In This Issue

CONFERENCES & OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2009
Activities Commemorating International Women’s Day in Lebanon
… and CODEPINK calls for Women’s Day 2009 to be Dedicated to Women of Gaza
GCAP to Link Gender Equality with G20

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
53rd Commission on the Status of Women
Expert Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender in Trade Policy

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Equality and Justice under the Rule of Law
Disability Rights Fund (DRF)

NEWS & ARTICLES
CAMPAIGNS & ACTIVISMS ON WOMEN RIGHT’S
Muslim Scholars and Activists Launch a Global Initiative on Gender Equality
The Erosion of Women's Rights and "Political Islamism" in Iran
The 'Orthodox Feminist Revolution'

WOMEN & GIRL’S RIGHTS
Forced Divorce in Saudi Arabia– Women under Male Guardianship
… and Marriage Patterns in Palestine
Threat to Legislation Outlawing Child Marriage in Yemen

GENDER, CITIZENSHIP & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
First Females Islamic Judges Inaugurated in Palestine
… and First Female Deputy Minister Appointed in Saudi Arabia
… while in Iraq, Minister of Women’s Affairs Tenders Resignation
Iraqi Women Vie for Votes and Taste of Power
Yemeni Women are Training to Engage in Parliamentary Elections

GENDER & VIOLENCE
Statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Women's Rights Seriously Violated During Gaza Conflict
…and Feminist Response to Attack on Gaza
Two Women Flogged for Celebrating May Day in Iran
'Virginity Assessment Tests' Continue Despite Illegality in Jordan
Tel Aviv Women Fight Back Against Free Sexist Pornography
First Shelter in Syria for Trafficked People Opens in Damascus

DEVELOPMENT & FINANCIAL CRISIS
World Social Forum 2009 - Resolution and a Plan of Action
Ireland Cuts Aid Due to Financial Crisis - Civil Society Reacts

BOOKS & REPORTS
NEW RELEASES & PUBLICATIONS
“The Mapping of Human Poverty and Living Conditions in Lebanon, 2004”
“On the Way to Improved Legal Reality”
“Gender and Care Cutting Edge Pack”

GENDER & DEVELOPMENT
Steps to the Integration of Moroccan Women in Development

GENDER & VIOLENCE
Intimate Partner Violence among Couples in 10 DHS Countries: Predictors & Health Outcomes

GENDER RESOURCES
Documentary film - Women Uniting against War and Occupation in Israel/Palestine
WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) gender website in Arabic

CONFERENCES & OPPORTUNITIES
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2009
Activities Commemorating International Women’s Day in Lebanon
Film Viewing “Women Through Time: Faces of Feminist Movement until 1975” March 4, 2009
Host: YWCA
Produced by: Women Research Institute in the Arab World
For more information: suzane@lebanonywca.org

Roundtable on “Lebanese Women in Decision Making positions” – February 26, 2009
Organized by: Working Women’s League of Lebanon
Venue: Tawfic Tabbara – at 16:30
For more information: wwlol@hotmail.com

… and CODEPINK calls for Women’s Day 2009 to be Dedicated to Women of Gaza
International Women’s Day is a time when people around the globe focus on the needs and contributions of women. This year, on Sunday, March 8, 2009, women and men worldwide will commemorate the day by highlighting the plight of the women of Gaza. For details

GCAP to Link Gender Equality with G20
GCAP's first major coordinated action of 2009 will take place around International Women's Day on 8 March 8 with the launch of an online campaign called ‘20 Days of Action’ aimed at mobilizing people to connect gender equality with the G20 happening weeks later in London. For details

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
53rd Commission on the Status of Women
2 to 13 March 2009, UN headquarters in New York, USA
NGOs that are accredited to, and in good standing with, the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), are invited to designate representatives to attend the annual sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women. bodies, including the functional commissions, in accordance with the rules of procedure of those bodies. For details

Expert Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender in Trade Policy
The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) will hold an "Expert Meeting on Mainstreaming Gender in Trade Policy" in Geneva on 10-11 March 2009. For details

CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Equality and Justice under the Rule of Law
IWP seeks to promote the advancement of women’s rights and gender equality in law and practice, and the empowerment of women to ensure participation in the democratic processes. Proposals must be received by March 8, 2009. For details

Disability Rights Fund (DRF)
The 2009 “Raising Our Voice” grant cycle will consist of two grant making rounds: The first grant making round is directed to DPO activities in the following three countries: in Latin America -- Mexico; in Asia: India; and in Eastern Europe/fSU - Ukraine. The deadline for applications for this round is Thursday, 16 April 2009 at 24:00. For more information

