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GENDER ON THE SC
A. the World Education Forum in Dakar, Scil.cgal, held in April 2000, Governments were made awarc of the findings revealed by the 2000 Education For All (EFA) Assessment. Thc indications were that access
to primary education had been improving and showcd progress in many cascs. However, hardly any success was indicated in narrowing chc gerl der gap in the system. This resulted in the decision made by the Forum to focus attention on closing the gender gap while committing themselvcs to achieving gender equality by
2() 15.
Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General speaking at thc opening of this conference expressed his support through the UN towards girls' education. Among the goals emulnerated in Dakar were the following;
* Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls ..... hawe acccss to, and complicte frec and
colpulsory cducation of good quality,
* Achieving a 50 percent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women.
* Eliminating gender disparitics in prinary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender cquality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls' full and equal access to, and achieve:IIlent, in basic education,
Narrowing down gender inequality with a View ta eliminating it completely from the school system would be a challenging task. The education system will need reforms that will give equal opportunities to both boys and girls so that they will leave school equipped with knowledge and skills able to fit into thcir chosen ficlid without gender bias against themselves or society. This would call for a gendcr sensitive and gender responsive national education development EFA plan. The Dakar goal expects gender disparitics to be climinated by 2005 and gender responsive EFA plans to be formulated by 2015,
PrIrafii Wyl. II. Wa. I - 2003
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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HOOL PROGRAMA
In Sri Lanka the EFA policy has been adopted by the Ministry of Education while actively integrating a gender perspective into the system. A workshop was conducted in September 2002 to explore several aspects of gender in basic cducation. It brought together representatives from the Ministrics of Education and Women's Affairs, NGOs, UNICEF and others concerned. They had the opportunity to express their views, suggestions and experiences on integrating gender into the Education For All(EFA) plan. The workshop produced an Action Plan which envisages preparatory work in gender networking, leading to the creation of a National Resource Group in Gender and Education.
Given the Sri Lankan background strategies appropriate to the country should be adopted which in the first place would Incan IIlains treaming gender concerns into the national education system.
Gender experts need to be involved to conduct gender awareness and skills training for staff, from policy makers
and management onwards IV fheice II till the School levelis .*** reached. Along with A. "...
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MODERNITY VE)
There are endless debates about modernity and tradition trying to make one better than the other. The identity crisis that has overtaken us all in the 20th / 21st century has an inbuilt schema for upholding and cherishing traditions as one's Own and therefore superior, which had to be upheld against alien intrusions such as from the West. The gender implications in these arguments are also many. Women seen as the custodians of tradition are posited as the symbol of national, ethnic, and religious traditions, embodying questions of identity in areas such as behaviour and dress code. Implicit in this argument for maintaining traditions is the view that whatever we call values are to be found only in traditions. Saree clad Hindu women and burqua draped Muslim women, Kandyan Saree clad Buddhist women are supposed to speak out a value system. The same symbolic assertions are not made from men. There are also major contradictions both in modernity and being traditional. One can be modern in some ways, in dress, in behaviour, in speaking the English language, but can be very traditional in outlook. One can be very modern in outlook but can be traditionally dressed and behave also traditionally in some ways.
THE PRACTICE OF FEMINISM
In the course of an inhouse seminar, the Executive
Director of WERC made several interesting remarks.
While there have been many attempts to define feminism(s) and to delve into the various theories of feminism ranging from Socialist Marxist, Liberal, Radical and Eco feminism, her vision of a feminist was found to be interesting and useful. In the contemporary era of national identities, and struggles and battles fought on languages and religion, her views of a practising feminist are of immense value. She asked rhetorically - who is a feminist? A feminist believes in internationalism and human values.
A feminist reaches out to women of all colour, all ethnic belongingsr of all religions and of all classes. She is in solidarity with women all over the world across borders and boundaries. She empathises and sympathises with all women who are oppressed and exploited. She cannot be a racist or a chauvinist. She works ceaselessly for social transformation in which there is democracy and pluralism. The democracy she envisages is on a principle of non-hierarchy where structures of power are equalised and shared.
A feminist shuns arrogance and violence and seeks out to practice non-violence in action and language. She also believes in politicising the Personal.

