You add, we multiply!

ANNUAL REPORT 2013

Strengthening and Sustaining Women’s Collective Power for Justice JASS (Just Associates) is a global network of activists, popular educators and scholars in 26 countries working to strengthen and amplify the voice, visibility and collective power of women for a just and sustainable world for all. We put women’s leadership and rights at the heart of cutting edge economic, environmental and human rights strategies while promoting women’s freedom of expression, health, sexual rights and the protection of women human rights defenders. Our priorities and programs are defined and driven by the women and organizations we work with and supported by regional teams and partners in Mesoamerica, Southern Africa and Southeast Asia. Our strategies train diverse local leaders, strengthen community organizing, build broad alliances, and link grassroots solutions to global advocacy. Using creative communications and documentation strategies, we publicize the innovative ways women are making change happen, building inclusive communities and deepening democracy.

JASS’ holistic strategies empower women activists and strengthen women’s movements by:

●● equipping activist leaders from all walks of life with the confidence, information, skills, strategies, and connections they need to organize women for democratic change and to navigate risky contexts; ●● promoting and sustaining grassroots and local-to-global organizing to build broad, flexible alliances that are responsive to urgencies and opportunities as well as rooted in the concrete demands of diverse women’s constituencies; ●● mobilizing alliances for strategic political action to engage and persuade governments and international actors to respond effectively to violations of women’s rights and to advance gender equality and human rights; ●● maximizing women’s use of media to amplify the visibility, appeal, and reach of women’s rights agendas and the role of women’s movements in advancing democracy and justice; and ●● documenting and publishing knowledge from practice—in multiple formats from videos to analysis to training tools—to contribute to smarter thinking and responses to inequality and women’s rights challenges. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 1

Contents

From the Director’s Desk 2

JASS in Numbers 4

JASS Around the World 5

Continuum of Movement-Building 6

1. The Changing Terrain for Women and Rights 7 View From Southern Africa: “Women’s Participation for What?” 8 View From Mexico and Central America: Violence Against Women Human Rights Defenders 9 View From Southeast Asia: The Scramble for Resources 10

2. Young Women Speak Out 11 Zimbabwe: Unleashing Voices, Unleashing Change 12 Indonesia: Challenging Official “Morality” 13

3. Defending Our Territories, Defending Ourselves 15 Honduras: Indigenous Women and Communities Defend Their Territories 16 Mesoamerica: Movement-Building Approaches to Activist Protection 17 Liberia: Women on the Frontlines of Building Peace 20

4. Equipping Activists and Community Leaders 22

5. Narrowing the Gap Between Policies and Reality 24 Malawi: Collective Power Essential to Ensuring Quality Medicine 25 LGBTI Rights in Zambia and Zimbabwe: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back 27

6. Elections ≠ Democracy 28 Zimbabwe: Elections Heighten Safety Concerns for Activists 29 Honduras: Questionable Election Outcomes for Women 30 Cambodia: Young Women Activists Protest Post-Election Violence 31

Finances and donor partners 33

People 34 allies and networks 35 2 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 “We need to know that we have power within ourselves, that we have rights, and we have to advocate for change that is right for us. Women have power within themselves, but alone, we can’t make big changes. from the We can come together to do something great.”

director’s Dorica Maguba, Our Bodies, Our Lives Campaign, Malawi desk

Dear friends, public safety, impunity, economic exclusion, violence against women This year’s many highpoints and human rights defenders, land turning points for JASS began in grabs and the depletion of natural January with a trip to Liberia with resources. the Nobel Women’s Initiative to learn from renowned women peace- Here are a few highlights that vividly builders, and concluded in December demonstrate how women-led local with a joint action for a UN resolution solutions hold the key to global solutions: to protect women human rights . defenders ●● In Malawi, after winning a Linking these two pivotal moments commitment from the Ministry is the extraordinary courage and of Health to replace outdated ingenuity of women most affected by toxic medicines with better deepening inequality and violence antiretrovirals (ARVs) in 2012, the who are mobilizing for peace, justice HIV positive women mobilizing and a better life for all, often with Our Bodies, Our Lives— minimal resources and at great risk. an 8,000-strong grassroots With new challenges and crises campaign—embarked on an reverberating across the globe, fed ambitious treatment literacy effort. by militarization and global resource Their goal: ensure that all women extraction, women have never been (and men) in every community more active or more creative in understood how to stay healthy defending their own rights and those living with HIV and to demand of their communities. quality medicines and respect! By the end of 2013, they had This report brings you stories and educated thousands of women insights from across the JASS covering 26 of 28 districts who network. Here, you’ll read how had, in turn, pressured local different women see their world governments and clinics to deliver and the innovative ways they on the promise made to them are challenging abuses of power by the Minister of Health. Today, and building deeply democratic more women living with HIV are alternatives. Zimbabwe, Malawi, not only healthy, they’ve upended Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala, stigma, lifted taboos about Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines, and sex and sexuality, and remain Cambodia: these are some of the unstoppable citizen leaders taking places where the JASS network of on other issues such as inheritance activists and allies are tackling HIV, and the rights of lesbian, gay, teen pregnancy, sexual violence, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 3

people. One of the leaders ●● After years of groundwork in empowerment is neither linear nor a in this process wrote to me in Myanmar, JASS and its partners, simple technical equation. But when early 2013 to ask if we could Urgent Action Fund and Women’s women are at the forefront of change, arrange a meeting directly with League of Burma, launched the they don’t just address issues, they GlaxoKlein or one of the other first step in a long-term initiative transform communities and systems. pharmaceutical companies. to strengthen grassroots women’s Unstoppable. leadership and organizing to Thank you to all our extraordinary better influence the process of partners and to all of you who ●● The Honduran Defenders peace-building and reconstruction accompany and support us in this Network played a critical role while addressing violence and journey to unleash and defend in protecting the life of an poverty in their communities. women’s dreams and innovations for a indigenous woman activist better world. leading the Lenca community What have we learned? We see fighting to protect their farmland more clearly than ever that our Onward and forward, from the construction of a dam core mission— building women’s Lisa VeneKlasen and hydroelectric plant—the collective leadership and product of a corrupt deal organizational power—is not between the government and just about being louder and more a transnational company. The effective in holding governments network activated a call list— and others to account. It’s also phones rang from Tegucigalpa about creating networks for mutual to Washington DC—to secure support and protection in the face her release. JASS Mesoamerica of backlash and violence. We call Executive Director and Co-Founder has helped to build the regional this a movement-building approach and national Defenders to protection and security—we Networks, agile alliances of are weaving relationships of trust women activists and leaders from among diverse women, building our different communities and social capacities and leading the change we movements, that leverage this need. local and yet global network to ensure their safety and visibility. The touchstone for all our work continues to be the lives, experiences ●● JASS Southern Africa, building and dreams of women. A woman’s on the insights learned from absorb the conversations with colleagues heart, mind and body grim reality of discrimination. For in Mesoamerica, piloted a deep and lasting change, women’s security and wellbeing training in whole selves must be at the center of Zimbabwe with young and LBT leadership and organizing, a principle activists, kicking off a region- that gives meaning to the phrase to-region peer-exchange that . From is improving activist protection from survivors to defenders this starting point, social change and across oceans. 4 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 jass in BUILDING NETWORKS local and national organizations450+ in Mexico, Central America, Southern Africa and Southeast numbers Asia

regional and international100+ human rights organizations

organizations and alliances formed10 through JASS’ movement- building work EQUIPPING LEADERS

women activists and grassroots1,500 leaders from 26 countries PERSUADING trained Decision makers

women human rights Village Chiefs, Members of defenders400 from across Mexico and Central Parliament,76 Cabinet Ministers, Heads of State, America supported and accompanied Ambassadors, UN Rapporteurs, Human Rights through the JASS-coordinated Women bodies, and the General Assembly Human Rights Defenders Initiative

strategic and urgent actions to at-risk women activists supported demand67 safety, protection and justice for during30 emergencies in Mexico and Central women defenders America

community-based activists1,000+ helped gather evidence on human rights violations to inform advocacy

BEING HEARD SHARING WOMEN’S INSIGHTS 504 activist women’s stories and testimonies documented articles, activist training tools, videos and analysis250 pieces published to influence policy and practice

mainstream media features 390and “hits” dialogues, public events and exchanges organized with54 donor and academic institutions, civil society and policy makers OTHER PLACES MESOAMERICA SOUTHERN AFRICA SOUTHEAST ASIA Canada Kenya

