A FORCE FOR CHANGE IN NEPAL

SUMMER 2017 www.womankind.org.uk LETTER FROM THE EDITOR WOMEN’S MOVEMENTS WELCOME Women unite Caroline Haworth Chief Executive Womankind Worldwide across a continent

The landscape for women’s rights has been shifting dramatically over the past few months, leaving uncertainty in the air for women’s rights organisations worldwide. However, in this newsletter we are heartened to share stories of women, communities and entire women’s movements uniting in times of crisis, to rebuild lives, to demand their rights are upheld and to pave the way for change. With your Earlier this year, Womankind’s Laura Brown exploit women and state control over women’s support, women are rising up. visited the African Women’s Development sexual and reproductive health choices. A year on since our appeal highlighting the plight of Womankind Worldwide’s vision is and Communication Network (FEMNET) – a We’re proud of Womankind’s history of refugees living at the Nyarugusu of a just world where the rights of feminist network working towards ‘mobilising working with women’s organisations across “WE ARE refugee camp in , on page all women are respected, valued African women for the achievement of Africa, supporting women to achieve their HEARTENED TO 4 we share the achievements of our and realised. We work in solidarity gender equality and the realisation of rights. Yet, we know that to achieve long- SHARE STORIES partner WLAC, made possible with with women’s movements around women’s rights and girls’ rights at all lasting change for women, we must now your support. the world to bring about lasting levels.’ FEMNET is the only member-based work to strengthen whole movements of OF WOMEN As gears up to become change in women’s lives. women’s rights network working across Africa, women to collectively push for women’s rights UNITING IN the world’s next big manufacturing Aims: stretching across all five regions. to be realised. TIMES OF centre, on page 6 we explain • An end to all forms of violence FEMNET is a powerful force for change in To do this, we will be supporting and CRISIS” why women’s economic rights in against women and girls the African women’s rights movement. It seizes strengthening the work of FEMNET, working the workplace are at risk. With • Women’s economic rights and opportunities to share knowledge in spaces with them to create the tools to develop their an election looming in , women and girls face control over resources of influence such as the African Union and communications work, providing new channels increased levels of violence. We share on pages 10 & 11 • Women’s equal influence in the UN, helping to develop frameworks and to broaden the reach of their awareness raising how Womankind is supporting a coalition of women’s decision making and ability to policies to ensure women’s rights are realised. and their advocacy. This complementary organisations to prevent political violence and provide safe exercise political power FEMNET defines the struggle that unites all relationship will increase our own knowledge zones for women most at risk. women across Africa, transcending identities, and understanding of the challenges facing Womankind Worldwide With your support, I am more determined than ever to cultures and geographies – patriarchy. A women across this diverse continent, and will Wenlock Studios ensure women’s voices are counted, their rights are realised system of male authority which legitimises enable Womankind to better support the 50-52 Wharf Road and their lives are free from violence. Thank you for being London N1 7EU the oppression of women through political, rights of all African women. part of the global women’s movement. social, economic and legal, cultural, religious 020 3567 5930 and military institutions. While patriarchy [email protected] manifests itself differently in different contexts, FIND OUT MORE www.womankind.org.uk characteristics of this are similar across the Find our more at Registered Charity No. 328206 continent, including the exclusion of women www.womankind.org.uk Company Reg. No. 2404121 in decision making at all levels, economies that

2 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 3 PARTNER UPDATES PARTNER UPDATES