RSUS TRADITION
Modernity has its levels, facets and degrees. A woman dressed in Kandyan saree and wearing a sleeveless blouse. Is she being traditional or being modern? If one wearing a pair of slippers or being bare foot is traditional is one who wears a pair of shoes modern?
Caste based hierarchical order, gender based patriarchal order, superstitions, religious dogmatism are also, unfortunately part of the traditions -Modernity on the other hand has given us democracy, political and civil rights technologies, western medical expertise.
It has dispelled superstitions, it questions hierarchy of caste and gender along with its patriarchal relations. Modernity has challenged parochialism, autocracies and undemocratic family norms. Modernity cannot be arrested, though there will be pockets of people who will be unsuccessfully resisting it always imagining Utopian "good old days'.
S.T.
FEMINIST CONCERNS: BUT WHY WITHIN THE RHIETORIC OF HIEGEMIONLIC POWER
A delegation of the left wing European Women's Parliamentarians spent several days in Afghanistan. "Afghan women's faces should be no longer hidden,” Lissy Groner told a news briefing in Kabul at the end of the visit 'If you have real freedom in Afghan society there is no place for the forced veil.’
They also called for aid cuts unless the government took women's rights more seriously. Genevieve Fraisse said European Union should reduce aid to an impoverished country struggling to recover from decades of conflict. Anna Karamanou head of the five member delegation said, "Cut down funds, that is what we are going to do because we have noticed that women's rights are not a priority for the Government of this country' (Daily News 16/11/02).
We certainly appreciate their concern for women and their choice of dress. But the language spoken by the European
women parliamentarians smacks of power and authority. The aid they give is bargained for the removal of the burqua as a condition, as a demand.
This is not feminist language, or feminist practicel
S. T.
Pravahini Vol. II. No. I - 2003

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Female Journalism princi
The recent abolition of criminal defamation law raising momentum of the government effort for further media reforms, a more liberal local media is seen to be on the emerge.
Perceptions of freedom of expression of women mobilising for the betterment of women scan beyond the commonly-comprehend mass perceptions of the concept. It would be worth noting how the women's Institute for freedom of the Press (WIFP), USA Articulates the Journalistic Principles which guide its mass information decisions.
An article from the Institute penned by Dr. Donna Allen and Dana Densmore describes a new philosophy of Communication which is gentle, peaceful, respectful of all people and politically equal. “Media is the source of power and key to women's progress... which is having means to communication options.” It says. The more options one has in political, social, economic and personal areas of life - without social and economic penalties - the more will women use, for more dextrous use of their abilities for greater progress.
The article defines today's global mass media as a means of governing, rather than a means of communication for information of the nations. Financed by conglomerates, multinational corporations and governments, the “free press” are distributors of a commodity, namely-information - which is harvested, collected and manufactured for distribution.”
Mass media is criticised as a national communication system for:
a. not conveying adequate information of women or conveying male-perceived "news’ on women, with male characteristics of emphasis on violence, conflict and sex. b. Reporting in third person, leading to inaccuracies,
distortions and violation of privacy. c. Not presenting information of the majority individuals thereby depriving public of information it needs for self government and national policymaking. d. Being a causal factor in history by constraining or overleashing information on which people take decisions for action.
WIFP's more peaceful communication philosophy is better spelt out in Dr. Allen's “Women's News' article ion the quill magazine of May 1991, where she defines eight characteristics of women's media as against the conventional. Male-owned, mass media. The first three relate to journalistic practice and the rest, to structure.
1. Women's journalism reports news in the first person,
allowing the newsmakers to speak for themselves.
Pravahini Vol. II. No. 1 - 2003
 

iples for media Democracy
2.
Women-owned media define “News' differently to men who tend to identify "news' as conflict and violence, as these editorial policies indicate; we seek to generate harmony and interconnection by taking care that our words and images nurture and affirm our wholeness. It is, therefore, our policy ... to refuse to print words which are racist, classist, anti-semitic, aqeist, culturally elitist, or which in any other way further divisions among people.” (women of power). "Our aim is to make every interview informational rather than adversarial” (Women's Radio at WMFO). "The challenge to all of us, but most particularly those in film and television, is to transform the violent macho role models - creating media heroes and heroines who are intelligent instead of belligerent, cooperative rather than combative, nurturant rather than destructive.' (Mary Batten in women in Film newsmagazine).
Male-owned media claim a journalistic goa of “objectivity”. The goal of women's media is the “effective use of media as an instrument of change.” (Echo on Sauti Ya Siti.) “More than an simple conveyor belt of information. It has also served as an agent for change.” (Women of Europe)
A non-hierarchical structure, “We all share in reading what
goes into the paper and we all share in the menial labour.” (Second Coming).
Women's media replaces the competitiveness of media's "scoops' and financial rivalry, with co-operation.
A common carrier concept. "... an open forum for women - a space where women could speak freely about their concerns as women... on any subject so as to encourage the widest possible diversity in submissions.” (Sojourner).
Analysis of mass media as hostile to women. “Men are the gate-keepers of power... of the dominant ideology.... The making and shaping of cultures.... The systems of thought, belief, values, attitudes and symbols and images by which these are expressed... are the works of men... and serve to legitimate male domination.” (Mediterranean Women, KEGME Review).
The content, “Women's newspapers report all the news the male-press finds unfit to print. It frames women's issues in a different way than the straight press, it reports what is going on in the women's movement...” Susan Cavin in Womanews, NY) “Women's Movement is not dead. It's just not setting enough coverage.
Principles which are well-worth a candid analysis for inculcating more value to our own ethical structures.
5pecia/ Wri†er
3

