2010 Update 1

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Women's Support Project Funding Appeal

As a result of local government budget cuts, Glasgow City Council have withdrawn funding from the WSP and this leaves the organisation struggling to survive. While the project are looking for alternative funding they have launched an immediate appeal to try to raise £100,000 to enable them to continue for the next year.

If 5000 people can give £20 the WSP can carry on while they identify another funding stream.

The Women's Support Project was established in 1983 and in that time they have provided information and support to thousands of vulnerable women and their children. They have also done a lot of work on highlighting prostitution as a form of Violence against women, commercial sexual expolitation, domestic violence and child sexual abuse.

Donations of any size are very welcome - you can donate via the Pojects website, http://www.womenssupportproject.co.uk/ or send a cheque to WSP, 31 Stockwell Street, Glasgow, G1 4RZ.

If you can't donate yourself, please spread the news of this threat to a valuable service for women to friends who may - and show your support by joining the 'Save the Women's Support Project' group on Facebook at http://tinyurl.com/y9qmkwj

EAVES launch petition calling for decriminalisation of those selling sex

Engender urge you to sign this petition from Eaves Housing which calls on the British Government to tackle the demand for prostitution by adopting what is known as the Nordic model - decriminalising those who sell sexual acts, supporting them to exit prostitution and criminalising those who purchase sexual acts.

The full text of the petition reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to fulfil his multiple international and domestic obligations to tackle demand for prostitution by adopting the ‘Nordic model’ which decriminalises those who sell sexual acts and supports them to exit prostitution, whilst at the same time criminalising those who purchase sexual acts. Curbing the demand for prostitution, which draws more vulnerable people into the industry and fuels sex trafficking, is a vital step towards ending the exploitation and abuse experienced by the majority of people in prostitution.

Studies indicate that the majority of women enter prostitution under the age of 18 and that childhood abuse, poverty, drug dependency and homelessness are key triggers into prostitution. Once in prostitution, sexual and physical assault is common and 9 out of 10 surveyed women say they would exit prostitution if they could.
It is essential that those selling sexual acts are decriminalised and that support services are provided to exit prostitution. Furthermore, legislation is needed to curb the demand for prostitution that expands the industry and fuels trafficking.
Proposals to criminalise the buying of sex from a person subjected to force are a welcome step towards shifting criminal liability to those who purchase sexual acts. However, it does not go far enough in terms of ending exploitation through prostitution and preventing future generations from being coerced into the sex industry.
We therefore urge the government to follow the ‘Nordic model’ which decriminalises those who sell sexual acts whilst criminalising those who purchase them. This approach has been adopted by Sweden, Norway and Iceland, as part of their end violence against women policies.

Women and the Media - 1st - 28th February

The United Nations Department of Public Information would like to invite you to an on-line discussion on “Women and the Media”, one of the 12 critical areas of concern identified in the Beijing Platform for Action in 1995. It is scheduled to take place from 1 to 28 February 2010.

It is part of a series of United Nations on-line discussions dedicated to the fifteen-year review of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) and the outcomes of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly (2000); and is hosted by WomenWatch (http://www.un.org/womenwatch), an inter-agency project of the United Nations Inter-agency Network on Women and Gender Equality (IANWGE). WomenWatch is a unique electronic gateway to web-based information on all United Nations entities’ work and the outcomes of the United Nations’ intergovernmental processes for the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment. These discussions will be a contribution to the 54th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place from 1 to 12 March 2010.

Section J of the Beijing Platform for Action (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform ) presents two strategic objectives for Women and the Media:

1. Increase the participation and access of women to expression and decision-making in and through the media and new technologies of communication;
2. Promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media.

Despite progress on many areas, numerous challenges remain. The online discussion provides an opportunity for individuals, organizations and networks to share views, experiences and achievements, to identify gaps and challenges, and to propose future action to improve women’s participation in the media area

The discussion will run for four weeks and address the following issues:

· Week One – 1 to 7 February: Achieving gender equality in media organizations through adequate policies;
· Week Two – 8-14 February: Addressing the gender gap (Equal Jobs – Equal Pay) – Women working in the media;
· Week Three – 15-21 February: Portrayal of women in media and gender stereotyping;
· Week Four – 22-28 February: Violence against women journalists and any other issues; and wrap-up and recommendations.

The online discussion will be moderated by the UN Department of Information. You can access it at: http://tiny.cc/beijing15womenmedia . You can choose to participate in one or all of the issues, depending on your availability and interest.

Research into Domestic Work - call for participants

Do you work in someone else's house as a nanny, cleaner, cook or housekeeper? If so, would you be willing to take part in a multi-country research project into domestic work and workers? Dr Marianna Tortell is looking for women to participate in the study and take part in a 40 minute interview. All answers are anonymous and personal details are not recorded. If you or anyone you know is happy to be inteviewed, please contact Dr Tortell at
mariannatortell@yahoo.com

Landmard VAW legislation in US Congress

The UN Say No to Violence Against Women campaign are asking for support for a bill that is now in the US Congress. The International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA) would see an increase in investment in local women’s groups around the world and programmes that promote economic opportunity for women. Find out more here

Newsletters

Jobs

Freelance Participatory Researcher

Engender has a new raft of work starting that will require the knowledge, skills and attitude of an enthusiastic and energetic freelance worker with a passion for participation and equality.

Our ideal candidate would be:
• able to demonstrate their experience in a variety of participatory research approaches
• able to design robust participatory methodologies
• able to demonstrate their skills in developing participatory analysis processes and generating appropriate outputs

They would also:
• have a strong feminist analysis and be committed to feminist principles
• be able to work as part of a team and to think on their feet and take initiative
• be creative, flexible and quick thinking,
• be a people person
• have developed and be able to articulate their own reflective practice

From March for the next 2 years we will be needing around 85 to 100 days of their time.

If you think you fit the description above, please send your full CV and a sample of a participatory research ‘product’ that you have been involved in as a participatory researcher to:
Catriona.kirkpatrick@engender.org.uk

Closing date: 9am 17 February 2010
Interview date: 22 February 2010

National Co-ordinators Network to Address Violence Against Women
National Network Co-ordinator
(fixed term until 31st March 2011)
Salary: £31,966 - £34,478 plus 7.5% unsocial hours allowance
Location: Hosted by Scottish Women's Aid, Edinburgh
Closing Date: 12th February 2010.
Interviews: 24th February 2010 in Edinburgh.

This is a rewarding and challenging opportunity to facilitate the co-ordination and development of the National Co-ordinators Network to Address Violence Against Women. You will have a key role in supporting multi-agency partnerships across Scotland to engage with local partners to improve policy and practice responses
to violence against women.
You will be based in the offices of Scottish Women's Aid in Edinburgh but will be required to travel extensively throughout Scotland. Occasional evening and weekend work will be required.
You will have a recognised professional qualification or equivalent, an in-depth knowledge of the strategic agenda on violence against women in Scotland and have extensive experience of partnership
working and strategic planning. You will also have excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, and be able to work on your own initiative.

The post is funded by the Scottish Government Violence Against Women Fund and is fixed term to 31st March 2011.
For further information about the post please contact Kathryn Sharpe, Dundee Violence Against
Women Partnership on 01382 307381.
For an application pack please visit our website at
www.scottishwomensaid.org.uk or contact Scottish Women’s Aid on 0131 226 6606 or by e-mail at info@scottishwomensaid.org.uk
Scottish Women’s Aid is an Equal Opportunities Employer. Women only
need apply under Section 7 (ii) (d) & (e) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975