Uganda

JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 5 JASS around the world

Mesoamerica Southern Africa Southeast Asia global north Costa Rica Malawi Cambodia Canada El Salvador Namibia Indonesia The Netherlands Guatemala South Africa Malaysia United States Honduras Swaziland Myanmar Mexico Zambia Philippines Nicaragua Zimbabwe Thailand Panama Timor L’Este east Africa Kenya Tanzania Uganda 6 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Continuum of movement-building crossing the line from ‘me’ to ‘we’ to ‘all of us’

Scaling up and pushing out Influencing and reframing global discourse, politics, policies, structures and media, donor trends, change theory and practice.

building and shaking up: amplifying and having impact Strategic engagement; urgent actions; knowledge- building and sharing; linking local to regional and global solidarity; forming larger alliances, influencing agendas and discourses, media, governments, multilaterals bodies, other relevant forces/actors.

linking up Building collective structures; surfacing/ defining and framing common agendas for change; bridge-building and weaving alliances, movements and ‘meshworks’.

rising up (spark) Critical awareness; questioning; freeing individuals to imagine changes; hope; making links; moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’ to systems and power analysis. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 7 Continuum of movement-building

© Rainbow United of North Sumatera (RUNS)

Women have never been more active in the fight for women’s rights and human rights in the world. They are leading many citizen-driven social justice efforts while single-handedly defending their own rights and freedoms. Yet, there is a collective sense across the JASS network that the terrain shaping gender equality and human rights has 1. The fundamentally changed and keeps changing. Women’s lives and rights are heavily impacted by the shifting power and interests of governments Changing relative to transnational corporations and financial Terrain for institutions, for example. Women and Rights 8 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

All human rights advocates increasingly clear that in countries and especially women rely on View from such as Zimbabwe, the military is governments to uphold labor rights, playing a very big role in national land rights, and public and personal Southern politics. So while they are not sitting safety, but their political capacity and at the table, they do sit behind the will to serve citizens is compromised Africa: curtains and under the tables, or by many factors. Nonetheless, even remove only their uniforms but citizens have never been bolder “Women’s keep the titles which they bring to in confronting abuses of power. the decision making tables—just to The internet is a game-changer in Participation make sure you know they can take exposing abuse, reaching out to 1 out the guns at any time. It should those who care, and mobilizing joint for What?” always be remembered that the action. Despite and because of all armed liberation movements are still these changes, gender inequality— literally—ARMED. along with other forms of inequality— The key question that has emerged remain the unfinished business of over the last decade on women’s On the bright side, feminists have our time. The battle is the same but political participation is—what do become more adept at recognizing, the players, arenas, dynamics and these numbers translate to or for and naming these forces. And on strategies have changed. women’s human rights? Progress even on brighter note women from has been made: current struggles different walks of life are self- While the shifting power dynamics are about ensuring that the women organizing in new and exciting ways affecting rights are global, ultimately who get elected have a feminist that the present day NGOs have yet all change is fundamentally local and agenda and are well linked with to fully grasp. Young women, sex context defines what we do and how feminist movements, while questions workers, sexual minorities, traders, we do it. This is why understanding around the elected women’s values, migrants—all these women are power and interests in each context principles and their leadership finding innovative ways of linking and in women’s lives specifically is the styles are also becoming critical. with each other and challenging starting point and ultimate measure However, there is an even bigger these power dynamics. of our work. Structured dialogues set of questions. Are we being sold to analyze contexts and lives are a a dud? Are we focusing on getting permanent feature of our leadership women into the right places where schools. As we invite more and decisions are really made? Who more visitors into those processes, makes decisions in each of the we realize the value of sharing that SADC (Southern Africa Development analysis more widely. The following Community) countries today— are excerpts from contextual analyses decisions that have major impacts in the context of our work that reflect on the lives of excluded women of the perspectives of many. various kinds?

Various scholars have pointed out how the locus of power has shifted from national/local structures to more distant centers or actors—in Washington DC, Beijing or the headquarters of mining companies based in Australia—while others are oftentimes invisible, for example multinational companies, banks, investment bankers, and shadowy business cartels. All these have been identified as the power brokers and power holders. It is also

1. Excerpt from Between Jesus, the Generals and the Invisibles, Everjoice Win, JASS Southern Africa. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 9

Understanding the criminalization of out to defend their territories and View from activists from a gender perspective natural resources. reveals a cycle of violence that Mexico and includes but extends beyond The Mesoamerican Women Human state repression and the ways that Rights Defenders Initiative—a governments paint activists as collaborative effort between JASS Central 3 terrorists in the media. These state and five partners —has pioneered an America: actions fuel the kind of sexism and innovative approach for documenting stigma that women face within their and analyzing the unique forms of Violence social movements, communities and violence against women human even their own families. Non-state rights defenders, gained increased against actors (like corporations, religious recognition of the problem and the fundamentalist, etc.) also play a need for gender-specific strategies by Women defining role in demeaning women a wide range of human rights actors activists and encouraging attacks and governments. It has created a against them for stepping out of comprehensive, regionally-relevant Human Rights set of strategies and networks that 2 prescribed gender roles and speaking Defenders out. This has negative impacts on the respond immediately to urgent cases, most vulnerable defenders—including prevent and reduce risk, and create indigenous peoples, women, and a shield of self-defense and support human rights defenders who speak to sustain women defenders in the long term.

3. AWID (Association for Women’s Rights in Development), Consorcio para el Diálogo American Women’s Fund (FCAM), and Unidad 2. Amplifying and Protecting Women Human Parlamentario y la Equidad-Oaxaca (Mexico), de Protección a Defensoras y Defensores de Rights Defenders and Activists, JASS, 2014. Colectiva Feminista de El Salvador, Central Derechos Humanos, Guatemala (UDEFEGUA). 10 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 View from Southeast Asia: the Scramble for Resources4

Governments are serving as enablers of destructive corporate strategies often through the seemingly innocuous “public-private partnerships”. In the Philippines, for example, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) policy sanctioned housing demolitions in so-called “danger zones”, e.g. along riverbanks or railroad tracks, displacing vast, these communities displaced by and activism are pushing back and long-established poor urban development schemes that do not mobilizing hope and alternatives. communities. When these areas are take people into account, women Against many odds, women’s cleared, local governments are quick face human rights violations on many organizations are co-leading efforts to offer the same location to big fronts—compounded by their already to promote the Human Rights businesses offering proper publicly- tenuous access to land ownership Commission with the ASEAN funded infrastructure to make the and user rights—including the loss (Association of Southeast Asian location safe. In Cambodia, thousands of land and livelihood, limited access Nations) processes. Women are of rural communities have been to income generating opportunities, among the leaders in broad coalitions displaced to open the way to agro- exclusion from decision-making, of rural and indigenous peoples industry. Cambodia’s economic land violence, etc. fighting land grabs and demanding concession (ELC) scheme serves as a say in economic development. Though many civil society Women activists are using cyber- the “legal” basis for granting land to organizations are struggling to these corporations. activism to amplify their voices and respond to the changing dynamics, build new kinds of virtual alliances. Land grabbing is widespread and new and powerful forms of organizing well-documented from Malaysia and Indonesia to Myanmar and the Philippines. Governments—eager for economic growth—favor huge mining companies to the detriment of indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and cultures. In 2010, for instance, 7,800 acres (3,156 hectares) of farmland were confiscated by the government of Myanmar to expand the Letpadaung mining operation. Protests against the mine in 2012 were met with a brutal police crackdown on peaceful protesters who opposed the project’s environmental and social impact, including the loss of their land. In

4. From The Changing Context for Women’s Rights in Southeast Asia, Report from Strategic Conversation hosted by JASS, July 17–18, 2013 with 25 Southeast Asian researchers, human © GABRIELA rights advocates, and grassroots leaders. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 11

“There’s really no such thing as the ‘voiceless’. There are only the deliberately silenced, or the preferably unheard.”