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AMERICAN FEMINISTS ARE AGAINST WAR IN IRAQ
Gloria Steinem, Robin Morgan, bell hooks, Alice Walker, Eve Ensler, Angela Davis and other prominent feminist leaders and
authors in America have all pledged their sup
campaign opposing the Bush Administration's plant e War against Iraq 戀 :X
The pledge, “Not In Our Nam United States. It not only o 8 broader war against terrő September 11 attacks,
focus away from violenc :*
the Al Qaeda networ Afghanistan.
ne to rebuild fulfilled: m ఫ్ఘ కళ
Feminists argue that Afghanistan, citing promises th peacekeeping troops beyoně humanitarian aid. V 8
They cite that the women continuing violence, especially i. to dominate the civilian populatio US President George Bush should
looking for "another problem to solve,
WOMEN'S WORLD ORGANIZATION FOR RIGH LITERATURE, AND DEVELOPMENT (WOMEN
international press campaigns about particular cases andextreme abuses;- Encourages the development of women's presses and journals, the first line of defense against gender-based censorship, and strive to link them internationally, so they can share views and resources and create a social space for women's independent political thought. Address:Women's WORLD,08 W.30th St. #9012 New York, NY 10001, USA
Acknowledging “WE! The Newsletter of ISIS Internatic
unication need
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

INCLUDEWOMEN INPEACEKEEPING, UNURGED
The UN Security Council is pushing for the inclusion of a gender perspective in the UN's international peacekeeping operations.
The proposal, adopted as resolution number 1325 by the UN
Security Council, seeks to establish a gender unit within its Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), which is egotiations, post conflict reconstruction and ፊ န္လ::* * * * ghout the world. The gender unit will ensure gender issue. will be factored into all of the DPKO’s field
ing programmes and field operations.
also
report regularly to the Secretary &ষ্ট streaming in the DPKO’s
én hired by the DPKO to for gender main in peacekeeping consultant will be based at the DPKO και Corε εί the Gender Unit, focusing
ஜ்* building and evaluation.
ABORT.pN IS NOWLEGAL IN NEPAL
The King of Nepal recently signed the 11th Amendment Bill
legalising abortion during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and up
to 18 weeks in cases involving rape, incest and foetal impairment. It also allows abortion when a woman's health need
æbe protected.
allows women to inherit property from their parents.
This achievement in Nepalese women's rights is the product of the advocacy of activists in the country. According to the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, women's organisations in Nepal have worked hard to raise public awareness about women's roles in their society.
ჭჭჭჭ
nal Manila, an NGO servicing women's information and
Pravahini Vol. II. No. I - 2003

