International Women’s Day 2009

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2009 – FREE CONFERENCE
Open to Public & Voluntary Sector Service Providers & Community Activists
Tuesday 17th March 2009 at City Hall, Cardiff, Wales.

Invited speakers include:
* Nazir Afzal O.B.E. – Director, Crown Prosecution Service
* Chief Constable Brian Moore – Wiltshire Police
* Anne Marie Hutchinson O.B.E. – Dawson Cornwall Solicitors
* Ratna Dutt O.B.E. – Chief Executive, Race Equality Foundation (TBC)
* Commander Steve Allen- Association of Chief Police Officers
* Neelam Bhardwaja – Corporate Director, Cardiff Council
* Councillor J udith Woodman – Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council
* Sarah Russell – Head of Forced Marriage Unit, Foreign & Commonwealth Office

International Women’s Day conference 2009 is themed around prevention and protection of Forced Marriage & ‘Honour’ based violence. Henna Foundation will launch the National on-line Forced Marriage & ‘Honour’ Based Violence Directory & Toolkit, a project funded by the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

In November 2008, Ministry of Justice launched the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 and the Forced Marriage Statutory Guidance – with this came legal obligations upon public services and those commissioned to deliver services on their behalf, to ensure that all the necessary checks and balances are in place to ensure that victims and potential victims from Forced Marriage are protected from harm. The conference programme will focus on delivering an interactive knowledge gaining experience where attending delegates will gain practical awareness and knowledge from professionals who have made use of the Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007 to safeguard victims.

Families of ethnic minority backgrounds are not a homogenous group and vary in degree of how they socially operate and integrate with the wider British society. Familial functions of some ethnic minority communities are led by indefensible notions of honour (izzat) and shame (sharam) and controlled by patriarchal traditions where gender specific roles and expectations regulate how families should live their lives. While families are committed and dedicated to working hard to care and provide for their families, there are equally a minority steadfast in ensuring their family status remains ‘honourably’ upheld and respected. When traditional conventions of family ‘honour’ codes’ are at risk of being compromised, this can lead to tension within families, and in extreme cases spill over into honour based violence, forced marriages, abandoned wives, child abduction to forced imprisonment isolation, depression, loneliness and withdrawal. In worst-case scenarios, matters can further escalate causing significant risk, harm and even loss of life.

Victims of honour-based violence are like the families they come from, emotionally bound (socially conditioned to accept it as a social norm) to the practice of ‘honour’. Their minds work around perception and what ‘others’ will think of them and often so overwhelmed with the guilt factors of ‘honour’ and shame, they internalise, even downplay the risks they face. Self-priority to safeguard their lives becomes secondary. Victims and families tormented at the hands of this practice need to believe that gender rights are God given human rights and be made aware that suffering the wrath of ‘honour’ abuse and violence in the familial home is unlawful, a crime and “not their shame”.

CONFERENCE OBJ ECTIVES & BENEFITS OF ATTENDING
* Forced Marriage (Civil Protection) Act 2007: The protection in practice
* Launch of the on-line Forced Marriage & HBV directory & toolkit
* Increasing trust & confidence of victims at risk of Forced Marriage & HBV
* Boost knowledge capacity & confidence of practitioners & support workers in the case handling of forced marriages and ‘Honour’ abuse
* Present best practice methods to improve current work practices and services to adequately protect victims from Forced Marriage and Honour’ related abuse and violence.
* Solutions focus; early intervention & prevention; Bridging the communication & generational gap between parents & young people
* Networking, information sharing, widening access & directory of services; delegates will have the opportunity to exchange discussions with internationally recognised professionals and champions in this field.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
* Front line Practitioners and Policy Officers;
* Cardiff Council staff, managers and elected members;
* Government and Local Authority departments;
* Police, CPS, Community Safety Officers, Domestic Violence Officers, Youth Offending Services, Probation Officers;
* Health & Social Care staff: social workers, health visitors, midwives, family liaisons, counselling services and other health workers. Education; Primary & secondary school Head teachers, University & Higher Education staff, Youth workers, Welfare education officers;
* Voluntary and Community Sector; Women’s Aid, Refuge services, Children & family services (inc faith groups & institutes);
* Law agencies (Inc Magistrates, Judges, Court workers, Solicitors, Barristers and Registrars).

