Enewsletter EMBASSY of the REPUBLIC of SLOVENIA in TEL AVIV November-December 2018
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
eNEWSLETTER EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA IN TEL AVIV November-December 2018 Marking the International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women -25 November And Human Rights Day -10 December “Not until the half of our population represented by women and girls can live free from fear, violence and everyday insecurity, can we truly say we live in a fair and equal world." — UN Secretary-General António Guterres Violence against women and girls as one of the most widespread, persistent and devastating human rights violations in our world today remains largely unreported due to the impunity, silence, stigma and shame surrounding it. The Embassy of Slovenia dedicated the last two months to this important issue. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated as a guest speaker at the special meeting of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality on 19 November 2018. The meeting marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and it began with opening of the photo exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – to Live a Life Free of Violence', launched by the Embassy of Slovenia in Israel, and prepared by the Slovenian Police in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities of Slovenia. The session of the Committee, chaired by the Member of Knesset Aida Touma-Sliman, addressed the issue of violence against women in Israel and internationally, as Ambassadors of Finland, Canada, Ecuador, Ghana and Croatia also participated, as well as representatives of civil society in Israel. The session was broadcasted on TV. LT:Ambassador of Slovenia Barbara Sušnik addressed the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality. RT: Slovenian exhibition in Knesset. Photos: VTA 1 Ambassador Barbara Sušnik addressed participants of the round table on Gender based Violence, organised by Ad'ar – Forum of Professionals to oppose the murder of women, in Haifa on 27 November 2018. The Round table was held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and 70 years of Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Member of Knesset and Chairperson of the Committee on Status of Women and Gender Equality Aida Touma-Sliman also participated. The roundtable was part of EU-funded project with Ad'ar. Photo: VTA Marking the International Day on Elimination of Violence against Women, Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik opened the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin - To Live a Life Free of Violence' in Kibutz Tuval in Galilee, on 28 November, 2018 in cooperation with Northern Goals and its Chairman, Honorary Consul of Slovenia Mr. Eival Gilady. The opening of the exhibition followed the annual meeting of workers and professionals of the program Horizon for teen girls and young women. Northern Goals is dedicated to reducing social gaps and promoting equal opportunities in education and welfare in the geographic and social periphery of Israel. Chairman of Northern Goals and Honorary Consul of Slovenia Mr. Eival Gilady, Director of Horizon program Ms. Lina Hizbon Sabah, Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik and Director General of Northern Goals Ms. Limor Lev; Photo: VTA 2 Northern Goals runs Early childhood programs Steps; Horizon programs for teen girls and young women at risk; Family Forward programs for families in poverty; Migdal Or programs for blind and visually impaired; and Kerem Centers providing treatment of sexually abused children and teens. Ambassador Sušnik visited also the Early Childhood Center in Druze village Yarka that participates in the program Steps of Ambassador Ms. Barbara Sušnik addressed the participants. Photo: VTA Northern Goals. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated at the Every Woman Treaty for the eradication of violence against women and girls event on 27 November 2018 in Jerusalem, organized by El HaLev and Everywoman international organization. In her address, Ambassador Sušnik stressed that violence against women is a human rights violation and a form of gender discrimination. The CEO of El Halev Yudit Sidikman explained the importance of empowerment and self-defense in eradicating violence against women and girls. All the participants joined the Every Woman Treaty, calling for life free from all forms of violence for every women and girl, everywhere. LT: Ambassador Barbara Sušnik stressed that violence against women is a human rights violation and a form of gender discrimination.(photo by El Halev), RT: The CEO of El HaLev Yudit Sidikman explained the importance of empowerment and self-defence in eradicating violence against women and girls. 