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Women's Woes
Pakistan June 2002
30 year old Mukthar Mai from the village of Thiruwali was gang raped by the order of a tribal council as punishment for the family. The crime was that her younger brother Abdul Shakoor had been accused of an illicit love affair with a woman from a higher class tribe. The family complained to the local police. Human Rights groups and government officials watched the case closely, while national and international outrage developed over the incident. The Sri Lanka NGO Forum, shocked and concerned over the incident wrote to the President of Pakistan calling on the government to investigate and bring the perpretrators to book.
On September 1" the six rapists were sentenced to death by a special court in Pakistan.
Nigeria - August 2002
In Northern Nigeria 30 year old Amina Lawal was sentenced to death by stoning by an Islamic Court for bearing a child out of wedlock. This shocking news brought a protest from the beauty queens who were due to travel to Nigeria for the Miss World contest due to be held in November. Several contestants threatened to boycott the event.
Human rights groups have condemned the ruling as in human.
India December 2002
There was national outrage when a street gang raped a Medical student in New Delhi less than a kilometre from Police Headquarters. The gang rape of this 24 year old student in broad daylight highlighted sexual crimes rampant across India. According to women's groups a woman is raped every hour in India, those of the lower castes or of tribal origin being the main victims.
India rarely exercises its legal option of the death penalty while existing laws mandate a life sentence for sex crimes.
Women
Hundreds of won torches staged a proposal to lift the liquor in the state
notorious for dru trafficking. The o justified by the rex to the states coffer
Prohibition has various times in v. Liquor remains ba
The Meera Pha women's group we check spread Now Christian groups : joined into pri government's prop protests have bee president of the Ima Kombi (80) blood but we s Manipur governm
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General Moh
Afghan Get Mohammadzai is impressive numbe 600 parachute ju Among the won
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Gender Equ.
Sweden it is repc Parliament in the female MPs. Altho the welfare state a evident is the syst which are powerfu
Swedish women p. The "Equal oppor improving wome appointment of Opportunities Cor facilitating the con of employment of opportunities to a women representa
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Pravahini Vol. II. No. 1 - 2003

men holding flaming protest against the ; 11 year old ban on of Manipur in India, g addicts and drug fficial decision was renue it would bring
S.
been imposed at arious states in India nned in Gujerat.
ibi, an influential Ls formed in 1975 to
of alcoholism. youth groups and cross the state have otest against the osal. Massantiliguor in organised and the group Hijam Chanu says “we shall shed hall not allow the ent to implement it's
nammadzai
Khabool
a woman, wears an r of medals and has imps to her credit. hen in Afghanistan,
neral
l enveloped in their
burqas, as ordered by the Taleban regime, Mohammadzai in her uniform must be a striking sight.
She says, "according to our tradition and culture women normally do not go out of the house. So once a woman does go out, she should do something extraordinary to keep all the men quiet, that's what I am doing.”
Having joined the Air Force when she was 16 when they had lots of freedom, according to her, she went on to Kabul's military University, and became one of the 17 parachutists in the Afghan Air Force. Then in the days of the Taleban they were made prisoners in their own homes and she was told she could work no longer. She look to making handicrafts But Mohammadzai was a popular person in Afghanistan that with the fall of the Taleban the country's new leaders called her to return to duty. She jumped at the opportunity. She was promoted to General by the President earlier this year and is now the Deputy Director in the Ministry of Defence in Afghanistan.
for a living.
She is also the Sports Director for the Afghan Air force, a parachuting instructor, runs her own boxing club and role model to thousands of Afghan women. She believes she can make a difference as Afghanistan struggles to reverse the oppression ingrained by the Taleban.
ality
orted has the highest proportion of women members of world. The Swedish Parliament, Riksdag, boasts of 45% of ugh the reasons adduced go back to the early development of ind greater opportunities for women's employment, the more em of proportional representation and women's organizations l and assertive.
oliticians state that there are no problems for women in politics. tunities Act' ensures equality in working life, thus aiming at n's working life conditions. The Act also stipulates the
an Equal Opportunities Ombudsman and an Equal nmission. The various sections of the Act see to such issues as hbination of parenthood and employment differences in terms men and women. Prevention of sexual harassment and equal pply for vacancies. It is only in the private business sector that tion is less-only 5%.
مجمہ
5

Page 6
From
Secretary General's Statement to Securit
Two years ago, the Security Council adopted resolution 1325, a landmark step in raising awareness of the impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and of the vital role of women in conflict resolution and peace-building.
Resolution 1325 has also galvanized the United Nations system into looking more critically at our own work, and how we deal with general perspective not only in peacemaking, peace-building
and peacekeeping, but also in humanitarian, disarmament and reconstruction activities. And more
importantly, women at the grassroots level around the world have found the
resolution an effective bringing greater attention to their needs and priorities, and in supporting
tool in
their efforts to contribute to peace processes.
My report on women, peace and security called for in resolution 1325, is now before you. It is based on the larger study distributed to you earlier this week. I hope you will read it closely and sustain the momentum that has been generated. Toward that end, I would like to draw
your attention to a few issues,
The report stresses that while many of the experiences of women and girls in armed conflict are similar to those of men and boys, there are important differences. Existing inequalities between women and men, and patterns of discrimination against women and girls, tend to be exacerbated in armed conflict. Women and girls become particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and exploitation. Women and children make up the majority of the world's refugees and internally displaced persons. Even in refugee camps, which are meant to be safe havens, the vulnerability of women and girls may continue, especially if there is a proliferation of small arms. And some women may be forced to follow camps of armed forces, providing domestic services and\or being used as sexual slaves.
But if women sud conflict disproporti the key to the soluti
Women.'s groups grassroots level ha examples of the In and flexible appro effective conflict pr worked tirelessly
in preserving social chaos, and promo through informal p very little support.
exceptions, women ; formal negotiating peace negotiations.
greater representa formal peace negot incorporation of ge conflict-preventio mandates for p peacekeeping operat set in motion by t stres ses the need appointment of wo levels of decision-n Special Representat Representative and
The report also poi in the legal prote women.
The report recomn possible respons exploitation of v including prostitut which can occur
peacekeeping, huma other internationalir
Finally, the report c for extensive capacit are to play their ful peace accords, m creating new gove judicial and civil inf many other activities the world needs to in building up their This will require bo much larger pool of

