womensnet logo Discussion Group and Web Site on Preventing Violence Against Women in the SADC Region
(Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre and Women'sNet, May 1998)
Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre in association with Women'sNet has established a discussion group (mailing list) for Non-governmental and Community-based organisations (NGOs and CBOs) that focuses on preventing violence against women in the SADC region. This discussion group provides a unique opportunity for networking amongst organisations, sharing ideas and information and engaging in discussion through the electronic medium. This will enable a multitude of views to be shared, without the expense of getting together and holding meetings.

For the next few months, the discussion group will focus on follow-up to the Southern African Development Countries (SADC) conference on Preventing Violence Against Women, that was held on 5 - 8 March 1998, in Durban. The conference was an important event for SADC (including South Africa) as governments undertook certain commitments to ending violence against women. These commitments are contained in the Declaration on Prevention and Eradication of Violence Against Women and Children (You'll find a copy of the declaration at this web site: http://sn.apc.org/sadc_pvaw).

The Declaration will be considered for adoption by governments at the SADC Heads of State Summit in Mauritius, September 1998. It is important that NGOs and CBOs put pressure on government to adopt the Declaration. The question that remains is whether the declaration should be amended or changed. This is where the discussion will begin. By analysing the Declaration and making comments and recommendations on its wording, NGOs and CBOs will be able to submit a report to the government summit to ensure that their concerns are addressed in the Declaration. The Declaration must be a living document and not another commitment that the governments do not fulfil.

The discussion group, called SADCPVAW, is open to all SADC NGOs and CBOs concerned with ending violence against women. We want to make SADCPVAW a workspace where everyone feels comfortable to share their concerns and ideas, so access will be limited to non-government participants only.

In order to ensure that NGOs and CBOs participate actively on the discussion group, Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre has agreed to act as discussion facilitator. Within the next few weeks, organisations who agree to join the mailing list will receive a "Welcome" message that will outline all the participation details: what to expect, how to participate, who's on the list, etc.

If you are interested in taking part, please email Naomi Webster: naomi@sn.apc.org. The discussion is scheduled to start on May 11.

We hope that you use the discussion group to your advantage. Welcome to our online talk show!

Yours sincerely,

Naomi Webster
Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre

Gail Smith/Lynn Danzig/Rebecca Holmes
Women'sNet

About Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre

Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre to end violence against women was established after a two year feasibility study, commissioned by Ford Foundation, to eradicate the victimization of women by the legal system. The feasibility study identified the legal system as a crucial key in the maintenance of violence against women. Tshwaranang aims to make the legal system a vehicle of social change for women by influencing policy and legislation through advocacy, lobbying, education, training and research on violence against women. Tshwaranang is not a service provider or a legal advice desk, but an advocacy, lobbying, education and training organisation.

About Women'sNet

Women'sNet is a vibrant and innovative networking support programme designed to enable South African women to use the Internet to find the people, issues, resources and tools needed for women's social action. Check out our web site at http://womensnet.org.za

 

  

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