KCteam :: Day
International Women's Day Brief
Article briefing for Key Correspondents
Greetings from Health & Development Networks!
It is International Women’s Day on March 8th 2009, and HDN is inviting Key Correspondents (KCs) from across the world to make their contribution to the discussions, debates and advocacy around this important event.
For more information, read on….
BACKGROUND
International Women’s Day is marked each year on 8 March, as a day to mark the economic, social and political achievements of women. Held since the 1900s, the day is recognised as a key event by many international development agencies, local and national governments and NGOs.
According to the United Nations:
“In adopting its resolution on the observance of Women's Day, the General Assembly cited two reasons: to recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation, equality and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security. For the women of the world, the Day's symbolism has a wider meaning: It is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilize for meaningful change.” [Source: Women Watch, 2009 - www.un.org/womenwatch]
Many postings on Healthdev.net describe significant gender inequalities and health risks faced by women across the world, for example:
MICROBICIDES:
http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=4968
THE PLIGHT OF DOMESTIC WORKERS:
http://tinyurl.com/bteel9
GENDER VIOLENCE:
http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=3327
THE DANGERS OF EARLY SOCIALISATION:
http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=3285
But there are also stories of hope, where rather than being a ‘victim’ (always an imprecise word), women succeed in the face of adversity, often playing the key role in maintaining the social and cultural fabric of their community. Here is one example:
WOMEN IN ETHIOPIA:
http://healthdev.net/site/post.php?s=4817
CONTENT
We would like each KC to write an article on one (or more) of the following themes:
• Millennium goal 3 [promote gender inequality and empower women more information is here: http://www.mdgmonitor.org/goal3.cfm] aims to eliminate gender disparity by 2015 – what progress is being made in your country or region in reaching this target?
• Provide some personal stories of women confronting and defeating inequality, making a real impact in their community
• Your hopes for the 12 months leading up to International Women’s Day 2010 – what do you wish for in the striving for gender inequality?
LOGISTICS
We would like KCs to write articles of between 500-800 words, and post these on healthdev.net during the week beginning 8th March 2009 – and it would be ideal if you can post your article on the 8th March.
If you would like to contact HDN to discuss ideas, or for access to a critical reader, please email in the first instance:
Ian Hodgson: ian@hdnet.org
Lesley Wright: Lesley@hdnet.org
We look forward to reading your articles!
Ian Hodgson
3rd March 2009
Labels: brief, Day, equality, international women's day, women
World AIDS Day 2008: Article briefing for Key Correspondents
Greetings from Health and Development Networks! As World AIDS Day (WAD) approaches (1st December 2008), HDN is inviting Key Correspondents (KCs) from across the world to ‘Speak Your World’ about WAD 2008!
BACKGROUND
This year is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, and HDN would like all Key Correspondents to write articles for dissemination on Healthdev.net, and other potential outlets, such as a RSS feed to the World AIDS Campaign website.
Past themes of WAD have included:
- Communication (the very first, in 1988)
- Family (1994).
- Men (2000)
- Stigma (2002 & 2003)
- Women and girls (2004)
This year’s WAD theme is ‘Leadership’– the same as 2007, continuing the series of linked themes from 2005 all focusing on the slogan ‘Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise’.
Lots of details about WAD are available here: worldaidscampaign.org, including the following summary:
“The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. Whilst we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done.”
Also on the website, is a World AIDS Campaign press release, which can be viewed here: http://tinyurl.com/6h4qac
The release includes this statement:
“In the midst of a global financial crisis, leaders must deliver on their AIDS promises or hard fought gains will be lost, declares the World AIDS Campaign in highlighting the theme of leadership for World AIDS Day.
This 1st of December 2008 is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, which is marked by significant progress in prevention and treatment over the past two decades, but highlights how much more still needs to be done by leaders at all levels to reach universal access to prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010.”
Visit the website (link above) for more information.
CONTENT
We would like KCs to share your thoughts on one (or more) of the following themes:
- What does ‘leadership’ look like in your region and country – governmental and non-governmental – in continuing the progress, and identifying what YOU believe are areas requiring new interventions?
- It has been 20 years since the first WAD. What has WAD done to increase the visibility and response to AIDS in your country or region? Some questions to reflect upon – what progress has there been in your country? What are the key areas that still need attention? How has your country and region changed over the past two decades with regard to HIV?
- How can the impact of WAD be expanded beyond a single day, to have an effect throughout the year?
- HDN has been focusing on the effects of HIV on children during 2008 – you may wish to focus on this topic, and a recent HDN report can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/55gfhh
- What are your hopes for ‘leadership’ to achieve Universal Access by 2010 – what do you wish for in the fight against HIV & AIDS, and the support and treatment of affected people?
LOGISTICS
We would like KCs to write articles of between 500-800 words, and post these on healthdev.net by the week of December 1st at the latest. Please add the tag “WAD 2008” when uploading your story so that others can find your contribution through the RSS feed that we are creating for other sites.
If you would like to contact HDN to discuss ideas, or for access to a critical reader, please email in the first instance:
Ian Hodgson: ian@hdnet.org
Amber Phalen: amber@hdnet.org
We look forward to reading your articles!
Labels: article, Campaign, Day, International AIDS Conference, KC, WAD, World, World AIDS Day 2008
