In Afghanistan, U.S. shifts strategy on women's rights as it eyes wider priorities

In Afghanistan, U.S. shifts strategy on women's rights as it eyes wider priorities

By Rajiv Chandrasekaran
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 6, 2011; 12:18 AM

When the U.S. Agency for International Development sought bids last March for a $140 million land reform program in Afghanistan, it insisted that the winning contractor meet specific goals to promote women's rights: The number of deeds granting women title had to increase by 50 percent; there would have to be regular media coverage on women's land rights; and teaching materials for secondary schools and universities would have to include material on women's rights.

Before the contract was awarded, USAID overhauled the initiative, stripping out those concrete targets. Now, the contractor only has to perform "a written evaluation of Afghan inheritance laws," assemble "summaries of input from women's groups" and draft amendments to the country's civil code.

The removal of specific women's rights requirements, which also took place in a $600 million municipal government program awarded last year, reflects a shift in USAID's approach in Afghanistan. Instead of setting ambitious goals to improve the status of Afghan women, the agency is tilting toward more attainable measures.

"If you're targeting an issue, you need to target it in a way you can achieve those objectives," said J. Alexander Thier, director of USAID's Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs. "The women's issue is one where we need hardheaded realism. There are things we can do, and do well. But if we become unrealistic and overfocused . . . we get ourselves in trouble."

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Mar. 14 - Women & Sustainable Development in Asia

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Date
Monday
March 14th
12:00 to 2:00 pm

Location
Asia Society Washington
The Cinnabar Room
Whittemore House, 2nd Flr.
1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Directions
Metro access: Dupont Circle
(Red Line)
Google Map

Tickets & RSVP
Asia Society Members: $10
Asia Society Non-Members: $15
RSVP's are required by 12 pm on March 11.

Speaker
Jonathan Woetzel
Director, McKinsey & Company Shanghai Office and Co-founder, Urban China Initiative

  Oyungerel Tsedevdamba
President, Local Solutions Foundation and former Human Rights Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia.

Christopher Williams
Director, UN-HABITAT New York Office

More Information
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Fax: 202-833-0189
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Fax: 202-833-0189

Women and Development in Asia


Women & Sustainable

Development in Asia

A Luncheon Discussion

[UN Photo by Martine Perret]

Sustainable development can only be achieved through involving and investing in women. Join our discussion of the impacts of urbanization on women and how women are contributing to sustainable urban development in Asia.

Urbanization is the driving force of China's economic and now social development. With over 50% of the population in cities and 80% of the economy, making cities livable, equitable, and productive is THE challenge for China.  The Urban China Initiative, co-founded by panelist Jonathan Woetzel, Director of McKinsey’s Shanghai Office,  reports research highlighting the social, economic, and environmental challenges of sustainable development, including gender-related factors, in China's cities.

Last year, over 100 schools in Mongolia’s northern Khuvsgul Province burned more than 55,000 tons of wood for heating – wood cut from forests surrounding the community itself, which multiplies the environmental costs to the community immensely.  Winter heating is a major issue that impacts everyone in Mongolia, regardless of political affiliation or social status. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, President of Local Solutions Foundation and former Human Rights Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia, will discuss a project to improve heating efficiency for schools in Mongolia.

Christopher Williams, Director of the UN-HABITAT New York Office, will discuss issues of women and urban development as these concern countries in Asia that are experiencing rapid urbanization. He will touch on cooperation with UN Women, which was officially launched on February 24, 2011 in New York on the occasion of the Commission on the Status of Women, and also focus on specific operations of UN-Habitat in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and India.

The Women and Development in Asia Series is underwritten by LEO A DALY.


 


Additional funding for this program is provided by McKinsey & Company.


 

The Society for International Development’s Asia/Pacific Working Group is an Outreach Partner for this event.



Copyright (c) 2010 Asia Society. All Rights Reserved.

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Check out "What Can Applying a Gender Lens Contribute to Conflict Studies?" on Peace and Collaborative Development Network

Building Bridges, Networks and Expertise Across Sectors

Craig Zelizer

Craig Zelizer

Check out the blog post 'What Can Applying a Gender Lens Contribute to Conflict Studies?'

Blog post added by John Spall:


It is rare to find gender a specific focus of scholarship on conflict studies except when produced by scholars who habitually use a gender...

Blog post link:

What Can Applying a Gender Lens Contribute to Conflict Studies?

