Who: The 1998 Global Campaign for Women's Human Rights invites YOU to join the international solidarity movement to light the way for women's human rights!

What: 1998 Global Campaign will symbolically use the theme of light to celebrate the strength, courage and leadership of women's human rights defenders while at the same time demanding that action be taken to eradicate all forms of continued violations of women's human rights.

Actions: You can join these celebrations by lighting a candle...organizing a vigil...holding a discussion around a campfire...

• Organize an activity using the theme of light.
• Incorporate light into the program of an already planned activity.
• Compose a one sentence demand/message which you would like delivered to the United Nations on December 10 as part of the 1998 Global Campaign for Women's Human .

Send a description of your activity along with your message by December 5 to: Center for Women's Global Leadership; Rutgers University; 160 Ryders Lane; New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8555 USA; fax: (1-732)932-1180; e-mail: cwgl@igc.apc.org

Access this form (also available in Spanish) and other information about the campaign online at http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cwgl/humanrights

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Description of your activities:

One sentence message to be delivered as part of the 1998 Global Campaign for Women's Human Rights:

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence

November 25 - December 10, 1998

** Eighth Annual Campaign ** Eighth Annual Campaign **

Building a Culture of Respect for Human Rights

...The General Assembly, proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance..." (Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948)

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1998, we recommit ourselves to promote and protect the human rights of all as we honor those individuals who have dedicated themselves to ensuring that a culture of respect for the human rights of women is realized. The 1998 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence provides an opportunity to educate our communities about their rights, demand that governments promote and protect these rights and honor individuals and organizations who work to build a culture of respect for human rights, as part of a global effort.

Become part of the movement to create this culture - Take Action during the 16 Days. Some suggestions include:

• Honor grassroots women activists as Human Rights Defenders....as an individual, write to your government to ensure support for the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms by the United Nations General Assembly.....as an organization, you can coordinate an event which highlights the work of women's human rights advocates and honor them for their commitment.

• Download the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from the United Nations website located at the following address: http://www.un.org/rights/ Format the document as a flyer or poster and circulate it in the community.....throughout schools, public spaces, local media, etc.

• Write letters to your government demanding that it implement the principles defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into daily practice. Highlight the positive steps your government has taken to address gender-based violence as a human rights issue and suggest areas of improvement.

• Initiate cultural and artistic activities such as music festivals, art shows, essay and poster contests around the theme: Imagine a world where all women enjoy their human rights.

The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence is a movement of women and men from around the world working to create a culture of respect for human rights and bring an end to gender-based violence in the home and in the world. Join an already existing student, community, national or international activity for the 16 Days or take actions on your own. You can do anything from hanging a banner outside your window declaring the need to end violence against women to organizing a rally, discussion group, film festival, workshop, etc. Be creative! If you would like further suggestions for action or to link up with organizations or individuals in your area who are planning activities, please contact the Center for Women's Global Leadership. Here are a few resources available from the Center which could assist you in getting more information about the Campaign and women's human rights:

• The 1998 Global Campaign for Women's Human Rights "Take Action Kit" contains both background information on women's human rights and provides further suggestions for action.

• The 1998 Global Campaign poster designed around the theme "imagine a world where all women enjoy their human rights...take action to make it happen," gives voice to women's visions of human rights and encourages the creation of more positive representations of women's human rights.

• Access the Center's website at the following address and take a look at what people did for last year's Campaign! http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~cwgl/humanrights

As in previous years, the Center will compile an International Calendar of Campaign Activities which lists events being organized around the 16 Days of Activism. Please send us a brief description of any activities which you or your organization plan. We will send you a copy of the Calendar in addition to posting all the information on our website. Your submissions will also enable the Center to refer other individuals/organizations which are interested in your activities to you. The International Calendar of Campaign Activities will also be displayed on December 10, 1998 at an international event which the Center will be coordinating to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Please copy and circulate this 16 Days announcement to other groups and individuals in your area.

Send a description of your planned activities for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence by October 1, 1998 to: Linda Posluszny, 16 Days Coordinator, Center for Women's Global Leadership, 160 Ryders Lane, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8555, USA. Fax: (1-732)932-1180. E-mail: cwgl@igc.apc.org