Nobel Women’s Initiative Update – 5 March 2008
Celebrating International Women’s Week Investing in women and girls
The Nobel Women’s Initiative joins the global community in celebrating International Women’s Week, today through 11 March. The United Nations has celebrated International Women’s Day on 8 March since 1975, but the roots of the now global celebration began 99 years ago. In this Update you will read about the work the Nobel Women’s Initiative is doing to strengthen and expand the global movement to advance nonviolence, peace, justice and equality. This week, and throughout the year, we encourage you to join us by investing in women and girls and supporting the advancement of women’s rights around the world.
On the Issues
International spotlight shines on China’s unscrupulous support of Sudan
In February, the Nobel Women’s Initiative released an open-letter to President Hu Jintao of China, sending a clear and strong signal to the Chinese Government: You must act for peace in Darfur. More than 80 international figures, including parliamentarians, Olympic athletes, Nobel Peace Laureates, artists and actors, lent their names to this initiative, directing global media and public attention to China’s support for the regime in Sudan. The following week, the Chinese government pressed the Government of Sudan to do more to allow peacekeeper deployment and increased humanitarian aid to the region.
You can read the letter and its expansive international media coverage on our website .
Nobel Laureates appeal for arms embargo on Burma
On 19 February, nine Nobel Peace Laureates, led by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, appealed to the international community and United Nations Security Council to impose an arms embargo on Burma’s military junta. The regime continues to use arms supplied by foreign governments to brutally oppress Burmese citizens. The appeal demands that the international community take tangible action on behalf of Burma’s citizens.
Defending women’s rights in Iran – one activist honored, others jailed and prominent magazine closed
One of the founding members of the One Million Signatures Campaign, journalist Parvin Ardalan, was awarded the 2007 Olof Palme Prize for her tireless efforts to bring women’s rights to the forefront of the fight for democracy in Iran. On 3 March security officials barred Ardalan from leaving Iran to accept the award. Two other members of the campaign, Raheleh Asgarizadeh and Nasim Khosravi, were arrested and charged with “propaganda against the state” while collecting signatures in a local park, and Iran’s sole feminist magazine, Zanan, had their publishing license revoked in January. Though the two activists were later released, the crackdown on the women’s rights movement in Iran continues. For International Women’s Day 2008, the women Laureates of the Nobel Women’s Initiative proudly endorse a statement in solidarity with all activists fighting for universal human rights in Iran.
Take Action
Road to reconciliation begins in Kenya
Following the negotiation of a power-sharing deal on 27 February, Kenya’s political parties agreed to a roadmap towards constitutional reform this Tuesday. Political unrest following the disputed 27 December elections has left over 1,000 dead and 300,000 displaced. In February, Kenyan Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai received death threats for her work towards a lasting solution of the crisis.
As with too many conflicts, there has been a significant increase of violence against women and girls since the violence began. Visit our Take Action page to find out how you can support efforts to end post-election violence against women by supporting women’s organizations working on the ground in Kenya.
Recent Events
82 states take final steps to ban cluster munitions
The Wellington Conference on Cluster Munitions ended on 22 February with 82 countries taking one step closer to an international treaty banning cluster munitions. At the conference Nobel Laureate Jody Williams delivered a strong statement on behalf of the Nobel Women’s Initiative. The final terms and language of the internationally binding instrument will be negotiated in Dublin, Ireland from 19-30 May 2008.
Visit our website to learn more about NWI – issues, news, upcoming events, and ways you can take action. To unsubscribe from future updates of the Nobel Women’s Initiative, send an email to info@nobelwomensinitiative.org.
Thank you for your support
The Mission of the NWI is to work together as women Nobel Peace Prize Laureates to use the visibility and prestige of the Nobel prize to promote, spotlight, and amplify the work of women’s rights activists, researchers, and organizations worldwide addressing the root causes of violence, in a way that strengthens and expands the global movement to advance nonviolence, peace, justice and equality.
The Vision of the NWI is a world transformed, a nonviolent world of security, equality and well-being for all.