Arundhati Roy

Young women activists are among the many women on the 2. YOUNG frontlines of crises and change—organizing independently to ensure that their voices are included in the heart of the broader WOMEN struggles and agendas for justice. They are using social media and creative arts as strategies to access information, debate feminist ideas and mobilize action for change. In Zimbabwe, SPEAK young women are using theater and dance to unleash women’s voices and courage to resist traditional roles, break the silence and challenge taboos. In Indonesia, young women are OUT leading street actions to challenge policy initiatives to control women’s freedoms. Their presence, in itself, is disrupting social expectations that young women should be seen and not heard. 12 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 Zimbabwe: Unleashing Voices, Unleashing Change

We are standing in the garden of Katswe Sistahood’s office in Harare, Zimbabwe. The sun beats on our foreheads until we are shiny with sweat and our clothes are soaked through. There is a group of young women performing a series of exercises, breathing heavily as they of monologues and dramatic 2012. And 13 percent of men in the jump in place. And then shift into presentations inspired in part by Eve country admit to perpetrating some seamless choreography, high kicks Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues. form of violence against their intimate slice the air, swan-like arms rise to the Each woman crafted a monologue partners during the same period. sky with sturdy legs as unmovable as through an intense process of Such a hostile climate requires mountains. Then they are laughing, theatrical training and sculpting life creative, careful, and sometimes breaking into a chorus of ululating stories into war cries, songs and covert approaches for raising greetings, they weave amongst each dances—all for a performance at important but contentious issues, such other in predetermined order before the 7 Arts Theatre, Harare’s biggest as sex education and gender-based they freeze, and the first speaker theatrical venue. violence, in public spaces. It requires begins her monologue, her gaze young women to be bold but strategic laser-focused on a point we can’t Breaking the Silence about their activism and community see—making us want to look, to look The celebration and creative activism education efforts, and work together with her. happens against a backdrop of grim to ensure their safety. realities for young women and girls in “There’s an act of Zimbabwe—violence against women Katswe Sistahood uses theater, defiance in going and the LGBT community, rape, early music and film to raise awareness onstage…Because pregnancy and the spread of HIV are and educate young women about all serious problems across the nation. HIV, sexual and reproductive rights, everything about our Taboos, fear and stigma prevent contraception, rape, and LGBT issues. stories is private, there’s women from speaking openly about JASS has been working closely with something in saying, their experiences or seeking support. Katswe to help train these young I’m sick and tired of Brutal government repression is used activist leaders and transform them to silence critical voices, especially into powerful community-based pretending that my life those of activists that challenge its change agents. is private when there’s authority and question its policies. nothing private about And powerful conservative religious “How do we it and the privacy is and cultural groups work to further limit women’s freedoms and heighten transform silence actually killing me. This shame about bodies. into voice? How private space is where do we transform the I’m violated most and I According to a report by Gender Links Zimbabwe,5 26 percent of women horrific into something can’t be silent about that experienced some form of violence anymore.” (psychological, emotional, economic, that reclaims a sense of physical or sexual) perpetrated by an beauty that can catalyze Rudo Chigudu, Katswe Sistahood intimate partner in the period 2011– other people in their The nine young women who hail from low income housing settlements have journeys?” 5. Peace Begins @ Home: Violence against spent weeks preparing a collection Women (VAW) Baseline Study (2013). Shereen Essof, JASS Southern Africa JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 13

What is H-M-B? Katswe utilizes a H-M-B approach in creating safe spaces called Pachoto—a Shona word for fireside story-telling—where women in low-income Heart-Mind-Body (H-M-B), housing and informal settlements can share stories, find their voice and an initiative led by JASS organize circles of mutual support and self-defense. Just speaking openly Southern Africa puts women’s before a small group of understanding peers can be liberating, validating, health, feelings and bodies and empowering for many Zimbabwean women, but—when infused at the center of human rights with useful information and strategy—it leads to much more. Through organizing, especially in publications, short films, and plays that recast these stories, including an contexts fraught with violence. annual adaptation and road-show of the Vagina Monologues and planned JASS trains and equips documentary, Katswe is able to inspire and educate hundreds of others, young political facilitators to provoking important public discussions about reproductive and sexual gently open up discussions rights, violence against women and other critical social issues. Through this work Katswe is building a critical mass of young women ending the about sex, bodies, health, silence around women’s bodies, sexual health, and violence against women and well-being—something in Zimbabwe. To date, Katswe has mobilized more than 2,000 young seldom encouraged within Zimbabwean women into small mutual support circles to help them navigate their homes or communities. healthcare services, legal protection, and the inevitable backlash from The process dispels myths conservative families and communities. and helps women gain confidence and information. Learning from one another’s stories builds understanding and solidarity between them across differences, groundwork for the collective action needed to change attitudes and policies to benefit women. Through this initiative, JASS is supporting Zimbabwean women activists to strengthen and rebuild their own communities of solidarity, report and monitor women’s human rights abuses, and develop collective solutions to violence and other threats that they experience daily.

strong opposition to the Ormas Bill. Indonesia: This bill would require civil society organizations to “uphold morality Challenging and ethics and nurture the country’s religious and cultural norms.” The Official tape covering the women’s mouths carried a message about Indonesian “Morality” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono or SBY: “ORMAS = SBY Gagal” (The Ormas Bill equals disaster for SBY).6 As heavy rain poured down, the young women activists of FAMM- The bill, formally known as the Law Indonesia (Forum Aktivis Perempuan on Mass Organizations, in this new Muda Indonesia or Young Indonesian version grants the government new Women Activists’ Forum) stood powers to disband organizations side by side, wrists roped together, 6. In 2014, a new President was elected with mouths taped, to express their the promise of a new, more democratic era to come. 14 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

What is fundamentalism?

Fundamentalism is a global phenomenon based on strict adherence to a specific ideology— religious, political, economic, or otherwise— that is acted out through concerted efforts to impose this ideology on all social, political, and economic arrangements and structures. Fundamentalist tendencies are present across all religions, including Buddhism, © Sindo News Catholicism, Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and and monitor foreign associations Making Noise localized religious traditions. more closely. It also stipulates that In the last two years, FAMM has been all organizations must conform Fundamentalisms are largely an incubator for innovative activist associated with religion, to Pancasila ideology, the official leadership, face-to-face organizing but there are also economic philosophy of the Indonesian and nimble alliances to promote state from 1945. Purportedly, democratic alternatives, engaging fundamentalisms (e.g. market this law is intended to limit the at the grassroots as well as through fundamentalism) and political actions of fundamentalist religious formal political institutions and policy fundamentalism (libertarian organizations, particularly Islamic processes. fundamentalism). groups, however, over time it has JASS Feminist Movement Builders’ evolved to encompass, activists say, “JASS women of Dictionary, 2013, 2nd Edition “anyone trying to speak up against the government.” Human rights Southeast Asia are activists fear that the law grants the always right at the government excessive authority heart of protests and 2015, JASS and FAMM will work to control civil society groups and against repressive together in developing their political threatens to destroy Indonesia’s influence strategy on a set of issues otherwise thriving democratic legislation or any move that are common among the diverse culture. Additionally, well-financed by governments to shrink organizers and groups that are fundamentalist interests wield democratic space.” coming together under the FAMM growing influence over social norms umbrella. and public policy—from dictating Kunthea Chan, JASS Southeast Asia women’s roles in society and feeding FAMM’s growing network of young taboos around sex and sexuality Indonesian women has grown since to legislating women’s attire and 2007 through on-going leadership criminalizing homosexuality—these training and organizing processes led groups are increasingly using their by JASS – Southeast Asia. Women power to preach intolerance and limit involved in these processes learn women’s basic freedoms and rights. to use JASS’ power framework, other tools and facilitation methods Although the Ormas Bill eventually to analyze their contexts, build passed, the young and LBT women their base and develop effective leading JASS’ efforts in Indonesia— strategies that minimize risk while over 350 of them organized in building strength. JASS continues to FAMM—are not deterred and accompany FAMM, supporting both continue to pushback, joining strategy and training, and ensuring the growing coalitions of groups their regional and international demanding democracy. visibility and recognition. In 2014 JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 15

© CONAVIGUA

Indigenous peoples are only about six percent of the world’s population but their territories hold around 80 percent of the world’s biodiversity. It is no surprise that indigenous territories are the frontline of the scramble for resource extraction. Despite the promise of jobs and money, mega-projects, mining and oil exploration among other resource-extraction strategies often have 3. Defending devastating impacts on indigenous and rural communities, destroying basic livelihoods and the cultural foundation of their communities. The good news is that indigenous our communities are pushing back and are on the forefront of many important environmental justice efforts. Women are Territories, taking on key leadership roles, courageously standing up and mobilizing communities against these threats and at the same time, creating alternatives that improve lives and Defending promote community, resilience and wellbeing for people Ourselves and the planet.7

7. Excerpt from Making Change Happen 5: Indigenous and Rural Women in Defense of Land, Territories and Women’s Rights. 16 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

