Sisterhood Is Global

Dear Women,

This month's topic is the status of global women's rights. With Japan heavy in all our hearts, it seems relevant and appropriate to turn our attention to the wider world. You will notice that the focus and tone of this meeting will be distinct from our recent topics -- rather than emphasize our personal stories and reflections, this month, we will have the opportunity to take time to look beyond our own lives, to study current events, and to share information about critical issues around the globe.

To begin, we have included links to few documents that give a wide perspective on women's rights through the lens of the Millenium Development Goals. These documents place women's rights within the larger context of global human rights/development, and also provide some good information on gains made over the past decades, as well as problems that remain.

Please review these documents before moving on to the rest of the homework:

The Unfinished Agenda

Making Change Happen

International Women's Day In Numbers

Homework:

1. Pick a topic within global women's rights that you would like to research further. We have listed a few ideas and links below, but you are free to choose any topic of interest to you. Also note that the list below includes many "negative" issues for women globally, but you could also choose to report on positive progress in women's rights.

Sex trafficking

http://www.catwinternational.org/index.php

Enforcement of Islamic Dress Code in Chechnya

http://www.hrw.org/en/reports/2011/03/10/you-dress-according-their-rules-0

Women's Safety After Haiti Earthquake

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2010/12/17/sexual-violence-haiti-s-camps

HIV/AIDS and Women

http://www.genderandaids.org/

Family leave policy in the United States

http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2011/02/23/us-lack-paid-leave-harms-workers-children

Violence against women

http://www.un.org/en/women/endviolence/index.shtml

2. Synthesize what you learn into a brief report (3-4 minutes) that you can share with the group. Your presentation can be a written report...or something creative, such as a poem or artwork inspired by your learning. Bring copies to share!

3. Reflect on how it felt to complete this activity and if there is any further action you wish to take.

Looking forward to a great evening together.

Miranda and Jana