign debt service payments in impoverished countries deeply affect their peoples’ situation, as much needed money for development is used to pay interests.

Structural adjustment programmes implemented in many of these countries violate economic, social and cultural rights. Women are deeply affected by structural adjustment programmes that decrease health services, educational opportunities and adequate housing and basic services.

Women are also affected by increased unemployment rates, as they are the first ones to lose their jobs when cutbacks occur. They continue earning less than men, and even so suffer from further cuts in wages. When there is not enough money for education, girls are the first ones to stop going to school. The reduction in social spending has dramatic consequences on women and their families.

These policies have served to increase inequality and poverty. There is also a general loss of hope in the families. Therefore, social exclusion has grown and citizens’ rights and human rights are limited to those who can pay, for example, for health and education.

There are first class citizens or consumers, and second class citizens who hardly have access to a life with dignity.

Women are further away from access to power and decision-making spheres due to the phenomena associated with globalisation, whereby women are in a comparatively disadvantageous position.

The World Alliance of YMCAs considers that poverty is not related only to the lack of means for subsistence, but it deeply affects the dignity of human beings. Without the fulfilment of basic material needs it is not possible to fully exercise citizens’ rights, which include the right to live with economic security and well-being.

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The mission of the World Alliance of YMCAs calls us to contribute to build a more just, equitable and solidary world for women and men. Therefore we are concerned about the human rights of all those peoples affected by the current global economic system. As members of the community of peoples that stand for justice, we express our deep disagreement with the exclusion of women from exercising their full political, economical, cultural and social rights.

To face this situation, it is necessary to look for solutions that seek the redistribution of richness and respect for women’s integrity and human rights. We recognise that urgent action is needed to ensure: • • •

the cancellation of the foreign debt of the impoverished countries, which prevents all countries from achieving economic and social development; that the policies of cooperation, financing and credit should not impose unacceptable conditions for peoples’ right to development, a fundamental human right; that conditions for debt cancellation should clearly state that the money released from interest payments will be used in a manner by which the situation of women is advanced.

The YMCA supports women’s right to development, based on equality, social justice and respect for differences. Women should not be considered beneficiaries, but rather actors of development with capacity to participate in the planning, decision-making, execution and control processes related to development at local, national, regional and international levels. To reach this, it is necessary to promote women’s access to decision-making spheres, quality education, training and information management.

The YMCA considers itself particularly equipped to deal with issues of gender justice and equity, as it can mobilise both men and women members to work for a just world, alongside with other organisations that share the same visions and dreams. Finally, we are convinced that we need to continue drawing our agenda from the women’s movements to support the struggle against all forms of discrimination, oppression and violence against women, while seeking gender equity.

Presented in the 23rd Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace, 5-9 June 2000

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BEIJING + 5 REPORT WORLD ALLIANCE OF YMCAs INTRODUCTION The YMCA was represented at the 4th Women’s Conference held in Beijing in 1995. In June 2000, the World Alliance of YMCAs was also represented at Beijing + 5, or the 23rd Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly: “Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”.

The purpose of this Special Session held in New York was to review and assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and consider future actions. Twelve critical areas of concern were reviewed: poverty, education and training, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, decision-making, institutional mechanisms, human rights, media, environment and the girl-child.

During the meeting, the World Alliance Gender and Development Committee set as its objectives: • • •

to link and develop advocacy strategies with other organisations to position the movement on the issue of feminisation of poverty to promote the work of the YMCA as an organisation working on gender justice

The World Alliance representative at this meeting, Solana Quesada, from the Uruguay YMCA, presented the following report regarding the outcomes of Beijing + 5, including the World Alliance’s position on feminisation of poverty.

In 2001 the World Alliance Executive Committee recommended that the report be disseminated to national movements and area organisations to encourage them to discuss the implications of the outcome of the Special Session by highlighting the rights of adolescents, violence against women, health, education, and the right to development.

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BEIJING +5 REPORT 23rd Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly: Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty-first Century”, 5-9 June 2000 29 May – 2 June 2000: Preparatory Committee 10 June: Meeting of Latin American NGOs 11 – 12 June: Regional Assembly Latin American and Caribbean Youth Network for Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Gender Equity

by Solana Quesada, responsible for the YMCA Gender Programme – DEPSE Montevideo, Uruguay First I would like to thank the Montevideo YMCA and the World Alliance of YMCAs for the opportunity to participate in this event representing the YMCAs world-wide. It was a great experience for me, and an important challenge.

I will structure this report as follows: 1. Conference operations from Governmental and NGO perspectives.

2. Participation in the Latin American Regional Caucus and Youth Caucus, with special emphasis on the “Youth Pro-women’s Rights” initiative.

3. UN General Assembly Special Session Report 4. After Beijing +5 – Implementation and Accountability 5. Future working opportunities for the YMCA.

1. PREPCOM OPERATIONS FROM GOVERNMENTAL AND NGO PERSPECTIVES Government At least 60% of the final results of a Conference are determined during the preparation process. These results are reached by consensus rather than a voting exercise, which is reached through negotiations.

In order to reach this consensus, there are different groups of countries that negotiate; once they reach consensus, they go to the Plenary where those country groups begin another round of negotiations to reach agreement.

When no agreement can be reached, the document text is placed in brackets to show that not all countries are in agreement with the position and that it will be necessary to negotiate the text and look for alternatives which take into consideration the different positions.

It is very important to have access to the document to be analysed in advance, to be familiar with it and to be able to prepare proposals on the text and submit them to the different governments.

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The Plenary is the space where NGOs can be present as observers. The country groups who were allowed to take the floor at the Plenary were: •

• • •

“G-77” + China: 132 developing countries, which included Latin America and the Caribbean, Asian Pacific, Arab Countries, and Africa. Mexico was not part of the G77 Group, as it had its own representation at the Plenary.

European Union JUSCANZ: Japan, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland The Vatican

The country goups’ negotiation meetings were closed; only the representatives who were part of the official delegations could participate.

The G-77 Group worked very slowly due to the great diversity of its countries, but mainly because of the different cultures; they were not even able to conclude the review of the complete document. The Plenary negotiations were stopped on several occasions because the G77 did not have an opinion about the paragraphs being discussed. Some of the G77 meetings often lasted until one o’clock in the morning; discussions were strong, with few agreements.

There was general consensus about not going back with regard to the agreements reached at the Beijing World-wide Platform for Action; however, countries such as Nicaragua, Honduras, Sudan, Algeria, Egypt and Iran permanently proposed text which was a step backward from the Beijing Agreements.

Even though the European Union and JUSCANZ generally submitted proposals that not only accepted the Beijing Agreements but also went beyond that language, they were the ones who backed down when it came to discussing economic support and allocating resources for the Platform implementation.

The Vatican’s proposals were usually a step behind the Beijing Agreements and often had opinions similar to those of the G77, although the Vatican had much more weight. A campaign was launched to review the Vatican’s current status as UN’s Permanent NonMember Observer.

NGOs There were Thematic Caucuses and Regional Caucuses. It is worth noting that the Caucuses were completely open, which generated problems because there were many right-wing representatives (approximately 300) who participated permanently in all the meetings and did not know of or support the Platform.

The Caucuses are spaces to discuss and define specific topics. Usually, besides reaching consensus about positions on the contents of the documents, they prepare proposals on the text and strategies for lobbying with the governments. The result is a declaration or document on their position. Because of the open composition of the Caucuses, it was very difficult to move forward; in some cases, it was necessary to carry out parallel meetings to move ahead in defining strategies, and then the “open” Caucus worked on preparing topics on which agreement had been reached, etc.

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The Regional Caucuses were: • • • • •

Latin America (the Caribbean was included in theory, however, it only included Latin America) Africa Asian Pacific Arab Countries ECE (Europe – United States – Canada)

The Thematic Caucuses were: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Girls Adult women Violence against women Young women Human rights Economy Women and HIV/AIDS Institutional mechanisms Mental health Armed conflicts Health Poverty Education Power and decision making Media Indigenous women Lesbians Black women

There were also Linkage Caucuses, where each Caucus reported on the status of its situation, advances and problems.

A Briefing was scheduled every morning, to report on activities for the day, and where the Caucuses had a space to present their priorities.

Finally, each Caucus and Organisation presented panels and workshops on issues and experiences.

2. PARTICIPATION IN THE LATIN AMERICAN REGIONAL AND YOUTH CAUCUS, SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE “YOUTH PRO-WOMEN’S RIGHTS” INITIATIVE In the end there were too many overlapping spaces and activities for participation, and often there was no translation and no appropriate dissemination.

The first lesson learned is that it is important to organise the activities, places and schedules.

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I prioritised my participation around two main issues: Latin American Caucus: At first this Caucus was combined with the Caribbean, but due to some barriers such as language, the Caribbean ended up working independently. The Caucus was organised in working commissions: • •

• • •

Commission to follow up on the Plenary, to monitor progress on the document’s negotiations.

Linkage Commission with the delegations, to provide text proposals for the paragraphs being negotiated, especially within the G-77, so that some representatives could present them to their delegations.

Follow-up on the Regional Caucus, to look for common positions with other regions.

Linkage with other Caucuses, to share positions on different issues.

Press Commission, to disseminate documents on opinions and releases.

Even if the Latin American Caucus was well organised, it was often difficult to have enough time to reflect on the status of the negotiations and the document, and there was not a clear lobbying strategy.

Youth Caucus: As a youth network we held informative meetings almost every day to define common strategies. We co-ordinated with other Youth Networks (Asia, Africa, USA, Canada, and Europe), and some members of the Youth Coalition created as a result of the Cairo + 5 process. The “Youth Pro-women’s Rights” initiative was conceived in this co-ordination. We prepared information sheets on different issues, where we presented our specific proposals as young women as well as language proposals, which were used for lobbying with our delegations.

As young people, we were well organised and had a positive impact on the women’s movement, as the official delegations clearly noticed our participation. We were not as successful in having our proposals included as part of the document.

There were many right-wing young participants at the open Youth Caucus, who opposed the platform and clearly proposed to back down on the Beijing Agreements.

This was one of the first United Nations events where we, the young people, had a clear presence and were well organised. It is very important to continue ensuring youth participation in these processes.

3. UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY SPECIAL SESSION REPORT This report was prepared for the National Commission on the Follow-up to Beijing by Lilian Celiberti, Alejandra López and Solana Quesada, Gender Coordinator, Montevideo YMCA – Uruguay. It includes the most significant advances in the Platform for Action and even if no changes were made, there was sometimes the danger of abandoning language already agreed in Beijing.

The plenary of the UN Special Session ended the debate on critical issues at 5:00 a.m. on 10 June, of the process known as Beijing +5. The evaluation of the implementation of the 75

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Plan of Action agreed upon in Beijing in 1995 became real through a new process of debate on the contents of the Platform for Action.

Yet again the controversial themes included abortion, sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, themes related to the family, and governmental commitments and resources together with other important themes that extended the meeting an extra 24 hours as previously foreseen.

The methodology and the Secretariat’s supervision of the Special Session enabled the opening of the debate on the terminology of the Platform, thus obstructing the advances and monitoring of actions to which governments had already committed five years ago.

During long working sessions, the document and text approved five years ago was reviewed, thus delaying the general functioning of the working sessions. The core of the political debate focused on a concept of rights versus one of vulnerability.

The participation of civil society, feminists and women’s organisations ensured that the Beijing commitments remained in effect. Nevertheless, a bitter taste remained after long hours of discussion in forums that questioned the basis of the democratic logic of world debates.

Summary of critical areas of concern that were finally incorporated in the Beijing +5 Outcome Document Human Rights Human Rights were reaffirmed in paragraph 42: Actions and Initiatives, Section IV of the document: “Governments, in taking continued and additional steps to achieve the goals of the Platform, recognise that all human rights – civil, cultural, economic, political and social, including the right to development – are universal, indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and are essential for realising gender equality, development and peace in the 21st century.” Also in paragraph 46: “The efforts towards ensuring women’s participation in development have expanded and need to combine a focus on women’s conditions and basic needs with a holistic approach based on equal rights and partnerships, promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

International Criminal Court The consensus reached at the Special Session appeals to Member States to consider signing and ratifying the Statute of the International Criminal Court recently created and the evaluation document acknowledges in point no. 12 that “Also of historical significance is the adoption of the Crime Statute of the International Criminal Court which provides that rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, enforced sterilisation and other forms of sexual violence are war crimes when committed in the context of armed conflict, and also under defined circumstances, crimes against humanity.”

It should be noted in paragraph 102 g: “Consider signing and ratifying the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women.”

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Also should be noted advancement regarding equality for migrant women and men (132 b); the recognition of specific needs and rights of indigenous women (128 h); and genderrelated asylum conditions (102 l).

Globalisation The document reached by consensus recognises the negative impact of socio-economic policies in the life of women and urges that access to social protection systems be created and ensured, taking into account the specific needs of all women living in poverty, demographic changes and changes in society, to provide safeguards against the uncertainties and changes in conditions of work associated with globalisation (110 a).

Rights of Adolescents On rights of adolescents to sexual and reproductive health, paragraph 115 highlights the need to design and implement programmes with the full involvement of adolescents, to provide them with education, information and services to address effectively their reproductive and sexual health needs, taking into account their right to privacy, confidentiality, respect and informed consent; and the responsibilities, rights and duties of parents and legal guardians to provide in a manner consistent with the evolving capacities of the child appropriate direction and guidance in the exercise by the child of the rights recognised in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in conformity with the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. These programmes should build adolescent girls’ self-esteem and help them take responsibility for their own lives.

Abortion On abortion, paragraph 107 i endorses the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, strengthening the appeal to deal with the issue of unsafe abortion as a major public health concern; to improve family planning services to prevent unwanted pregnancies; to provide care and guidance to women who have unwanted pregnancies; and to determine measures or changes related to abortion at the national or local level according to the national legislative process. It affirms that in all cases, women should have access to quality services for the management of complications arising from abortion.

Post-abortion counselling, education and family planning services should be offered promptly, which will also help to avoid repeat abortions, and consideration should be given to reviewing laws containing punitive measures against women who have undergone illegal abortions.

Diversity The Introduction of the Document states: “The Platform for Action recognises that women continue to encounter barriers to full equality and advancement because of such factors as their race, age, language, ethnicity, culture, religion or disability, because they are indigenous women or of other status.”

These factors were understood in the Platform for Action as “additional barriers”. The new document establishes a hierarchy for these barriers.

The document also contains specific measures to tackle discrimination of disabled, indigenous, trafficked, refugee, black, youth, migrant women and for the first time refers 77

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to the condition of vulnerability of widows and older women, violence, and racism, amongst others.

Sexual Diversity This was one of the most heated debates during negotiations prior to the General Assembly. While the right of women to free sexual orientation was not finally included as a topic, it is important to note that countries like Canada, New Zealand, USA and the European Union maintained the issue during the debate and did not withdraw it from the agenda. Moreover their intervention at the General Assembly stated that in paragraphs relating to Diversity, diverse sexual options are recognised.

Concept of Family In paragraph 51 different types of families are recognised and not “the family” as the unique model. “In different cultural, political and social systems, various forms of the family exist and the rights, capabilities and responsibilities of family members must be respected.”

For the first time the subject of motherhood and fatherhood is introduced, affirming that “these roles must not be a basis for discrimination”.

Paragraph 102 i adds: “Take measures, including programmes and policies, to ensure that maternity, motherhood and parenting and the role of women in procreation are not used as a basis for discrimination nor that they restrict the full participation of women in society.”

Violence 103 d: “Develop, adopt and fully implement laws and other measures, as appropriate, such as policies and educational programmes, to eradicate harmful customary or traditional practices, including female genital mutilation, early and forced marriage and so-called honour crimes, which are violations of the human rights of women and girls.”

103 c: “Establish legislation and/or strengthen appropriate mechanism to handle criminal matters relating to all forms of domestic violence, including marital rape and sexual abuse of women and girls, and ensure that such cases are brought to justice swiftly.”

Paragraph 130 requests Governments to increase political responses, co-operation and effective implementation in national legislation of measures to eliminate violence against women and girls emphasising, among others, dowry-related violence.

Autonomy of NGOs Paragraph 43 states that: “Governments and intergovernmental organisations recognise the contribution and complementary role of NGOs, with full respect for their autonomy, in ensuring the effective implementation of the Platform for Action, and should continue to strengthen partnerships with NGOs, particularly women’s organisations, in contributing to the effective implementation and follow-up of the Platform for Action.”

Final Considerations The final report of the Beijing +5 process did not signal any retreat from the Beijing Conference, but neither did it advance toward new governmental commitments to action.

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document, in particular that national legislation of all States which are signatories of the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women should comply with the provisions of the said Convention.

Commitments for resources to ensure fulfilment of the Platform for Action were not reaffirmed.

POLITICAL DECLARATION Another document resulting from the Beijing +5 process was the Political Declaration.

The beginning of the text was almost completely in brackets, and a “contact group” was formed (USA, JUSCANZ, Egypt, Algeria, Chile), which agreed upon a document for a two-page Political Declaration. This document was supposed to include a confirmation of the commitment with the Beijing Platform for Action, without detailing obstacles, achievements or future actions, but it had a great number of brackets from the beginning.

Practically all the substantive material, including women’s human rights and the CEDAW, were between brackets, as well as financial resources and development assistance. These brackets have been eliminated.

Some consider these results to be a step forward. Our (DAWN) perception has other nuances. While a political declaration is both useful and necessary, the contents agreed upon greatly ratify Nairobi and Beijing recommendations, without too many advances.

Regarding women’s human rights, the Declaration merely affirms “the commitment to accelerate the achievement of CEDAW’s universal ratification”. CEDAW, as we all know, has been with us since 1979 (and already should have reached adulthood at 21!). The Political Declaration does not mention (not even weakly) the CEDAW Optional Protocol, which so far has been ratified only by a few countries.

Regarding financial resources, the text is extremely vague when reaffirming the efforts to enforce the internationally agreed upon objective of reaching 0.7% of the developed countries’ Gross National Product for official development aid as soon as possible, which has not been accomplished.

In spite of its contents, the Political Declaration was never envisioned as a substantive guide for implementers or activists to use as a basis for future actions. Therefore, it must be clear that the Political Declaration can never be considered a substitute for the Project Document, which is where substantive and detailed information can be found.

4. AFTER BEIJING +5 - IMPLEMENTATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY The final documents that emerged from the five-year review specify mechanisms for the follow-up and monitoring of implementation of the Platform for Action. These will identify obstacles to implementation and suggest strategies for overcoming them. The outcome documents will also look at issues that were not clearly specified in the Platform for Action, and that have emerged as key issues affecting the advancement of women and gender equality in an evolving global context. They will spell out the relevant responses 79

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for actors at the national and international level. Finally, they will indicate the process for the continued review and appraisal of the Platform for Action.

The priorities and targets agreed upon in the five-year review reflect governments’ political intentions or policy priorities. Effective implementation of the agenda for gender equality, however, requires commitment to building or bolstering the infrastructure and financing that is needed to meet these goals. The funding and institutional arrangements can benefit from the input of NGOs. In other words, NGOs have an important role to play in providing substantive information to governments and in monitoring efforts toward implementation.

In order to monitor the commitments that governments have made, it is important to remember these points: •

The documents that emerge from UN meetings result from political negotiation and compromise and are written in formal language. However, they are of use to women and women’s groups working for social change world-wide.

•

UN resolutions and recommendations are only the first step in the process of achieving the aims that they express. The central importance of these resolutions lies in the follow-up at the national level. UN resolutions and recommendations are not legally binding. Signing or endorsing the programme of action or series of resolutions is not equivalent to passing legislation or ratifying a treaty. Rather, it is a sign of political intention, around which work may be mobilised. A programme of action is effective when it is used as a guide for national legislation and action and when it helps shape international priorities.

•

UN resolutions and recommendations are addressed to different bodies. Many of the final documents or programmes of action resulting from UN conferences contain recommendations to governments, to the UN system, to NGOs, and to other specific types of institutions. In addition, UN resolutions and recommendations generally specify a mechanism for monitoring implementation.

•

In the case of the Platform for Action, the Commission on the Status of Women (which meets annually in March) is the body responsible for monitoring and reporting to the UN on progress made in fulfilling the recommendations of the Platform for Action. Periodic UN global conferences on women have been important organising tools and venues for keeping gender on the global agenda. The Beijing +5 review lays the groundwork for the continued review of the Platform for Action.

