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DAWN AFRICA REGIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE DAWN Africa held a very successful training of young African feminists from Anglophone and Francophone Africa in Accra, Ghana, from 17 -24 June 2006. Although this was the second such training undertaken by DAWN Africa, it was historic in that for first time Anglophone and Francophone DAWN Africa collaborated to organise a truly integrated event with full translation. Twenty two participants attended from 11 African countries, namely, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Conakry, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Kenya, Burkina Faso, Togo and Benin republic. Due to flight difficulties, an expected participant from Eritrea was unable to attend. Anglophone Regional Coordinator, Afua Hesse, and Francophone Regional Coordinator, Fatou Sow, coordinated the workshop and were also resource persons and facilitators. They were ably assisted by DAWN General Coordinator, Bene Madunagu, Research Coordinator on PRST, Viviene Taylor, Dzodzi Tsikata, who has collaborated with DAWN on various researches, Shamillah Wilson, DAWN DTI liaison facilitator, and Kafui Johnson, West Africa Regional coordinator of WILDAF, based in Togo. Through these experienced African feminist advocates, participants were assisted in developing an understanding of the changing terrain of the struggle for gender justice in Africa. They were exposed to the ideas and work of other activist scholars from the South and guided to examine critical issues under each of DAWN’s themes in the context of current debates at the global level, and their inter-linkages with issues under other themes. The course used lectures and discussions, case study analysis and presentations, organised debates, and practical skill-building exercises in research, analysis and advocacy. The objectives of the training were:
Topics were considered from a regional perspective, with the specific aim of first demystifying feminism within the Africa context and then building on the analysis. The specific topics, which covered DAWN’s four major thematic areas, were:
Participants were allowed one half day to catch up with reading materials, produced in English and French, in the 2 volume Reader. There was also one half day allocated for a visit to the town and shopping, to give participants a break from the programme, and a dinner and cultural evening out which showcased delicious local cuisine and a taste of West African cultural dancing. The training was judged very successful by both participants and resource persons, whose evaluations indicated that the objectives had all been achieved, some more than others. Among the critical comments made were debates on some important issues were missing, and there should have been more attention to NEPAD and regional groupings. Generally, however, participants were very pleased with the training, found it very challenging and said it encouraged them as young feminists. It was a great opportunity to interact with other feminists, to increase their understanding of what was going on around Africa, and it encouraged them to continue with the struggle. It also challenged Anglophone participants to learn French and vice versa, in order to help break the barriers between feminists. Most participants felt recharged, re-invigorated and re-energized while at the same time challenged to continue keeping abreast with what was happening locally, regionally and globally. They found the whole experience exciting, especially connecting feminism and Christianity, and felt reinforced on some of the principles they held, and challenged on others, although some thought that they could have been challenged more. Participants and Regional Coordinators will stay in touch through followup networking. Learning through experience The Popular Education Network Among Women from Latin America and the Caribbean (Red de Educación Popular entre Mujeres –REPEM), DAWN’s focal point in Latin America, held the Forum “Women and Power in Politics” in Santiago, Chile, August 10-11, 2006. The presidency of Michelle Bachelet and a cabinet with gender parity was reason enough to hold this event in Chile. Do women exercise power in a different way than men do? Which are the obstacles for women’s participation in politics? What happens when they exercise power? How is diversity addressed and how is it represented? These were some of the questions that steered the reflections of both the panellists, who were representatives of the legislative, executive and judiciary in the region, as well as leaders of political parties, and of more than 180 representatives of women’s, young women’s and feminist organizations in Chile, Latin America and the Caribbean, in the event that took place in the facilities of the Chilean Ex-Congress. New or old practices? In the Legislative Power Roundtable, Senator Margarita Percovich addressed the Uruguayan experience of the feminine bi-cameral group of parliamentarians that, beyond any political trends, fosters a common agenda for the promotion of gender equality, and reports on advances of their legislative action every year on March 8. Elizabeth Salguero, member of the