NEWS & ARTICLES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISM
250 Palestinian & Israeli women in West Bank Civil Disobedience Conference
“Defamation” & “denigration” of religions at the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Endorse Nomination of Iran's General Prosecutor for International Bludgeon Award
List of imprisoned Iranian women exposes extent of discrimination
Coalition of Egyptian Feminist Organizations open letter to Prime Minister

CALLS & STATEMENTS
Muslim Women Unite Against Sexual Violence & Harassment
Call for Institute Applications - Sexual & Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies
International Women’s Day Celebration Marred by Continued Detention of Dozens of Women

GENDER & HUMAN RIGHTS
Growth of Social Networking Media in the Middle East
…and Women are at the heart of the digital and offline Revolution
CSW 55 - Draft Agreed Conclusions
Women Encouraged to Address Wide Issues in Society in Saudi Arabia
Egyptian Center for Women's Rights Monitors the Referendum
… And the Constitutional Amendments are not gender sensitive

CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Launching of “Kulluna Lil Watan” (All for the Nation!)
WLUML networkers celebrate International Women's Day 2011
International Women’s Day: "I am happy, despite being harassed"
Women Attacked at Rally on International Women's Day
Celebrating International Women's Day after the Jan25 Revolution
Protest Rallies, March for Women in Bahrain
Challenges to Celebrate International Women's Day in Palestine-Gaza
Women & Fair Trade

GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
In Bahrain
Police arrest 127 males in gay party raid in Bahrain
In Egypt
Rape, torture and murder of migrant women in Sinai Desert
In Sudan
Female protestors in Sudan, arrested, beaten as world marks International Women’s Day
War Against Women is the New Front
No to Women Suppression Initiative Statement in Sudan
In Yemen
Women of Revolts are Catalysts for Change in Yemen
Internationally
The Riskiest Job in Iran
The decision is taken… No Divorce Even if Additional Wife Taken in Iran
London imam subjected to death threats for supporting evolution

BOOKS & REPORTS
GENDER RIGHTS
Trade - A Driving force for Jobs & Women's Empowerment?
Women's Empowerment Principles for Business
CEDAW & Muslim Family Laws - In Search of Common Ground
Jihadist Magazine for Women
Civil Society Country Level Oxfam Survey Report
UN Study on Status of Women, Religion or Belief, & Traditions
Palestinian Society Polygamy Research

NEWS & ARTICLES
WOMEN’S RIGHTS ACTIVISM
250 Palestinian & Israeli women in West Bank Civil Disobedience Conference
On March 12, 2011, women human rights defenders from Palestine and Israel marked the centenary of International Women's Day with a historic conference at which the following contributions were made:  Ilana Hammerman: The "Entry to Israel" law is illegal and should not be obeyed; and Rivka Sum: The attack in Itamar proves that we should continue to work daily together to end the impossible occupation. For more information please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7031

“Defamation” & “denigration” of religions at the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Letter from Civil Society Organizations to State Representatives: Excellency, We are writing to you to strongly urge your government to actively engage in the negotiations on the resolution on “combating defamation of religions”/”combating religious hatred and denigration of religions” at the 16th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (“the Council”) that is currently taking place.  To read the full letter, please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7023

Endorse Nomination of Iran's General Prosecutor for International Bludgeon Award
The Gender Justice Uncovered 2010 Awards ask us to "Seek to identify the best and worst decisions or statements related to gender made in English, Spanish or Portuguese within a judicial process. A jury, made up of three renowned figures will choose the “Gavel” and the “Bludgeon” decisions. The three most sexist decisions will receive bronze, silver and gold Bludgeons and the three decisions that best promote gender equality will receive bronze, silver and gold Gavels. The People’s Choice Awards will be given based on the votes from the public. Those who nominate the winners of the People's Choice Awards will be invited to attend the Awards ceremony in Madrid. Deadline to nominate: April 4, 2011; Deadline to vote: April 25, 2011; to know more about the awards please follow the http://www.wluml.org/node/7022

List of imprisoned Iranian women exposes extent of discrimination
Iranian women are exposed to a variety of discriminations with charges ranging from gender-related and ethnic issues over religious and political beliefs to the defense of t heir own rights and those of underprivileged groups within the Islamic Republic of Iran. To read the full article please follow the link
 http://www.wluml.org/node/7004 

Coalition of Egyptian Feminist Organizations open letter to Prime Minister
The Coalition of Egyptian Feminist Organizations welcomes the appointment of Mr. Essam Sharaf as  Prime Minister of the new civilian government of Egypt, especially after he confirmed being fully committed to the demands of the 25th of January revolution. The Coalition considers that the achievement of these demands require a clear representation of all the forces involved in the Egyptian revolution in the composition of the new cabinet, mainly the youth who played a historical role in initiating and inspiring the revolution by their determination to pursue the march till the end.  To read the entire letter, please follow the link       
 http://www.wluml.org/node/7020 

CALLS & STATEMENTS
Muslim Women Unite Against Sexual Violence & Harassment
A major grassroots campaign recently called international attention to the underreported issues of sexual harassment and assault against women in Muslim states.
Scores of women's organisations from Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia joined forces for a sensational campaign led by the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR). More information available at
http://www.magharebia.com/cocoon/awi/xhtml1/en_GB/features/awi/features/...

