EWL Newsflash March 2007

Editorial

 

The Women’s Rights Architecture - Strengthening a coherent approach to women’s rights in the United Nations

 

At the recent CSW meeting in New York (26 February – 9 March), 155 women’s NGOs submitted an open letter to the UN Member States and the UN Secretary General on behalf of the NGO Linkage Caucus, welcoming the strong impetus for a specific women’s entity within the structures of the UN. The proposal to reform existing structures in the UN in relation to women’s rights, referred to as the ‘gender architecture’ consists in merging the three main current mechanisms namely, the Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI), the Division for the Advancement of Women (DAW) and the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) into one entity by creating a new Office on Gender Equality and Advancement of Women (Office), situated at the level of Under-Secretary General. This would undoubtedly facilitate a coherent approach to women’s rights as well as strengthening gender mainstreaming across all UN entities. The proposal also includes the post of Executive Director at the level of Under-Secretary General to head the new Office. Action is now required both on the part of the UN Member States and the UN Secretary General to commit to sustained and significant funding, provisions for meaningful and ongoing participation, particularly of women’s groups, in the implementation of the gender equality architecture and a timeframe for implementation. EWL will ensure that these commitments are translated into actions; and invites other women’s organisations to join in securing a meaningful international mechanism for women’s equality worldwide. Link to the open letter

 

EWL News

 

Change in EWL Secretariat: Mary McPhail has left her post as Secretary General of the European Women’s Lobby as from the 1^st of March 2007. All EWL members as well as the team of the secretariat in Brussels would like to thank her for her contribution to EWL and its work during the past 6 years. EWL is currently going through the process of recruitment and the formal decision will be communicated in the next issue of the EWL Newsflash. In the meantime, Cécile Gréboval will act as Secretary General during the interim period.

 

EWL activities during the 2007 United Nations Commission on the Status of Women – EWL was present and very active during the 2-weeks meeting of CSW in New York. EWL submitted several sets of concrete amendments to the draft agreed conclusions and used those to lobby the German EU Presidency and other European delegations present. EWL linked very closely with the German Presidency of the EU and had a meeting with Minister Ursula von der Leyen. The cooperation with women’s NGOs was very active with different caucuses and in relation to the lobbying in favour of strong women’s rights architecture within the United Nations system. EWL supported the Open Letter sent to Member States and to the UN Secretary General on this regard (see Editorial). EWL also organised a very successful and interesting side-event with gathering girls and women of all ages, in cooperation with WAGGGS, the European Youth Forum and Plan International. Link to the amendments submitted by EWL and European NGOs - Link to the adopted Agreed Conclusions

 

EWL comments the Communication from the Commission regarding community action on health services – In its response, EWL regrets the absence of gender analysis in the paper and recalls that good health is not only dependent on access to health services, but is also influenced by gender, social, economic and environmental factors, all of these factors being closely linked. An analysis of the broader health public services must therefore be included, such as family planning, care services for persons with additional support needs, mental health support or healthy eating projects, most of these services being directly linked to women’s health. Services to women victims of violence should also be considered and treated as health public services. EWL regrets that these types of are not recognised by the Commission in its communications and proposes a general framework for Services of General Interest that integrates health and social services as determining elements. In terms of sexual and reproductive rights in particular, EWL recommends that cross-border healthcare intervene as a temporary solution, allowing women in needs to have a legal, safe and affordable abortion in another Member State, if in her residing country the legal and administrative conditions for abortion are such that she cannot receive the care needed. On the longer term, EWL demands the provision in all EU Member States of free confidential health care and advices, without value judgments, on reproductive and sexual health as well as abortion – For more information, contact Clarisse Delorme at EWL secretariat (delorme@womenlobby.org).

 

 

 

EWL Representation

 

· Kirti Kolthoff, EWL President, Board members Liliana Azevedo, and Jurgita Peciuriene, and Cécile Gréboval, Acting Secretary General, represented EWL at the 2007 session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York on 26.02-09-03.2007.

 

· Marlene Parenzan, EWL board member, attended the Fundamental Rights Agency opening ceremony in Vienna on 1 March 2007.