participate in demonstrations. They have Refugee rights: conducted social audits of public health services, presented the results to service providers and officials and lobbied for change. women and the law Together, they have shared their learning with more than 42,000 people. Last year, we asked you to support our work sexual and reproductive health, teen Attitudes towards talking about sexual and in the third largest refugee camp in the world pregnancy rates are high in the camp, but the reproductive rights are shifting and, in addition – Nyarugusu in Tanzania. With your support training has helped students to become aware to this, the increase in adolescents’ self-esteem through UK Aid Match, we have been working of the risks of early pregnancy and the effects has been astounding. Fully informed young with our partner, Women’s Legal Aid it can have on their education. It has also people are now confident in exercising their Centre (WLAC), on an innovative programme equipped them with the skills to support peers sexual and reproductive rights and talking to strengthen the community response to to return to school after having their children, CIES Santa Cruz Change Agents to their parents about their new knowledge. and girls. By training as Silvie explains (pictured front row left): Parents are becoming more comfortable 308 Community Paralegals in the refugee “Thanks to the training provided speaking to their children, with a refreshing camp, WLAC has been able to provide free by WLAC, I was able to support a girl openness and enthusiasm about matters they legal advice to 2,742 women and girls. to return to school and complete her My body, were previously too embarrassed to talk about. Additionally, WLAC has been training a education after she gave birth to a still Whilst our work in Bolivia is coming to an network of local service providers including born baby at 17.” my rights: end, the consortium members and Change the police, community chiefs, youth groups Thanks to your support, knowledge Agents will build on the momentum to take and local militias, who in turn have supported and attitudes are changing within the the work to new levels, large public awareness campaigns and the Nyarugusu refugee camp and the surrounding breaking taboos to ensure all young distribution of women’s rights learning communities. The services WLAC is people’s sexual and resources in and around the camp. So far, providing directly to women have knock-on in Bolivia reproductive rights are 8,945 people have been reached through benefits within both their families and their understood and fully awareness raising activities and information communities; benefits that will enable more In Bolivia, our partners continue to support respected. on women’s rights, violence against women women to learn about the services offered by young people, teachers, parents and health and girls, female genital mutilation and forced WLAC, to understand their rights, and to claim providers to challenge the taboos surrounding At 19 years old, Julio has been involved marriage. those rights in their everyday lives. sexual and reproductive rights through the in the project for five years. Asked what Pictured opposite “Body and Citizenship Consortium”. At the the main challenges were, he said: are members of the heart of this work is the training of young camp’s Youth and School women and men aged between 13 and 19, “We try to make people realise and Committee, who have in sexual and reproductive rights, health understand – adolescents, mothers, received training from education awareness and advocacy, and the fathers, even teachers who sometimes WLAC. The training prevention of violence against women and tell us that violence against women provides members with girls. is normal. It’s a problem here, people knowledge of human Thanks to the Big Lottery Fund, more than normalise violence. They say because women suffer violence, it is their rights and teaches young 1,400 young people have received training, problem. But as men we can support people about basic with 450 going on to become ‘Change the empowerment of women to know marriage laws, aiming Agents’. The Change Agents give talks in their rights. It can be very difficult to to encourage girls to schools and health clinics and meet with talk about the topic in schools but it is complete school before parents and teachers. They produce radio something I do to prevent men from Members of the Nyarugusu getting married. With programmes, write and perform sketches, committing acts of violence.” taboos surrounding Youth and School Committee run information stands at public events and

4 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 5 POLICY YOUR IMPACT Women’s economic rights BBC Radio 4 Appeal at risk in Ethiopia In May, BBC Woman’s Hour host, Dame Jenni Dame Jenni Murray presented the BBC Radio 4 Appeal Murray recording on our behalf. The appeal featured our work Womankind’s BBC Radio 4 Appeal When women lack financial in Ethiopia, where we support women-only independence, they are more likely to shelters run by our partner, Association for face violence and have less say in the Women’s Sanctuary and Development decisions affecting their day-to-day (AWSAD). Jenni said: “I know a lot about lives. But whilst paid work is critically domestic violence, we’ve talked about it a important for women to exercise great deal on the programme (Woman’s control over their own lives, there are Hour), and that’s why I am prepared to be so other aspects of women’s economic supportive of Womankind Worldwide.” rights that go beyond financial Jenni presented a powerful appeal, which her brother. independence: the right to an adequate opened with this harrowing fact: “As a Thank you for supporting the appeal and standard of living, including the right to woman in Ethiopia, you are more likely to sharing it with your friends and family. So far food, housing and healthcare. have been beaten or raped than you are we’ve raised over £26,000 and introduced Over the past few months, we have to have learnt to read,” and told listeners a new group of supporters to the work of been consulting with over 25 women’s Proving there are alternative ways of about Mekedes*, who came to the shelter Womankind. rights organisations as well as trade unions working that are fair and effective, women-led after suffering five years of abuse and rape by *Name has been changed to protect identity. and civil society organisations in Ethiopia and cooperatives are successful in various sectors , to learn more about the situation of such as coffee, honey and textiles. They are women’s economic rights in these countries. making a difference in the lives of many While women’s rights movements are working rural women and girls in Ethiopia, exporting Sophia’s travelling bag to provide women with reliable sources of their goods globally and sharing their income, they face challenges in their gains. experience with other women-led cooperative Last year, female Greece to Dubai, Japan and India, women In Ethiopia, the government’s investment movements. These cooperatives in Ethiopia are entrepreneur and joined together to raise money for women’s in the manufacturing sector is opening up job so strong that they have established their own fashion designer, rights. The bag visited Alice from our partner prospects for women to work in the garment bank, ENAT Bank, to overcome the challenges Sophia Webster, FIDA in Nairobi, and ended its journey and footwear industry. Huge industrial their members face when trying to access launched an with Dannii Minogue in her hometown of parks are springing up around the capital, credit. innovative Auckland, Australia. , ready to employ hundreds of As we grow our work on economic campaign to On International Women’s Day, Sophia’s thousands of women. rights at Womankind, we are committed to raise funds and Travelling Bag was raffled online and raised Globally, women represent 80% of supporting women’s rights movements awareness for Sophia £2,000 to help women transform their lives. those working in the garment industry, to tackle the big economic challenges Womankind, Webster We would like to thank Sophia and her facing low pay and sexual and other forms that shape women’s lives, to make the Sophia’s wonderful team for their support. of harassment. Many lack the right to safe economy work for women. Travelling Bag. of the brand’s signature working conditions and to social protection accessories, the ‘Claudie’ bag, travelled across such as sickness and disability pay and paid the world to visit 50 inspirational women. SUPPORT US maternity leave, as well as pensions. So, whilst FIND OUT MORE On speech bubble charms, each woman Could your company raise money the industry offers women some prospect Find our report Rights and shared an uplifting mantra they live by or for women’s rights? Email Olivia of earning their own money, conditions are Realities at www.womankind.org. a personal quote, decorating the shoulder at [email protected] or exploitative. uk/economicbriefing strap of the bag. From England, Canada and call 030 3735 5558

