Vrouwenbelangen Internationaal

Women's Rights Worldwide

New: Peace, Conflict and Security

New: IAW prepared well for CSW 2010

Young women ready to make their mark at CSW 2010
Violence against young women, economic justice, sexual and reproductive health and rights and the role of media were just some of the issues young women listed as areas of concern at the Young Women’s Caucus at the current 54th session of the Commission of Status of Women (CSW 54).

The Young Women's Caucus will take place on March 3, 5, 8 and 10 from 5-7pm at the UN Youth Section, Two UN Plaza, DC2-Level 13 in New York City.

Nine women elected in the EU Commission

Nine women, 30% by quorum, have been nominated in the EU Commission.
Connie Hedegaard, Denmark, well known for her role at the Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, is one of the nine women in the Commission of the European Union. Her subject: climate activities. She recuperated after a seven hour during meeting on CO2 emission: ' The EU should be talking with one voice, but this is 20 bla bla bla 30%'.
Click here for more information and for pictures of the nine women.

International Alliance of Women - IAW
 IAW representatives are entitled to attend ECOSOC meetings of the UN wherever they are held (New York, Rome, Geneva, Nairobi etc.).
IAW has a journal called IWNews, a website on: http://www.womenalliance.org and a monthly electronic newsletter, also to be found on the IAW website.

Women’s rights are human rights.
Human rights are universal, indivisible and interrelated.
IAW is aiming to establish a real equality of liberties, status and opportunities between women and men, and to work for equal partnership between men and women in all spheres of life.
There is one aim, that every member supports: 'equality in civil and political rights'.
Vrouwenbelangen is one of the 60 affiliates of the International Alliance of Women.

History of IAW
IAW has the experience of a hundred years and the dynamics of today.
Pat Richardson from Australia tells about it all. See also the history of a young IAW Affiliate: Women's Electoral Lobby, Australia.
Australia recently gots its Optional Protocol to CEDAW. See the announcement.
You will find an impression of the IAW Board Meeting 2009 in Switzerland, with the Feminist Tour, in English and in Dutch. In 2010 The Board Meeting will be organised in November in South Africa.
For recent IAW and Vrouwenbelangen actions, click here.

Millennium Development Goals
The MDGs has eight ambitious worldwide projects to reduce poverty in the world with 50% during 2000- 2015.

United Nations
The agenda of IAW reflects that of the UN and its aims for equal rights for women. Treaties and conferences of the UN are at the centre of its attention. Many IAW members meet every year during the conference of the Commission on the Status of Women, to support the women's movement. For an overview of CSW meetings (in Dutch), click on: 2007 - 2008 - 2009 and here for 2010.
CEDAW, the Human Richts Council and the Security Council are also at the center of IAWs attention.

European Union panel at the eu
 Spain is now presiding the European Union.
The EU structure will change in January and the Commission with its 27 mwbers installed. The new commissioners have been selected (by quota, 30% women) but still have to be nominated by the European Parliament.
Picture: the 27 Heads of State (one woman) in 2008. At the moment there are three women as Head of States: from Germany, Finland and Latvia.

 Index of Special Issues and Actions
Gender equality and women's rights need constant vigilance and work, to see that the gains made, are not eroded. These issues can include: actions, quotas, women in politics, sexual violence, women and peace, sustainable development, equal pay, etc.

You will find a list of special issues and IAW actions published on this website by clicking here.


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