Whether you attended the five-year review of the Platform for Action or not, the resolutions and recommendations contained in the resulting documents can be used as local organising tools. Here are some suggestions on how to follow-up on the issues raised and the decisions made: • •

Check official websites for final documents or contact the Secretariat (www.un.org/partners/civil_society/m-women.htm).

Identify the appropriate departments in your government that are responsible for implementing the Platform for Action and incorporating the recommendations from Beijing +5.

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•

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Continue to work in regional and international networks as these will provide a powerful source of information for sharing strategies and building accountability practices.

Organise a meeting within two to three months after the Special Session to develop an action plan and commitments to follow-up. Invite relevant actors - government representatives, NGOs, the media, academics, private sector representatives, donors, UN organisations - to brainstorm together on next steps.

[Source: “Gender on the Agenda – After the Review: Implementation and Accountability, UNIFEM Web Page]

5. FUTURE WORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE YMCA • • •

• •

First of all, wide dissemination of this information to different YMCAs, especially those that implement gender programmes and could contribute.

Disseminate the World Alliance position on Feminisation of Poverty which was distributed to official delegations and NGOs at the Beijing +5 Conference.

Prioritise the issues we are interested in, to participate and influence. The World Alliance Gender Committee defined these areas in its May 2000 meeting: violence against women, feminisation of poverty, women in decision making, health and reproductive rights, education.

Interact with women’s organisations participating in the process, mainly those which deal with issues that the YMCA considers priorities.

In addition to participating in Beijing +5, I consider it important to be able to know and disseminate all YMCA gender experiences (the “YMCA World” magazine of the World Alliance of YMCAs is an important starting point). We should also start thinking about strategies to incorporate these issues in the YMCA, so as to generate training opportunities from sources already existing.

Finally, I would like to thank the YMCA in New York, that supported me in solving some problems and gave me the World Alliance materials to distribute at the Conference.

Once again, I thank the World Alliance of YMCAs for giving me the opportunity to participate in this process and to continue working towards achieving women’s rights, especially those of young women.

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YMCA PROGRAMMES (Articles from “YMCA World”, 1999-2002) JAPAN: RECOVERING WOMEN’S SELF-DIGNITY “Miriam”, the national/local programme of the Student YM/YWCAs of Japan concerning gender issues, began during the 80s as a space for women to clarify their feelings and opinions about sexuality, gender equality and relationships, and discrimination against women in Japanese society. There have been workshops and lectures on feminist theology, the relationships between capitalism, exploitation and women’s poverty, and the role of women in development. Other issues discussed at National Women’s Leadership Training Programmes, organised with the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF), were: patriarchy and sexism, free market economy and marginalised women, women’s political participation, discrimination, globalisation, mass media, and the sex industry.

The women’s voices were collected in a statement which called to work on: recovering women’s self-dignity, reading the Bible from a woman’s perspective, including women’s voices and opinions in all decision-making processes; promoting solidarity among women and students all over the world; reconsidering the relationships between women and men with the aim to overcome gender/sexual discriminations, conducting joint programmes for both women and men; analysing situations of oppression; and networking to speak out for women’s rights and against injustices.

As a result of these processes, women planned and implemented programmes to develop leadership skills, and some now participate in decision-making bodies of Student YM/YWCAs of Japan. This has also influenced the YMCA of Japan, which formed a Committee of Youth and Women. There has been an increase in the number of women secretaries and Executive Committee members. The National Council of YMCAs of Japan helps this dynamic progress in many ways, such as developing a system to promote women’s leadership. Although this is a slow process, it is firm, and we believe it is irreversible.

Nozomi Morinaga *

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EAST JERUSALEM YMCA: TRAINING YOUNG WOMEN

The composition of the Palestinian population presents particular challenges in terms of solving employment problems within the territory: densely populated areas of refugees who lack the skills to survive in an urban context, a huge proportion of young people, many disabled, and few women in paid employment. Disabled Palestinians totalled 30,000 in 1990; women make up only 12.6% of the paid workforce; 74% of the population is under 30; one in three of the 15-24 year old group is out of work; and 66% of the Palestinians in Gaza are refugees.

The East Jerusalem YMCA has developed a three pronged strategy to respond to the needs of refugees, the disabled and young women, through:

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• centres providing training in skills such as carpentry, metalwork and building maintenance (including a rehabilitation centre for disabled young people); • an Extension Service Unit which offers credit and other necessary support to young people setting up their own enterprises; and • a Women’s Training Programme, which provides career counselling to young women and training in non-conventional skill areas.

The Jericho Vocational Training Centre has capacity for 250 students in its two-year courses for 15 to 19 years old who have finished at least 7 years of academic schooling.

So far, within six months of graduation, over 70% of the graduates from the centres have found jobs in their field, and another 26% found jobs not directly related to their field.

In 1996, the course in maintenance of electronic equipment was set up specifically for women, who now make up 20% of the centre’s students. Through consultation with the communities and a survey of the local markets, it was acknowledged that none of the electronics workshops in Palestine offered maintenance of modern knitting or sewing machines, so they were sent to Israel for repair. There were also many jobs for telecommunication training or office equipment maintenance graduates.

Strong campaigning was necessary to convince families to send their daughters to the course and to persuade employers to accept women in new fields. Social restrictions were also faced, due to worries about women mixing with men, which was unacceptable in a strongly Muslim community, and a separate unit for women was set up in the centre. The Director of the Centre and two of the trainers are women.

The trainees participate in technical skills, as well as self-assertion workshops, which address topics such as confidence, human rights, gender and business. *

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PHILIPPINES: EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT - A TWIN STRATEGY Education and organisation are the pillars of the Women’s Empowerment and Development Programme carried out by the Cagayan Valley YMCA in the Philippines, in partnership with the Federation of Women’s Association and the local governments of Iguig and Tuguegarao. The programme aims to improve women’s capabilities to become more productive members of their local community, as an alternative to migration, which has increased especially among women.

Women comprise 49,8% of the population of the Philippines, which totals 70 million in the 7,000 island archipelago. Nearly 4 million women work in the formal sector, while 5 million work informally in retail and food establishments, hawking and vending, scavenging or as domestic helpers, laundry women, beauticians, hairdressers and repair shop workers. They have lower pay, long working hours and very little protection, if any.

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Many women migrated from rural to urban areas and even to other countries. Today more than 6 million Filipino migrant workers are employed in industries, factories, offices, oil plants, construction sites, households, entertainment and other activities around the world.

The YMCA of the Philippines works in partnership with government agencies on programmes for overseas workers.

As a result of the education and orientation sessions on the labour migration issues, they began the Women’s Empowerment Programme, which is carried out in the rural communities in Iguig, Caggay and Tuguegarao, in the northern part of the Philippines.

The programme strengthens women’s organisations in their struggle for emancipation and empowerment. It provides training and seminars that enhance women’s capability and management of sustainable socio-economic activities. The Micro Lending Programme is one of its components, as well as networking. It also seeks to establish an enabling environment from the local government unit that will promote and support women’s initiatives.

Women identify their own problems, needs and responses. They analyse issues of their local communities, as well as critical concerns for their emancipation. The development framework provides for a gender fair concept that considers investment in women’s initiatives as the surest way to contribute to economic growth and overall development.

Iguig, with a population of 20,000, is one of the 29 municipalities in Cagayan province.

Agriculture is the main economic activity - rice, corn, legumes, vegetables and fruits – and there is also production of meat, poultry and milk.

Most women lack the opportunities and the resources to generate income. They need access to the means of production and require lending facilities. This is what the YMCA provides: training in entrepreneurial skills, community organising, participatory planning, project feasibility studies, indigenous knowledge and technological development. They also hold community forums.

After a participatory process, two women’s organisations designed a collective plan of action with livelihood options for their 58 members: pig raising, farm inputs, stores, fish vending, baking and fishing. By adopting a co-operative way of purchasing seeds, breeding stocks, feeds and other products, they obtain discounts.

Five women participate in each “cell” with the same nature of livelihood option. The cell selects its chairperson and the centre chief who facilitates the collection of payment remittances in cash or in kind. Each cell is supported with loans for the purchase of farm inputs. Each member of the group must save one peso a day (38 pesos = 1 US$) for a Provident Fund, which can provide loans in case of sickness or emergencies. If one cell member fails in any obligation, the whole cell is affected.

The Federation of Women’s Association is ultimately responsible for encouraging the organisation of its members in the credit co-operative and in cells, as well as for the collection of loan payment and capital build up.

Eloisa D. Borreo YMCA of the Philippines *

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THAILAND: WEAVING AWAY GENDER STEREOTYPES IN CHIANGMAI The first conclusion of an evaluation of the Chiangmai HomeNet Programme, is that “gender stereotypes can change; men can change”. It is interesting to note that the project did not have this as an initial objective. The two-phase project carried out since 1990 in northern Thailand had focused on the formation and strengthening of homeworkers’ groups and networks, as well as enhancing their employment, productivity and socio-legal protection.

With the increasing unemployment, women became the first to lose their jobs in Thailand.

According to the 1988 Labour Department Report, 57% of all the recently laid off workers (about 1.6 million) were women. This mass lay-off affected the health and education of many of the country’s children.

In finding alternatives, the YMCA of Chiangmai and the Northern Women’s Development Foundation (NWDF), with the support of the International Labour Organisation and the Ecumenical Development Co-operative Society, developed the Chiangmai HomeNet Project. This is based on work at home, especially handicrafts, as a source of income for women. With initially 32 home-based workers, by 1994 there were 28 groups with 952 members. The project provides training for new designs and improved quality of products, market strategies, and savings schemes.

These groups have now formed a credit union and joined the Credit League of Thailand.

Through their network, the Government has also established the National Committee for Supporting Home-based Producers. Policy and protective measures for these workers have been incorporated into the 8th National Social and Economic Plan.

Additionally, the NWDF and the YMCA of Chiangmai have supported and encouraged the connections between women leaders in the north and other regions in the country under the Gender Watch Group. They have been negotiating for a government policy that will open the channels for women to participate at the decision-making level. They also promoted the amendment of the Thai Constitution, which now includes a clause entitled “The Right and Freedom of Thai People”, stating that “Men and women have equal rights”. This amendment abolished all laws, rules and regulations that discriminate against women.