 

· Iluta Lace, EWL Vice-President, represented EWL at the SOLIDAR conference “SOS Europe” that took place in Berlin on 1-2 March 2007.

 

· Marta Ortiz, EWL Board Member, attended an ETUC conference on gender equality “Tools, Mechanisms and Instruments to put gender mainstreaming at the heart of the ETUC” in Berlin on 5-6 March 2007.

 

· Kirsti Kolthoff, EWL President and many other EWL Board members and members attended the seminar organized by the European Commission “Women in decision-making positions – sharing experiences and good practice” to celebrate the International Women’s Day with the participation of EU Women’s Commissioners, in Brussels on 6 March 2007.

 

· Kirsti Kolthoff attended the screening of the award winning film “When Darkness Falls” on Violence against women, organized by MEP Maria Carlshamre in the European Parliament on 7 March 2007.

 

· Cécile Gréboval, attended the seminar on “Female politicians and media” organized by the EP Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and EP Press Service” in Brussels on 7 and 8 March 2007.

 

· Georgia Tsaklanganos, Policy officer, represented EWL at the round table “With women, another Europe is possible” organised by the GUE/NGL in the European Parliament on 7 March 2007.

 

· Kirsti Kolthoff, Cécile Gréboval, Colette De Troy and Malin Björk attended a seminar on the occasion of the International Women’s Day and organised by the PSE and KAGIDER “Progress of Turkish Women on the Way to EU Membership” in Brussels on 7 March 2007. Selma Acuner, EWL board member, attended as a speaker on the “Impact of EU Perspective on the improvement of women rights and awareness in Turkey”.

 

· Kirsti Kolthoff, Clarisse Delorme, Cécile Gréboval and Maria Collins attended the seminar on “1957-2007: The European Union and the Advancement of Women, Women Building the Future of Europe” organised by the Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the European Parliament on 8 March 2007.

 

· Martine Levy, EWL member of the Executive committee, represented EWL at a conference on the “1er Etats Généraux de l’Europe” organised in Lille on the 17 March 2007. Martine introduced a workshop on equality.

 

· Martine Levy, and Cécile Gréboval had a meeting with Commissioner Vladimir Spidla in Brussels on 19 March 2007.

 

· Martine Levy and Cécile Gréboval attended the meeting of the European Advisory Committee on Equal Opportunities between Women and Men in Brussels on 22 March 2007.

 

· Kirsti Kolthoff represented EWL at a conference on the European Road Map for Gender Equality, organised by the Italian Women’s Lobby, Europe Direct Firenze and the European Parliament Information Office in Italy in Florence and Sienna on 22-23 March 2007.

 

· Clarisse Delorme presented the conclusions of EWL seminar “Equal Rights, Equal Voices – Migrant women in the EU” at the working session on equality between women and men of the Assembly of European regions on the 23^rd of March in Brussels.

 

· Georgia Tsaklanganos participated as a speaker in the Roundtable debate regarding women and men in the context of the 50^th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, organised by the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR) on the implementation of the European Charter for Equality between women and men in local life, in Rennes, 22-23 March.

· Colette De Troy, Coordinator of the EWL Policy Action Centre on Violence against Women, participated as a speaker in a workshop on “Women Building Security” in Skopje on 27-28 March 2007.

 

EWL Civil Society Representation

 

Platform of European Social NGOs – EWL is member of the Platform of European social NGOs and has an elected seat within its Management Committee. More information on the Platform: Social Platform - Clarisse Delorme, from EWL secretariat, attended the Platform Working group on Fundamental Rights and Anti-discrimination which took place on 5 March. Issues on the agenda included the newly established EU fundamental rights agency and the EC green paper on Labour Law. Georgia Tsaklanganos, from EWL Secretariat, attended the Platform working party on Services of General Interest, which took place on 5 March. Issues on the agenda included discussion on the Platform’s draft resolution on services of general interest and the upcoming internal working party seminar on quality of health and social services.

 

Multiple Discrimination Group - The objective of the working group, formed in May 2006, is to promote effective responses to multiple discrimination at both European and national levels. The group includes European anti-discrimination networks of NGOs.