y Council on Women, Peace and Security
fer the impact of onately, they are also on of conflict.
and networks at lve provided many haginative strategies aches required for evention. They have and courageously order in the midst of ting reconciliation rocesses that receive However, with few are not present at the tables and at formal
The report calls for
tion of women in iations, and for the nder perspectives in n activities, and in eacebuilding and ions, including those his Council. It also l to increase the omen at the highest naking, including as ive, Deputy Special Special Envoy.
nts out serious gaps ctions available to
nends the strongest e to the sexual women and girls, ion and trafficking, in the context of nitarian activities and
interventions.
:mphasizes the need y building. If women l part in negotiating ediating disputes, rnments, rebuilding rastructures, and the s that support peace, make an investment : skills for doing so. th political will and a f funding
The world can no longer afford to neglect the abuses to which women and girls are subjected in armed conflict and its aftermath, or to ignore the contributions that women make to the search for peace. It is time they are given the voice in formal peacebuilding and peace-making processes that they deserve. Sustainable peace and security will not be achieved without their full and equal participation. Just as your work can promote gender equality, so can gender equality make your work more likely to succeed. -
(Press Release 28.10.02)
Governance, Women, Peace and Security Progress on UN Security Council Resolution 1325
October 31st 2001 marks the Anniversary of the Security Council's first debate and landmark resolution on women, peace and security. Though resolutions do not usually have anniversaries, Resolution 1325 is different -it is the first to have a powerful, global constituency,and the first to be supported by a vibrant women's movement. It is also the first Resolution to give political legitimacy to women's struggle for a seat at the negotiating table-the first to provide a political frame-work within which women's protection and their role in peacebuilding can be addressed. Although it was the first time that the Council had ever issued a statement on the subject, Resolution 1325 acknowledges what has been glaringly obvious for so long: that war affects women differently than men, their protection is neglected, and their contributions to peace building marginalized.
For more than ten years, UNIFEM, in cooperation with Governments, the UN system and regional, intergovernmental and non govern-mental organizations, has provided assistance and protection to women in conflict and sup-ported their role in peace-building
Pravahini Vol. II. No. I - 2003

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Violense Against Women
ince the Cairo Conference in 1994 and the Beijing Con
ference in 1995, countries have begun to attempt to address concerns on violence against women (VAW) in their legislation. One example of this is that more countries now have separate laws for specific acts of violence such as domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment. Previously, they were usually addressed through other legislation such as the Penal Code, which may have laws on murder, voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt, assault, criminal force, cruelty and rape.
The passing of separate laws for specific criminal acts against women is commendable, as although the Penal Code may be used to address some offences such as assault and murder, very often it does not take into account the crimes that occur in the domestic sphere. Separate laws are also more effective as they facilitate the provision of better services that directly cater to the needs of abused women as it is legislation that provides the conceptual framework and the overall policy framework which guide the provision of services. A separate law would make seeking protection or redress less difficult.
However, despite such positive developments, there is still a huge imbalance in the readiness to address VAW as a state responsibility.
Such a situation could be attributed to lack of awareness of major issues related to VAW, including its various causes, forms and consequences that hinder them from formulating appropriate, clear-cut and definitive laws.
While policy-makers need to draft more responsive and appropriate laws, one must bear in mind that the existence of separate laws is no guarantee that women would bè able to press charges and seek justice against their abusers it laws are not duly enforced. Laws passed after much debate and delay may lie by the wayside if those charged with implementing them do not do so due to reasons of their own or others. This is where the government has to take all the necessary steps to ensure that the laws are implemented every step of the way. This would require the cooperation and commitment of the entire health, legal, police and social personal as well as other authorities whom VAW survivors encounters in seeking the protection and care that they need. NGOShave an important role to play in this, as it is crucial that they continually advocate for better enforcement of the law.
Condensed from ARROW
Pravahini Vol. III. No. I - 2003