As a result, homeworkers are not only “weaving away gender stereotypes”, but are also actively involved in community affairs. They have increased their incomes and markets and have more access to facilities. They have helped bring about a greater visibility of their work to the public, as now the informal sector is recognised to be of equal importance with the formal sector.

Phanomwan Yoodee Secretary-General of the Northern Women’s Development Foundation *

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THAILAND: FROM HOME-BASED WORKERS TO ACTORS Interview with Patcharin Aviphan, Director, YMCA for Northern Development Foundation

How did the women’s programme begin in Chiangmai?

When we were working with youth - the original YMCA programmes - we found that women were the community organisers. We thought it was important to give specific attention to these women.

We started organising them so that they could discover their own problems. They found out that income generation was one of the main difficulties. So, depending on their resources and skills, we organised groups to produce hand-woven cloth, food preserves, mulberry paper, lacquerware, sewn goods and souvenirs.

Once the income generating groups – or home based workers - were set up, we provided training to develop high quality products. We had assigned the marketing strategies to other organisations, but this didn’t work out, so we had to involve ourselves in marketing also. The YMCA set up a Marketing Department and it has now become a company called Y Development Corporation. We continue supporting the export of these products, and work to improve packaging and marketing in many villages.

How have the men reacted to this process of the women obtaining income?

I think that when women get an income, and this comes to be the main income of the family, many things change. In one of the villages, the women were cross weaving and the market was very good for their products. This is usually women’s work. They needed to produce more and they had already extended to nearby villages, but they needed more hands. So they said, maybe the answer is to involve men. But here you come across the breaking up of the culture. Men said they could not weave: that was not men’s work. And although some of them were already helping their mothers or wives with this, they felt embarrassed. We had to find a way to support them and held a special ceremony on Father’s Day where we admired the men for their work with women. They started getting more involved in cloth weaving. Afterwards, at the Ban Tan Nue weaving group, twothirds of the men were helping at certain stages of the processes.

We also had a problem when we were providing training for women only. So we talked with the men. We told them that men are usually very active and outspoken. They give their opinion first. So women needed some time to develop their own leadership first, because for years and years, men had had that opportunity. Finally they agreed that only a few men would participate and would not speak out first.

What do you think are the main impacts of this programme?

Women have increased their income and can earn their own money. This has helped them to have more voice and negotiation skills. At the beginning, for example, nobody paid attention to the women when they asked for assistance in the village. The villagers did not believe that these women could get together and do something to earn enough income. But 86

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the women have now shown that they can export their products. After that, the head of the village came to the women, offering to try to find them support. Now he has asked the representative of this group to be part of the Village Council.

The other result is that women have formed an organisation in the North of Thailand, among women heads of villages and sub-districts. They support the initiatives in the villages and also link to organisations in Bangkok. They have been involved in the drafting of the Constitution on issues like women and governance. Now a woman can be the head of a district. And although the policy has changed, we still have only two women governors. So at present they are discussing how to increase women’s representation. *

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CANADA: ACTING PEACE The YM-YWCA of Winnipeg, Canada, and the Junior League of Winnipeg, an organisation of women committed to education, advocacy and community action, have developed the Acting Peace project to identify and promote solutions to youth violence in Canadian high schools. Both organisations share a commitment to eliminating violence against women and violence amongst youth.

This project has involved extensive consultation and dialogue with all those impacted by youth violence – students, youth, families, teachers, administrators and community members. Cory Jackson, Director of Women’s Programmes for the YM-YWCA of Winnipeg, said, “We live in a time and place where violence has been normalised, where it filters into our lives from many directions.” Whether real or perceived, many young women and men feel unsafe at school, at home, and in their community. At the same time, we have the capacity to create safer and healthier environments by harnessing the knowledge, experience and enthusiasm of our young people. They understand that there is a link between inequality and violence; that young women and men can be both perpetrators and victims; that violence isolates and limits opportunities.

Part of the joint research involved seeking stories of the young women and men who were witnessing and living with violence. Each story was different, but young people conveyed a clear message: “We are not hopeless, we are not lost, we can do something to help prevent violence.” They recognise that violence and crime have personal, social, and economic costs as well as negative impacts on their abilities to learn, to participate in school activities and to meet the challenges of life. It became clear that youth culture is unique, complex, and dynamic and therefore any process designed to address the issue of violence, must be open, flexible, and responsive.

Thus was born, “Acting Peace”, a Youth Violence Prevention Educational Resource and Tool Kit which challenges an individual’s tolerance for and sensitivity to the presence of violence around them, increases their empathy and understanding of others, and helps develop constructive life management skills. It is comprised of a Resource Guide, artwork and graphics, a videotape, and a variety of exercises, activities and peer-led initiatives.

Since the project’s inception, over 250 youth, volunteers, professionals, 10 Winnipeg High Schools, and 21 Community Groups have contributed to the development and refinement

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of the core concepts and educational resources. The package has been re-worked and will serve as an educational resource that allows educators and administrators freedom to deliver the material in a regular curriculum unit.

The goal of “Acting Peace” is to open a dialogue in classrooms and hallways about the root causes of violence and of prevention. It teaches participants how to make a violent environment go from bad to better, without escalating risk. It is not incident specific, therefore there is no limit to the issues that can be addressed, like child abuse, graffiti, cruelty to animals, gay bashing, date rape, drugs, and unsafe schools, among others.

“Feedback has been very positive,” said Cory Jackson, “particularly in terms of the common sense approach we have taken, and the premise of respect for the individual. We will continue to make the necessary revisions to reflect a broader youth perspective, cultural diversity, and the current community realities. It is definitely a work in progress.”

It is expected that the Resource and Tool Kit will be available for broad distribution throughout Winnipeg Schools and others in Canada in the spring of 2000. *

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COSTA RICA: LEARNING TO FLY “Building Opportunities”, the joint programme between of the YMCA of Costa Rica and the Government’s National Women’s Institute, provides training for 250 pregnant adolescents and mothers. The programme responds to the problems of growing teen pregnancy: in this Central American country 20% of the total number of children born last year were to 13-18 year old mothers. There is an urgent need for sexual education programmes that can also offer new opportunities for these child-mothers.

The four modules developed by the ACJ Costa Rica facilitators are: “Opening my wings to fly” on woman’s identity; “My right to fly” on women’s rights and responsibilities, especially concerning adolescents; “Flying firmly and strongly” on work and study opportunities; and “We must fly together”, on women’s participation in concrete solidarity actions in community development.

Networks have been formed with other organisations to develop joint activities after the initial training, including work opportunities, child care training and prevention of teen pregnancy, based on the experience of the facilitators.

The young mothers share their experiences through group stories, where they find a space for friendship and support. As one group said: “This programme has helped us understand pregnancy and maternity, which is not only a difficult situation, but also a challenge. We came from playing with dolls to caring for a real child. Each Thursday we learn about our rights and responsibilities, and our capacity to give an opinion and participate in matters that affect us, our children and our partners.”

Yorleny Vargas Facilitator, ACJ–YMCA of Costa Rica *

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THAILAND: PROTECT A CHILD: ALTERNATIVES FOR GIRLS AND WOMEN AT RISK Sexual exploitation of children and women grows in relation to increasing poverty, debt related problems and the overall economic situation, as well as a higher demand of customers. In Asia alone there are more than one million children in prostitution. This is unacceptable to the countries where it occurs and to the many other countries whose citizens are among those creating this demand.

The sex industry in Thailand is estimated to be worth over £1 billion per year. The general pattern is of girls bonded by their parents to agents who may be known as procurers who ensure that part of a girl’s earning is remitted to the village. In urban areas, the children of prostitutes may be put to work by their parents.

To help face this situation, the YMCAs in Asia have worked on an agenda to combat sex tourism in the region by creating awareness, developing advocacy and strengthening local women’s programmes. The Bangkok YMCA, with assistance from the Asia Alliance, carries out such a programme in Phayao Province, Thailand, which provides educational alternatives for a group of 50 girls and young women at risk, preventing them from being sold into sex related businesses.

The programme provides vocational training in sewing, dressmaking, pattern design and marketing strategies, and visits are made to other organisations to learn from their experiences in small enterprise development. After the training, young women are encouraged to develop long-range plans and set up co-operative groups of seamstresstailoring work upon their return to their villages. Former students are encouraged to share their skills with children in the village.

Sewing courses for adolescents are also offered in local schools, while youth within the Bangkok YMCA’s Protect-a-Child project can learn cooking, food preserving and hair styling. Guest speakers, skilled specialists and business persons provide vocational training and accounting. Another programme uses the YMCA’s new community approach of on-site and off-site (mobile) techniques, due to the vast distance between the different locations and the YMCA Phayao Centre. In this way, distant rural villages are also covered. They recruit their own representatives to take part in this multi-focused programme, where YMCA staff ensure cultural sensitivity.

Throughout the sessions there is also a focus on the psychology of group dynamics, human rights and the significance and process of networking and working in a co-operative venture with larger enterprises. Stronger communication skills and experience will serve to develop the necessary negotiating skills in a competitive marketplace, both nationally and internationally.

As part of the course content and under the leadership of the YMCA trainer, these groups travelled to Chiangmai (northern Thailand) where they were able to network with other craftworkers, business persons and organisations. They had the opportunity to ask a range of questions from “What is the most popular product?” to “What techniques do you use to approach larger companies or government agencies regarding contracts or financial equipment resources?”

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As a result of this training, each village has organised women’s support groups, which now feel more confident in their capabilities of fostering development and empowerment issues to become a strong organisation, such as that in Chiangmai. Through the on and off site educational programmes, we are able to foster the development of networking services and women’s empowerment and support systems in culturally diverse areas.

The programme has expanded from the lowlands to the Hill Tribe communities where the incidence of trafficking in girls has grown. These income-generating efforts, group savings and credit unions have helped foster greater confidence in women, who have started to create not only small enterprises, but also women’s groups and networks. These can become influential organisations that support the rights of children, adolescents, women and the general wellbeing of the community.

Based on a report from the YMCA of Thailand *

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GERMANY: OPEN DOOR - WEDNESDAY, GIRLS ONLY The YMCA of Herne, Germany, offers activities such as handicrafts, painting and ball games for children and young people through an “open door” programme. On Wednesday, boys have to stay outside, and the girls have the house to themselves. Friedhelm Ringelband, from the CVJM Westbund in Wuppertal, talked about the programme with Margret Springkämper of the Herne YMCA.