6 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 7 FEATURE FEATURE

standing against the stigma they face for work, my income was low and there their “untouchability” and caste status. They were many middlemen so I kept losing are at greater risk of sexual abuse, violence, money. They gave me so much trouble human trafficking, dropping out of school and and paid me less than I should have been early child marriage, with 60% of Dalit girls paid. Saathi provided me with a lot of getting married before they are 16. training and support and I found my Womankind’s partner Feminist Dalit voice. I have cut out the middle person Organization has established over 2,100 and I can stand up for my rights and Dalit women’s groups across Nepal. Given a demand fair pay.” chance to come together, to talk, to learn, to start earning, there is no stopping these women. They are determined their daughters will get the education and rights that they were denied. Like Dalit women, single and widowed women face daily discrimination and abuse. Our partner, Women for Human Rights (WHR), works tirelessly to ensure the voices of single women are heard. After her house collapsed in the Dekitiu sat near her home earthquake, Jamina and her 9-month-old “If we stand together, we can daughter were left with nowhere to live. In raise our voices loudly and become addition to receiving emergency support from one strong voice that is listened WHR, Jamina and five other women were to” – Rajkumasi Lohoa, aged 58, helped to set up a poultry farm which now from Titiriya, President of Titiriya Dalit provides them with an income: “Now, I feel Women’s Group. that if we need or want anything, we can do it. We can build a better future for our A FORCE FOR children. We know our rights and we are As the women’s movement in Nepal rises helping other women to see they can be up against discrimination and violence, we their own keepers.” are standing in solidarity with the activists CHANGE IN NEPAL Our partner, Saathi, campaigns for an and organisations that drive it more than end to violence and runs shelters for women ever before. Working with our existing We have been working in Nepal for almost violence and discrimination because you are a and girls. In recent years, especially since the partners, and through a series of exciting a decade, supporting our women’s rights woman, but because you’re young, old, single, earthquake, Saathi has also been supporting new partnerships, we are strengthening the partners as they respond to a rapidly changing widowed, political, so-called “untouchable”, or women’s economic empowerment and women’s movement so that more women can environment for women. any combination of factors that means you live campaigns for economic rights for all women. transform their lives. In 2017, it’s no different. Three years on with inequality and fear. Nisha Sapkota, aged 24, is a member of from one of the worst earthquakes the country But now more than ever before, women a Saathi savings group in a village that was has seen, and with a recent general election, across the mountains and plains of Nepal are flattened by the earthquake. Since being SUPPORT OUR WORK the women’s movement in Nepal is working making a stand against discrimination. They a part of the group, Nisha has grown in £53 could set up a new women’s harder than ever to ensure the rights of all are coming together, united as a force for confidence and has taken control over her group, providing up to 25 women women are respected and realised. change. business: “Before finding Saathi, I was with a safe place to support and As a woman in Nepal, you not only face Women from the Dalit community are making bangles. It was a lot of hard learn from each other