Bolivian Parliament, spoke about the difficulty she experienced when trying to make political pacts with women, and specifically with indigenous women. The Chilean parliamentary Maria Antonieta Saa reflected upon strategies of accessing power, and referred to patronage and nepotism practices. In the Executive Power roundtable the presence of women as heads of ministries traditionally linked with feminine roles was made evident, and essentialist standpoints about the exercise of power were questioned, such as women being less corrupt than men. In the Judiciary Power Roundtable, Bolivian Judge Elizabeth Iñiguez expressed “… the law is not neutral, and it is not valid per se”, adding that its enforcement depends on its interpretation. The panellists highlighted the importance of training and sensitising people involved in the judiciary. Finally, the reflections from the Roundtable on Political Parties revolved around discussing new forms of doing politics, considering the quality of the representation of new social movements, African descendents, youth, women and sexual diversity. Epsy Campbell, President of the Partido Acción Ciudadana (Citizens’ Action Party) of Costa Rica, and Patricia Mercado, former candidate to the Presidency of Mexico in 2006, representing the Partido Alternativa, expressed the need to establish links with the different social sectors within a framework of transparency. Isabel Allende, parliamentary, representative of the Chilean Socialist Party, emphasized that the media had been fundamental to Michelle Bachelet becoming a candidate to the presidency as representative of the Concertación (governing coalition), after the polls had shown the popular support she had at the time. Nonetheless, already in the Presidency, people question her way of exercising power, which contrasts with the authoritarian model of former President Lagos. With the aim of giving continuity to the DAWN Training Institute –DTI- of Bangalore 2003 and Montevideo 2005, a Regional Follow Up Training Course followed the Santiago Forum, from August 12-14, 2006. It was attended by 8 DTI graduates, who were joined by 7 other young feminists. In this space, reflections revolved around the debates and discussions held during the Forum “Women and Power in Politics”, deepening the knowledge acquired during the DTI training, and generating spaces for exchange and dialogue between the participants and prestigious feminists of Latin America. From different perspectives, Patricia Mercado, Elizabeth Salguero, Ximena Machicao and Celita Eccher contributed to the analysis of different experiences related to political restructuring and social transformation processes. Patricia Mercado brought forward elements of the political reform undergone by Mexico during the past ten years, and the role played by the social and feminist movements. She highlighted the new forms of political participation and citizenship that the new law recognizes as a reflection of a deep social transformation in the Mexican society, which draws from the social demand for more representation of the different social expressions - young people, indigenous movements, women, sexual diversities, among others. Elizabeth Salguero shared her experience of the Bolivian Constituent Assembly, in which the rural indigenous women’s movement and the women’s movement have failed to achieve yet a political pact to put forward a common agenda, particularly because of the mistrust resulting from the historical exclusion experienced by the indigenous people in that country. Ximena Machicao encouraged participants to think about the need to move forward in the construction of a common project - the foundation of political pacts and the generation of solidarity bonds with those women who exercise real power, both in elective and executive positions - with the aim of achieving a political and historical accumulation of experiences, thus avoiding the dissolution of power. Celita Eccher shared her experience as a member of the International Council of the World Social Forum, a meeting space with social movements in the quest for a world with more justice, and as a very important space for influencing, from the feminist movement. Marta Lamas’ inputs in the training course encouraged reflection on the links between women’s sexual and reproductive rights and gender, focusing on the issue of abortion as the axis in which both issues converge as an expression of patriarchy. Furthermore, the discussion revolved around the importance of clarifying concepts in order to build clear arguments and strategies. She recommended to take into account the political contexts and times, in order to move forward on certain issues which are very complex on account of their multiple ethic, moral and psychological contents, among others. Rosalba Todaro, addressing Political Economy of Globalization, emphasized the importance of articulating the gender perspective with the sphere of economy, and the kind of development and issues that have to be privileged, such as the relation between productive and reproductive work in the globalization context. Reflections and great challenges. - Along the five working days the reflections focused upon three axes: women’s participation spaces; the