Call for Institute Applications - Sexual & Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies
The Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) is pleased to announce the 4th CSBR Sexuality Institute 2011 to be held between July 16th and 23rd 2011 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Designed as a comprehensive curriculum on sexuality, sexual and reproductive health and rights with an in depth discussion on the linkages between research and practice, the CSBR Sexuality Institute offers a holistic interdisciplinary program combining history, theory, research and politics of sexuality with applications of advocacy and fieldwork. More information available at 
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2011/03_11/03_14/031411_call.htm

International Women’s Day Celebration Marred by Continued Detention of Dozens of Women
Amnesty International called on the Iranian authorities to release immediately all women detained arbitrarily in Iran, including political activists, rights defenders and members of religious and ethnic minorities. More information available at
http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE13/028/2011/en/75fc2575-d78e-...

GENDER & HUMAN RIGHTS
Growth of Social Networking Media in the Middle East
For more than 30 years, the subject of political reform in most of the Middle East was largely a part of covert debates. In little more than 30 days, however, it has forcibly entered the realm of the overt. The reigning ‘leaderless’ political movements are being designated as unparalleled in the history of uprisings. A fair share of credit for initiating and sustaining these movements in a region that has limited opportunities to express people’s opinions must undoubtedly go to ‘new media’ too. for the entire article please follow the link
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle08.asp?xfile=data/opinion/2011...

…and Women are at the heart of the digital and offline Revolution
Among the most prevalent Western stereotypes about Muslim countries are those concerning Muslim women: doe-eyed, veiled, and submissive, exotically silent, gauzy inhabitants of imagined harems, closeted behind rigid gender roles. So where were these women in Tunisia and Egypt?
 In both countries, women protesters were nothing like the Western stereotype: they were front and centre, in news clips and on Facebook forums, and even in the leadership. In Egypt’s Tahrir Square, women volunteers, some accompanied by children, worked steadily to support the protests – helping with security, communications, and shelter.To read more about the revolution please follow the link
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=418938...

CSW 55 - Draft Agreed Conclusions
Draft agreed conclusions submitted by the Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women on the basis of informal consultations
Access and participation of women and girls in education, training and science and technology, including for the promotion of women’s equal access to full employment and decent work. For more information please follow the link
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2011/03_11/03_14/031411_csw_files/CSW%2055-Dra...

Women Encouraged to Address Wide Issues in Society in Saudi Arabia
The women's wing of the Human Rights Commission recently met with women consultants at the Shoura Council to exchange views on social development issues. Social activist May Al-Issa, who was one of the consultants to attend the meeting, called on society to refrain from emphasizing women's issues and rights excessively, pointing out that it could alienate society further. Al-Issa also indicated that certain council initiatives came as a result of citizens’ complaints or suggestions. For more information
http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article313604.ece

Egyptian Center for Women's Rights Monitors the Referendum
In the framework of ECWR’s efforts for supporting and empowering women in the process of democratic transition in Egypt. In cooperation with the Egyptian Coalition for Civil Education and Women's Participation, ECWR is monitoring the Referendum Day  held on March 19, 2011. Operations Room of Monitoring the Referendum day has started its work with explaining the constitutional amendments and distributing flyers thereon all over Egypt. Information available at
http://ecwronline.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=444&Item...

… And the Constitutional Amendments are not gender sensitive
"The Egyptian Coalition for Civic Education and Women's Participation" has received and reviewed the constitutional amendments. These amendments have led to great worries amongst the coalition for they did not achieve what the Egyptian people aimed for, nor meet the revolution's demands. As such the amendments are restoring the system of the past regime. http://www.ecwronline.org

CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Launching of “Kulluna Lil Watan” (All for the Nation!)
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the “Collective for Research, Training on Development – Action” and the Women's Learning Partnership, in collaboration with the German and Dutch Embassies as well as “Women Learning Partnership” launched the new documentary film entitled “Kulluna Lil Watan”. The documentary zoomed in on the testimonies of Lebanese women married to non-Lebanese men and the denial of their citizenship rights. www.crtda.org.lb