The Story of Berta Caceres Honduras: and COPINH8 Indigenous by Daysi Flores, JASS Mesoamerica One evening in May 2013, after a Women and hard day in the community of Rio Blanco, Berta Cáceres—a mother of Communities four and indigenous leader—was in her car making her way back home. Defend Their She drove the road over the beautiful mountains full of trees and rivers Territories that she and her people protect with love. Suddenly, a military patrol asked her to stop. They asked her and her Indigenous and rural communities traveling companion to get out and that defend their territories and stand away from the car while they demand a voice in their development searched it. A few minutes later, they are the target of repression and “found” a gun in the trunk. Berta violence. In many regions, the knew she had been framed and she human rights defenders most at risk knew why. The soldiers put her in their are indigenous peoples working patrol car, took all her belongings in defense of natural resources, and confiscated the vehicle; she was to build a dam on the Rio Blanco in including many women leaders. Given arrested without following any legal indigenous people’s territory—a dam their critical role and the risks they procedure. that was under construction against face, JASS Mesoamerica dedicated the will of the Lenca community who its Feminist Leadership School During the 60-minute drive Berta have the legal right to consultation (Alquimia) to indigenous and rural wondered what would happen to her. regarding their territories. To block women in 2011, and in 2013 launched She feared the worst—that she would the company and to demand their a crossregional initiative to bring disappear like many others human right to be consulted, the community together women from Mesoamerica rights defenders and never be found. occupied the access road to the river. and Southeast Asia in the lead up to She knew that the military patrol car Berta, along with Tomás Gómez, and the World Conference on Indigenous was from the same battalion guarding Aureliano Molina from COPINH are Peoples in 2014. the Chinese transnational corporation: all leaders involved in organizing and SYNOHIDRO/DESA that was trying supporting this human rights struggle. “When they see green, all they see is money.” Graciela Arias, National Coordination of Indigenous Women of Panama (CONAMUIP)

“Today, the ferocious scramble to control and exploit resources—from land, forests and water to technology and human DNA—is a scramble for power, including whose voice counts and what matters most …” Lisa VeneKlasen, Making Change Happen 4: Power-Movements-Change – Malawi 8. Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 17

Once we received the call from Berta women leaders see themselves as we knew that she was in danger of human rights defenders for the first being killed or disappeared while time—which enables them to better in the hands of the military forces. strategize around risk while also We had to act fast so we started to claiming the right to defend rights mobilize our networks inside and and be protected. outside of Honduras. We asked them to make phone calls to all “I wouldn’t be government offices demanding here, alive, without that if she was arrested, she had to be handed over to the proper the support from authorities. We knew that if our team the national network and allies in the US called with their and the Initiative…the gringo accents, the government collectivity that surrounds would pay attention. me, gives me security.” Once we knew she was going to be Berta Cáceres, COPINH, Honduras legally charged—just like more that 360 women prosecuted for defending As a co-coordinator of this regional their territory and their rights—we Initiative and of national networks10 started an urgent action to demand in Honduras and Mexico, JASS her immediate release. Along with Mexico and Central America. The story Mesoamerica accompanies and COPINH, we made a call on our allies describes how local and local-to-global supports women defenders like to help us in denouncing what was networks go into high gear to respond Berta Cáceres through dangerous happening to her in social media all to urgent situations and mobilize situations that result from their human over the world. global action when needed. Many rights work. Likewise, through these organizations connected to Honduras networks, JASS fosters coordination, COPINH and the criminalization of and to COPINH in particular were solidarity and joint advocacy indigenous activists activated and coordinated closely to among activists within countries, across borders, and internationally On September 12, 2013, Berta, Tomás, keep pressure coming from all angles. to strengthen their demand for and Aureliano were charged with Among over 150 international and justice and community control in illegal seizure of land, coercion and Latin American organizations, were development decisions. damage to the DESA Corporation that stalwart groups like Other Worlds, was building a dam on Lenca land. Grassroots International, Sisters of As with similar events in Guatemala Mercy, Rights Action, and Economic and Mexico, the government’s goal Policy Institute and others that JASS is to “decapitate the movement, leans on for pressure on global and Mesoamerica: putting its leaders in jail so that United States policymakers. the corporations can continue their Movement- Safety in networks extractions unimpeded,” said Beverly Bell, of Other Worlds. Activists The scale and unpredictability of Building like Berta, Tomás, and Aureliano violence against activists and women are targeted for their leadership in activists in particular is what led Approaches organizing against the dam, and for JASS to reach out to close partners9 the Lenca people to have a say—their to explore how to create regionally to Activist right by law (provision 169 of the ILO relevant strategies for the protection Convention)—in the development and of women defenders. In 2010 the Protection use of their land. As the community Mesoamerican Women Human Rights continued to protest, federal military Defenders Initiative was born. This Since 2006 when JASS dedicated forces were sent in to “protect” unique cross-sectoral effort brings itself to building collective power, the hydroelectric plant, following a together women across many divides, our motivation was both to amplify regional pattern of using police and including journalists, indigenous women’s impact and to protect military to protect private interests. women defending territories, trade women from backlash and violence unionists, LGBT activists, mothers for stepping out of traditional roles Their case is a vivid example of the pursuing justice for family members or crossing the line. Through the “criminalization” of citizen activists and others. Today many grassroots Mesoamerican Women Human and human rights defenders across

9. See page 9 for the Mesoamerican Women 10. See page 35 for full list of JASS Human Rights Defenders Initiative partners. Mesoamerica’s allies. 18 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

Rights Defenders Initiative and in at play, examines gender relations a feminist perspective is to engage other regions, JASS works with allies and other forms of discrimination women defenders in protecting to incubate and promote a feminist such as class, ethnicity, race, themselves and each other through and a movement-building approach sexuality, location, ability, etc., in networks of mutual support and to human rights protection that order to improve the effectiveness of solidarity. National networks from combines individual and collective strategies to deal with violence and the Initiative enable women activists strategies to sustain and strengthen inequality. to better understand and confront activism, while reducing risk. This sexism and violence, feel strong approach takes into account the A critical component of this enough to push for more inclusive economic, social and political forces movement-building process from social justice movements, be

“A movement- building approach does much more than create webs and systems for self- protection. It also equips women defenders with the collective power they need to amplify their voice and engage more loudly and effectively with governments to change the norms, institutions and policies that impact human rights defenders” Marusia Lopez Cruz, JASS Mesoamerica JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 19

Changing Policy: UN Adopts Resolution on Women “One of Defenders the greatest On November 27, 2013 the first-ever resolution for the contributions is protection of women human rights defenders was passed by self-care, which the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee. JASS means putting your Mesoamerica joined with the Mesoamerican Women Human body as a women Rights Defenders Initiative and global partners such as Amnesty International and International Service for Human Rights to push defender at the for this resolution—an invaluable new instrument for activists center of the debate. facing daily risks for the cause of justice in places like Honduras, Your body is political Mexico and Zimbabwe. territory. It is one of the first spaces While the resolution does not address all risks and protection for constructing needs of women human rights defenders, it is an important and historic resolution in that it makes explicit that gender freedom… for defining discrimination affects the lives and work of women defenders how you exist as a and states have committed themselves to taking concrete steps woman, human being to protect them. Moving forward, JASS will work with partners and a citizen in this to monitor and build upon its impact, and ensure it makes a struggle” different in the lives of women activists around the world. Gilda Rivera, Women’s Rights Center, Honduras recognized for their contribution in all aspects of life, and improve governments’ capacity to guarantee rights. In the Initiative, the national networks provide a sense of belonging and a shared understanding of violence and risk, that enables women to feel stronger and less alone.

Traditional activist protection tends to narrowly focus on the physical protection of the individual through security measures such as bodyguards and bullet-proof vests. In many cases, these measures separate the defender from her community and family, and fail to address both their physical and mental wellbeing. A holistic approach to protection takes into account the public and the private sphere and includes the need to feel safe at home, at work and in the streets. It encompasses a concept of personal security that includes support for the physical and psychological well-being of women defenders and of collective security that includes that of their families and colleagues.