NEWS & ARTICLES
CAMPAIGNS & ACTIVISMS on WOMEN RIGHT’S
Muslim Scholars and Activists Launch a Global Initiative on Gender Equality
A call for equality and justice "in the Muslim family" is being launched by a group of Muslim scholars and activists who insist that in the 21st century "there cannot be justice without equality" between men and women. For more information

The Erosion of Women's Rights and "Political Islamism" in Iran
From the universities to the theatres, Iranians have a tradition of civil activism that predates the revolution. Writing in the South China Morning Post, Ivan Broadhead looks at how, following the 2006 re-emergence of stoning as a means of execution, Iranians are demanding changes to the country's hardline laws to match modern society's lifestyles. For details
 
The 'Orthodox Feminist Revolution'
Gender equality is a constant source of controversy within Orthodox Judaism. According to tradition and interpretation of the Old Testament, women must remain separate from men in synagogue and cannot go anywhere near the sacred scrolls of the Torah. For details

WOMEN & GIRL’S RIGHTS
Forced Divorce in Saudi Arabia– Women under Male Guardianship
A woman has been forcibly divorced on the basis of “tribal incompatibility” with her husband.
Saudi Arabia does not have a codified personal status law that regulates family relations, including marriage and divorce. Instead, judges apply their interpretation of shariah in making decisions in individual cases. Forced marriages of women, or marriages concluded without the consent of the woman, are common in Saudi Arabia. More information

… and Marriage Patterns in Palestine
Marriage patterns in Palestine are unique compared with other countries in the region. Although most countries in the Middle East and North Africa are experiencing an increase in the age at marriage, early marriage in Palestine continues to be relatively high. About one in 10 Palestinian women ages 15 to 19 is married.

Threat to Legislation Outlawing Child Marriage in Yemen
Although Yemen's parliament has agreed to set the minimum age for marriage at 17, there are concerns the decision may be rescinded as some members of parliament (MPs) say the amendments violate Sharia (Islamic) law. For more information

GENDER, CITIZENSHIP & POLITICAL PARTICIPATION
First Females Islamic Judges Inaugurated in Palestine
For the first time in the history of Palestine, two women were appointed as judges to the Islamic Sharia court in the West Bank cities of Hebron and Ramallah.
President Mahmoud Abbas accepted the appointment of the two female judges among 11 judges appointed to the Sharia Courts in the West Bank, after each woman successfully passed two competitive judicial exams held in Ramallah. For more information

… and First Female Deputy Minister Appointed in Saudi Arabia
Nora bint Abdullah Al-Fayez was appointed by royal decree as the deputy education minister for girls’ affairs. Despite optimism for a better future, Khaled Al-Radihan, assistant professor of anthropology at King Saud University in Riyadh, said it would not be easy. “There is a conservative stream of people who won’t accept the situation easily. If the deputy minister proves herself and succeeds, then things might take a different turn. However, it’s a positive change and a good opportunity for a better future,” said Al-Radihan. For more information

… while in Iraq, Minister of Women’s Affairs Tenders Resignation
Nawal al-Samaraie, minister for women’s affairs, says she lacked the resources to implement her plans to help improve women’s lives. (IRIN) “I have only an office, not a full ministry, with insufficient resources and limited authority… My mission is very hard, if not impossible, to achieve,” Al-Samaraie told IRIN.

Iraqi Women Vie for Votes and Taste of Power
Amal Kibash, a candidate for the Baghdad provincial council, is running a bold and even feverish campaign by most standards. With elections coming, she is trolling for every vote she can muster. For more information

Yemeni Women are Training to Engage in Parliamentary Elections
6/02/2009: Yemen Women Union YWU begins next week carrying out training courses for woman leaderships on engaging in the upcoming parliamentary elections. (Almotamar)
Training courses are to be taking place in governorates of Hadramout, Taiz, Sana’a and Aden. For more information

GENDER & VIOLENCE
Statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: Women's Rights Seriously Violated During Gaza Conflict
The following statement by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women was issued on 6 February 2009 in Geneva”
"The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is deeply concerned about the recent military engagement in Gaza between Israel and the Hamas (January 2009) which has resulted in heavy civilian casualties and a humanitarian crisis in Gaza including the killing and injuring of a large number of women and children.