3 El HaLev ("To the Heart”) is an Israeli non-profit, non-government organization dedicated to empowering women and girls through martial arts and self-defense training. The EU Study on the role of self-defense in the prevention of violence against women shows that self-defense is effective in preventing violence, and in terms of empowerment, self- defense is one of the few interventions that does not limit women's freedom, as it seeks to expand it. The Embassy of Slovenia participated at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women event in Lod on 13 December 2018. The opening of the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – To live a life free of violence' was followed by speeches of the Ambassador Barbara Sušnik, President of PANIM Hadashot Heli Friedman and the Director of the Community Center Chicago in Lod Fatat Ezenati. Capoeira special exhibit against violence against women was performed by 'Haredim to Ketsev', and the Nazareth Fringe Theater's 'Playback' performance with the participation of film and television actor Hisham Sliman concluded the evening. The opening of the Slovenian exhibition 'Violence on Her Skin – To live a life free of violence', with Ambassador of Slovenia Barbara Sušnik. Photos: VTA Capoeira by 'Haredim to Ketsev', Photo: VTA Nazareth Fringe Theater's 'Playback' performance with Hisham Sliman, Photo: VTA 4 Women at local elections In 2018, local elections were held in Slovenia and in Israel. In both countries, there was increased number of women candidates, as well as elected women mayors and municipal councilor. In Slovenia, local elections were held on 18 November and 2 December 2018. 212 mayors were elected, among them 22 women (10,5 %) – an increase after previous election (7,5 %). 1.110 women were elected to municipal or city council (33 %) – also an increase after previous election (31,8 %). In Israel, local elections were held on 30 October and 13 November 2018. A record number of women candidates participated. Number of women council members in local authorities increased significantly and the number of women mayors almost doubled – 13 women were elected mayors, compared to only 5 in 2013. Despite the positive trend in both countries, women remain to be underrepresented. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik addressed the Conference organised by the Association of Women's Power and the Local Coalition 2018 at Tel Aviv University on 19 December 2018. The Conference offered an overview of the achievements of women in last Israeli local elections. Ambassador Sušnik presented what Slovenia is doing in terms of gender equality and women empowerment, and more specifically the National Programme for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men as well as action plans for gender equality for municipalities, and stressed the importance of positive discrimination, including the legally binding gender quotas for national and local elections. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Dr. Mazal Shaul, Executive Director of WePower.Photos: VTA 5 The exhibition Jewish Soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Isonzo front during the First World War in Galilee on 12 December, 2018 The exhibition Jewish Soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian Army on the Isonzo front during the First World War was opened at the Western Galilee College in Akko on 12 December 2018, marking the centennial of the First World War. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik expressed, in her opening remarks, hope that the exhibition adds knowledge, information and insights into the history and life of the Jewish people in the territory of today's Slovenia. Dr. Haim Sperber, Head of Multi-Disciplinary department, Dr. Boaz Cohen, Holocaust Studies Program Department Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Dr. Petra Svoljšak at the opening of the exhibition. Photos: VTA A lecture by Dr. Petra Svoljšak, Head of the Slovenian Milko Kos Historical Institute followed, in cooperation with Dr. Haim Sperber, Head of Multi-Disciplinary department, and Prof. Dr. Boaz Cohen, Holocaust Studies Program Department of the Western Galilee College followed. The exhibition was prepared by the Milko Kos Historical Institute and the Center of Jewish Cultural Heritage Synagogue Maribor. The event was sponsored by the Embassy of Slovenia and the Ministry of Culture of Slovenia. 6 EU Human Rights Day Events Ambassador Barbara Sušnik participated at the roundtable on the humanitarian cases of Israeli citizens missing in Gaza, in the presence of their families, on 6th December 2018. The event was hosted by the EU Ambassador in Israel Emanuele Giaufret, as part of the acitvities marking the Human Rights Days. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik attended the 7th Jerusalem Post Diplomatic Conference on 21 November 2018. Ministers of national infrastructure and energy, of public security and strategic affairs, of construction and housing and of justice participated as well as the UN Special Coordinator Nikolay Mladenov, Ambassadors and Members of Knesset. Geopolitical, strategic and security situation of Israel and the Middle East was discussed. Ambassador Barbara Sušnik and Honorary Consul of Slovenia Eival Gilady at the Conference. Photo: VTA 7 Prof. Dr. Ada Yonath Nobel Laureate for Chemistry was a Special Guest in Ljubljana On 30 November, 2018 Nobel laureate for chemistry Prof. Dr. Ada Yonath was a special guest at the Symposium of Janko Jamnik for young scientists at the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana. Prof. Yonath's lecture focused on the reflection on the origin of life.