CSW 60 Wed16

 

Today's Reports

In Conversation with #Imams For She Champions:
Workshop on Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Together.
Muslims for Progressive Values

2016-03-16          Eirwen Pallany

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Presentation from Khadija T. Moalla (Tunisia) on 15 year journey of Working with Religious Leaders in the Arab Region, followed by split into 3 groups with 3 Imams on Education, Early and Forced Marriage & FGM

Khadija T. Moalla

What I learnt:-

•             Cannot afford not to work with religious leaders (RL)

•             Is best way for outreach for impact

•             Methodology is everything

•             RL have different view to secular

•             Need topmost level of trust to engage

•             Need emotional intelligence

•             Need to embody values not just proclaim them

•             Secular groups need to change attitude from ‘all or nothing’ to recognizing is a journey of engagement

•             Real transformation comes from within and takes time

•             RL are powerful. They do not need to engage to legitimize them. Respect them!

•             RL need courage to give right interpretation of Holy text against prevailing thought

•             Empower the risk takers and create a nurturing environment for them

 

Still needed to be understood by secularists:-

•             Women’s Rights groups need to do their own 60 year self -evaluation

•             WR groups cannot expect RL to change their views if they cannot recognize their own shortcomings

•             90% of misunderstandings between the sexes derive from misunderstanding of each other. Ignorance of sexuality, desire, needs of the other.

•             Need emotional intelligence based in understanding of human development and mind maps

•             NGOs need to take off secular lens to reach a consensus re Human Rights

•             Encourage religious interpretation

•             Multilateral organisations stop funding programmes that have no impact

 

How to convince Religious Leaders to become engaged 

•             Recognise RLs are only human and face same challenges as everyone else

•             Assist synergy with other faiths

•             Ensure sponsorship of engaged leaders

•             Involvement of highest levels of RL authority for credibility, as many muftis as possible.

•             Train UN staff on how to interact with RLs

•             Support establishment of independent steering committees

•             Support RL involved in media messaging

•             Support RLs in religious observance of rule to protect women

•             Support both men and women in learning, including together

•             Support RL in recognizing FGM is cultural not a religious observance

 

Forced and Early Marriage group

Issues that unite or divide Muslims – basic Islamic values. In Islam there are no chief Imams which allows for differences of opinions.

•             Mercy/compassion- Mohammed was sent as a mercy to all people

•             Justice = Righteousness = Fairness

•             Pursuit of happiness is the grant of God in this world and the next

 

Prophets mission in 2 parts –theology (strict practice) and social justice

Islamic arguments against forced or Early Marriage

•             Before Islam people were sold into slavery in Arabia, women had no rights and were objects to be used. There is confusion of culture with religion. Forced marriage was in Arabia prior to Islam and is an ignorant practice not of Islam.

•             Prophet came to bring salvation which includes freedom for women

•             Men and women were given equal rights and responsibilities at creation

•             Prophet instructed to love his mother 4X before moved to love father when instructed to love only X1 – emphasis is to respect women

•             Seeking knowledge is the obligation of all Muslims, men and women

•             In Islam both must consent to the marriage, man & woman. Right to refuse a marriage endorsed in story of Mohammed’s answer to a question asked of him in the Qu’ran

•             Words in Qu’ran for marriage mean ‘pair’ and ‘to fit like a garment’. A forced marriage will not be like that.

•             Man and woman are ‘day’ & ‘night’, with rotating responsibilities but working together to cover the whole

•             Marriage – two people become one

•             Marriage is a ‘heavy’ or strong contract but cannot be strong if forced

•             Qu’ran states that God created spouses for love between both and created spouses for each person for tranquility

•             Sound judgement should be present in both – not possible if too young. Story in Qu’ran of release of inheritance to orphans only if ‘sound’ judgement present. Same needed for marriage. Both relate to age of maturity.

•             In Islam , the mothers are the teachers of the children. If not educated cannot be good teachers of the children

•             ‘Wives must obey husband’ given a twisted interpretation

 

Alternative interpretation of scriptures- if do not marry early girls may fall into wrong things

 

Why Girls are forced into early marriage

•             Poverty – no further claim on father, also “poverty can lead to many rebellious acts” (quote from Qu’ran)

•             Shield from immorality

•             Protection for women

•             Considered shame on family if women not married by late 20s, considered honour to marry young

•             Age of Aisha- Mohammed’s wife debated but thought to have been at least 19 years

 

What change is needed?

