| International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women |
 25 Nov 2003 @ 23:51, by Letecia Layson Today, November 25, is International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. One of the strongest international instruments for combating violence against women is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). MADRE calls for the full implementation of CEDAW and its optional protocol by all governments, particularly the United States which has yet to sign the convention. Because violence is perpetuated not only by individuals but also by social, political and economic institutions, MADRE demands the recognition by governments of poverty, racism, discrimination and lack of access to food, shelter, health care and education as grave forms of violence against women. On the occasion of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, MADRE is supporting the following anti-violence programs of our Latin American sister organizations: In Guatemala, MADRE is supporting a demonstration by the Barcenas Maquila Workers' Committee to demand an end to gender and racial discrimination targeting maquila workers. In Peru, MADRE is supporting a youth seminar held by our sister organization LUNDU, to address issues of racism, discrimination, sexuality, identity and reproductive rights. In Colombia, MADRE is supporting a rally calling for the peaceful resolution of the armed conflict through negotiation, respect for civil rights, demilitarization, the eradication of rape as a weapon of war, an end to corporate violence, and the implementation of human rights and humanitarian law. In Nicaragua, MADRE is supporting a youth seminar on sexual and reproductive rights at CADAMUC Clinic. For more information on CEDAW, see the CEDAW homepage on the United Nations [link] |