 

EU Civil Society Contact Group – EWL is member of the EU Civil Society Contact Group that brings together seven large rights and value based NGO sectors - environment, social, development, women, culture, human rights and public health. More information: Act 4 Europe

On the occasion of the EU’s 50^th anniversary, the Civil Society Contact Group has issued a Statement "Give us reasons to celebrate before 2057!" Read the statement

 

EESC Liaison Group with Organised Civil Society – EWL is member of the NGO Liaison group of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). More information: NGO Liaison

EWL is member of the Migration and Asylum sub-groups initiated by the UNHCR to discuss and exchange information on the development of immigration policies and legislations at European level - Clarisse Delorme attended the sub-group meeting on migration on the 13^th of March.

 

European & International News in Brief

 

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Berlin Declaration marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome. Signed on 25 March 2007, by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel as President of the European Council, President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso, the Declaration is a minimal compromise and avoided some controversial issues like the reference to God or Christian values. Climate change, terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration feature as challenges for the future. The Declaration states the aim of “placing the EU on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in 2009. The Berlin Declaration is available in all 23 official languages of the European Union.

 

“A European Network for Women with Disabilities” is the title of the Association Weibernetz’ conference which will be held on 2^nd-4^th May 2007 in Berlin. They want to strengthen the existing networking, for example in the European Women’s Lobby and create a close network with the cooperation of the already existing organisations. For more information click here

 

Launch of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency - The Commission, in close cooperation with the Austrian and Viennese authorities and the European Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia, organised an event in Vienna to celebrate the launching of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights on the very first day of its existence, i.e. on 1 March 2007. Marlene Parenzan, the Austrian member of EWL Board of administration, attended the launch. Pascale Charon, Director of ENAR and representing the European Social Platform at this occasion, highlighted that active engagement of civil society is crucial for the independence, plurality and credibility of the agency. Read more

 

Civil society forum on migration and development, Brussels, 9th of July - This forum will precede the first meeting of the ‘Global Forum on Migration and Development’ hosted by the Belgian government on 10 and 11 July 2007. The ‘Civil Society Forum on Migration and Development’ will gather a broad range of non-governmental actors to discuss the migration and development nexus and give input to the governmental discussions on the 10th and 11th of July. In order to participate, please complete the application form (available on the website) and return by the 10th of April – For more information and to download the application form, consult the website of the Civil Society Forum on Migration and Development

 

Launch of the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW politics) at the United Nations – This initiative was founded in partnership by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). It is designed to promote gender-sensitive governance and advance the role and number of women in political and public life.

 

Spanish Parliament approves Women’s Equality law. On the 15th March, Parliament passed a gender-equality bill aimed at getting more Spanish women into elected office and corporate boardrooms - and more men heating baby bottles and changing diapers. Zapatero said the law "will transform Spanish society forever and for the better." Read more

 

The Network of East-West Women (NEWW) will collaborate in a new recently-launched 5-year study on gender equality and democracy in the European Union entitled “Reconstituting Democracy in Europe”. One of its components is the Work Package 4 which has as objective to explore the status of gender equality within the enlarged EU, analyse what kind of gender policies can be justified with regard to the three RECON models, and suggest recommendations for how gender equality can best be fostered within Europe and beyond. To read RECON project

 

The Council of the European Union approved three new financial instruments for the period 2007–2013, to fight terrorism and crime more effectively and enhance protection for citizens in Europe and promote judicial cooperation in criminal matters among Member States. To better achieve this objective, a specific programme "Prevention of and Fight against Crime" as part of the General Programme "Security and Safeguarding Liberties” has been established. More info

 

 

 

 

News from the European Parliament

 

 

On the occasion of the International Women’s day, the Women's Rights Committee of the European Parliament presented a seminar entitled “1957 - 2007: the European Union and the Advancement of Women. Women Building the Future of Europe”. President Hans-Gert Pöttering voiced a broad consensus that "Over the last five decades we have achieved a great deal, nevertheless lots needs to be done." General concern was voiced over the pay gap and female poverty, women's under-representation in politics and trafficking in and violence against women and children. As demanded by former Commissioner Anita Gradin, pointing to the seminar logo “50”, "How long will it take before we get this 50/50?". To read the press release and for more information click here