DEFINITIONS
Domestic Violence
Includes physical, sexual or psychological aggression or coercion and is a pattern of behaviour employed by one person in a relationship to control the other. The abuse is typically directed at women and girls and can create health, Social and economic costs for the individual, the family and society. The violence may include battering, burning, emotional blackmail, mockery or ridicule, threats of abandonment, confinement to the home and the withholding of money or other family support. A woman living in an abusive relationship may be forced to become pregnantor have an abortion againsther will, or herpartner may knowingly expose her to a sexually-transmitted infection.
Marital Rape
Marital rape can be defined as any unwanted intercourse or penetration (vaginal, anal, or oral)obtained by force, threat of force, or when the wife is unable to consent.
Violence Against Women
Any act of Gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. Accordingly, violence against women encompasses but is not limited to the following:
a. Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation, and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;
b. Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;
c. Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated
or condoned by the State, whereverit occurs.
U ク
S for Change Vol. 8. No. 2

Page 8
OUR IAC We have been busy Highlights among
Workshop for Media Personnel Funded by Cordaid
A two-day workshop for personnel from the print and electronic media was conducted in August 2002, at the WERC Auditorium
The themes were
S Racism and Ethnocentrisms in Media Representation:
Messages and Images
S Gender Stereotyping. Messages and Images
The problems of racism and racial/ethnic violence which Sri Lanka has witnessed for the past two decades can be also traced to biases perpetrated by the media both by the editorials and articles. There is an increasing trend for passively accepting media representation in Sri Lankan society, without in-depth analysis of the reality. There is also a much felt need to focus on negative media portrayals of gender, more particularly the media's role in reproducing and reinforcing patterns of discrimination against women in society.
The objective was to make the participants aware of these concerns, so that in the long run the negative images of women portrayed in the media would decrease.
Mangai (Girl)Tamil
VA
Mangai is a programme in Tamil telecast over the non-state TV channel every week for half an hour, specially designed to discuss women's issues. However this programme has many short falls and our organisation has consistently brought to their notice that an improvement in the quality of the programme is needed. The Programme Co-ordinator invited the WERC staff to make interventions.
It was an interesting turning point because the staff member concerned discussed in detail the activities and programme of WERC such as publications, research, and gender sensitisation programmes and emphasised the multiethnic character of both the staff at WERC and the recipients of WERC activities. She also mentioned the special need to raise the consciousness of men and women in the society and to what extent the publications research and the library of WERC has reached out the community at large. The importance of transforming the media images of women was taken up as important issue of discussion. It was emphasised that media managers should be given training on how to portray men and women in more gender sensitive ways.

TIVITIES the many programmes and projects.....
Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, which is a research organisation, devoted to research and promotion of knowledge on Man and Nature of Asia, celebrated its Golden Jubilee in October with a Golden Jubilee lecture. The celebration was sponsored by Mustafizur Rahman Khan and Saleha Khanam Trust Fund.
The Executive Director Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran was invited to deliver this lecture.She presented a paper titled “Women's Literacy Lament as an Agency for Social Communication'.
Leadership Training for Female Headed Households
A three-day leadership-training workshop was organized for female-headed households of Batticaloa and Akkaraipattu, funded by Konrad Adenaur Foundation. These are two areas where there are many female-headed households - women who lost their spouses in the North and the East due to the Civil war. The participants were from the poorest of the poor.
Female-headed households have been on the rise in Sri Lanka during day last twenty years. While the national average of the female-headed households has passed the 20 per cent mark, the formal studies made by WERC have revealed that this average in the proposed project area has reached an alarming high of 35 per cent.
The three major objectives for this preliminary workshop, held
from the 30' of November to the 2 of December 2002,
Were
* To identify problems faced by the women of the female
headed households and find solutions. To build up confidence and to develop leadership
* To identify ways and means to make them economically
independent. s
Felicitation
Eva Ranaweera, poet, creative writer and activist in women's affairs, was felicitated in October, at an evening gathering presided over by Dr. Selvy Thiruchandran at the WERC auditorium. Eva Ranaweera is also the editor of Women's Voice, a journal supporting women's causes. She was awarded the State Literary Prize in 1994 and 1997 With Maya' was a prize winning collection of poems and Blissfully was short listed for the Gratien Prize 2001.
A large gathering was present to extend their congratulations
and good wishes to her.
Pravahini Vol. II. No, I - 2003