8 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 9 FEATURE FEATURE WOMEN UNITE IN THE FACE OF POLITICAL VIOLENCE

In Zimbabwe, over 70% of women leaders, medical staff and the police, to help will experience violence within their them better recognise and respond to violence lifetime. With the 2018 general election within the community. fast approaching, women are even more at In order to support women and girls in risk of violence and there is widespread fear these hostile circumstances, we are working of a repeat of the violence seen in previous with a coalition of local women’s rights elections when women were beaten, tortured organisations in three key areas: and raped; their homes ransacked and their bodies violated. PROVIDING SAFE SHELTER In preparation, we have been working For women who have survived violence, with the women’s movement in Zimbabwe to holistic support is necessary to heal and create local support groups. Led by women, recover. Women who have fled will have a these groups are creating safe zones in their safe sanctuary with access to food and receive communities where women who are fleeing the care they need, such as medical and violence, and those who are at risk, can go for financial support. Providing psychological support. support for the women is fundamental to They are also working with people in recovery, so our partners have been training positions of influence, such as traditional women in peer groups and equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to change in their communities, to those working counsel survivors. in women’s shelters – are being supported to Ropadazo* was raped by her stepfather four times. learn the appropriate skills, access resources numerous times. He threatened to kill her Mususa has helped me to accept my if she told her mother. Scared, depressed baby and have provided clothing for her CREATING WOMEN-LED GROUPS and build networks across the country in order and pregnant, with help from her mother, and hospital visits. If Musasa hadn’t been Tens of thousands of women are leading to reach and protect more women and girls. the 16-year-old reported the abuse and there, I could have gone astray. I wanted groups in communities and are being trained was referred to a shelter run by our partner, to disappear. The life I was experiencing on how to respond when a woman is affected With our support and the actions taken by our Musasa. Ropadazo is now rebuilding her life. at home was difficult but at the shelter, by violence. Equipped with community partners, we aim for an end to violence against I feel at home. I am laughing a lot here. dialogue skills and leadership training, these women and girls in Zimbabwe – and for safety “When I came to Musasa, I began to feel Before, I didn’t laugh. women are spreading the message that and healing for those who are survivors. happier, especially because of the way we I want to look after my child as well as violence against women is unacceptable and are cared for. I have received counselling my mother. I want to go back to school informing women and girls of what to do and which has helped me a lot. I had legal too so that I can finish my education and where to go if they experience violence. SUPPORT OUR WORK support too. Mususa has given me the give my child a better life than I had.” Help Musasa to provide more strength to continue to pursue the case, BUILDING WOMEN LEADERS women with a safe place *Name has been changed to protect identity. www.womankind.org.uk/donate which the court has now postponed Women leaders – from those campaigning for

10 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 11 GIFTS IN WILLS WOMEN’S VOICES Your legacy, their future I am

Over the past five years, Womankind has beginning to received over £500,000 from gifts in Wills, enabling us to reach thousands more women and girls. love myself At Womankind, gifts in Wills play an integral role in the work we do and our plans again for future projects. No matter how small or large a gift is, a gift in a Will has the power Catherine in Kenya had a university education to shape a woman’s future. And when you and she was enjoying her career in marketing support one woman to transform her life, £1,019 | A shelter stocked with when she met her husband. After eight years hundreds more benefit. 1 year of supplies in Ethiopia of marriage, abuse from her husband left her with physical scars, underweight and scared to talk or even think independently. She believed

she had no future before she attended group found out, he threatened to take our children therapy sessions provided by FIDA Kenya. and dump them on the streets. When I joined

the group therapy sessions run by FIDA, I was My husband and I met whilst working a mess. I thought I deserved the abuse, I felt at the same media firm. Shortly after responsible. I had lost all self-esteem – I wasn’t we got married, I gave birth to my sure of anything, ‘‘ daughter. When I went back to work, my The therapy enabled me to see my situation husband started to insult me. Working part from a different perspective, I understood time reduced my salary and I became more that I wasn’t alone and it wasn’t my fault. In £4,933 | 50 Dalit women to go back £9,140 | A movement empowered financially dependent on my husband. That’s time, I regained my freedom, self-esteem and and complete their schooling in Nepal to campaign against FGM in Kenya ‘‘ when the physical abuse started. confidence. Now, I do simple things that make We attended family mediation to end the my children and I happy. I am abuse and it seemed to be working at first. beginning to love myself again. If you are interested in leaving a gift in your Will to Womankind Worldwide, or perhaps have Not long after, I fell pregnant with our son. The already left a gift to us, please tick the appropriate box below and return in the Freepost envelope abuse continued. Nothing was good enough Catherine now works in a provided. Please know that this is in no way a binding promise, it just gives us a better oversight for him; I was ugly, I was a bad mother. I wasn’t pilot training centre and is for our planning of future projects. allowed to go anywhere and he banned my financially independent. She friends and family from seeing me. lives in her marital home with I have already left a gift in my Will to Womankind Worldwide Eventually, he decided I should train to her children. Her husband become a pilot. He picked out a pilot school moved out. He provides I would like more information on leaving a gift in my Will to Womankind Worldwide and paid the fees. But we fought when I maintenance for the children. secured a job. He beat me so hard that I Name couldn’t even attend the first day of my new SUPPORT US job. We continued to fight and he hit me until Address £78 could pay for one group I couldn’t move. That was the last straw. counselling session for 15 FIDA Kenya helped me to find a lawyer and Tel no./Email survivors of violence. start the divorce process. When my husband