© Consorcio Oaxaxa 20 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

matching bright yellow lapas (cloth and how are they working to build LIBERIA: wrap) and white T-shirts with various sustainable peace? That’s what we’ve slogans: “No more corruption!” come to find out. Women “Say NO to rape!” “Peace, no more violence!” “Women Oh Women!” Ma Our delegation of mostly American on the Anni shouts, and the women shout women is led by Leymah Gbowee and back “Women!” Then a short prayer other Nobel Peace laureates, Jody Frontlines thanking God for the visit. A crowd Williams, Mairead Maguire, and Shirin of children and men fill the doorway Ebadi, and organized by the Nobel of Building to gape at the visitors from far away. I Women’s Initiative and Leymah’s sit on a white plastic chair beside four foundation. As we spend time in three Peace Nobel Peace laureates. We’ve driven different villages, I get the chance to three hours from the Liberian capital, speak with women grassroots activists Launching 2013 on an exciting Monrovia, to learn from the women who are organizing against other note, JASS’ Executive Director, Lisa in Totota village in this Women’s forms of violence, the violence waged VeneKlasen, traveled to Liberia from Peace Hut. against the bodies of women and girls January 19–24 as part of the Nobel in families, in homes, on the way to the Women’s Initiative’s 18-women One of the world’s most powerful market or fetching water, in schools delegation: Women Forging Peace. stories of women’s organizing and and at work. Led by Liberian activist and Nobel activism comes from Liberia. The Peace Prize Laureate, Leymah Women of Liberia Mass Action for In Totota and in another village, Gbowee, and sister Laureates Jody Peace mobilized hundreds of Muslim Weala, we gather inside the Women’s Williams, Shirin Ebadi and Mairead and Christian women. With prayer, Peace Hut. These small round Maguire, the delegation met with the extraordinary courage, and even a sex constructions stand in the center of the grassroots women leaders from across boycott, the women forced feuding two villages, visible and respected as the country, some of whom have warlords and factions to end a brutal women’s justice centers, the product been the driving force behind the 14-year civil war in 2003. The story and powerful symbol of the tireless peace and reconciliation movement is known everywhere, thanks to the organizing and awareness-raising following years of brutal civil war. Lisa moving film Pray the Devil Back to continued since the war. The Women recounts her experience: Hell and the inspiring memoir Mighty for Peace Network (WIPNET) to which Be Our Powers: How Sisterhood, these women belong traces its roots In the Peace Hut Prayer and Sex changed a Nation at to the Mass Action during the war that Twenty-six women—Liberian and their War by the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize pressured the warlords to sign the visitors—several small children and a winner, Leymah Gbowee. But what peace agreement in 2003. Inside each few men are pressed into the round, has happened since? How are women hut, cases of rape, domestic violence mud-walled hut. The Liberians wear faring in the reconstruction process, and everyday disputes are brought to light and either mediated or referred to the police.

In Totota, the women talk about working closely with the police, located nearby, to find the perpetrators. In the midst of reconstruction, Liberia’s police lack the basics – from transport to money for photocopies – to carry out their duties. The police chief in Totota says, “We rely on these women to do our job. In some cases, they can get confessions or evidence that we are unable to find. People trust them.”

In Weala, the local commissioner praises the peace hut and the local women’s peace network. “These women are not only bringing peace and fighting violence, they are building democracy and justice in our community.” The police chief in Totota describes the partnership with WIPNET JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 21 and its grassroots leaders as a perfect example of “community policing to fight rape and violence together.” Women Strategizing for Peace Speaking in characteristically bold language to the journalists who From May 28–31, JASS attended Nobel Women’s Initiative followed us to Weala, Leymah says, annual conference, Moving Beyond Militarism and War: “…the women’s peace huts are up- Women-driven Solutions for a Non-Violent War in Belfast (a ending our Liberian tradition of the city with a long history of peace-making against all odds). Palaver Hut (a traditional community This was a gathering of over 100 diverse women’s rights dispute resolution structure promoted by the Truth and Reconciliation leaders, prominent environmentalists, activists, journalists, and process). Men run the Palaver Hut. philanthropist in which JASS’ work has become widely visible Women observe from the outside and recognized. JASS Executive Director, Lisa VeneKlasen and participate when asked by saying moderated a panel on women human rights defenders in No or Yes. Men are welcome into the which JASS Mesoamerica Regional Director, Marusia Lopez Women’s Peace Hut but it’s a women’s presented the latest research on violence against women space run by women where all voices defenders and discussed security strategies for protection. count. It’s in this way that women are This conference provided JASS with the opportunity to learn deconstructing patriarchy and the from and forge new relationships with other organizations and violence it breeds.” activists—helping to form a network of new allies to advance Our delegation asks the women our work on the protection and safety of women defenders. what makes them brave enough to confront rape and sexual abuse, problems hidden by silence and stigma in any culture. The women point to each other. “We are powerful together,” one explains. As Leymah says, “Collective power is built on individual power. Women are empowered by coming together, and the organizing awakens the inner activist lying deep inside every woman.”

After more than a decade, the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia is preparing to wind down while a different form of violence— particularly sexual and gender-based violence—rages on. Yet there is no doubt that Liberian women, especially grassroots women building their networks, changing mindsets, and taking on violence one day at a time, are the new peacekeepers, building the Liberia of the future. 22 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

“I’ve been working with JASS since 2008. They have really empowered me with skills and knowledge. [the] women only spaces [they convene] make us strong, we come together and become friends. We 4. Equipping understand the problems in our lives. We see how power works, those with power over us and the Activists and power within ourselves. We see together that we have the collective power to make change in our lives”

Linnah Matanya, Women for Fair Development, Community Malawi Leaders

“JASS did something so rare by bringing together diverse grassroots activists to speak about their experiences. For me, that was powerful…”

Sattara Hattirat, Togetherness for Equality and Action (TEA), Thailand JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 23

“The ability to recognize ourselves as women defenders, to care for ourselves and each other and to generate new collective security strategies … have become indispensable in order to observe human rights in Mesoamerica…”

Women defender, Mesoamerica 24 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

© Pher Pasion, Pinoy Weekly

Better laws and policies are critical to ensuring women’s rights and access to resources. But history tells us time and again that laws are just part of the story. For good policies and laws to fully translate into rights, takes a lot more: financial resources and structures for implementation, political will and a high-level commitment to change, fully capable 5. NARROWING bureaucracies, and last but not least, the public—all citizens—need to know and believe in their rights. THE GAP The last two decades of women’s rights advocacy vividly illustrate how critical legal change is and yet, how fragile and uncertain the promise of change BETWEEN becomes without all the other pieces to ensure POLICIES implementation. AND REALITY JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 25

Many important achievements women still have limited access in women’s reproductive health, Malawi: to quality ARVs. Our Bodies, Our prosecuting sexual violence and even, Lives—a nation-wide grassroots women’s political participation are Collective organizing effort for better ARVs under threat today and many reversed, led by HIV-positive women offers due to inadequate mechanisms Power great lessons on mobilizing to close for implementation and a well- the gaps between rhetoric and financed effort to reverse support for Essential implementation. JASS has helped to gender equality in all its forms. For build this campaign with our partner, example, even good rape laws aren’t to Ensuring Malawi Network of Religious Leaders enforced across the world because Living with or Affected by HIV and of a combination of lack of public Quality AIDS (MANERELA+). A diverse group awareness, continued social stigma, of women—including HIV positive and the failure of police and judges Medicine women, rural/urban women, sex- to understand sexual violence. The workers, LBT organizations, and headline story about the multi-year religious communities—have been backlog in the processing of hundreds “Our organizing since 2007 to demand of rape kits—used for evidence to take safe, affordable antiretroviral therapy cases to trial—in the United States governments are (ART) along with resources that save gave the world another vivid example good in signing and improve the quality of women’s of the vast gulf between policies and declarations, policies and lives, such as land, seeds, fertilizer, reality. treaties, good on papers mobile health clinics, and nutrition. In the process, they have overcome From a JASS perspective, the supply but not implementation, social isolation, shame and desperate of good laws and policies must be for how long have we poverty. matched by the sustained demand been struggling for by citizens for their implementation While the treatment of HIV has —governments must be held to access to [resources]…?” benefited from expertise of all kinds, account. This is precisely why JASS Tiwonge Gondwe, Malawi Activist, the knowledge of HIV positive women mobilizes women’s collective power— (Our Bodies, Our Lives) has not been taken into account. to provide the sustained energy to This is one of many reasons why change social attitudes that undermine Even with women-friendly laws such prevalence rates continue to climb women’s rights while also pressuring as the Malawi’s Gender Equality Bill among women and access to ART governments to enforce laws and (2012) and others—guaranteeing is poor. That is where an alternative policies that uphold rights and justice. HIV positive women access to much approach is needed and feminist needed resources—HIV positive leadership strategies are critical. In Malawi, where good laws nevertheless failed to protect HIV positive women from stigma and ensure access to quality medicines, Our Bodies, Our Lives—the­ grassroots campaign JASS has helped to build—has managed to phase out older toxic antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) while ensuring that HIV positive women’s voices and knowledge count. Recognizing the gap between the announcement of a new ARV and its provision, Malawian activists keep organizing. So do sexual minorities in Zambia and Zimbabwe. They welcome the public statement of the Zambian president’s wife on ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people. But they understand that it is only one moment in a much longer road, a much fiercer struggle. 26 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