•             Urgent reinterpretation of the Qu’ran. Sharia is taken as that of the Middle East. This is not the same as in USA or other places

•             Healthy environment of community (to combat marriage to prevent sinful behavior)

•             Understanding of the difference between culture and religion

•             Education for women, using examples of educated women in the Qu’ran

•             Courageous leaders (to speak out against prevailing opinion, which can be extremely dangerous and involve victimization and death)

•             Educate Imams with wisdom

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
•             Islam encompasses a wide variety of interpretation of their holy scriptures and includes diverse congregations around the world, each affected by their local culture (as with all faiths).

•             To engage with Muslim communities it is necessary to understand their faith and their practice of that faith. (Some of the above information may be helpful in doing that.)

•             Engagement of religious leaders and faith communities requires respect for them as equals

•             Many of the challenges faced by Muslim leaders find an echo within the Christian Church

•             Christianity shares many basic values with Islam

•             Reinforcement that behaviour change is a slow, often frustrating and sometimes dangerous  endeavour and that transformation only comes from within.
Weblinks for More Information
www.nusantara-foundation.org

Protect our Girls:  Sexualization, Exploitation & the Media
International Council of Jewish Women, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Together For Girls

2016-03-16          Rachel Fjellman

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

 

Violence is the second leading cause of death for girls.

Overtones of sexual violence permeate media even in advertisements.

51% of advertisements in women's mags portray women as sex objects

 

Objectification:

Normalizes violence

Less likely to report and self identify as a victim.

Girls internalize the images they see and portray how they feel they should portray themselves.

 

Objectification is harmful not only to women and girls but also men and boys.

Even in trauma and abuse girls are told they are not enough.

It is up to culture and media to tell girls that ANY event of violence is serious!

Goal 5 - need to be inclusive of women and girls of color and those who are part of the LGBTQ Communities.

Women of color face higher rates of exploitation in media. 

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Girls need safe places and safe people to talk to and report if they have been a victim of violence.  Cultural norms need to be addressed and girls need to be reminded that what they see in the media is not what they must strive to be.

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Girls at the Table
2016-03-16          Heidi Bailey

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

The panel of young women, 14-18 years old, were passionate about several of the SDG's, and were girl activists in their schools and communities in the US and Mozambique.  Their passion originated from personal experiences which changed the direction of their lives, and their principle message was to allow the same to happen to those listening...intentionally connecting with others whose life opportunities and experiences were different than our own.

Their biggest challenge as girl advocates was described as 'fear of failure'.  But the reality of feeling that girls/women have been silenced in a patriarchal society keeps them motivated and encouraged.

When asked why It was important for girls/women to have input in decisions made about girls, they responded:

1. Because 1/2 of the population cannot be left out

2. Because girls face more oppression (intersectional)

3. Because it is right, just and smart!

4.  Because it is beneficial to receive more information from the ones who know!

RECOMENDATIONS ON HOW TO INCLUDE GIRLS/WOMEN IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDG'S:

1.  Literally bring girls to the table.

2.  Include a culturally diverse group of girls

3.  Plug into already existing systems

4.  Send female representatives to governmental events

STRATEGIES FOR BECOMING AN ADVOCATE:

1.  Start advocacy with 6 girls, then 60 girls, then 600 girls.

2.  Think globally and act locally

3.  Start changing the world in the world where you live

4.  Have representation at all levels of decision making

5  Be willing to go to unsafe places in order to really understand what you are advocating for, even if your life experience has been different.

6.  Include me in gender equality conversations

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
There are 2 recurring themes that have impacted me in the CSW sessions:  integrated mission and inclusiveness.  These 2 strategies (realities), while affective in the completion of the 16 UN Sustainable Development Goals, are even more powerful and affective when put in the context of Salvation Army mission through the Body of Christ.

Integrated mission and inclusiveness are at the heart of all Salvation Army mission, and the questions asked in this session, the answer given, and the strategies offered, when applied to the Church, the Bride of Christ, result in the most powerful agent of change known to mankind...a changed heart!  People are changed, loving communities are bound together, and God is glorified through His people.

Salt and light...including everyone through integrated mission!  It doesn't get any better than that!

Ending violence against women and girls
NGO committee to stop trafficking in persons

2016-03-16          Pilar Meyer dunning

Brief Summary of presentation of information made?
(NB: This section seeks to factually report what was said in the presentation. No inference should be drawn in terms of Salvation Army position or policy from this section)

Panel discussion about global anti-trafficking efforts including ECPAT International's code of conduct for hotels and travel industry.

What was of particular significance to share with The Salvation Army globally?
Information could be provided to all TSA sites to partner with hotels committed to the code of conduct with ECPAT ensuring that hotels for conferences and events are committed to anti-trafficking and exploitation efforts. (Hilton, Radisson, etc.)
Weblinks for More Information
http://www.ecpatusa.org/code/