CONDITIONS
* Delegate Fees: This event is FREE.
* All delegates are required to complete registration form.
* Places are limited; allocations will be made on a first come first served basis
* Please note this event is FREE; but registered non-attendees will be charged £60.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Equalities Team
Cardiff Council
Room 356
County Hall
Atlantic Wharf
Cardiff
CF10 4UW
Email: hbvconference@cardiff.gov.uk
Tel: Henna Foundation (029) 2049 8600 / (029) 2049 6920

Celebrate International Women’s Day 2009 with a special charity screening of Reese Witherspoon in ‘Legally Blonde’ in aid of the Women’s Aid National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900

In association with AVON

Join us for a girl’s night of indulgence and fun on Monday 9th March at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield, Dublin 7 from 7 p.m.

Ticket price: €30 per person. Seats are limited so book now!

To book your tickets please contact Stefania Demurtas on 01 8684721 or email stefania.demurtas@womensaid.ie

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

Amnesty International’s Sponsored Walk

With Amnesty International speakers:
Noeleen Hartigan, Tendai Madondo & Neltah Chadamoyo

Sunday 8 March, 1.00 pm
From Central Bank, Dame Street to the Phoenix Park

To apply for a sponsorship card, please contact youth@amnesty.ie
For more information go to http://ent.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=263011554&u=2808159

For International Women’s Day we are celebrating the extraordinary bravery and determination of Zimbabwean women defending their rights.

Many human rights defenders and political activists in Zimbabwe have been repeatedly arrested, unlawfully detained, harassed, tortured or even killed for simply exercising their rights to peaceful protest, freedom of assembly and association.

In this context, many courageous women have decided to stand up and defend their inalienable human rights and the rights of their communities and families. These brave women have denounced these injustices, demanded respect for their rights and in the process have often brought about positive social change and progress on human rights for all.

To support Amnesty International and human rights defenders in Zimbabwe you can:
1. Take part in the sponsored walk
2. Come along to the Central Bank at 1.00pm on 8 March and mark International Women’s Day

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

Banúlacht and the National Women’s Council of Ireland
International Women’s Day Conference

Thursday, 5 March 2009, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Croke Park Conference Centre, Dublin

On International Women’s Day, women throughout the world come together to celebrate the progress and achievements made by women in their fight against injustice and inequality. This year, 2009, is particularly significant for it is 30 years since the international community adopted the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and recognised women’s rights as a global priority. Women’s organisations all over the world have worked for the implementation of CEDAW since 1979. It is now critical to ensure that the achievements of the women’s movement and of feminist activism over the last 30 years are not undermined. This conference will focus on women’s activism and feminist leadership in changing times, and aims to both inspire and challenge participants.

Who is this conference for?
We welcome all women interested in women’s issues, equality, feminism, feminist activism and development from a local and a global perspective. In addition, we welcome women from community development and community education organisations (whether coordinating an organisation or participating in a personal development course); women involved in nongovernmental organisations, national organisations. In order to facilitate participation, there will be both discussion-based workshops and creative workshops—something for everyone! The keynote speakers are feminist activists with experience of working at community level as well as local, national or international levels.

More information & booking form available at
http://www.banulacht.ie/conferences/conferences_International_Womens_Day_Conference_Mar_09.htm

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

WITS
in association with the Dublin City Book Festival
http://www.dublinbookfestival.com/sunday.html

invites you to celebrate International Women’s Day, 2009 at the launch of:
“Lab Coats and Lace” edited by Mary Mulvihill

The Lives and Legacies of Inspiring Irish Women Scientists and Pioneers,
a companion volume to Stars, Shells and Bluebells (1997).
Speakers: TBD
City Hall,
Sunday, March 8,
1.15-2:30 p.m.

Adm free, all welcome.

Further details will be posted to our website http://www.witsireland.com

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

with
SPELLBOUND: A Wonderful Evening of Poetry and Prose
To Celebrate Women’s Writing

Wednesday, March 4th
Central Hotel, Exchequer Street, Dublin
7.30pm-9.30pm

Feminist Open Forum offers an antidote to doom and gloom. Come join us for an uplifting evening of poetry and prose. Catherine Cullen, Mary Dorcey, Claire Kilroy, Barbara Smith, Medbh McGuckian, Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Enda Wyley and others will give us something to celebrate this International Women’s Day 2009.

To reconnect with the joys of writing, of women, of life be in the Central Hotel at 7.30pm on March 4th for a night to remember.