Why is there a special girls’ day every Wednesday?

For girls it is important to be among themselves from time to time: without the pressure of having to prove themselves they feel more relaxed. In the “open door” programme we began a girls’ day four years ago, because there was a group which treated girls only as accessories for chatting up and teasing. They were not considered as equal members, and the boys behaved in a macho way. There then followed a complete change in the “open door” programme, without any influence on our part. The older girls did not attend any more, but younger ones came, especially Kurdish girls, and it was very important for us to offer them a home. They created their own dance group and every Wednesday they dance in the basement for an hour, wearing their own costumes, but they are too shy to show others their dances.

Kurdish and Turkish girls are usually responsible for their younger sisters and brothers.

Are they permitted to bring along their younger brothers on girls’ day?

If the boys are still very small the girls can bring them along, because otherwise the girls wouldn’t be able to come. However, the boys aged from about 6 to 7 years have to stay outside. They press their noses against the windows and say, “This is unfair, there is no boys’ day!” But even on the days when our house is open for both girls and boys, the girls accept our help more willingly, for instance with their homework. We have the impression that girls get less support than boys from their families.

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How has this influenced the “open door” programme?

Following the request of the girls, we are now offering a special girls’ group. I am also in charge of a mixed group, but the two groups are as different as day and night. I have a much closer relationship with the “Powergirls” group, which allows us to be more natural and more open. In mixed groups I experience much more unrest. I get the impression that the boys feel they have to prove themselves. Girls of the same age are usually more mature and it gets on their nerves when boys are showing off in front of them. Boys among themselves are also quite different, often more reasonable than in mixed groups.

After the holidays we want to install an Internet room specifically for girls, so that they can become more familiar with its use, since many of them do not have computers.

However, there were questions like, “Will we also do some cooking once in a while?”

Well, the old cliché: girls are not interested in computers…

Partly, but I would like to change this. We are trying to offer not only classical subjects, but also some innovative ones.

There are other interesting aspects in working with girls. I’ve been working here for five years and I am not married and have no children so far. The parents of the Kurdish girls who come to us are younger than I am, and the girls sometimes ask, astonished, “Are you ill?” It seems important to me to show them that there are also alternatives to getting married at the age of 18 and having children. I explain to them that they can also learn a profession and be in employment.

Do problems arise among the different nationalities?

Not many. We have Turkish, Kurdish and German children and youth. There are some difficulties like calling each other names, but otherwise there are only minor jealousies as to who has more rights in this house. In important matters there are few arguments and much togetherness.

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YMCA DIRECTORY OF EXPERIENCES Programmes with a Gender Perspective and with Focus on Women YOUTH AND GENDER PROJECT: GENDER AND EDUCATION Name of the Movement: Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes de Honduras A.C.J. Location: Three Municipalities: Tegucigalpa (urban), Marcala and Taulabe (rural) Period of Time: 1 year, since March 2000 to March 2001 OBJECTIVES • •

To integrate the gender perspective in all the actions of the Movement through the coordination, accompaniment and pursuit of each of the different projects and groups.

To obtain participation equity, justice, and equal opportunities for women and men, for the young people to be able to transform, confront and contribute towards dissemination of their situation of marginality and exclusion from the political and economic context of our society.

MAIN CONCEPTS • • • •

Integrate gender as a cross-cutting issue in all our work.

Equity: to work together, women and men, to increase women’s participation and leadership in the YMCA. Education and sensitisation: to sensitise about the importance of having a gender just society.

Coordination with all YMCA programmes.

PHASES First phase: Education and coordination.

Second Phase: Design and implement a gender cross-cutting strategy to transform the project into a cross-cutting programme.

Follow-up Phase: Strengthen the integration of the gender cross-cutting programme into YMCA actions, groups and projects with the community.

MAIN ACTIVITIES • • • • • •

Education: Legal issues of women and laws in Honduras, health and sexuality Vocational activities Leadership training Coordination with NGOs Participation in gender networks and violence against women Community education services

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“YOUR OTHER VOICE”, RURAL RADIOS”, “CHILDREN’S RIGHTS”

Name of the Movement: YMCA of Uruguay Location (city): Montevideo and rural communities

OBJECTIVES •

To analyse the power relationships between men and women, and the socio-cultural conditions that make unique these forms of relationships from “being women” and “being men”.

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To generate processes tending to achieve equal opportunities for men and women.

MAIN CONCEPTS •

Difficulties for the YMCA to take a position on certain polemic issues that are part of the gender perspective, due to the huge diversity and history of the movement.

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In relation to gender balance, the quota system is not enough. There is a need to work together with women and men in reflection spaces.

• •

It is important to recognise the strategic gender needs related to the subordination of men, to create a more equal society and model in terms of gender equity.

PHASES First Phase: community development projects.

Second Phase: reflection “inside” the organisation (YMCA). Inclusion of the gender perspective.

Third Phase: More reflection “inside” the organisation. Inclusion of the gender perspective at national level.

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HOMENETS AND WOMEN

Name of the movement: YMCA of Chiang Mai, Thailand Location: Chiang Mai Period of time: 1996-2000

OBJECTIVES •

To prevent violence against women and to change values concerning women.

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To empower women so that they will gain confidence and skills to participate in the entire process of development that encompasses social, economic, cultural and political aspects.

MAIN CONCEPTS •

Violence against women is one of the greatest obstacles to development.

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Education is a powerful tool to empower women to reach their full potential.

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Ecological balance and community structures are at risk, especially for women.

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To promote women’s leadership, it is necessary to provide a space to discuss the problems that women face.

PHASES First phase: Contact with community based groups Second phase: Diagnosis Third phase: Intervention at different levels Fourth phase: Monitoring

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INTEGRATED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME/AGRICULTURE INCOME GENERATION FOR WOMEN

Name of the movement: YMCA of Lebanon Location: Rural Lebanon Period of time: 1997- present

OBJECTIVES • • • •

To provide opportunities for sustainable income generation for women in remote rural villages.

To make use of surplus (often wasted) agricultural produce and to increase its added value through processing and marketing.

To develop and improve links between women graduates and potential markets in order to bypass intermediaries to whom much of the added value is lost.

The perspective is to reach social empowerment of women through economic empowerment, targeting groups that carry the potential for growth and sustainability.

MAIN CONCEPTS • • • • •

Respect the communities’ modes of living and traditions.

Regard education as a tool to empower women.

Regard organised formal and informal groups as a frame that will foster growth and sustainability.

Establish networks amongst the women’s groups and plan on the national and regional level.

Establish partnerships with the local communities and regard working with women’s groups as one link of the chain in the development process.

PHASES • • • • • • • •

contact with community-based groups planning training (2 months) production groups follow up production centres establishment and equipping production and quality control marketing evaluation

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CRISIS CENTRE AND SHELTER FOR WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND TRAFFICKING IN PEOPLE

Name of the movement: YMCA Kharkiv jointly with NGO “The World of Women” Location: Kharkov Period of time: not limited

OBJECTIVES • • • • • • • •

Provide psychological, legal and professional counselling Capacity building to confront violence and trafficking Information dissemination Building of NGO network Coordination with government agencies Lobbying for legislature on domestic violence/trafficking Raising awareness of domestic violence issues Mass media campaigns

MAIN CONCEPTS • • • • •

A democratic society cannot tolerate any form of violence towards its members.

Domestic violence and trafficking are manifestations of gender discrimination.

Economic and legal inequality leads to domestic violence.

Public unawareness and indifference contribute to incidence of domestic violence and trafficking.

Domestic violence and trafficking should be fought at the national level which requires the creation of NGO networks and coordination with government agencies.

PHASES • • • • • •

Hot line in operation.

Crisis Centre implemented.

Psychological, legal and professional counselling is provided.

Shelter for battered women.

Training for volunteers.

A communication strategy has been designed, that includes the publication of information materials and monthly newspaper publications on the issue.

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UMKHANKASO WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

Name of the movement: YMCA of Zimbabwe Location: Lupane, Nkayi Period of time: 2000-2003

OBJECTIVES •

To raise awareness among women, men and community leaders of gender discrimination and women’s rights.

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To help women develop the necessary skills for income generating and social interaction, related to participation in credit schemes.

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To create a women’s movement which will drive the gender agenda in the future.

MAIN CONCEPTS •

Conscientisation: awareness raising on gender issues and discrimination against women in the light of human rights, values and potentials.

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Accompaniment: the need to have a worker who facilitates in the groups the identification of problems, possible solutions and contributes to take the necessary actions. It is important to note that the worker is only a facilitator, and it is the people and groups themselves who carry out the diagnosis, proposals and practical applications.

•

Solidarity: encouraging and facilitating mutual support and sharing of knowledge and skills between and among women.

PHASES First phase: Initial contact with the communities through the Animal Draught Programme (using donkeys for draught work, such as ploughing). This allows for elementary analysis through observation and general discussions.

Second phase: Organised Needs Analysis Workshops Third phase: Implementation – gender awareness training, lobbying and advocacy.

Fourth phase: Monitoring and evaluation

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YMCA RESOURCE/SERVICE COORDINATING CENTRE FOR MIGRANT WORKERS

Name of the movement: YMCA of the Philippines Location: Manila, Philippines Period of time: since 1998

OBJECTIVES To prepare, care and protect the welfare and dignity of every migrant worker through the following: • • • • •

Expansion and intensification of education and information campaigns. Development and formulation of modules and other related education and training materials/instruments.

Implementation of pre-departure orientation seminars for workers who are ready to leave.

Provision of legal assistance, counselling and other support services.

Establishment of partnerships with other agencies and organisations working on similar issues, to ensure enhanced advocacy for policy formulation.

Encouragement of working partnerships with receiving and sending countries for effective programmes and responses.

MAIN CONCEPTS • • • • •

The programme was implemented due to the growing number of violation of the rights of migrant workers, including physical/sexual abuse, torture, harassment, and deaths among many Filipino workers, particularly women.

Networking with other NGOs is important as a way to work in partnership to complement each other’s initiatives.

Education and information campaigns on the reality and rights of migrant workers.

Legal assistance and referral services.