 

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on women's role in social, economic and political life in Turkey (2006/2214(INI). The report highlights areas of concern relating to women's role in social, economic and political life in Turkey and condemns instances of violence against women, including "honor" killings, domestic violence, forced marriage and polygamy. Read more

 

The European Parliament gives mandate to a working group to think up the reform of the EU institution. Dagmar Roth-Behrendt MEP will chair the Working Group. It will concentrate principally on the work of the committees and the plenary sessions. In particular, there is a need to improve their efficiency and the public perception. Connected to this is the question of how to guarantee multilingualism as well as the responsibility of the Commission and Council towards Parliament. Read more



Update on Violence against Women and Women’s Human Rights

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“The Links between Prostitution and Sex Trafficking: A Briefing Handbook”, by M. O’Connor and G. Healy as part of the EWL-CATW Project on Trafficking, is now available in French and Spanish versions on EWL website.

 

Daphne III still pending - The Council of the European Union adopted a common position on the program Daphne III, aimed at preventing and combating violence against children, young people and women and protecting victims and groups at risk. It provided for a financial envelope amounting to EUR 116.85 million for the 2007-13 period. The text will now be sent to the European Parliament for a second reading under the Parliament-Council co-decision procedure. To know more on the institutional procedure of Daphne III click here

 

Report of the Special Rapporteur On Violence Against Women - Its Causes and Consequences called “Intersections Between Culture And Violence Against Women” of Yakin Erturk, 2007, addresses the dominant culture-based paradigms that justify or explain the violations of women’s rights, reducing violence against women to a cultural problem. It traces the trends in the development of the international normative framework on violence against women in relation to culture that culminated in the recognition of the primacy of women’s right to live a life free of gender-based violence over any cultural considerations. For more details visit: click here

 

A UN women's forum urged the world to ban female genital mutilation and forced marriages. The Commission on the Status of Women passed by consensus two resolutions on these issues which urges states to take all necessary measures to protect girls and women from female genital mutilation, including by enacting and enforcing legislation to prohibit this form of violence and to end impunity; but also to enact and strictly enforce laws to ensure that marriage is entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses. Read more

 

The Council of Europe North-South Prize highlights the fight against violence towards women - The Council of Europe (CoE) North-South Prize is awarded each year to two people, one from the North and one from the South, who are honoured for their work protecting human rights and strengthening North-South relations. The Prize is awarded this year to Mukhtar Mai, a Pakistani woman who was condemned by a village assembly to be gang raped. Mukhtar Mai survived, brought the case before Pakistan’s official courts and succeeded in winning her case. With the compensation awarded to her, she set up a school in her village and founded an organisation for the defence of women’s rights. The other awarded is Father Francisco Van Der Hoff and founder of founded the Max Havelaar fair trade association. Read more

 

 

Sexual rights: good news from Portugal! A huge international support -in total, 14 international NGOs, 109 national, regional or local NGOs and many individuals- answered the Portuguese call and expressed their support in view of the referendum for the depenalisation of abortion. The YES won the referendum, with 59.25% of votes. From now on, women will be able to have abortions, on request, at a hospital during the first 10 weeks of pregnancy, with no fear of criminal persecution. For more details click here

 

Sexual rights: the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg delivered a judgment in favour of Alicja Tysiac v. Poland. Alicja Tysiac was refused abortion although continuation of pregnancy could severely damage her eyesight. According to the Polish law, which allows abortion only in limited circumstances, a woman has the right to terminate pregnancy if the pregnancy puts her health or life at risk. Alicja Tysi¹c complained that the denial of access to abortion despite her health problems violated her right to respect for private life and the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment under the European Convention on Human Rights. She will get 25 000 eur compensation and 14 000 eur to defray. Art. 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights has been infringed - stated the Tribunal. For more details: click here

 

What practical steps need to be implemented in order to achieve an equitable world for women and girls? Report of the European Regional consultation with UN Special Rapporteur on VAW held in London, 11-13 January 2007. The event focussed on 3 themes: 1) States, cross-state and international infrastructures; 2) Prevention, education and the media; 3) Moving women – Migrant and asylum seeking-women. Contact: info@nawo.org.uk.