…and Feminist Response to Attack on Gaza
Dr. Hannah Safran of Women in Black explains how women have come together in Israel to protest the bombing of Gaza as part of a wider opposition to Israeli policy, past and present. (Women in Black)
"The Saturday of the 27th of December we decided to spend on a tour of a Palestinian village that was destroyed in the 1948 war by Israel. The habitants of this village were all expelled from their homes to Lebanon and Jewish people were encouraged to settle in the village and they have been living there ever since. No refugee has ever been allowed back.

Two Women Flogged for Celebrating May Day in Iran
Two Iranian women labor activists, convicted for participating in May Day celebrations, have been punished by flogging, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported today. For more information

'Virginity Assessment Tests' Continue Despite Illegality in Jordan
Despite the scientific and cultural modernization that has changed the face of Jordan since its creation in 1921, the practice of this custom continues in rural and urban areas alike.
Although this practice contravenes the law, and medical facts, they continue because they of social customs and traditions: simply because the so-called “signs of virginity” -- the bleeding due to the ruptured hymen -- did not materialize at the first sexual encounter. More information

Tel Aviv Women Fight Back Against Free Sexist Pornography
At 10:30 A.M. as the regular clientele of the cafes on Ben Yehuda Street were sipping their first cup of coffee of the day, Dorit Abramovitz, who manages campaigns for women's organizations, and some 30 feminist women and a handful of men jolted Tel Avivians awake with a thunderous, radical chant: "Indifferent residents of Tel Aviv: Trade in women must be prohibited."

First Shelter in Syria for Trafficked People Opens in Damascus
A 2008 US report said Syria is “a destination and transit country for women and children trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation and forced labour”.
Human trafficking is only just starting to gain widespread public attention in the region: Jordan passed a law to penalise people trafficking only last week; a similar Egyptian law is still in draft form, and other countries like Lebanon still have no specific legislation against people traffickers. More information

DEVELOPMENT & FINANCIAL CRISIS
World Social Forum 2009 - Resolution and a Plan of Action
The World Social Forum ended its ninth edition in Belém with its "Assembly of assemblies" adopting dozens of resolutions and proposals to be the subjects of a programme of mobilizations around the world in 2009. For details

Ireland Cuts Aid Due to Financial Crisis - Civil Society Reacts
At a time when World Bank research is showing that more people are being pushed into poverty in developing countries due to the global financial crisis, several developed countries are cutting their overseas aid budgets drastically. For details

BOOKS & REPORTS
NEW RELEASES & PUBLICATIONS
The Mapping of Human Poverty and Living Conditions in Lebanon, 2004
The Ministry of Social Affairs and United Nations Development Programme in Lebanon have launched two reports entitled: “The Mapping of Human Poverty and Living Conditions in Lebanon, 2004” and “Poverty, Growth, and Income Distribution in Lebanon”. For more details: poverty@cyberia.net.lb

“On the Way to Improved Legal Reality” in the Arab World
Strategies and instruments used to tackle discrimination against women in the Arab world
This publication is the last in a three-part series on women's rights in the Arab world, produced by the GTZ Programme "Promoting Gender Equality and Women's Rights" on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. For more information, you can contact Schirin Salem: schirin.salem@gtz.de

Gender and Care Cutting Edge Pack
BRIDGE - February 2009
How can we move towards a world in which individuals and society recognize and value the importance of different forms of care, but without reinforcing care work as something that only women can or should do? This Cutting Edge Pack hopes to inspire thinking on this fundamental question. Complete Document

GENDER & DEVELOPMENT
Steps to the Integration of Moroccan Women in Development
This paper casts a gender perspective on development in Morocco. While Moroccan women Contribute to development, their socio-economic situation has hardly improved over the years as a result of their participation. Full document

GENDER & VIOLENCE
Intimate Partner Violence among Couples in 10 DHS Countries: Predictors & Health Outcomes
A family history of domestic violence and husbands’ alcohol use increase the risk that women will be abused by their husbands or partners, according to a new study from Demographic and Health surveys in 10 countries. For more information

GENDER RESOURCES
Documentary film - Women Uniting Against War and Occupation in Israel/Palestine
The documentary was shot in 2002, so it does not cover or reflect upon recent events in Israel/Palestine. However, the power and courage of the women's movement, Women In Black, and the harsh opposition they face, is so beautifully captured… You can watch a clip of the 52-minute documentary on Youtube.

WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (EMRO) gender website in Arabic:
Click here