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WashPost: Goldman, State Dept. team up to help women

From: noreply@washingtonpost.com [mailto:noreply@washingtonpost.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 08, 2011 9:53 AM
To: Jennifer Nevin
Subject: WashPost: Goldman, State Dept. team up to help women

 

Goldman, State Dept. team up to help women 

By Jia Lynn Yang

A woman in a developing country running her own small business can face any number of obstacles: discrimination, limited access to funding and little education on how to manage the balance sheet of her company or win more customers.

Divya Keshav, from Dehli, India, had no idea how to run her family's struggling label-printing business when she took over the company in 2008. Keshav participated in a four-month training program through 10,000 Women and as a result she says her sales doubled last year.

"The program has had a wonderful effect on me," said Keshav. "I've learned business skills that I lacked earlier."

The program has other ties to the Obama administration through Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, who served as a lead consultant for the program before joining the White House. Sperling drew some heat from critics for getting paid $887,727 from Goldman for his advice on the charity.

The relationship between Washington and Goldman Sachs has a long history. The federal government has often tapped the firm's executives for top policymaking posts. But the company's standing inside the Beltway took a hit after it took a federal bailout in 2008 and faced questions about its activities in the run-up to the financial crisis.

Goldman's charitable arm, known as Goldman Sachs Foundation, has assets of more than $550 million.  

Divya Keshav, from Dehli, India, had no idea how to run her family's struggling label-printing business when she took over the company in 2008. Keshav participated in a four-month training program through 10,000 Women and as a result she says her sales doubled last year.

"The program has had a wonderful effect on me," said Keshav. "I've learned business skills that I lacked earlier."

The program has other ties to the Obama administration through Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council, who served as a lead consultant for the program before joining the White House. Sperling drew some heat from critics for getting paid $887,727 from Goldman for his advice on the charity.

The relationship between Washington and Goldman Sachs has a long history. The federal government has often tapped the firm's executives for top policymaking posts. But the company's standing inside the Beltway took a hit after it took a federal bailout in 2008 and faced questions about its activities in the run-up to the financial crisis.

Goldman's charitable arm, known as Goldman Sachs Foundation, has assets of more than $550 million.

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3/28: Women Confronting Violence and Impunity in Guatemala

Gender in Development Workgroup Event 

 

Women Confronting Violence and Impunity in Guatemala:

For Women's Right to Live-2011 Speakers Tour with Sandra Morán

 

When: Monday, March 28, 2011, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Where: The QED Group, LLC, 1250 Eye Street, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 

 

Please join the SID-Washington Gender in Development Workgroup at an event featuring internationally recognized human rights activist, Sandra Morán. Ms. Morán has worked with the Guatemalan women's and feminist movement for the past 20 years and is a founder of the Sector de Mujeres (Women's Sector), an alliance of 33 women's organizations throughout Guatemala. As a representative of the Sector de Mujeres, Ms. Morán was the driving force and founder of the National Women's Forum, a body that generated participation and proposals for women's public policy after the 1996 Peace Accords were signed to end the 36-year internal conflict. 

 

The Guatemala Human Rights Commission/USA (GHRC) launched the For Women's Right to Live campaign in 2005 to end the brutal violence against women in Guatemala that has claimed the lives of over 5,000 young women since 2000. There have been fewer than 30 firm court sentences, including both convictions and acquittals. 

 

Kelsey Alford-Jones, Acting Director of GHRC, will accompany the 2011 Speakers Tour, interpret for Ms. Morán, and provide action steps for audiences to support women's rights in Guatemala, under GHRC's campaign For Women's Right to Live.

 

Speakers:

 

Sandra Morán, Director, Sector de Mujeres, Guatemala

 

Kelsey Alford-Jones, Acting Director, Guatemala Human Rights Commission  

 

A light lunch will be provided by Juárez & Associates, Inc.  

 

For more information about this event, please e-mail Janel Poché at  jpoche@juarezassociates.com.  

 

To learn more about the Gender in Development Workgroup, please visit their Ning site.

 

To RSVP for this event, please click here

Mar. 9th – Meet Sec. Clinton’s International Women of Courage Honorees

Just registered to attend. Let me know if you plan to go as well!