 

Ending impunity for violence against women - On the occasion of International Women's Day (8 March), the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Yakin Ertürk, the UN Special Rapporteur on Trafficking in Persons, Sigma Huda, and the UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing, Miloon Kothari, issued a joint statement recalling that ending impunity is not only a matter of criminal laws and punishment. Women’s empowerment must also be supported through effective access to justice and criminal resources. Read more

The United Nations Security Council reaffirms key role of women in conflict prevention and resolution. It called on Member States to bolster efforts to empower women and increase their representation in decision-making. Read more

 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) released its last report entitled “Ending Violence Against Women – Programming for Prevention, Protection and Care”. This handbook provides practical points to consider when designing and implementing projects addressing violence against women. To download the report

 

 

Events

 

European conference “A European Network for Women with Disabilities”, Berlin, 2nd – 4th May 2007. For further information and for registration click here

 

Seminar “Women and Politics: class Differences in Feminism”, Dubrovnik (Croatia), 18th-20th May 2007. For further information click here

 

Seminar “The Fight Against Discrimination in Practice”, Trier (Germany), 18th–19th Jun 2007. For more information click here

 

Conference “After Empire: Gender Boundaries as the Borders of Nations”, Vilnius (Lithuania), 28th-30th June 2007. For further information and proposals click here

 

Conference in Women/Gender Studies “Gender 2007: East Meets West”, York (UK), 3d-5th July 2007. For more information and registration click here

 

10th International Interdisciplinary Congress on Women “Women's Worlds Congress 2008”, Madrid, 3^d-9^th July 2008. For more information and proposals click here

Publications - Web Sites

 

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Eurostat releases its new report “Statistical Illustration of the Situation of Women & Men in the EU 27”. It gives some statistical data on women in the EU within the fields of demography, education, computer skills, employment and unemployment, illustrating differences and similarities with men. To download the statistical illustration click here

 

Legal report from DG Employment, Social affairs and Equal opportunities-Action against Discrimination, Civil society “Measuring Discrimination - Data collection and EU Equality Law” gives an overview of case law from the European Court of Justice and European Court of Human Rights, as well as European policy and national legal developments. To download the report

 

Report from BRIDGE Development-Gender “Gender and Sexuality” analyses the role of sexuality through the years and explains that sexuality has repercussions related to poverty, marginalisation and death, it can instead lead to empowerment, enjoyment, and well-being, and can enhance human relations with shared intimacy or pleasure. To download the report

 

Publication entitled “Women in Civic and Political Life in Slovakia” and released by the European Commission’s project Enlargement, Gender and Governance: The Civic and Political Participation and Representation of Women in the EU Candidate Countries” considers the impact of democratization and the extent to which representative institutions and other organizations encourage women's participation and representation in political decision-making and governance in Slovakia. Read more

 

EU research on social sciences and humanities “Women, Integration and Prison. An analysis of the processes of sociolabour integration of women prisoners in Europe” analyses the policy and legislative context in each country and reinsertion measures, programs run by the different agencies during and after the prison. To download the research

 

Report from the Quaker United Nations Office “Women in Prison & Children of Imprisoned Mothers: Recent Developments in the United Nations Human Rights System” aims to gain a clearer understanding of the particular problems faced by women prisoners and children of imprisoned mothers, and how these problems can be better addressed. To download the report

 

Report from International Labour Organization (ILO) “Global employment trends for women brief - 2007” focuses on whether the tendency toward increased participation has continued more recently and whether women have found enough decent and productive jobs to really enable them to use their potential in the labour market and achieve economic independence. To download the report

 

Gender Handbook for Humanitarian assistance from the Inter-Agency standing Committee (IASC) “Women, Girls, Boys & Men, Different Needs - Equal Opportunities” - guidance on identifying and addressing the differing needs and situations of women, girls, boys and men; in other words, being sensitive to gender issues in humanitarian crises. To download the Gender Handbook click here

 

The United Nations Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS) launched “The Unfinished Story of Women and the United Nations”. This book recalls the success story of women and the League of Nations and describes the unfolding history of women at the United Nations for the advancement and empowerment of women, especially in the 30 years since the First UN World Conference on Women in 1975 and up to the ten-year review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in 2005.