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)
Inquiries to: feministforum@gmail.com / 086 0704036

Who? Join Choice Ireland, the RAG collective and the Lashback collective to celebrate International Women’s Day
When? 1pm Sunday March 8th 2009, International Women’s Day
Where? The Custom House, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1

Description:
On March 8th 2008 over 150 people took to the streets to take part in the first Feminist Walking Tour of Dublin to mark International Women’s Day. Following the enormous success of last year’s tour, we are once again stepping out to tell the often forgotten stories of the Dublin women who have shaped the world we live in.

“The tour will tell the stories of women throughout our history from Granuaile to the women of the Ladies Land League and Irish Women Workers’ Union to today’s women activists who work to reduce poverty and exclusion in our city,” comments Sinead Ahern

Commenting further Anne Lynott says “The walking tour is an educational and entertaining way to celebrate the courage and achievements of women past and present and an ideal way to mark International Women’s Day.”

The Feminist Walking Tour will follow a new route this year and will incorporate different aspects of women in Dublin’s history. The tour will finish with a social lunch where soup and sandwiches will be provided.

There will be a free booklet to accompany the tour with a map and information about each stop.

This event is free of charge and is open to all ages and genders. Please contact us if you have any accessibility or other needs.

For a report of last year’s tour see http://ie.indymedia.org/article/86643

For further information please contact:
feministwalkingtour@yahoo.ie
Sinead Ahern +353 (0)86 398 3189
Anne Lynott +353 (0)87 910 9147

(info forwarded by equality@usi.ie)

This is an event for all women to rediscover their inner inspiration and aspirations. Ever wanted to change the world but felt under-prepared or inadequate? Then this day is for you. It will amuse, challenge and invigorate in equal measure.

Ruskin College Oxford, as part of Oxford International Women’s Festival is pleased to be able to invite you to a one day workshop. 6th March, 9.30am-2.30pm, free but booking essential.
Open to all women (trans friendly).
Email llivesey@ruskin.ac.uk to book a place
Walton St is easily accessible from Oxford train station and from coach station.

Please forward to others who may be interested. The workshop is followed (4pm-6pm) by an Open Day (drop in, no need to book) on Ruskin’s courses, particularly Women’s Studies. Ruskin is unique in the UK for having a commitment to social justice which extends to the entry requirements for their courses (no formal requirements, all applications considered on their own merits) and to offering everything from short courses to MA level study.

Where:
Nottingham Women’s Centre, 30 Chaucer Street, Nottingham NG1 5LP

When:
Monday 9th March 11.00 – 3.00

What’s on:
* Guest Speakers from Roshni (Asian Women’s Aid) & Rape Crisis
* Belly Dancing
* Pamper sessions, including beauty treatments, Chakra balancing & hand massages
* Yoga sessions
* Information stands
* Tombola
* Home cooked lunch at a minimal charge

We hope you will be able to come along and join us in our annual celebration of International Women’s Day.

If you need any further information please contact us on:
Tel: 0115 -9411475
Email: admin@nottinghamwomenscentre.com
Website: http://www.nottinghamwomenscentre.com

To mark International’s Women’s Day this walk explores the contribution of women to the history of health in Tower Hamlets

Friday 6th March 9:30- 12:30
Meeting Place: Brady Centre, Hanbury Street, 9:30
Finish: Spitalfields Market area

For centuries, women have been involved with improving the health of the overworked poor in east London. Discover the sites associated with those who came to the East End to make a difference, including Alice Model at the Jewish Maternity Hospital, the Sisters of Mercy at Providence Row and home grown ‘angels’ too such as Hannah Billig. Covering present day initiatives we also go further back to the original St Mary Spital and the Huguenots who pioneered improvements to medical and opthalmic instruments in the 17th century.

The walk will be led by Rachel Kolsky. Rachel is a prize winning Blue Badge Guide who worked for over 25 years in the financial services industry as a professional researcher. Her inquisitive nature soon led her to explore London and since 1999 she has been sharing her favourite areas and stories by leading guided tours in all areas of London. She co-founded Go East London (www.goeastlondon.co.uk) to encourage greater interest in the wonderfully diverse history of east London.

This tour is part of a series that aims to introduce those working in North East London to the rich social history of the area and of the communities that they come into contact with in their work. The walks are funded and organised by the Support Unit for Minority Ethnic Health Research with the aim of encouraging health practitioners & researchers to consider social and historical contexts in their work.

This walk is free and open to all, including members of the local community.

To register for this walk or for more information please contact: enrico.panizzo@thpct.nhs.uk (020 8223 8086)