Alliance for 33%

The Alliance for 33% invites you to a press conference on 33% Women's Reservation Bill (WRB), hosted at the Indian Women's Press Corps (5, Windsor Place, New Delhi-1) on Tuesday, 27th July, at 3pm.

The Alliance for 33% is a collective of more than 300 women's groups, individuals, civil society organizations and networks from across India demanding immediate passage of the 33% WRB in the Lok Sabha. The Women's Reservation Bill has already been passed in the Rajya Sabha on 9th March 2010. It is a constitutional amendment which will reserve a quota of 33% seats for women in the national parliament and state assemblies.

Brinda Karat (MP), Annie Raja (NFIW), Jyotsna Chatterjee (JWP), Ranjana Kumari (CSR & WPC), Beulah Shekhar (YWCA of India) and Shabnam Hashmi (ANHAD) will interact and share information about the Demonstration planned for 29th July at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi.

The media, both print and visual, has played a proactive and crucial role on this issue. We look for your presence and support for a wider coverage of the demonstration.

For any further questions about the press conference or demonstration, please contact the YWCA, and we will be happy to assist you.

Please contact Ms Kalpana, of the Young Women's Christian Association of India to confirm your attendance. Please call: 9810026403, or email: 33percentnow@googlegroups.com.

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 PRIA now offering postgraduate programmes

As part of its education programme, PIALL has recently collaborated with various accredited institutes and universities around the world to deliver the following high quality, accredited postgraduate and diploma programmes in human and social development:

PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning (PIALL) is the academic wing of the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA), and believes in learning as a lifelong process, promoting the concept of education as a major instrument of development.

PIALL imparts the lessons of PRIA's three decades of practice in participatory development, democratic governance and gender programmes through its education, research and capacity building processes.

Along with these postgraduate programmes, PIALL continues to offer certificate courses in gender, participatory research, participatory M&E, civil society, local governance and occupational health & safety. Find out more at www.priaeducation.org/courses.php

PIALL also offers the PRIA International Internship Programme, inviting career-changers, new graduates and young professionals to India to learn about and experience participatory development and democratic governance through intensive workshops and field exposure. Find out more at www.priaeducation.org/piip.

Contact us: PRIA International Academy of Lifelong Learning (PIALL)
Phone: +91 11 296 0931   Email: education@pria.org   Website: www.priaeducation.org

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 JOINING HANDS

Discover the joy of volunteering through Joining Hands

Indian women face a lot of challenges and here is a long way to go till we can claim Gender Equality. But the good thing is that a lot of efforts are being made by government and civil society organizations. E.g. - Gender Resource Centers by Government of N.C.T. of Delhi to address all issues relating to women empowerment like-health, legal rights, literacy, and income generations etc. The resource center run by NGO Praytan in Okhla is attended by around two hundred women everyday who receive lessons on bags making, embroidery products, beautician course, health and hygiene, legal awareness etc. All these skills combined with basic education allow them to find a better job and live better lives.

Joining Hands organized a visit to the Gender Resource Center in Okhla by the student delegation from Europe on July 09 2010. Students learnt about different programs run at the center. The delegation also got an opportunity to observe a counseling session by a lawyer, who visits the center twice a week- one week to hold lectures, and the other week to track down cases of domestic violence, mistreatment, or other problems for women. The session on day of the delegation visit was a lecture on- 'right to inheritance to property' and 'dowry law' (under which the giver and taker of dowry are punishable). At the end of the session students also got a chance to ask questions pertaining to women right viz a viz Indian Law.

Visit us at www.joininghandsindia.org

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 WOMEN UNLIMITED

Women Unlimited invites you to an evening with ZOHRA SEGAL

Amal Allana & Salima Raza reminiscing about her life, her times and her book

'CLOSE-UP memoirs of a life on stage and screen'

Date: 27 July 6:30 p.m.
Venue: India International Centre Lodi Estate New Delhi - 110003

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 Jansankhya Sthirtha Kosh

The Union Ministerfor Health & Family Welfare, Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad flaged off a run for population stabilization involving 3000 children from Delhi schools on World Population today. The children congregated at Vijay Chowk and ran till the India Gate. The children were led by badminton ace Saina Nehwal. Chief Minister of Delhi, Smt. Shiela Dikshit was the Chief Guest for the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Azad said that population stabilization is extremely important as India has a share of 17% of the world's population while it has to manage with only 2.5% of global land. He reiterated that government is will promote population stabilization by making people aware about the benefit of small families. He said strict implementation of laws about age of marriage and delayed first child with proper spacing may help in dealing with population problem. He ruled out coercion completely in the efforts for population stabilization. He said craving for male child is another problem. He stressed that the spread of education especially among the girls will help a great deal.

The Chief Minister Smt Sheila Dikshit emphasized the need for small families as resources are limited and uncontrolled population may result in slower development. She also stressed empowerment of girls and women to control population.

The run was organized by Jansankhya Sthirtha Kosh in partnership with the Delhi Government. The theme of the World Population Day this year is 'Everyone Counts' which underscores the importance of data for development. Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Shri S. Gandhiselvan, Smt. Kiran Walia, Minister of Health & family Welfare, Government of Delhi along with Shri Arvinder Singh, Education Minister of Delhi were the Guests of Honour.

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 Just Peace Foundation

Just Peace Foundation (JPF)is launching a 100 days countdown as the hunger strike of Sharmila against AFSPA completes 10 years in November 2010.

http://repealafspanow.wordpress.com/

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 Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network

We are writing to share an important update on court case of the tragic killing of 19 year old Ms Ranpanchy Hongray from Manipur that happened in Munirka Village in October 2009. We have been in touch with Hongray's sister Atim and cousin Alem (cced into this email) to know what is the latest on the court case.

We found that the trial has not even started after almost 10 months of the killing. Our team found out the mistake made and we have spoken to Riju Raj Jamwal a lawyer who practises at Supreme Court and our own colleague Ms Juliee Sharma, Advocate (both cced into this email) who advised that we should work together towards getting the trial started soonest.

In the last hearing we attended in June, there was just Hongray's sister and cousin present at Patiala House Court.

Hence is is our sincere requests to all who are working for women's rights and concerned media to please be present on July 29th at Patiala House so that we can put collective pressure to see that justice is done. Otherwise the culprit may get bail and can be out soon in our society again.

The next hearing is scheduled for Thursday, 29th July at Patiala House. Sessions starts at 10 am.

We can collectively plan to coordinate to make this happens so that justice is done. It is time to stop violence against women in any form.

Binalakshmi Nepram
Founder, Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network
Secretary General, Control Arms Foundation of India
B 5 / 146, First Floor, Safdarjung Enclave, New Delhi - 110 029, India

Website : www.cafi-online.org Email: Binalakshmi@gmail.com
Mobile : +91-9868233373 Phone: +91-11-46018541 Fax : +91-11-26166234

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