 

Publication from International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) “Designing for Equality” presents how increased women’s representation can be achieved under different combinations of electoral systems and quotas. Read more

 

The Civil Society Contact Group has just published the training handbook “Making your voice heard in the EU - A guide for NGOs”. It is specifically designed for NGOs and activists that are in the process of establishing a European strategy. It does so by providing tailored-made information on EU institutions, the way European NGOs work, as well as lobbying “tips”, illustrated by examples of EU level campaigns. It also provides more specific links and contacts depending specific areas of activity. To download the handbook

 

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union & The European Commission’s Impact Assessment Procedure, ENAR Fact Sheet 30, December 2006. This fact sheet aims to explain the Charter of Fundamental Rights, as well as the Commission’s impact assessment procedure with respect to fundamental rights, with a view to enhancing the accessibility and practical application of these instruments. Download the fact sheet

 

PICUM’s comments on the Commission’s Communication on “Policy priorities in the fight against illegal immigration of third-country nationals” address the following issues and contain recommendations in each area: Why should undocumented migrants not be referred to as “illegal” migrants? ; Fundamental rights must be protected and promoted; Addressing regularisations; Protecting undocumented workers from exploitation and abuse. Read more

 

Reproductive health and sexual education – New publication by GUE/NL Group following the public hearing held in the European Parliament on 8^th March 2006. It provides analyses on women’s reproductive health and sexual rights, both views as human rights. To download the report

 

Publication from UNESCO-Section for women and Equality “Passport to Equality” is to make women and men all over the world aware of the existence of the Convention of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). To download the publication

 

Report from UNIFEM “Budgeting for Women’s Rights: Monitoring Government Budgets for Compliance With CEDAW”, develops some ideas that may be useful in monitoring the compliance of government budgets with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). To download the report

 

Report from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) “Programming to Address Violence Against Women: Ten Case Studies”. Intended primarily for development practitioners and others seeking to change attitudes and practices, it offers lessons that can help scale up responses fro violence against women. To download the report

 

New ASTRA Report “Reproductive Health Supplies in the Central and Eastern Europe” analyses the results of the survey on reproductive health (RH) supplies’ accessibility in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. To download the report

 

The European Network Against Racism (ENAR) has issued it Annual Report for 2006. During 2006, ENAR continued to engage in a variety of activities, supporting the implementation of the European Commission’s framework strategy on non-discrimination and equal opportunities for all adopted in June 2005. ENAR also continued to advocate for the protection of the rights of all and ethnic and religious minorities including third country nationals. Download the report

 

European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions published the Fourth European Working Conditions Survey. This survey provides a unique insight into the views of around 30,000 workers in 31 countries on a wide range of issues including work organisation, working time, equal opportunities, training, health & safety and job satisfaction. To download the survey

 

 

Funding, Training, Call for Papers

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Gratuitous Grundtvig training opportunity: Gender Equality education for decision makers, educators and leaders of NGOs, 18^th-22^nd September 2007 Kaunas (Lithuania). Course information. For further information, please contact Audrone Kisieliene akisiekiene@takas.lt.

 

Call for proposal: Women and Multiple Discrimination- The Women’s Program of the Open Society Institute (OSI) seeks to increase successful advocacy campaigns, policy initiatives, strategic litigation, or action research that address different forms of women’s multiple discrimination. Proposals should be submitted in English by email (preferred), fax, or mail no later than May 15, 2007 to: Network Women’s Program,Open Society Institute,400 West 59^th Street, New York, NY 10019 USA Fax: +1-212-548-4616; Email: women@sorosny.org . For more information click here

Call for papers: After Empire: Gender Boundaries as Borders of Nations, Vilnius (Lithuania), 28^th-30^th June 2007. Conference jointly organised by the Centre for Gender Studies of Vilnius. For further information, please contact Elena Gapova e.gapova@gmail.com.

Call for papers: Feminist Engagements in Other Place, organised by Outskirts: Feminisms Along the Edge. Submission deadline: end of June. For further information click here