Collaboration with receiving and sending countries.

PHASES • • • •

Pre-employment and pre-departure orientation seminars provide education and information on risks and rewards of working overseas and practical information for workers who will leave shortly.

Legal assistance and counselling.

Documentation and information on cases of abuse, violation of contracts, harassment, mistreatment, illegal recruitment, sex trafficking, etc.

Networking with other NGOs.

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WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

Name of the movement: YMCA of the Philippines Location: Iguig, Cagayan Valley Period of time: 2000-2003

OBJECTIVES • • • •

To strengthen women’s organisations through the establishment of networks, community organisations and development interventions.

To provide training through seminars that will enhance women’s capacity to productively manage and sustain socio-economic activities for their development.

To provide an enabling environment from the local government unit through collective institutional arrangements that will support the promotion of women’s self-help initiatives, especially in terms of production and marketing.

To provide micro-enterprise lending facilities that would increase their family income.

MAIN CONCEPTS • • • • • • •

Productivity: increase productivity and full participation in income generation.

Equity: equal access to opportunities by eliminating all economic and social barriers Sustainability: all forms of capital - physical, human and environmental - need to be replenished.

Empowerment: development must be by the people and they must participate in the decisions and processes that shape their lives.

Gender justice: to invest in women is the surest way to contribute to economic growth and overall development.

Urban-rural development: attention should be given to rural development.

Self-reliance: true development can be achieved when the community can make its own decisions.

PHASES • • • •

Women’s organisation and development Capacity building and productivity development Micro-enterprise development/lending facility Networking with other community organisations and NGOs

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YMCA MOTHERS’ CENTRES

Name of the Movement: Czech YMCA – YMCA Praha, local association Location (city): Prague Period of time: 1992 – until now

OBJECTIVES •

Create a friendly, safe and active club for mothers on maternity leave and their preschool children.

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Rather than staying isolated at home, give them the opportunity to come together and become a lively part of the community.

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Provide a space where mothers and their children can in a non-formal way learn and teach together through various common creative and educational activities, according to the YMCA mission.

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The Club is run on a voluntary basis, mainly teaching participants volunteerism, sharing and active participation in society.

MAIN CONCEPT •

The programme is based on the voluntary commitment and work of mothers, who are actually on maternity leave (in our country it is up to 4 years after a child´s birth). Mothers provide voluntary help, programmes and services for each other, according to their interests, skills or capabilities. Fellowship is also a very important part of the whole process.

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Each club has a non-formal board of mothers, who decides on concrete programmes, advocacy on specific issues, networking, etc. It is always important to find some mothers with leadership skills and capacities to be active. The clubs form part of the local YMCA association.

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A PROGRAMME OF AESTHETIC DEVELOPMENT FOR FUTURE MOTHERS

Name of the Movement: YMCA-Sunrise, Russia Location: Moscow, Russia Period of time: 2-3 month session

OBJECTIVES • • • • • • •

Improve women’s physical fitness by a special dancing class (so-called “musical movement”).

Improve women’s self-confidence and positive emotions by regular psychological training.

Meet the needs of mothers-to-be in realising their creativity by a painting and handicraft studio with the elements of art therapy.

Make some beautiful and useful things for the babies in the handicraft class.

Give families some basic practical knowledge about healthy pregnancy, delivery and child-care.

Medical and psychological support in solving some problem situations concerning pregnancy and delivery (it is necessary to have some medically trained staff working in this programme).

Involve fathers-to-be and other members of the families in the training and evaluation processes.

MAIN CONCEPTS • • •

Healthy (in both physical and physiological meanings of the word) pregnancy is one of the most important factors in giving birth to a healthy human being.

The role of the family is very important both during the pregnancy and in bringing up the child.

Pregnant women are very open to different ways of self-development, which is helpful.

PHASES • • • • • •

community audit advertising pilot programme (2 month session) monitoring run the programme evaluation

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PEDAGOGIC KITCHEN

Name of the Movement: UCJG, France Location (city): Nîmes France Period of time: since September 99, every Thursday morning except during school holidays

OBJECTIVES •

Learn how to cook to diversify the meals

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Permit the social integration of people

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Transmit health education

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Learn about food values

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Provide an opportunity for a social life, with group activities where participants share information and knowledge

PHASES •

Training on food values

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Try to improve cooking methods, and give some cheap recipes

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Exchanges between the group members (cultural, etc.)

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Importance of conviviality

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DÉCLIC

Name of the Movement: UCJG Location (city): Nîmes FRANCE Period of time: for 6 years, 10 months per year (September to June)

OBJECTIVES •

This programme is directed towards women who receive the RMI (minimum state unemployment benefits) to enable them to maintain a level of social integration. For each woman, this is a kind of contract for 10 months.

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Through work groups and with individual follow-up, activities are carried out on the following: physical appearance, self-knowledge, autonomy, methods of communication (through art, etc).

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Professionals animate the work groups: aesthetic, diet, yoga-relaxation, gymnasium, theatre, plastic arts and writing workshops. The programmes run twice a week.

MAIN CONCEPTS •

With the RMI, many women between 25 and 60 are isolated because of the lack of social activities. Whether or not they have children, they often have difficulty in solving their problems (health, alcohol, psychological, family, etc.) .

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Thanks to the Fondation de France and to the re-employment planning of the Department, the YMCA of Nîmes offers these women a place where they are listened to, where they can discuss, take care of themselves and create life, training or job projects.

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SCHOOL OF PROGRESSIVE LEADERSHIP FOR TEENAGE GIRLS

Name of the Movement: YMCA of Kiev Location (city): Kiev Period of time: Began in October 2000

OBJECTIVES •

Selection of teenage girls, willing to study in the “School of Progressive Leadership”.

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Social and psychological training of students of the School for the active role of women leaders in society through the development of their motivation, cognitive skills, operative-technology and personal components.

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Complete analysis of the activities of the School, preparation of methodological material to disseminate the experience of forming social-psychology readiness for creating progressive women’s leadership in the system of YMCA training.

MAIN CONCEPT •

Social-psychological training for teenage girls and young women towards progressive leadership using psychological means (active methods of education, consultative, psycho-corrective, psycho-development work). Preparation of methodological material to disseminate the experience through the system of YMCA events.

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We plan the lessons in the School of Progressive Leadership for Teenage Girls and Young Women for 20 persons (in one group). The lessons include problem lectures, seminars, training, individual and group psychological consultation on the problem of women’s leadership in accordance with the “Work Plan”. We also plan the participation of students in women’s public organisations.

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SEARCHING FOR GENDER JUSTICE IN THE YMCA (Articles from “YMCA World”, 1999-2002)

WE WANT LIFE WITH DIGNITY… “I want to see women studying, managing their resources; I want to see women participating. And we want men to understand that we are going to do that. We want to live in peace, but with dignity, with justice, with liberty.”

Roselia Jiménez, Indigenous Mexican woman The women in Chiapas, Mexico, are no longer silent. They are struggling to improve their living conditions, for the right to work and receive equal pay, to decide the number of children they want to have, for the right to participate and be elected. They also want to stop domestic violence. They seek a life with dignity for all. They are struggling along with men for deep social reform in their country. This involves grassroots activism, as well as making claims for women’s rights and social rights more generally. This is only one example of how women are working around the world.

Struggles like this one are influenced by the socio-economic and cultural context. In most countries affected by the burden of debt, structural adjustment programmes, increasing liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, there are more social inequalities, poverty and exclusion.

Women have been especially affected in the areas of health, welfare, employment and education, as social services are cut. There is an intensification of women’s domestic and market work, an interruption of children’s education (particularly girls), increases in time to obtain services, more unemployment, higher food prices and cuts in wages. This situation only aggravates the position of women in all spheres: the labour market (where they receive about two thirds of the average male wage), domestic violence, sexual slavery and exploitation, high illiteracy rate, lack of access to and control of resources. Worldwide, women are half of the world’s population, head one-third of all households, are responsible for half of the world’s food production, receive 10% of total income and own 1% of the world’s property.

As we see, discrimination, subordination and violence against women persist. Is this defendable? Is this what we want to sustain? To face injustice at all levels, civil society including women’s movements and organisations with women members - has an increasing role. Women have already contributed with a new perspective on social and political life, revealing their unequal and gender-biased character. Now it is important to define how to relate women’s interests to overall projects of democratisation and social justice. This requires that women be acknowledged as full citizens, with social, civil and political rights. This also means that while women can contemplate participating in a shared agenda, it must encompass particular interests.

Since the YMCA has agreed that the current world order is not based on just relations and that we must work for a transformed world, then we have to work against all kinds of oppression, including oppression against women. We have to guarantee the full 105

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implementation of women’s rights as a condition to reach just and equitable gender relations. This has to be linked to the struggle for social, political and economic transformation.

Our challenge in the YMCA is to work together, men and women, to eliminate all kinds of discrimination and violence, to attack the root causes of gender disparities, and to include a gender perspective in all our programmes. We need to develop stronger women’s leadership, advocacy and lobbying skills, to network with other organisations and to sensitise men. While working on women’s everyday needs in the local communities, we must also work for equality and equity for men and women, to build a human community based on justice, solidarity and dignity. *

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BREAKING OUT OF THE GOLDEN CAGE Sufid Bayasid says of himself: “When I was young, I was a revolutionary and in my prayers I said to God: Lord, give me strength to change the world. When I became an adult and after half a life without succeeding in transforming one single soul, I changed my prayer and started to say: Lord, give me strength to change anyone whom I meet. Even if it is only my family and friends, I will be content. Now that I am old and have my days counted, I have begun to understand how stupid I was. My only prayer is now: Lord give me grace to change myself.”

When we reflect on the implications of the concept of gender in our YMCA movement, it is important that we rapidly examine the historical evolution of the concept and how it becomes relevant in the fulfilment of our mission: Challenge 21. In the middle of the century, the “women and development” approach was introduced which focused on women as productive actors of society. The analysis included the responsibility of international structures as provisions that enhanced imbalances that involved both women and men.

From the 80s to the present day, women’s participation in development contains a new vision and dimension: to associate productive relationships (economic participation) with reproductive relationships (activities in domestic life), involving all daily aspects of women’s lives. Hence a new perspective denominated “gender and development” begins, which recognises the unequal relations between men and women, how these social relations are constructed and how specific roles, responsibilities and expectations are assigned to men and women. Therefore it does not focus merely on women.