articulation levels between those women in spaces of power and their organizations; and finally the changes that can be achieved through women’s contribution in the institutional and socio-cultural structures, and the deepening of democracy. It was acknowledged that the quota system is an effective and necessary mechanism that enables women’s participation in the institutional spaces of power, however, they should move forward towards the achievement of parity, which implies incorporatating this concept into the electoral systems reform processes, in each country. In this sense, it is essential to debate about the relation between women and power, and the challenge to achieve the recognition of their leadership and visibility as political subjects, overcoming the mere longing for narcissist leadership. The traditional form of exercising power on the part of the political class and parties was also questioned; they remain the privileged spaces through which institutional power is accessed. Moreover, the need to strengthen new alternatives for political and citizen participation that are emerging in the region was also acknowledged; they contribute to the construction of new agendas for the 21st Century, which include every aspect of diversity. The main identified challenge was the need to articulate women’s and feminist movements’ actions and demands for rights, with decision-makers and justice administrators, as well as generating alliances with women who are in those spaces. An ethical and political challenge for the feminist movement as a socio-political actor seeking to transform power relations is to think from where our societies have been built and rebuilt, rethinking politics as a space for coexistence. In order to give a new value to politics it is necessary to vindicate its conflictive aspect, as it allows for acknowledging the difference and diversity of the subjectivities living together within our societies. It is essential to recognize and share the reflection that this meeting resulted in the generation of a learning space for dialogue, where different questions were raised and many approaches to the feminist agenda’s issues were posed. The identification of problems in our practices and the analysis of different Latin American realities constituted the starting point for bringing forward new tools for political advocacy, departing from an analysis of the Forum and the issues addressed, based on the thematic interlinkage. There was a mobilising feeling of belonging to a space of understanding, the identification of peers, and the capacity for exchange that results in mutual growing. This article was elaborated by the participants in the Regional Follow up Training Course, composed as follows: DTI 2003 Graduates:Fiorella Benavente, Peru; Angela Collet, Brazil; Joana Chagas, Brazil. DTI 2005 Graduates: Leticia Lázaro, Uruguay; Natalia Mori Cruz, Brazil; Mónica Novillo, Bolivia; Cecilia Ezpeleta, Argentina; Diana Senior, Costa Rica. Other young feminists from the region: Tatiana Hernández, Chile; Natalia Flores, Chile; Carolina Gil, Brazil; Adelaida Entenza, Uruguay; Nicole Bidegain, Uruguay; Patricia Zamora, Chile; Marcela Mazzei, Uruguay.
DAWN
South-East Asia
The Young Women's
Leadership and Advocacy Institute (YWLI) was held in Bangkok as a
collaborative effort. AWID, CREA (from India) and Shirkat Gah (from
Pakistan) were partners of DAWN in this collaboration. AWID raised all
the funds for the training institute. The process of collaboration
included coming up with a training module, dividing responsibilities as
facilitators and being a part of the selection process while
disseminating the information to our networks and partners in the
region.
Process - The highlight for DAWN was the initiative taken by DAWN Training
Institute graduates of 2003 in this process who were in the forefront at
every step. The 6-day training was divided into several ‘modules’ guided
by an explorative process with the participants. The training agenda was
not ‘pre-set’ in that sense, but worked out using broad thematic areas
as a sounding board to frame the sessions. The substantive areas of
gender, economic and human rights were designed as ‘skill-building’
sessions. The first day after introductions, participants in
sub-regional groups mapped out themes they wished to be addressed and
this became the basis for finalizing the training agenda. There was a
big demand for conceptual clarity on the basics what is gender, what/who
is a feminist, how do we understand economic frameworks, what are
reproductive and sexual rights, the WTO and so on. Along with this
“Movement Building” and “Feminist Advocacy as a Strategy for Change”
were two dedicated sessions. Both participants and facilitators used
creative pedagogy and reading groups were initiated for one compulsory
reading every night. DTIs – Tashia Peterson and Jo Villenueva took
charge of this session every morning before the sessions began. The
other two, Anasuya and Shamillah guided the advocacy and movement
building sessions, while the substantive skill-building ones was divided
among Joanna of AWID (for Economic frameworks), Pramada Menon of CREA
(Human Rights) and Vanita Mukherjee of DAWN with Anasuya (for Gender
Frameworks).