Page 9
International Training Course on Women's Information Processing
The National Women's Education Centre in Japan provided a wonderful opportunity to women in Asia to enhance their knowledge on Information Technology at a ten-day residential workshop held at Saitama, Japan and funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan. Twenty eight female participants from twenty countries of Asia and the Pacific Region participated. Latest advanced Technologies of Information and Communication were taught.
After the Training Course there was an International Forum on Women's Information 2002. All the participants and foreign experts participated. Discussions centred on the status of women's information in Japan and overseas, and related issues from Government and civil society perspectives. The forum aimed at analysing these issues from an international viewpoint and promoting the formation of IT network among the participants. There were about 150 male and female participants with an interest in women's information. Dr. Ruth Ojiambo from International Women's Resource Centre, Isis, Women's International Cross-Cultural Excahnge based in Kampala, Uganda delivered the Key Note address,
Oneworld in Partnership with Cenwor organised a 4 day workshop on the strategic use of Information Communication Technology for development from 11" to 14 November 2002 in Colombo. Oneworld is conducting training programmes on Web site development for NGOs.
Our publications officer Ms. Sunandaseeli participated in both
these training courses. She has learnt many aspects of modern technology pertaining to computer knowledge and is now
equipped to create a website for the organization.
Workshop on Advocacy
Oxfam organised a three-day residential workshop on Advocacy and Lobbying at Uswetakeiyawa in Wattala from the 22 of October 2002 to the 24th of October 2002. Our programme officer for lobbying and advocacy activities attended the workshop. Ms.Mona from Oxfam G.B (Oxford) and Ms.Catherine from Oxfam Regional Media and Advocacy Coordinator for the Middle East and East Europe. conducted the workshop.
The three-day workshop was about the promotion of a specific message or a course of action in order to influence or contribute to the development and implementation of public policies. Advocacy is a means to an end, or another way to address the problems that we aim to solve through other programming strategies.
The participants were trained to perform activities, such as direct lobbying, media work and decision-making, to promote
Pravahini Vol. II. No. 1 - 2003

a specific message or a course of action in order to influence or contribute to the development and implementation of public policies, on three selected topics Marginalisation,Internally Displaced Peopleand Domestic. Violence.
A Handbook on CEDAW - A WERC Project
The Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly and entered into force in 1981 is described as the “International Bill of Rights for Women'. Article 1 of CEDAW defines discrimination against
WOce 2S
“... any distinction, exclusion, or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effector purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedom in political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”
Even though Sri Lanka ratified the Convention in 1981, the material that is already available on CEDAW is very academic
and has therefore failed to have an impact on women.
We feel that enlightening the, public would be the first step towards incorporating it into the domestic legislation.
The aim of the project was to simplify selected Articles to produce a reader friendly handbook to be distributed to secondary schools, young adults especially university students, NGOs, and others.
Farewell
At the end of the year we bade farewell to Ms. Sivajini Sinnathurai Accounts Assistant and Mr. T. Markandu Administrative Officer who during their short period of service, gave of their best to WERC. Our very best wishes go out to them.
Two long standing staff members also left us each having made a noteworthy contribution to WERC.
R. Baskaran Assistant Accountant looked after our finances scrupulously, for over ten years, while Tharanga de Silva Project Officer was attached to WERC for almost ten years. A versatile officer she was appreciated for her dedication and commitment to WERC.
We wish them both success in their new environments.
We also record our appreciation of the loyal service rendered by Mr. Faiz Office Aide and wish him good health.
Welcome to WERC
Ms. Prabha. Liyangage Accounts Officer, Ms. Helene Alwis Administrative Officer Ms. Sulakshana de Mel, Project Coordinator.