12 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 13 FACTFILE BE A FUNDRAISER Uganda Running for women’s rights

Across Uganda, the lives of women and girls In April, three Womankind Worldwide the finish line. Susan shared her marathon are largely influenced by society’s patriarchal supporters ran the London Marathon in experience with us: beliefs. support of women’s rights. On a bright “I was delighted and proud to run morning, Womankind staff cheered this year’s London Marathon on behalf WOMEN IN DECISION MAKING on Susan, Kate and Harriet as they ran past of Womankind Worldwide. The support • Women received the right to vote in 1962 mile 13 over Tower Bridge. Running 26.2 from the team in the lead up to the event • Women currently hold less than a third of miles is no easy task; it’s a challenge that and for my fundraising was fantastic. On seats in parliament takes incredible amounts of dedication and the day itself, the enthusiastic cheering • 65% of women are literate compared to strength, not only on marathon day, but also and smiling faces at half way was a very 85% of men in the months of training leading up to the welcome sight and the cup of tea when I VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS event. Together, they have raised over £6,316 finished was possibly one of the nicest I Sexual assault, domestic violence, forced for Womankind. have had in my life! marriage and female genital mutilation are The Womankind team greeted Susan This was my first marathon. I was prevalent across Uganda. Legislation banning with a round of applause and a hot cup of lucky to have friends to train with violence against women and girls has been tea when she came to meet us after passing but, at 6:30am on a dark and frosty passed but hasn’t been put into full action. February morning with a long run Just under half of women have experienced Susan with her London ahead, motivation can be hard to muster. • Recipe: Ugandan Rolex Marathon medal physical violence from a partner Remembering why I was doing it made • 58% of women believe a husband is Found on any street corner in Uganda, a Rolex is all the difference. justified in beating his wife a popular breakfast choice which was originally I support Womankind Worldwide named ‘Rolled Eggs’. Best served in a chapati, eggs, because I want all women and girls to Whilst women do most of the agricultural tomatoes, onion and cabbage make up a delicious have the same chances and choices that I work, and there are no laws preventing breakfast wrap! Why not give it a go yourself? have in my life. Equal, respected, proud… women from owning land, the custom of male that really shouldn’t be too much to inheritance has resulted in the vast majority of Ingredients expect. women being excluded from land ownership. 2 eggs, 1/4 cup green cabbage (thinly sliced), ¼ cup Was it hard? Yes, of course, it’s 26.2 RECOGNISING WOMEN’S RIGHTS tomatoes (seeds removed and finely diced), ¼ cup miles. Would I do it again? Absolutely.” red onion, sprinkle of salt, vegetable oil, 1 chapati Most cases of violence against women in If you, or anyone you know, are passionate Uganda go unreported because women aren’t about women’s rights and would like to join 1. Preheat a large skillet over a medium-high heat aware of their rights and violence is normalised our 2018 London Marathon running team, and add oil. in everyday life. Womankind’s partner, we’d love to hear from you! Get with 2. Crack the eggs into a large mug and add the the National Association of Women’s Esme at [email protected] Organisations in Uganda (NAWOU), tomatoes, red onion, cabbage and salt. Stir supports women and girls to learn their rights together well until the mixture combines. and improve their social and economic status. 3. Pour the mixture into a flat circle and let it cook SIGN UP NOW Ending violence against women in rural until the mixture is mostly set and the bottom has We have a few places left in areas means changing attitudes towards browned. the Royal Parks Half Marathon the rights and roles of women. This is why 4. Flip and cook for another couple of minutes. Pop – London’s most beautiful NAWOU supports women to develop the chapati at the bottom of the pan to heat it up. half marathon. Sign up before 18th August, contact Esme at strategies to educate and motivate their 5. Remove both from the pan and when cool, roll it [email protected] communities to work towards equality. up and enjoy!

14 WOMANKIND WORLDWIDE SUMMER 2017 15 MY DETAILS

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