Outcomes
- The Gender
Frameworks session after dealing with concepts that moved away from a
purely hetero-normative approach, examined the ‘political’ and
‘technical’ use of gender and went into a social history of Feminism
including the different schools as they emerged. There was as lot of
confusion (and discomfort) about what is feminism among the
participants. It was a fascinating session as these are very young women
in post-feminist days reaping the ‘benefits’ of some of struggles waged
by our generation of women, like accessing well-established women’s
studies departments in their university, getting funding for women’s
rights’ work and so on. Most of them were in their early teens when the
slogan ‘women rights are human rights’ gained currency, yet there is a
chasm in their sense of history of where it all came from and what it is
all about. There is a sense of taking things for granted or feeling
confused about what is feminism today. One of the questions that emerged
on the mapping issues day was, ‘ Is Feminism and Gender Equality the
same’? The workshop can be summed up this way: “The participants think we brought together extraordinary experiences and insights that helped to shape a process that delivered the kind of results it did. My inbox is inundated with thank yous from the participants and until I left on Sunday - many of them dropped off notes at my room to share how much this meeting has meant to them - how it has helped them to see things differently and how they will continue to build on the process we initiated at Bangkok.” Shamillah Wilson
DAWN
Pacific
FWRM-DAWN Pacific
Workshop
As part of DAWN’s
commitment to regiona l t raining institutes, DAWN Pacific worked in
partnership with Fiji Women’s Rights Movement (FWRM) to conduct and
facilitate a five day training course for young women activists from the
Pacific who were either already engaged, or had a strong interest, in
global advocacy work for gender justice.
The objective of the five day trainings were as follows:
· Provide the
participants with analysis and advocacy skills on gender aspects
pertaining to issues on; Political Economy of Globalization, Sustainable
Livelihoods, Sexual & Reproductive Health and Rights and Political
Restructuring & Social Transformation, relevant to a Pacific context,
· Ensure that
the participants return to their respective countries, communities, and
impart the skills acquired to thereby make sure that gender
considerations are adequately addressed in development projects, within
countries as well as across the region,
· Empower the
participants to be vigilant and confident in representing Pacific women
at international fora on the global level as well as strengthening their
advocacy capacity and engagement of civil society, and
· Form a
regional network of feminist activists that would enable participants to
learn from each other’s experiences.
Funds for the workshop
came from DAWN, NZAID, ADB and UNDP. FWRM and DAWN Pacific signed a MOU
which gave FWRM in Fiji full responsibility for the logistics and
financial disbursement of all monies raised. This was agreed to by NZAid
who funded DAWN Pacific under their Global Good Governance Fund. FWRM
were also able to raise funds from UNDP, ADB and OXFAM New Zealand also
supported the training. A small charge for co-ordinating and managing
the activity was able to be paid to FWRM once other costs were
acquitted.
1.
Selection of Participants
An expression of
interest was posted on the South Pacific Women’s Bureau’s list serve –
PACWIN in late November 2004. It was re-advertised in December 2004.
FWRM and DAWN Pacific also circulated the advertisement across its
networks around the region. The applications closed on the 14th
January 2005. The following criteria was used to select participants:
· Pacific
female activists aged over 25, who are already engaged, or have a strong
interest, in global advocacy work for gender justice; and
· Completed at
least 2 years of Tertiary Education and/or have work experience either
in gender, social or economic justice.