JASS’ approach to feminist leadership year, because of budget constraints. Through community dialogues with puts women’s hearts, minds and But women activists are not deterred local authorities and religious leaders, bodies at the center of organizing because they have come to realize and healthcare literacy and awareness agendas. Personal stories anchor that without continuous pressure on workshops that draw hundreds, these dialogues in which women analyze policymakers, a gap persists between women have mobilized to demand power, identify problems, and begin to official rhetoric and implementation. accountability and improve services for shape common agendas. These deep HIV positive people. At the same time, change processes combined with skill- From putting pressure on their local this campaign is building a demand for building and strategy workshops have councilors and former President the process of real democracy. enabled 30 women leaders to mobilize Joyce Banda, to publicizing their over 500 women in their communities perspectives and experiences Supported by JASS, MANERELA+, to campaign for better ARVs and lives. through the media, HIV positive and a wide range of organizations women joined forces with religious including Malawi Women’s Forum and In response to the advocacy led by leaders, healthcare professionals COWLHA (Coalition of Women Living the JASS Southern Africa team and and researchers to demand quality with and affected by HIV/AIDS), campaign—Our Bodies, Our Lives— ARV treatment and healthcare. On women activist leaders are committed the government had begun to roll the national public broadcaster, to carrying this fight forward, in their out an alternative to the outdated women activists host three regular communities and nationally. Real stavodin ARV, which had deformed nationwide shows to tackle taboos transformation, they realize, is possible women’s bodies in addition to other and expose some of the serious issues only when women in communities side effects. But some districts had affecting positive people, including mobilize collectively to ensure not yet received the new drugs. There access to quality ART, and the stigma that their problems and needs are is no guarantee that this change in and discrimination experienced in addressed, and their rights secured treatment will be sustained beyond a communities and at local hospitals. and protected. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 27 “Who one has Some leaders have tried to portray LGBTI LGBTI as being against African sex with, how you culture to justify strident anti- Rights in have sex, who you homosexuality laws, going so far as marry, how you marry, to propose the death penalty as in Zambia and and how that marriage/ the case of Uganda’s infamous anti- relationship is validated, gay bill. Meanwhile, conservative Zimbabwe: religious and traditional leaders and entrenched is based manipulate culture and tradition to One Step on the exercise of male fuel misunderstanding, stigma and power over women, their even violence against members of the Forward, LGBTI community and activists. In this bodies, the children context, Dr Kaseba-Sata’s statement Two Steps that are born from these came at an opportune moment. She bodies, and who feels is well-positioned to shift the national Back they OWN who.” and regional discourse on the rights of sexual minorities, with potential Everjoice J. Win, JASS Southern influence across the continent. Zambia’s First Lady, Dr. Christine Africa Kaseba-Sata surprised her own While Dr. Kaseba-Sata’s stance has country and the international charges. “It’s a really tough situation,” been met with praise around the community when she called for an said one LGBTI activist, “People are world, frontline activists see limits end to discrimination against sexual afraid to come out and be linked to to its impact. “There’s a difference minorities. Speaking at a UNAIDS our network. They are afraid of being between a statement and action,” event in Lusaka on 5 November imprisoned.” said one Zambian LGBTI campaigner. 2013, the president’s wife, herself “She hit the nail on the head­—and a specialist in obstetrics and In Zimbabwe, long-time activist yet some of my comrades are being gynecology, said, “Silence around and JASS partner Martha Tholanah arrested for speaking on [LGBTI] issues of men who have sex with was charged with running an rights.” men should be stopped and no one “unregistered” organization, GALZ Despite threats, harassment, should be discriminated against on (Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe). imprisonment and violence, LGBTI the basis of their sexual orientation.” For several years, JASS has been activists are continuing to speak Her statement marked a welcome speaking out in support of GALZ out and make their voices heard shift away from the homophobic members who have experienced in innovative ways. LGBTI groups rhetoric of some African politicians harassment and violence at the hands and activists are central to all of that fuels stigma and violent attacks of police because of their work. JASS Southern Africa’s agendas and including “corrective” rape. Her Martha welcomed Dr. Kaseba-Sata’s partnerships. For example, Youth words prompted activists and JASS statements. “It is important that a Vision Zambia works with JASS to allies in the Southern African region to high-level leader has spoken out carve out safe spaces—called insaka wonder if the rights of LGBTI people to initiate dialogue and break the dialogues—which allow women might begin to feature positively on taboos,” she said. of all sexualities to tackle taboos the political and social agenda in through personal reflection and open Zambia and beyond. discussion. Women share experiences ln 38 countries across Africa, including “Our different on a range of themes from coping Zambia, LGBTI sexuality is prohibited sexual orientation with family rejection to security, safety, by laws, some in place since colonial and gender and healing. These dialogues—also times, others enacted in the current identity do not take offered in Zimbabwe and Malawi— wave of intensified conservatism. are part of JASS Southern Africa’s Increasingly, LGBTI people and other away our Africanness nor Heart-Mind-Body (HMB) Initiative, activists who advocate for LGBTI do they take away our which puts the wellbeing and safety rights are being prosecuted under citizenship. As GALZ, we of activists at the center of women’s these laws. For example, Zambian are part of civil society political organizing strategies. activist Paul Kasonkomona was on trial for speaking on television about seeking social justice for the rights of gay people as part of marginalized people and his advocacy against HIV and AIDS, groups.” while two other men, Philip Mubiana Fadzai Mandishona, Gays and and James Mwape, faced sodomy Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) 28 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

“Democracy is not a commodity that can be exported. It’s a culture that is nurtured and built.” Shirin Ebadi, Iranian Peace Laureate, Nobel Women’s Initiative

In recent years, the frequent failure of elections to reliably produce an uncontested, legitimate government has generated inevitable skepticism about democracy. In so 6. many places—Mexico, Iraq, Egypt, Honduras and the United States, to name a few—Presidents have won by such ELECTIONS = slim margins that raised questions about their legitimacy and exacerbated social conflict. DEMOCRACY Many JASS activists and allies have struggled to gain and make the most of the right for all citizens to vote in their countries. Above all, they have used the electoral process as a critical moment in time to bring new ideas into public debate, to call to account failed leaders and parties, and to educate and organize other citizens to work together to pursue alternatives. Participating in the electoral process can also be risky and requires creative security strategies alongside political organizing strategies. JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 29