This vision, however, emphasises the contribution of women in all areas of society within and outside the home, at the productive and reproductive levels, and in the dynamics of their relationships with men. From this perspective, women are considered as agents of change who promote the strengthening of women’s rights in society as a whole to make real the principle of gender equity at local, national and international level.

What options does the gender and development perspective offer to our movement?

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To strengthen an alternative model of development. A way of living in which women and men, with joint inspiration, seek to recover the collaborative balance of their relationship and create spaces where they work in solidarity towards mutual respect, participation and trust.

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To have the courage to propose a different form of seeing, a non-sexist concept and a proposal for women and men to work together to transform society and build a new society which is inclusive, based on principles of equity, justice and solidarity.

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To put more emphasis on the set of social functions that are assigned differently to women and men.

•

To have YMCA programmes, actions and strategies within our communities that respond to recognising the value of “the difference”, thus contributing to strengthen individuality and diversity within the pluralities that impact on the current political, economic, social and cultural reality of women and men.

Pitfalls which can trap YMCAs By using metaphors, I wish to illustrate some obstacles that YMCAs can encounter when considering the gender and development perspective at local, national, regional and international level: •

“The Golden Cage”. This illustrates the idea that the problems of women have to be solved by themselves. As though they were in a “golden cage”, men will not be included in discussion and reflection about a comprehensive analysis of the situation of women and even less in the design of global plans and strategies to consider manifold factors of imbalance in the present society.

This would lead to the confusion of understanding that the perspective of “gender” is equivalent to “woman” and that the issue is of women and not about women. One of the challenges of our movement is to consider that the current situation of women concerns us all, at the different levels – local, regional and international. Hence we would consider forming mixed committees (women and men, youth and adults, staff and volunteers). These would be responsible for in-depth discussions on issues such as feminisation of poverty, the factors of violence against women, women’s participation and leadership, and the need for stronger women’s representation, and with impact on decision-making that affects development plans for all vulnerable sectors.

The above proposition does not exclude the consideration of particular spaces for women within our Movement. In order to build a better society for all, one of the most important tasks of our YMCAs is to work for the empowerment of women through qualified training which strengthens resources and potentialities that women have to contribute towards the transformation of conditions that affect our development and to create better conditions for tomorrow.

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“The deification of culture”. We live in a world that preaches cultural diversity through the transfer of values, educational guidelines and relationship styles between women and men. Although this is true, we can be trapped by giving reverential respect to the customs of some cultures in relation to the condition of women. A few examples 107

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include genital mutilation, domestic violence, and the sex trade. To what extent can the YMCA reflect and discuss these practices that violate women’s rights and reaffirm imbalances in structural and hierarchical relationships between women and men?

This trap of culture enables us to re-think plurality and diversity when reflecting on implications of actions within a determined context. Therefore, we require a broad humanistic vision to balance the respect for cultural traditions, customs and beliefs and to promote a critical dialogue of transformation that enables an understanding of the consequences that these cultural practices have on specific sectors of population, as is the case of women.

Hence, YMCAs are called to promote a comprehensive development of women and men in our society within every cultural context, while being simultaneously alert to any action that promotes the violation of the fundamental rights of women and men.

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“The tiger is not as it appears”. One of the most emphasised aspects in gender is violence against women. Its conclusions lead to establish that violence exists in all social classes and that it has substantial differences according to culture, geographical regions, and to the educational level of social groups that cause and suffer it. “The tiger is not as it appears” refers to the idea that violence is not as we think. A study by Mayra Buvinic on domestic violence eliminates a widespread belief that violence is an exclusive problem between women and children and that it is in the privacy of the home. Nothing could be more false!

Violence generates costs for society. Direct costs pertain to expenses on goods and services for medical, psychiatric and police care, for victims and perpetrators of violence. In Canada, violence against women costs US$ 684 million for the criminal judicial system and US$ 187 million for the police (Graves, 1997). On the impact of violence on deterioration of health, the World Bank presents dramatic figures: 9 million years of healthy lives are lost due to rape and domestic violence in general.

If we re-consider the metaphor “violence is not as we think”, there is an economic dimension to women affected by violence: less income, less work productivity, more absenteeism due to incapacity and in general less participation in the labour market.

This, along with structural adjustment programmes, becomes one of the root causes of feminisation of poverty in the world. There is apparently a clear relationship between poverty and unemployment and poverty affects more women than men.

What is the challenge for our Movement regarding violence against women? One of the first tasks is to assume violence as a manifold phenomenon that reaffirms its complexity and needs to be recognised with greater depth if we aspire to design actions, programmes and projects in our YMCAs that have a clear impact on the reduction of violence.

More than commitment Around the world, YMCAs are working with different focuses and emphasis on gender issues or on women’s programmes. In this issue of “YMCA World” we offer our readers some of the different programmes that are being carried out. We consider that we still

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have much work to do in our movements and in the communities we serve in order to tackle the root causes of unequal gender relations.

Empowerment of women is important as a strategy for action and as a political line for the work the YMCAs develop in the communities. The generation of educational processes and technical skills for labour performance largely contribute to women’s involvement in more skilled labour sectors that offer better guarantees to their immediate relationship context: the family. Therefore YMCAs should be inclined to improve educational levels of children in order to contribute towards bringing this population closer to the labour sector.

This is not possible if our YMCAs are indifferent to the law of their countries and to the discriminatory way in which women are prevented from reaching high-level responsibilities that involve decision-making and the exercise of leadership in diverse sectors of society. Moreover, our YMCAs should impact on the strengthening of social security coverage required for women, especially for those in precarious situations and in particular for women who are heads of family. It is also important to participate with other organisations and networks in upholding women’s rights at all levels.

All the above is feasible if we remember what inspires us in our Movement: to build a society of love, where coexistence and comprehensive development prevail for those who inhabit this planet!

Jaidivi Núñez Varón Chairperson, World Alliance Committee on Gender Development *

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MIRROR OR MODEL? The World YMCA has been reflecting on women’s issues for the last four decades. It was only at the 1988 World Council held in Aruba, however, that the issues of gender justice were firmly incorporated in the World Alliance agenda, after the first “YMCA World” Women’s Conference. The women in the YMCA then discussed ways to influence and challenge the movement to reflect a commitment to women, to promote equal access of women at all levels, and to develop international, regional and national strategies to address these issues. This was followed up at the 1991 World Council and subsequently, under the leadership of the World Alliance Women’s Committee, now called the Committee on Gender Development.

The women in Aruba asked if the YMCA was a mirror of relations between men and women; or could the YMCA be a model. Our organisation, with equal female and male membership can do much to bring change, to be a model of gender relations in society.

This is the time to build on past experiences and implement the planning and thinking of the last years.

Challenge 21 identifies the need of “empowering … women to take increased responsibilities and assume leadership at all levels, and working towards an equitable society”, as well as “advocating for and promoting the rights of women”. Many processes have already been launched that have contributed to the advancement of women in the

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YMCA. For example, the quotas for women’s participation in the Executive Committee or increased gender balance in certain world events. Now we believe there is a more defined and analytical understanding of the issues affecting men and women in their relations, which will help identify fresh approaches.

We have also witnessed the advances and development of strong women’s movements at the national and international levels, as well as the emergence of women as leaders in political parties, businesses, social movements and civil society organisations. The agenda of women’s rights has been generally accepted and now needs strong implementation.

Women can and must also become actors in facing poverty, which will not be tackled successfully unless we eliminate the disadvantages and discrimination that women continue to experience in their everyday life and asserting their rights and opportunities.

In the YMCA there has been an important shift: we have moved to a gender perspective.

This means that we avoid isolating women’s issues or programmes, but instead see that the issue is one of justice in the relations between men and women. It is important to include a gender perspective in our work at all levels. We must also recognise the importance of women’s leadership training and developing advocacy and lobbying strategies and methodologies, as well as networking.

But it is just as important to address everyday questions, such as access to water, work and health. We should work also on political equality and equity for women and men, the elimination of institutionalised discrimination, and the removal of violence against women.

The YMCA can play a particular role in changing values and perceptions of men concerning women. The World Alliance Committee on Gender Development, in partnership with the World Council of Churches, is developing a network of men in solidarity with women. We are gathering an interregional consultative task group to map out existing women and gender programmes and draft an initial policy and framework, to carry out a gender and development workshop, to network with other concerned organisations, and to continue to work on violence against women.

In visiting YMCAs around the world, I often find a lack of women’s participation, particularly at leadership levels. We must commit ourselves to include both women and men at all levels to establish a gender balance that will enrich our communities and societies.

Nick Nightingale Secretary General, World Alliance of YMCAs *

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AN IMAGE OF EQUALITY So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them, male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27) When our editor approached me to write my column for “YMCA World”, I looked for

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guidance in the Bible and came across the passage in Genesis 1:27 and reflected on what it was saying. It was distinctly clear to me that an understanding of the image of God in human beings depends on how we as a human community of women and men, whom God sent to this world to be living agents, represent an image of equality.

As I write this, I am conscious of the fact that I am a man. I therefore write with a sense that even at the best of times, men tend to take certain things for granted with regard to the status of women. As we see in history and at the present time, most male attitudes may not always stem from intent to be prejudicial or discriminatory. However, there is the fact of our histories and cultures, and in all cultures, discrimination against women is a fact. This is what has sparked the women’s movement and given it an agenda to work for, namely gender justice. For many years this agenda was dealt with in an exclusive manner, as women felt it their responsibility to fight for and win justice. As time has gone by, that is changing and it is recognised that it is not exclusively the responsibility of women to alter their conditions: it is the male-female relationship that is at question.

The Genesis account clearly signals God’s intent and purpose. Women and men were created in God’s own image. How then, we must ask ourselves, can a God of justice allow an unequal and unjust relationship? In the YMCA, we are not faced with a choice on how to deal with gender justice. The Biblical mandate is absolute. To disobey that mandate is to violate the will of God. Women and men are not the same. Each gender has its distinct gifts. The sum total of these gifts is what makes a society and community complete. That is precisely what women are claiming and fighting to establish, with the increasing solidarity of men.

As YMCA President, I share my work and responsibilities with women. This partnership has enabled us to grow, with a holistic and human approach. Each gender brings in a specific and distinct focus, enriching overall concepts, programmes, attitudes and practices.