Based on the above
criteria, 18 participants from Fiji , Cooks Islands , Samoa , Tonga ,
Vanuatu , Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea were selected. The
backgrounds ranged from Government policy officers, researchers to
community trainers. The average age of the participants was 25.
2.
Training
The 5 day training
provided participants with the tools to understand gender aspects
pertaining to issues on; Political Economy of Globalization, Sustainable
Livelihoods, Sexual Rights & Health Rights and Political Restructuring &
Social Transformation, relevant to a Pacific context.
The training sessions were informal and participatory in approach. The
facilitators drew on the information that the participants already knew
by using group exercises, general discussions and brainstorming.
Role-plays and other forms of adult education methodologies were also
used to stimulate discussion, debate and analysis. Advocacy and lobbying
experiences of FWRM and DAWN were also drawn on.
The session on the
Political Economy of Globalization set the scene for the week, as it was
a chance for participants to bring the lives of the women in their
communities into mainstream economic debates. The discussion on the
World Trade Organisation and its impact on developing countries, made
participants from Tonga realize that discussions and debates on the
economy could not be holistic as long as minority groups such as women
and the disabled were excluded. Participants from Fiji were shocked to
hear that their State would soon be negotiating with the European Union
in regards to the Regional Economic Partnership Agreement, which is
expected to replace the current Cotonu Trade Agreement. Like the Tongan
participants, the Fijians realized that women’s groups and
non-government organization could not work in isolation, as this not
only complicated the work of social and gender justice but also created
a mentality of tunnel vision. It was emphasized that in order for
feminists and women’s rights advocates to be effective, they have to be
analytical and critical – especially of themselves and their
organisations. As stated by one participant, “it’s about being smart
and savvy.”
Another interesting
session, which provoked a lot of discussion, was on sexual and
reproductive health rights (SRHR) of women. This could have had
something to do with the fact that the facilitator, Varia Williams (2003
DAWN Training Institute Graduate from Barbados ), opened her session
with a piece from the Eve Ensler’s “Vagina Monologues.” Varia’s
performance set the scene for the session, which focused on the SRHR in
the context of sexuality, sex education, HIV/AIDs, family, religion and
culture. It was glaringly obvious from group presentations that SRHR is
truly the final frontier. Despite considering themselves “liberated”
and “open-minded,” when it came to discussing sexuality, many of the
young women felt embarrassed because of its association with lust and
pleasure. One participant articulated this view by saying that she had
been raised to consider lust and sexual pleasure as provocative and
wrong. Another participant explained the importance of being inclusive
and how the views and experiences of sexual minorities needed to be
included in all debates and discussions. Participants asked questions on
abortion and the issues surrounding right to life and right to choice.
As always there was no consensus from participants on the pro-life and
pro-choice debate. However it was reiterated that the discussion ought
not focus on the issues of rights and wrongs of abortion, but rather
having the information to be able to make informed and educated choices.
Put plainly it is about women having control over their own bodies- the
right to self-determination.
Experiences shared by
FWRM’s Young Women’s Officer, Anna Padarath and Tongan United Nations
Volunteer, Ofa-ki-Levuka Guttenbeil from their participation at the
Feminist Dialogues (FD) in Porte Algre, Brazil inspired the participants
to examine the possibility of having a regional FD. Anna and Ofa
discussed how they had been the only Pacific Islanders (other than
Raijeli Drodrologi – former FWRM staff and current ISIS Executive
Director) and as young women, they were honored to be there to share the
Pacific experience as well as network and build their own capacities.
However the two
stressed that, as a region the Pacific is often under- represented at
the international level, and this results in the voices of Pacific women
not being heard. As a challenge, participants agreed that was a need to
organize feminist dialogues at any national, regional or international
meetings. This would be an opportunity to ensure that issues raised
would be discussed from a feminist perspective as well as from different
viewpoints.
