Amnesty salutes women human rights defenders

24 March 2009, 01:29PM

Over 15,000 handprints of people demanding the Government delivers a National Plan of Action were laid out in front of Federal Parliament on International Women's Day. © Andrew Campbell

Running with the theme 'women as agents of change', Amnesty sections across the globe this International Women's Day (8 March) took action in support of the work of women activists in nine countries - Afghanistan, Greece, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Liberia, Nepal, South Africa and Venezuela.

In Australia, we called on the Federal Government to fulfill its commitment to a National Plan of Action to combat violence against women.

Often women working in defence of human rights face risks and vulnerabilities distinct from the ones faced by men purely because of the fact they are women. Their credibility and the legitimacy of their work is often questioned or undermined because they are engaged in the more 'controversial' issues such as women's sexual and reproductive rights, and freedom of expression - which are seen to threaten traditional cultural and religious ways of life.

Their work can result in high levels of marginalisation, prejudice, hostility and violence - even by their own communities. It is for this reason that this March Amnesty International worldwide chose to acknowledge and support the important role these women play in bringing justice, equality and human rights for all.

International Women's Day in Australia

Amnesty activists and staff took to the streets on 8 March, setting up information stalls and talking to people in public spaces and International Women's Day events, including UNIFEM breakfasts around the country and the WOMADelaide festival in South Australia. They spread the word about women's rights issues, listened to the views of thousands of people and gathered signatures in support of a National Plan of Action.

Over 15,000 hand-stamps on banners from individuals around the country were spread across the lawns of Parliament House to send a loud and clear message that Australians say NO to violence against women, and that we expect the Government to implement a National Plan of Action, in line with its pre-election commitment.

Who did what in other countries?

While letter writing campaigns and petitions were the order of the day, local groups organised a range of public events highlighting the important role women play as agents of change while facing distinct risks as women human rights defenders, including:

• Rallies or other annual women's marches in Austria, Canada, India, Greece, Kenya, Turkey, the Philippines and Paraguay - with activists of AI Paraguay taking to the street via a local cycling competition in the Enlhed indigenous community;

• Lectures in Belgium by Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi and Egyptian activist, feminist writer and physician Nawal el Saadawi, debates in Canada, Finland and Greece, and street stalls in New Zealand, Switzerland and Australia;

• Documentary screenings in Canada, Finland, Iceland, India, Sweden and Tunisia (while AI Hungary, together with Romedia Foundation and with the support of Duna Television and the Decade of Roma Inclusion, produced and launched its own film in which Roma women activists from all over the world tell their experience of discrimination). It was screened in the underground and as well as other public spaces);

• Musical entertainment, poetry readings and poster displays in Bermuda, Finland, Greece and Paraguay, and the inaugural 'Femmy Awards' in Canada, which in coalition with other organisations recognises the contributions of local women activists;

• And as was largely the focus here in Australia, AI activists in Denmark, Finland, Paraguay and the Philippines continued their push via national lobbying activities for improved policy and legislative approaches to the widespread problem of violence against women.

Yet, while International Women's Day is a time to highlight and celebrate women's achievements to date, it is also a time to remember that in Australia and around the world there is still much to be done - together - to ensure human rights are a reality for all women. The failure to respect the rights of women deprives us all.

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