From: Asia Society Washington [mailto:AsiaDC=asiasociety.org@mcsv144.net] On Behalf Of Asia Society Washington
Sent: Tuesday, March 01, 2011 10:54 AM
To: Clare Sheng
Subject: Mar. 9th – Meet Sec. Clinton’s International Women of Courage Honorees

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Date
Wednesday
March 9th
5:00 to 6:30 pm

Location
Asia Society Washington
The Cinnabar Room
Whittemore House, 2nd Flr.
1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

Directions
Metro access: Dupont Circle
(Red Line)
Google Map

Tickets & RSVP
No charge, but RSVP's are required by 12 pm on March 8th.  Please click to reserve tickets now.

 Moderator
Wenchi Yu
Policy Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State

More Information
Web: www.asiasociety.org
Email:
AsiaDC@asiasociety.org
Phone: 202-833-ASIA (2742)
Fax: 202-833-0189
Follow Asia Society on:
 
  

This series is underwritten by LEO A DALY.

Join our Mailing List

As a non-profit organization, funding for Asia Society Washington comes from membership fees and sponsorship of events. We are grateful for the support of our current members, who recognize the need to develop links between policy makers and the Asia-related leadership community.

Join Asia Society Washington to get member tickets to more than 200 programs annually in Washington, DC and New York, and get discounts at participating restaurants in our Asia a la Carte Program and at the Asia Store:
Become a Member


Asia Society Washington
Whittemore House
1526 New Hampshire Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Web:
www.asiasociety.org
Email: AsiaDC@asiasociety.org
Phone: 202-833-ASIA (2742)
Fax: 202-833-0189

Women and Development in Asia Series


Discussion with Secretary Clinton's 2011 International Women of Courage Awardees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China

[State Department Photo: 2010 Awards Ceremony]
 

To mark International Women's Day, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will be honoring ten women from around the globe who have shown exceptional courage and leadership in advocating for women's rights and advancement.  Established in 2007, the Secretary’s International Women of Courage Award, is the only official U.S. Department of State award that pays tribute to emerging and established women leaders worldwide.  It offers a unique opportunity to recognize those who work in the field to advance women’s rights as human rights.

Join our discussion with the 2011 honorees from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China, moderated by Wenchi Yu, Policy Advisor, Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, U.S. Department of State.  The names of the honorees will be publicly released on March 8, 2011.


Copyright (c) 2010 Asia Society. All Rights Reserved.

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Anti-Trafficking Event at U.S. State Department

Thanks to Katherine Begley for attending this event on behalf of IREX. Her notes are below. --Randal

Conversation with Ambassador-at-Large Luis CdeBaca and Senior Staff, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (G/TIP)

U. S. Department of State, Monday 28 February 2011

Opening Remarks:

·         Ambassador CdeBaca spoke very briefly about the use of a more standardized way of writing country narratives which will be evident in the upcoming Trafficking in Persons Report 2011.

·         The introductory section of the report will also highlight trends in human trafficking and promising practices in the 3 Ps (prevention, protection, prosecution)

·         The remainder of the session was spent listening to questions and recommendations from attendees who represented a cross-section of anti-trafficking actors from the NGO and CSO community.

Key Comments/Themes:

1.      Need to do more to address root causes of TIP

a.       Efforts would benefit from evidence-based research on root causes and how TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) could be amended to address root causes

2.      Trainings that political officers are receiving at USG Embassies and Missions could be linked to trainings received by flight attendants and others within the airline industry

a.       One area where partnering would be beneficial to ensure standardization of trainings/understanding of the nature of TIP/what to look for if TIP is suspected

3.      Need a closer look at shelters—uncovering types of facilities and services that exist for TIP victims

a.       Need to look more closely at the “layers” of care (or lack thereof) since sometimes governments report they have shelters in place when in fact they are deportation/detention centers with few/no services offered

b.      Moving toward greater standardization and understanding of what constitutes adequate/professionalized shelter facilities and assistance for victims

4.      Challenge of how to give governments credit for addressing TIP cases when a case may not be technically classified as a TIP case (e.g., “special interest juvenile” (an unaccompanied refugee minor who has actually been a victim of TIP).

5.      Need for more detailed information for why a country is demoted or promoted on the tier placement system

6.      Need to shed more light on labor TIP along supply chains of multinationals (including activities of labor brokerage systems)

7.      What are the criteria that are used to identify a program/activity as a best practice?  Can this be clarified in upcoming TIP report?

8.      How are social networking tools being used to combat TIP?

9.      What has become of the TIP cases noted in 2010 TIP Report?  Can any of these be used as test cases?

10.  Is it possible to highlight research that has made a difference in the field in terms of highlighting gaps or resulting in promising practices in the 3 Ps?