Page 10
Workshop for Media Personnel (Sinhala and Tamil) August 16' 17" 2002.
Training of Trainers on Gender Responsive
Governance Bangkok, September 2002
Felicitation to Eva Ranaweera - October 2002
10
 
 
 

Participants of Leadership training workshop for female headed households of Batticaloa and Akkarapattu.
Farewell get to gether - WERC Staff 2002
Pravahini Vol. II. No. I - 2003

Page 11
NEWARRIVAL TO THE
BRARY
QUALITATIVE RESEARCHING WITH TEXT, IMMAGE AND SOUND, A PRACTICAL
HANDBOOK ed. by Martin W. Bauer and George Gaskell. New Delhi, Sage Publications, 2000 384pp
This book provides researchers with the skills and knowledge and accessible introduction to a broad range of research methods with the objective of clarifying procedures, good practice and public accountability. This text shows students which methods are most suitable for particular research problems.
GENDER, RELIGION AND HEATHEN
LANDS'', American Missionary Women in South Asia (1860s-1940s), by Maina Chawla Singh New York, Garland Publishing Inc., 2000 393pр
This volume is a deeply historical, elegantly written and accessible text that embodies the best kind of comparatives feminist scholarship. Singh draws on hitherto unexamined religious studies. This book maps the archival documents, works in women's history and trajectories of power and its use and abuse among women (and men) - we have much to learn from this history.
THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF DOWRY by Ranjane Sheel. New Delhi, Publishers, Manohar 1999 299pp Dowry is one of the most serious problems touching women's lives in modern India. Taking dowry as a crucial index for women's status, the author locates it within a broad historical framework and a feminist perspective viewing it not as a state custom but as a product of changing political, economic, and social processes to comprehend its present shape as well as various dimensions women and law in society,
IN THE NAME OF JU: Mukhopadhyay New Delhi, Manoh 137pp
This collection of originally presented on 'women and la dimensions in the gender such as in
health and institutio
BUILDING WOMI)
INTERVENTION
TRANSFORMATION ed. by_Ranjani K. N Sage Publications, 2
A significant featur that it views women as an isolated phen of a wider process o book will be e for teachers and stu gender studies, development studie
GENDERED SUBJEC ed. by Selvy Thiruc WERC 2002 , 512
The six Resear contributed to this topics which are in significant represent political formation and post colonial Amin'spaper descr the Victorian Mode in the late 18th centu her paper combines the ancient culture ( specifically designe homeland as oppo Victorian model Reservations of sea
common interest t here Mary John t women in politics present demand
presence. Comm chauvinism, religio issues taken up byl Selvy Thiruchan interesting topic ofs which has simultane forms of protests ar the voices of the li Sri Lanka. Ann Kap
Pravahini Vol. II. No. 1 - 2003
 

TICE, ed. by Swapra
lar Publishers, 1999
paper, which was in a national seminar tw', opens up new
legal discourse on the area of women; nalization of women.
EN'S
IN
CAPACITIES; GENDER
Murthy. New_Delhi, .001 383pp
2 of this collection is 's empowerment not omenon but as part f social change. This specially valuable dents in the fields of
sociology and
TS handran. Colombo,
Pp
chers who have book have identified one way or the other, ations of cultural and of both the colonial South Asia; Sonia ibes the recreation of l of a home in India ry. C.S. Lakshmiin both the modern and lictums specially and d for women in the sed to recreating a in the colony. its in parliament is a opic to women, and races the history of from 1920 to the of the politics of unalism, ethnicity, us fundamentals are Uma Chakravarthi. dran deals with an ocial communication ously spoken of some ld resistance through amenting women in lan who teaches film
studies, in her paper, extends the discussions about the imperialgazein film, by now well known relations in colonialism and post colonialism and about diaspora and cinema.
COMPANION ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ANTHRoPoLoGY, ed, by Tim Ingold.
London, Routledge 1994, 1127pp
This encyclopedia provides a comprehensive survey of contemporary thinking in biological, social and cultural anthropology. Chapters are divided into three parts, Humanity, Culture and Social life. This provides students and teachers with essential information for study and research.
WERC PUBLICATIONS
Training Modules on Gender Sensitisation
1.Violence Against Women - English,
Tamil and Sinhala 2.Women in Conflict Situations -
English and Sinhala 3.Women and Education - English 4.Women and Law - English and
Tamil 5.Politics Decision Making and
Governance - English, Sinhala and Tamil 6.Cultural Constraint and Media -
Sinhala and Tamil
Books
Vivi Translation Sinhala Sri Lanka Women's writing Series:
Writing an Inheritance: Women's Writing in Sri Lanka 1860 — 1948 Volume 1 Ed: Neloufer de Mel and Minoli Samarakkody – English
Celebrating Sri Lankan women's English Writing
Volume 2 By Yasmine Gooneratine
Women's Contribution to Sinhala Literature - Volume 1 Ananda Tissa Kumara - Sinhala Available for sale at WERC and other leading bookshops in Colombo
11

Page 12
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