There is a great need to develop and empower women to stand for themselves. It is equally critical for the YMCA to initiate and strengthen programmes for boys and men that will heighten the convictions about gender justice. Our leadership training events should include components that deal with issues of gender sensitivity. This is a challenge for the YMCA, because as a Christian organisation it is our fundamental task to work for justice between all peoples. It is also an opportunity because with our membership of women and men, we can be the model of male-female relationships in society in our everyday work and life.

Even as we pay due attention to the work we carry out on gender issues among men and women, we shall need appropriate levels of relationships with the women’s movement, especially our sister organisation, the YWCA. This will ensure that our agendas are complementary, while at the same time providing our distinct contributions to this vital matter. This is one of the issues that was discussed in a recent meeting between the Presidents and Secretary Generals of the YMCA and the YWCA. Martin Vogler President, World Alliance of YMCAs *

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RECOGNISING THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS Throughout the world gender discrimination and stereotyping limit the full development and participation of girls and young women, as well as boys and young men. Until all girls receive the same opportunities as their male counterparts, their fundamental human rights are denied and the conditions for sustainable human development are unfulfilled. It is vital for the future that girls and young women grow up to become leaders in their families and communities, and, increasingly, in the workplace and in society. Youth movements have a powerful role to play in the development of autonomous, supportive, responsible and committed young people in a truly equal society.

In recent decades, numerous United Nations and non-governmental studies have recognised the extent to which women and girls are disadvantaged.

During the international UN conferences of the 1990s and at recent “Plus Five” follow-up meetings, world leaders have emphasised that without girls’ education the goal of gender equality will never be reached and progress in national and economic development will be restricted.

Adopted in 1979 and signed by 165 states, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women is an international instrument that enshrines women’s basic human rights.

The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) details the basic human rights of all children. The Convention is the most universally accepted human rights instrument in history, ratified by all but two countries. However, in many of these signatory states girls’ rights are not given equal treatment.

At the Third World Youth Forum of the UN system in 1998, the Braga Youth Action Plan, developed by young people themselves, acknowledged the inequalities that persist, declaring that ‘young women and men should be enabled to participate on equal terms ... and the empowerment of women (is) a prerequisite for development’.

In previous initiatives, the Chief Executive Officers of the world’s largest youth movements have addressed the developmental role of non formal education and the need for comprehensive National Youth Policies. In a new paper, they argue that constructive considerations of gender should be integrated into all programmes for children and young people. Once young people are aware of the harmful impact of artificial gender barriers imposed by cultural beliefs, perceived roles and traditional practices, they themselves can practise equality.

The paper is addressed to all those involved in shaping youth policies, whether in government, education, non-governmental organisations or as employers, donors or investors. It first describes the situation facing women and the consequent issues for girls and young women. The majority of the document focuses on recommendations - the necessity for coherent, consistent National Youth Policies, the benefits youth organisations bring to girls and boys through non formal education and recommendations

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for other agencies and individuals working with young people to create an equal and just society.

Gender discrimination and stereotyping continue to limit the full development and participation of girls and young women. In an equal and just society, consideration of gender issues should be integrated into all programmes for young people.

Cultural empowerment is an important aspect that should be highlighted. It enables young women and girls to make their own choices with regard to traditional beliefs and cultural practices. Positive aspects of a culture give women identity, security and direction; negative aspects can be discriminatory, endanger health and diminish women’s dignity.

The cultural expectation that men are the leaders of their societies can prevent girls and women exploring their own potential as leaders.

Cultural empowerment enables young women and girls to explore and understand their own identity and potential. Empowered women will be able to influence attitudes in men and other women and to challenge assumptions within their culture that often lead to gender injustice.

The authors of the paper strongly encourage all those with influence to accept these recommendations and to implement them. In particular they are encouraged to seek dialogue with and to support non formal education organisations in putting these recommendations into practice.

The paper is co-signed by the World Alliance of YMCAs, the World YWCA, the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Award Association and the International Youth Foundation.

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“AS WOMEN IN THE YMCA, WE ARE DETERMINED!” Sisters and Brothers of the YMCAs around the world, Men and women have a different history; as a starting point, we can look at some figures.

• of the 900 million illiterate adults in the world, two-thirds are women; • more than 70% of the population of the world living in extreme poverty are women; • worldwide, women’s salaries represent between 50 and 80% of those of men; • violence against women and girls kills millions around the planet; • in poor countries, women carry out 90% of domestic work; • 300 million women die through poverty or lack of education; • millions of women cannot plan their pregnancies; • 100 million girls are victims of sexual mutilation; • only 1% of the land in the world belongs to women; • in the USA, one woman is raped every 6 minutes; • in Africa for each 10 people infected by HIV/AIDS, six are women;

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in Latin America 70% of families suffer from at least one of the signs of domestic violence.

(From “Development and Change”, Vol. 30, No. 3, Number 3, 2000.)

This reality of inequality and injustice represents a challenge for the YMCA and for its credibility. Our Movement has recognised this, as we find in Challenge 21, which is not only our guiding light, but also reflects that we have to work to change this situation and to work for women’s rights. Every day our Movement, which works in many parts of the world, comes face to face with discrimination and the exclusion of women. And together we have to assume this challenge, both men and women. As women we are learning to explore possibilities of our participation in different spaces, and one of these spaces is the YMCA. This reflection is based on many conversations with women and men from the different movements around the world, including both volunteers and staff. I don’t think I am mistaken when I affirm that we, the women in the YMCA, are determined. But why? Let’s look at some reasons.

We are determined to participate, because we are more conscious of perceiving ourselves as political actors who have rights; because we have discovered, amazingly, a road to knowledge, of the contributions we can make to the decisions that affect the future of our Movement in the world. That is why we claim a Movement that can include us seriously in political matters, where we can represent a light at the end of the tunnel, because in this 21st century the world and our Movement as well have to rethink and redefine the methodology of politics, and that will not be possible without our collaboration, as women.

We recognise, for example, that the quota system in the YMCA is a temporary and transitional instrument, that it will be obsolete once the conditions of equity for women within national movements, and well as within area organisations and at world level, have been achieved. Then we shall no longer need quotas, because women and men will participate in decision-making on their own merits. And we continue to be determined because there was clearly a lack of political participation of women in the last World Council held in Frechen, Germany, in 1998.

Of course we recognise certain advances, such as the forming of the Gender Development Committee within the World Alliance Executive Committee, and the sensitisation of some of the professional staff of the area organisations and national movements in relation to the participation and leadership of women in the YMCA, but we still have a long way to go before there is equity in decision-making on those issues that affect our Movement.

We are determined to be distinct, because we want to make the most of our life, because we’re not asking for anything “out of this world”: only the recognition of our differences, of our experiences as mother, wife, sister or companion. We want to live in this world with another logic, perhaps different than the logic of uncertainty and suspicion, by recognising the other: the brother, the father, the companion, also diverse and distinct.

And it is at this point where dialogue, contradiction and consensus are unquestionable, as together, men and women in our YMCAs, we can walk together, guided by the Christian principles of love, peace and justice, which give sense to our life projects, both personal and collectively, as a Movement.

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Finally, we are determined to dream; to dream of a Utopia of a just and loving world that gives meaning to our existence. But we cannot achieve this if we don’t believe in ourselves as women, and if those around us do not trust in our talents, or do not give us space to modify our weaknesses and transform them into strengths.

We claim the right to dream! To dream of a new kind of existence, taking courage to face the obstacles in our daily life, to dream of a world for our children – boys and girls – which will be more kind, more gentle and more understanding of the differences between women and men. In this way our planet will become a space to grow and to learn amongst ourselves to be better human beings.

Jaidivi Núñez Varón Chairperson, World Alliance Committee on Gender Development

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STRATEGIES TO INCREASE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP PARTICIPATION IN THE YMCA

At the Executive Committee Meeting in May 2000 in Geneva Park, Canada, the following strategies to increase women’s leadership participation in the YMCA were agreed upon: •

To support the objective of increasing women’s participation at all levels in the YMCA.

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To strongly urge national movements to increase women’s participation at all levels, monitor and assess this process and identify those movements that are not implementing this process, in a period of five years.

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To find ways to reach local YMCAs with this recommendation.

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To request the Executive Committee to authorise the World Alliance to send a letter informing national movements of the above three issues, co-signed by the President, the Secretary General and the Chair of the Gender Committee of the World Alliance.

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To request the area executives, national representatives of the USA and Canada, and the Middle East Committee to develop strategies and actions to implement these recommendations at the upcoming Area Secretaries meeting on 14th May 2000.

In August, 2000, the World Alliance sent a letter to all national movements encouraging local associations, national movements and regional organisations to address the question of increased representation of women in leadership in appropriate forums and examine educational and legislative measures that will redress the lacuna in the system.

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TERMS OF REFERENCE OF COMMITTEE ON GENDER DEVELOPMENT (as approved by the Executive Committee, June 12-19, 1999) The following terms of reference have been formulated to ensure that there is an opportunity to involve and sensitise men and women in the YMCA to the issues related to balance and equality of gender, promoting a permanent dialogue; as well as to encourage national movements to review their programming and their service delivery support system to ensure there is leadership development for women.

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To work towards a higher representation of women, including young women, on all governing and staff structures at all YMCA levels.

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To provide input to the Constitution Committee and promote future constitutional changes to ensure higher women’s representation in the YMCA global structure, and implementation of women’s issues.

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To ensure that all World Alliance events include a gender perspective and have a balanced representation of women.

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To promote a dialogue and discussion on young women’s issues in leadership development and programming.

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To encourage leadership and development training for women at all levels.

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To promote the creation of gender networks at all YMCA levels, for sharing information, solidifying relationships and co-ordination of actions.

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To continue collaborating with other NGOs on information, training, networks, Beijing +5 and to establish formal working relationships with organisations that address gender issues.

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To co-ordinate a global response on the issue of violence against women and girls through the involvement of national movements.

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To advocate for and promote the rights of women and children.

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To monitor all World Alliance publications and official documents to ensure inclusive language is used.

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To ensure that programmes related to women and girls are adequately covered in all publications of the World Alliance.

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To ensure the provision of financial resources for the development of planning and implementation of women’s issues.

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