Country Concerns:

·         Libyan Crisis:  Effects on thousands of labor migrants (whose documents/passports have been confiscated) who are stranded in Libya/Malta/elsewhere

·         Vietnam:  Government’s complicity with labor recruiters/traffickers (will it be dropped to Tier 3)

·         Haiti:  Some progress in building government capacity and political will to address TIP, particularly the plight of restaveks (child domestics) prior to earthquake.  However, post-earthquake, some of the momentum has been lost/grave concerns about exploitation of children, particularly orphaned and unaccompanied children in Haiti/along border areas with Dominican Republic.

·         U.S.-Mexican Border:  inconsistent application of TVPA by law enforcement.  Law enforcement staff often tasked to assist victims/potential victims without adequate training/not part of their mandate, etc.

·         Asia Pacific:  Are efforts to train staff on UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) among those working as part of U. S. Pacific Command resulting in a reduction in demand for commercial sex? 

Recommendations for Possible Inclusion in Introduction to 2011 TIP Report:

1.      Diplomatic TIP case examples, particularly violations of guest worker visa programs

a.       Cases from Kuwait and Tanzania were cited

2.      Promising practices in cross-border collaboration

a.       Examples noted between Malaysia/Indonesia; Singapore and the Philippines

b.      Models to assist sending and receiving countries, particularly with respect to labor exploitation/trafficking of guest workers

3.      Noting examples of promising practices in addressing demand that are actually having a deterrent effect on both sex and labor TIP

4.      Need to include promising practice examples of federal and state efforts in the U. S. to investigate and prosecute TIP cases

5.      Inclusion of successful program examples/trainings by international development workers to help communities come up with their own strategies to educate people about TIP and address root causes.

Save the Date: Tuesday 8 of March 2011. PAHO Commememoration of International Women´s Day.

From: Gomez, Mr. Oswaldo (WDC) [mailto:gomezo@paho.org]
Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2011 8:04 PM
Subject: Save the Date: Tuesday 8 of March 2011. PAHO Commememoration of International Women´s Day.

---------------------------------------------
Oswaldo L. Gómez R.
KM & Communication Specialist
Gender, Diversity and Human Rights (GDR)
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
Phone(202)974-3463 Fax (202)974-3663
Mobile (202)213-6714. Washington, D.C.

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Click here to download:
Save-the-date_english.pdf (117 KB)
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Click here to download:
Save-the-date_spanish.pdf (113 KB)
(download)

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MFAN, WTW & AJWS Event - Forging the Path to Effective Development: Getting Gender Policy Right - 3/8/11

From: Jenni Rothenberg [mailto:jrothenberg@modernizingforeignassistance.org]
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 12:55 PM
To: Jenni Rothenberg
Subject: MFAN, WTW & AJWS Event - Forging the Path to Effective Development: Getting Gender Policy Right - 3/8/11

Image004

American Jewish World Service, Women Thrive Worldwide and

The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network to invite you to

An International Women’s Day event:

Forging the Path to Effective Development:

Getting Gender Policy Right

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

8:30a.m.-10:00a.m.

Breakfast will be available

Reserve Officers Association Building

Minuteman Ballroom A

One Constitution Avenue, N.E.

Washington, DC

An event featuring Ruth Messinger and Ritu Sharma, Presidents of American Jewish World Service and Women Thrive Worldwide. Additional speakers will be announced soon.

The first government-wide global development policy issued by the President last fall and the State Department’s recently released Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) both commit the United States to consider the unique needs of women and girls, as well as men and boys, in designing U.S. diplomacy and poverty-fighting efforts around the world.  When gender is taken into account, foreign assistance can truly reach the people it is intended to benefit—so that both women and men can contribute to the growth and development of their countries. However, without a commitment to gender integration, women are usually the ones left behind; even though research shows that investments in women yield economic, health, and education benefits in lifting families and communities out of poverty.

 

Join us on International Women's Day as we discuss the importance of taking gender into account when designing truly transformative development and foreign assistance programs. The speakers will focus on how we can make lasting changes in U.S. policy that give women in the developing world a greater voice in setting development priorities and being a more integrated part of their execution on the ground.

To RSVP for this event, please e-mail rsvp-dc@ajws.org.

***

Jenni Rothenberg

Outreach Coordinator

MFAN|Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network

425 3rd Street SW | Suite 1200 | Washington, DC 20024

T: 202.688.1107 | C: 610.585.4230

www.modernizingforeignassistance.net

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