Elections often expose underlying tensions and may trigger repression Zimbabwe: and violence. For women activists, the 2013 elections in Zimbabwe, Elections “We do not want Honduras and Cambodia intensified another violent tensions and concerns about safety Heighten engagement. We can’t and security. Ordinary citizens in imagine another 2008. We these and many other countries are Safety knew that it would be hard skeptical about the value and benefits for the opposition to rule this of the hard-won right to participate Concerns country. It will never happen. in elections. Opposition groups and The regime has a tight grip voices are silenced, activists are for Activists over the governance of the attacked and results are rigged – can country and they know all this be democracy? By Maggie Mapondera, the tricks to rig votes. Rather JASS Southern Africa For JASS, true democracy is a rule than let us face another work in progress and goes much Walking through the city streets, even 2008.” deeper. Maybe elections don’t equal stepping into airport arrivals, you Market Woman selling democracy but they can be a moment could sense the tension in the air. vegetables in Harare, Zimbabwe to promote and try out democratic People were waiting for something principles—often with risks. to happen, waiting with a strange mix of cynicism and fear for what would come after the vote on July 31, 2013. What did come, of course, was Robert Mugabe’s eighth presidential “Indeed, voting is only one re-election, amid serious suspicions of way—though certainly a very widespread vote-rigging. important way—of making Debate followed, over whether public discussions effective, the harmonized elections were in when the opportunity to fact free and fair. One member of vote is combined with the Zimbabwe’s Electoral Commission opportunity to speak, and to resigned, citing irregularities in the listen, without fear... Balloting voting process. Many feared that alone can be woefully the country would disintegrate into inadequate, as is abundantly chaos as the re-election of ZANU PF illustrated by the astounding (Zimbabwe African National Union- Patriotic Front) reignited political electoral victories of ruling © nbc.com tyrannies in authoritarian animosities. The memory of the 2008 regimes, from Stalin’s Soviet election scared people: would that horrific history repeat itself if political Union to Saddam Hussein’s “So where do parties contested the election results? Iraq. The problem in these women go from Some people prepared for the here? Safety and cases lies not just in the worst, withdrawing their money from security will be pressure that is brought to banks and buying up food supplies. bear on voters in the act of Although few instances of violence ongoing issues for women for balloting itself, but in the way were reported, both repression and a long time to come. ZANU public discussion of failures the memory of violence were real. PF has always been subtle in and transgressions is thwarted its limitations of freedoms. In times of political and economic by censorship, suppression Now we see a growing instability, women carry the burden of political opposition, and conservatism, the rise of of the struggle to survive—searching religious fundamentalism, violations of basic civil rights for food, water, and medicines. It 11 and the space provided for and political freedoms.” took nearly six years for the country to stabilize to some degree. The hate speech. Ultimately the space to dream, let alone organize biggest impact is on women for change, continues to shrink as and women’s rights.” 11. Amartya Sen, Democracy and Its Global repression, surveillance, arrests, and Sian Maseko, Sexual Rights Roots. Why Democratization is Not the Same as fear dominate women’s lives. Safety Center, zimbabwe Westernization, The New Republic, Oct. 2003. and security are not merely crucial 30 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 concerns for women activists during election time, but are daily realities. Honduras: Tools for Safety and Questionable Security Recognizing the importance of Election building strategies to ensure safety and security, leading up to the Outcomes elections, JASS Southern Africa and partner Musasa Project hosted for Women a two-day training of facilitators in Heart-Mind-Body (H-M-B) strategies, By Laura Carlsen, May 21–22, 2013. Ten Zimbabwean JASS Mesoamerica women activist–facilitators took part. Tensions before Honduras’ JASS’ H-M-B strategy puts women’s November 24 election only increased feelings, fears and bodies at the once voting concluded. A lot center of human rights organizing, was at stake. No truly democratic especially in contexts fraught with presidential election had been violence. Participants are equipped held since that of Manuel Zelaya in to identify and analyze the risks they 2005. Since Zelaya was kidnapped face, recognize the importance of their in a coup d’état on June 28, 2009, “The elections voices and activism, appreciate why the coup regime has governed the were held [but] their work for justice is perceived as a nation with an iron hand, first under have no political, threat, and recognize the unique sets a de facto regime and later after cultural or socio- of power and interests at play during a one-sided election organized by economic meaning in each political moment. coup leaders and boycotted by terms of progress in Some activists grappled with the democratic forces. As a result of respecting overall women’s why of safety and security work in four and a half years of coup rule, rights. Actually, it’s quite Zimbabwe. Women face violence political polarization meets economic the opposite because on multiple fronts, whether it’s an inequality in the nation to form a there’s been regression volatile mix of desperation and arrest on charges of loitering and as economic and political repression. soliciting as a means to police plans are being made for women’s appearance and mobility, The Supreme Electoral Tribunal women to work as cheap or state-sponsored violence against reported the final count in Honduras’ LGBT activists and women’s rights labor in a modern form of presidential race at 36.89 percent organizers. Together, the group slavery. There has been a for ruling National Party candidate generated an analysis of their context, pronounced retrenchment Juan Orlando Hernandez and 28.78 formulating joint strategies to deal of fundamentalism as percent for Xiomara Castro of the with an established pattern of political conservative actors recently formed Liberty and New violence against women activists and continue to push forward Foundations Party (LIBRE). This was exchanged critical tools for survival to a major upset; most polls showed policies that go against continue organizing for and exercising Castro in the lead just weeks before women’s historic and their rights. These tools remain useful the vote. immediate demands, such even long after the election. as, the right to food. This is one of the most hidden forms of power because “The basic assumptions that lie behind efforts to it’s the hardest to analyze, increase the numbers of women in political office are or even identify. And even though women ran for that the inclusion of women leads to better, fairer office, it’s not sufficient in and more responsive government. But in contexts really advancing women’s in which women continue to have tenuous purchase demands.“ on basic citizenship rights, and where masculine Berta Cáceres, COPINH, political cultures mediate participation in the public Honduras sphere, ‘democratizing democracy’ raises complex challenges.” Andrea Cornwall and Anne Marie Goetz, 2005 JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 31 “The results of the Women human rights defenders see For JASS allies in Southeast Asia, heightened risks in this new phase in the internet has become an essential elections create Honduras’ tragic yet inspiring history. tool and political space to broaden a military and But they clearly have no intention of debate, keep women connected transnational dictatorship quitting. and informed, while mobilizing allies that leaves us with a and action. Women activists around the world are finding strategic and negative outlook for the creative ways of using social media defense of human rights Cambodia: to engage and organize others on and greater vulnerability issues ranging from corruption to for women human rights Young religious fundamentalism to sexual defenders.” rights and reproductive health. In Women Southeast Asia, activism on Facebook Daysi Flores, JASS Mesoamerica and Twitter fed into the protests in Activists Cambodia. Claims of widespread irregularities At play in these elections was not just Protest Post- and fraud in the July 28 election the individual and the party that will fueled political tensions between the govern for the next four years, but the Election future of one of the most violent and impoverished nations in the world. Violence “The Internet For women activists, who must try to reminds us that feed families while standing against By Osang Langara, there are always violence and corruption, the scenario JASS Southeast Asia did not look bright. new forms of power Following post-election political and that power is Do elections work to achieve tension between the two main dynamic and constantly democratic aspirations? Within political parties after the July 2013 Honduran women’s organizations, elections in Cambodia, young changing.” opinions were divided. Many were women activists from the CYWEN Chat Garcia, Association for skeptical going into the elections— (Cambodian Young Women’s Progressive Communication (APC) both about the political parties and Empowerment Network) and other about the process itself—but today, women’s and social justice groups ruling party, Cambodia People’s Party cynicism about the formal democratic took to the streets to appeal for (CCP), and the Cambodia National process is even more common. peace. Using Facebook, Twitter, Rescue Party (CNRP). CNRP held While some saw the elections as a and other online platforms, CWYEN massive actions to boycott CCP’s viable way to break the power of the led intense online debates among victory; CCP went ahead to form a right and to advance a human rights a wide range of young people, and government without them. Originally agenda, the Honduran party system mobilized hundreds for street protests peaceful, the protests turned violent has a long history of negotiating to prevent violence from erupting. when police threw grenades and used interests from above. JASS staff in Cambodia was at the water cannons against protesters, center of this strategizing. leaving one dead and many injured. Social movements were weakened and disappointed, at least in the short term. President-elect Juan Orlando Hernandez proposed to reinforce the use of the army on the streets and in police tasks, to weaken labor rights, and to cede territory and resources without any regulations to transnational investment, all of which spells more trouble and violence for human rights defenders. His religious fundamentalism will mean more attacks on women’s rights and the LGBT community, and the continued power of the church in a state that is rapidly losing its secular standing. 32 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

Still living in the shadow of the brutal more powerful action. Facebook and build connections online, but the most totalitarian Khmer Rouge regime, Twitter can be important vehicles for effective organizing often still involves Cambodian women feared an sharing and spotlighting women’s a combination of “face-to-face” and increase in political repression and perspectives and leadership when “virtual” engagement. In addition, violence. mainstream media fails or refuses to digital security is an increasingly do so. urgent concern, as governments CYWEN—a network formed in 2010 employ virtual surveillance to track, following a national-level leadership Linking Face-to-Face and censor and prosecute activists. training process carried out by Online Activism The internet, activists realize, hosts JASS in 2009—was active in a series JASS is committed to bridging the competing players, interests and of peace protests, including the gender digital divide by training agendas, so it is important to balance publicized August 14 Rally of Peace women activists—especially grassroots potential impact against issues of organized by the Working Group and young women—to use internet protection. This is where JASS’ for Peace. Along with thousands of communications technology (ICT) to alliances with the Association of others, CWYEN activists assembled broadcast their extraordinary stories, Progressive Communications, a leader in Phnom Penh to appeal for peace. make connections, inform, reach out, in digital security, matters. The women carried placards saying: and mobilize support. Since 2011, “Cambodian People Need Peace!” JASS has conducted several dialogues “No to Violence!” and “We Need “The best and trainings in ICTs in Indonesia, Justice and Freedom!” organizing work Cambodia and the Philippines as manages to CYWEN used Facebook and Twitter well as regionally, all of which has to urge people to join in the protests exponentially multiplied the presence combine online and denouncing electoral violence. and voice of women activists, with offline ‘appearances’ and Thousands flooded the streets of creative visuals overcoming language actions. We are still trying Phnom Penh every week. These differences. to get the combination successful organizing efforts provide a Online activism has many advantages, vivid example of how online activism right.” but activists need to be strategic in can fluidly link disparate efforts into Smita Sharma, Fiesta Feminista, its use. Many opportunities exist to Malaysia JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 33