WLUML networkers celebrate International Women's Day 2011
On International Women’s Day 2011, WLUML shared a few of the many successes and struggles of their networkers across the world: from Malaysia, Sudan, Pakistan and Egypt. For more information please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/6995

International Women’s Day: "I am happy, despite being harassed"
The 8 of March is International Women’s Day, and it is the first day for the celebration of women rights after the success of the Egyptian Revolution, which forced the former president Mubarak out of power in February. For the past two weeks, a call was made for citizens to participate in a million women march in Tahrir square to celebrate the day and honour the martyrs of Egypt: women and men. To read the entire article, please follow the link
 http://www.wluml.org/node/7001 

Women Attacked at Rally on International Women's Day
A demonstration urging Egypt to give women a voice in building its future was attacked by a group of men delivering a stinging slap to the women who helped propel Egypt's uprising. The violent opposition they faced suggests that Egyptian women must fight their own revolution to achieve equal rights. More information available at
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/0308/In-Egypt-s-Tahrir-S...

Celebrating International Women's Day after the Jan25 Revolution
A group of young women and men led by Nawal Saadawi , a prominent Egyptian feminist, called for A Million Women March on 8 March to celebrate the centenary of International Women’s Day. A number of young people joined the coordination meetings and other women's rights groups decided to participate in the march with their slogans.  For more information please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7013

Protest Rallies, March for Women in Bahrain
A Bahraini woman pushes a woman using a wheelchair who waves a Bahraini flag Tuesday, March 8, 2011, during an anti-government march in Manama, Bahrain. A couple of thousand women participated in the women only march, which was to mark International Women's Day. More information available at
http://www.kansas.com/2011/03/10/1756030_a1756033/bahrain-issues-warning...

Challenges to Celebrate International Women's Day in Palestine-Gaza
Meriam tries to give her children nutritious food, but can hardly afford it. Half of Gaza's population relies on the UN for their staple foods. Many families have had to sell their personal belongings to keep going. To see more pictures please follow the link:
 http://www.wunrn.com/news/2011/03_11/03_07/030711_palestine.htm

Women & Fair Trade
Since 1911, the month of March has been set aside to celebrate the achievements of women, particularly March 8, International Women’s Day. According to Fair Trade Federation research, 76% of Fair Trade production is done by women.
http://www.wfto.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1399&Itemi...

 
GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
In Bharain
Police arrest 127 males in gay party raid in Bahrain
Bahraini police raided a gay party in Manama and arrested 127 mainly homosexuals from the Gulf countries. The fee-paying party described as "depraved and decadent" by the Bahraini police was organized on Wednesday and brought gay men mainly from GCC countries. A sports hall in Hidd, a conservative village in Muharraq island in north of Bahrain, was spotted as the party’s location for the revelers whose ages ranged from 18 to 30 years old. To read the entire article, please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7007 

In Egypt
Rape, torture and murder of migrant women in Sinai Desert
Hotline for Migrant Workers, an organization supporting undocumented migrant workers, refugees and victims of trafficking in Israel has published a report detailing accounts of torture, rape and murder of migrants at the hand of smugglers and traffickers in the Sinai Desert in Egypt, en route to Israel. For more information please follow the link
http://www.wluml.org/node/7035

In Sudan
Female protestors in Sudan, arrested, beaten as world marks International Women’s Day
Sudanese anti-riot police arrested and beat dozens of women activists shortly after they attempted to stage a protest in Khartoum’s twin city of Omdurman against the alleged rape of a young female activist last month and right abuses, manifesting Khartoum’s growing anxiety over dissent. For more information please follow the link
http://www.wluml.org/node/6998

War Against Women is the New Front
Rape and sexual assaults: the National Congress Party uses the weapons of the Darfur war against the women and girls of Khartoum. Tens of thousands of Sudanese women and young girls in Darfur and in the south of Sudan were exposed to crimes of gender based violence, including rape and sexual abuse that were practiced by the National Congress Party (NCP) for more than two decades. For more information please follow the link
http://www.wluml.org/node/6982  

No to Women Suppression Initiative Statement in Sudan
To the people of Sudan: First we salute the bravery and grace of the young Sudanese women who came out and reported and gave evidence to the atrocious and savage sexual harassment they suffered at the hand of elements of Sudanese security organs. We address you today with a feeling of bitterness and anger for the gross violation of the constitutional and human rights of women and the low level of official treatment directed at them in Sudan. To read the entire letter, please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7009 