By the end of the week,
the linkages between the political economy of globalization, sexual
reproductive health rights, political restructuring and socia l t
ransformation, and sustainable livelihoods became clear. Both the
participants and facilitators found the training fulfilling and
enlightening. Participants believed that the learning contract, which
they designed and agreed upon with the facilitators, created a safe
space that allowed them to express themselves without judgment. The
facilitators in turn appreciated the frank and open discussions, and
gained a better idea of the thoughts and experiences of young regional
activists.
The daily evaluation
sheets revealed that the participants had developed basic understanding
on how Political Economy of Globalization, Sustainable Livelihoods,
Sexual Rights & Health Rights and Political Restructuring & Social
Transformation impact on gender. The results and impacts of this
training is provided below:
3.
Results and Impacts
3.1
Increased Awareness on Feminism
Some of the
participants had never attended a feminist advocacy and analysis
training before therefore for many of them feminism was a new concept.
The day-to-day evaluation revealed that the participants’ understanding
of feminist principles and human rights standards had increased. The
evalution revealed that the participants had fully understood the
principles of feminism as well as human rights standard. One of the
participants had stated . “ The part that I liked the most was on
gender and feminism. It was an eye-opener. I have always used the words
but never really knew what they meant. I now know what they are.”
Anonymous evaluation form of one participant.
3.2
Increased Commitment to Gender Equality
There was a 100%
commitment by participants for future women’s rights advocacy and
awareness raising within their countries and communities. One
participant, Easter Silipa from from the Policy Unit at the Ministry
of Women in Samoa plans to use the Ministry newsletter, “ as a
means of advocacy to let grassroot women know about the WTO and the
impact it will have on them.” She also also plans to use the ministry’s
slot on the local government radio station to create awareness about
gender issues because everyone listens to it. Another
participant, Brenda Mauli from Solomon Islands says,”
advocate to women who are resource owners in the communities that they
have a right of say on their resources.”
3.3
Strengthening partnerships
The training provided
FWRM and DAWN Pacific with the opportunity to collaborate with other
partners such as the Pacific Network Against Globalisation and the Fiji
Human Rights Commission. This training has also made it possible for
both FWRM and DAWN Pacific to extend their networks around the region.
3.4
Work plans
At the end of the
training, all participants presented their action plans, which
incorporated the skills and knowledge that they have gained. Individual
presentations allowed other participants as well facilitators to get a
bird’s eye view of the issues in other Pacific Island countries. Some of
the action plans were organizational in nature while others were
personal. Participants were all provided with postcards on which they are to summarise their 6-month plans. These were posted to the participants after their departure.
3.5
Establishing a network of young feminists
“ I look around this
room and I see the future of Pacific feminism.”
- A comment made by one of the participants at the training. The
training was the first opportunity that young women activists and
feminists were able to exchange experiences and skills. As a result of
the training, the young women are considering organizing a Pacific
Feminist Dialogues, which will be held a few months before the
International Feminist Dialogues in 2007. A list serve has been set up
whereby the participants are sharing ideas and knowledge online.
Participants are also using established list serve such as the South
Pacific Community’s PACWIN to ensure that the voice of young feminists
and the girl child are incorporated into the mainstream women’s debate.
4.0
Lessons Learnt
4.1
Time Constraint
FWRM and DAWN Pacific
have learnt that in future awareness of the trainings needs to be
advertised at least 6 months in advance. This would allow for a wider
cross-section of participants from around the region.
More time would also
been needed to cover topics in depth. Some of the participants believed
that although there was a lot of resource material provided in terms of
readings etc, they would have preferred if more time were given for in
depth discussions. This may have meant that the training would have
taken longer than five days.
5.0
Conclusion
The training
evaluations revealed that the objectives of the training were met.
However FWRM and DAWN Pacific will get in touch with participants in six
months to fully ascertain and validate the outcomes of this training.
This report can be made available on request.
On behalf of FWRM and
DAWN Pacific, the Movement would like to extend its gratitude and
appreciation to the Asian Development Bank, Oxfam New Zealand , NZAID
and UNDP Gold for its support.
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