Donor Finances Partners Total expenses $2,553,766 Management and general ●● Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands 5% $112,443 ●● Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norway ●● Comic Relief, United Kingdom Fundraising ●● Hivos, The Netherlands 3% $87,991 ●● Oak Foundation, Switzerland ●● Ford Foundation, United States ●● Channel Foundation, United States ●● Fund for Global Human Rights, United States ●● Mama Cash, The Netherlands ●● Seattle International Total programs Foundation, United States 92% $2,353,332 ●● Urgent Action Fund, United States and Urgent Action Fund-Africa ●● Angelica Fund of Tides expenses by region $2,353,332 Foundation, United States ●● Open Society Foundations, United States Southern Africa ●● Open Society Initiative of 28% $662,396 Southern Africa, South Africa ●● General Service Foundation, United States ●● Samuel Rubin Foundation, United States Mexico and Central America 28% $670,565 We would also like to thank many other friends and supporters who generously give donations and share their time and connections. Southeast Asia 13% $298,401 Cross-regional 18% $417,342 Special projects 13% $304,628 34 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

People

BOARD OF DIRECTORS JASS SOUTHEAST ASIA CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT/ Srilatha Batliwala, Co-Chair Nani Zulminarni, Regional Director SPECIAL PROJECTS Lori Heise, Co-Chair Kunthea Chan Ellen Sprenger Valerie Miller Rosanna Langara (Osang) Dale Needles, Atila Roque Sophorn Yit Molly Kane Barbara Schriefer Paula Elina Nicole Regalado Revai Makanje Aalbaek Dina Lumbantobing Amina Doherty Dyah Fitriyani Lisa VeneKlasen, Executive Director Niken Lestari Maria Mustika JASS CROSS-REGIONAL Carrie Wilson, Program Director JASS MESOAMERICA Carmen Sahonero Marusia López Cruz, Regional Director Natalia Escrucería Daysi Flores Amy Hutchinson Patricia Ardón Brittany Alexander Alda Facio Charlotta Beavers Mariela Arce Adelaide Mazwarira Laura Velázquez de León Cameron Schupp Orfe Castillo Osorio Alia Khan Laura Carlsen Cristina Hardaga Fernandez Veronica Delgado Malena De Montis JASS SOUTHERN AFRICA Shereen Essof, Regional Director Lee van der Westhuizen Anna Davies-van Es Bridgette Magqaza Maggie Hazvinei Mapondera Dudziro Nhengu Hope Chigudu Rudo Chitiga Nana Zulu Johannah Ncala Everjoice Win JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 35

JASS SOUTHEAST ASIA Women Headed Household Empowerment (PEKKA), Indonesia • Perkumpulan Sada Ahmo (PESADA), Indonesia • Indonesian Young Women Activists’ Forum (FAMM) • Cambodian Young Women’s Empowerment Network (CYWEN) • Center for Women’s Resources Allies and (CWR), Philippines • National Rural Women Coalition (PKKK), Philippines • GABRIELA, Philippines • Women’s networks Legal and Human Rights Bureau (WLB), Philippines • Equality Myanmar • Women’s League of Burma • Mon Women’s Organization, Myanmar • Women’s Equality Association (WEA), Malaysia • Togetherness for Equality and Action (TEA) Group, Thailand

JASS MESOAMERICA Regional/International For JASS, organizing is a continuous Center for Justice and International and empowering process that brings Law (CEJIL) • International Service different women and organizations for Human Rights • Central American together to identify critical injustices Women’s Fund (FCAM) • Alianza de and act collectively to solve them. Mujeres Indígenas de Centroamérica The participatory learning process y México that builds and sustains networks is co-led by our close partners and the Honduras women we train and accompany. Centro de Derechos de la Mujer We would like to thank the following (CDM), Honduras • Centro de organizations and networks around Estudios de la Mujer-Honduras the world for their work, connections (CEM-H) • National Women Human and trust, which are key to the success Rights Defenders Network in of JASS’ initiatives and programs: Honduras • Red Nacional de Mujeres por la Vida • Coalición contra la JASS GLOBAL Impunidad Association for Progressive Communications (APC)** • Nobel México Women’s Initiative • Association for National Women Human Rights Women’s Rights in Development Defenders Network • Consorcio (AWID)* • Institute for Development para el Diálogo Parlamentario y la Studies • Institute for Policy Equidad • Red Mesa de Mujeres, Studies • Women Human Rights Ciudad Juárez–Chiahuahua, Mexico Defenders International Coalition • Consorcio para el Diálogo y la • Mesoamerican Working Group Equidad Oaxaca • Ciarena, Oaxaca (MAWG) • Women’s International • Comité Cerezo • Centro de League for Peace and Freedom Derechos Humanos de la Mujeres (WILPF)* • Amnesty International* • CEDEHM–Chihuahua • Centro de Coady Institute • Women’s Human Derechos Humanos de las Montaña Rights Education Institute* “Tlachinollan” Guerrero • Semillas • ProDesc • Instituto Simone de Beauvoir • Centro de Derechos Humanos Miguel Agustín Pro

* also a close partner of JASS Mesoamerica ** also a close partner of JASS Southern Africa 36 | JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013

El Salvador Our Bodies, Our Lives campaign • Asociación para partners and allies, Malawi la autodeterminación de MANERELA+ • Paradiso TB Mujeres Salvadoreñas-AMS • Care Trust • Lilongwe Urban Colectiva Feminista de El Salvador Women Forum • Women for Fair Development (WOFAD) • Northern Guatemala Region Women Forum • Coalition Unidad de Protección a Defensoras of Malawian Women Living with y Defensores de Derechos Humanos HIV/AIDS (COWLHA) • Society for (UDEFEGUA) • Sinergia No’j • Women and AIDS in Malawi (SWAM) Asociación Maya UK’U’X BE • • National Association of People Tz’ununija Living with HIV and AIDS (NAPHAM) • Malawi Network of People Living Panamá with HIV/AIDS (MANET+) • Teachers Coordinadora de Mujeres Indígenas Living with HIV (T’LIPO) • Health de Panamá • Alianza de Mujeres de Workers Living with HIV (HECAWLP) Panamá • Activists working with Action AID International–Malawi Nicaragua Center for Popular Education and Others Communication (CANTERA) Basali Amoho, Zambia • Generation Alive (GAL), Zambia • Musasa, JASS SOUTHERN AFRICA Zimbabwe • Non-Governmental Building Women’s Collective Power Organisations Coordinating Council Partnership (NGOCC), Zambia • Urgent Action Katswe Sistahood, Zimbabwe • Gays Fund-Africa (UAF-Africa), Kenya • and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (GALZ) • FAHAMU, South Africa • Gender Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Education and Training Network living with and affected by HIV/AIDS (GETNET), South Africa • Popular (MANERELA+) • Youth Vision Zambia Education Circle and the Popular • Women’sNet, South Africa Education Programme, South Africa • African Gender Institute, South Africa • WoMin, South Africa • ISIS-WICCE, Uganda JASS ANNUAL REPORT 2013 | 37

Acknowledgements Edited by Adelaide Mazwarira, Annie Holmes, Alexa Bradley and Lisa VeneKlasen with stories by JASS contributors, including Carrie Wilson, Daysi Flores, Maggie Mapondera, Anna Davies-van Es, Rosanna Langara, Natalia Escruceria, Amy Hutchinson, and Laura Carlsen.

Thank you to the many friends and supporters who generously give money, time, connections, and love. Special thank you to BG Bowman Gilfillan lawyers in Johannesburg for their pro bono support for JASS Southern Africa’s legal registration in South Africa and Greenberg Traurig, S.C. for their pro bono support for JASS Mesoamerica’s legal registration in Mexico.

Design by Jane Shepherd www.justassociates.org

JASS Global Offices

JASS Southeast Asia C/O Urban Poor Women Development (UPWD) #35AAEo, St 265 Sangkat Boeung Salang, Tuol Kork Phnom Penh, Cambodia #11CEo Tel: (855) 12 854 295 Email: [email protected]

JASS Mesoamerica Tlaxcala 69, Colonia Roma Sur Delegación Cuauhtémoc México, D.F. C.P.06760 Tel: (52) 55 5212 0696 Email: [email protected]

JASS Southern Africa 2nd Floor, St Albans on Cavendish 2 Osborne Road, Claremont Cape Town, 7708 South Africa Tel: (27) 21 447 6707 Email: [email protected]

JASS Cross-Regional 2040 S St NW 3rd Floor Washington, DC 20009 United States Tel: (1) 202 232 1211 Email: [email protected]