In Yemen
Women of Revolts are Catalysts for Change in Yemen
Tawakul Karman (centre) is the president of Yemen’s Women Journalists Without Chains and a member of the Islamist opposition party, Islah. She has frequently criticised the government of Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has dominated Yemeni politics since 1978. Karman has led sit-ins every Tuesday to protest the government’s repression of civil rights, particularly women’s rights. She was arrested January 23 for her role in organizing protests but later released. For more information please follow the link
http://gulfnews.com/news/region/women-fuel-arab-revolts-1.772905

Internationally
The Riskiest Job in Iran
Not so long ago, my colleague Nasrin Sotoudeh was the lawyer so many of us human rights defenders in Iran would call when our government harassed us or put one of us, or one of our family members, in jail. Sadly it is now Nasrin who is in jail.  More information is available at 
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2011/mar/07/the-r...

The decision is taken… No Divorce Even if Additional Wife Taken in Iran
The applicant in this case, a poor woman from a rural area in the west of Iran sought a divorce alleging that her husband was violent and abusive, and had taken a second wife without her permission. Under Iranian law, women can only divorce from their husbands under certain conditions specified by legislation. To read the full story follow the link
http://www.wluml.org/node/7022

London imam subjected to death threats for supporting evolution
An imam of an east London mosque has been subject to death threats and intimidation for expressing his views on evolution and women's right to refuse the veil. Dr Usama Hasan, vice-chairman at Leyton mosque and a senior lecturer in engineering at Middlesex University, ceased delivering Friday prayers after 25 years of service when 50 Muslim protesters disrupted his lecture by handing out leaflets against him and shouting in the mosque for his execution.  For more information please follow the link http://www.wluml.org/node/7016  

BOOKS & REPORTS
GENDER RIGHTS
Trade - A Driving force for Jobs & Women's Empowerment?
Trade liberalisation is widely seen as a driving force behind economic growth and poverty reduction. Proponents of neoliberal economics such as the World Bank2 and economist Jagdish Bhagwati3 suggest that trade liberalisation is a driving force for gender equality as well. They regard free markets as the best mechanisms for resource allocation, wealth creation and distribution, and the narrowing of gender gaps. This is based on the assumption that trade produces growth, and that growth will open up opportunities for better education, more jobs, higher income, more credit and better opportunities for women entrepreneurs. Direct Link to Full 23-Page Text:
http://62.149.193.10/wide/download/Gender_and_Trade%20FES1.pdf?id=989

Women's Empowerment Principles for Business
The Women's Empowerment Principles are a set of principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. They are the result of collaboration between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, part of UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact. The development of the Principles included an international multi-stakeholder consultation process, which was launched in March 2009. To download the principles please follow the link
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/Issues/human_rights/equality_means_busine...
CEDAW & Muslim Family Laws - In Search of Common Ground
This report is based on a Musawah research project on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (‘CEDAW’ or ‘the Convention’) that examined States parties’ justifications for their failure to implement CEDAW with regard to family laws and practices that discriminate against Muslim women… For more information and download the report please follow the link
http://musawah.org/docs/pubs/CEDAW%20&%20Muslim%20Family%20Laws.pdf

Jihadist Magazine for Women
For those women who felt left out by previous jihadist magazines, the people behind a new publication may think they have an answer.
The newly released Arabic-language Al-Shamikha magazine mixes advice on beauty and fashion with instruction to raise children to be ready for jihad, according to Britain’s Daily Mail and the Independent. For more information
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2011/03_11/03_14/031411_jihadist.htm

Civil Society Country Level Oxfam Survey Report
A Blueprint for UN Women outlines the views of 100 civil society organisations – working in 75 countries on women's human rights, gender equality and social justice – on the role UN Women should play. Commissioned by Oxfam and VSO UK, the survey findings send a clear message that UN Women must deliver on its promise and work with governments to ensure accountability for delivering rights equality and development for women.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/resources/policy/gender/downloads/blueprint-for-...

UN Study on Status of Women, Religion or Belief, & Traditions
Report by Mr. Abdelfattah Amor, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief (E/CN.4/1999/58) that led to his Study on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Status of Women From the Viewpoint of Religion and Traditions (E/CN.4/2002/73/Add.2). "Discrimination and intolerance against women, supposedly prescribed by religion or tradition, must be resolutely condemned." To download the report:
http://www.wunrn.com/un_study/arabic.pdf

Palestinian Society Polygamy Research
Polygamy is one of the most contentious issues bearing on women and women’s rights. The phenomenon declined globally at the beginning of the 20th century only to make a comeback in the early 1970s, and has today returned to the forefront of pressing concerns in the struggle for women’s rights. More about the research available at
http://www.wunrn.com/news/2011/03_11/03_14/031411_israel_files/Arab%20Is...