Dear Members of the Working Group to End Violence Against Women, We are delighted to welcome you back to the End-Violence Working Group! As you know, the Working Group, which was launched in October 1998, is an exciting and extremely valuable community of 2,500+ people from more than 120 countries dedicated to ending gender-based violence. We are thrilled to be able to resume the Working Group after a year hiatus. We will look to you, the Working Group members, for input and recommendations regarding our reports and activities. The most immediate are the Report on the Progress of the World's Women 2002 and our preparations for International Women's Day 2002. During the coming months we will post kickoff messages that frame key issues, and seek your advice, experience and recommendations. We also welcome your suggestions for additional topics.
Many achievements have been won since we initially launched the End-Violence Working Group in 1998. There is broader recognition of the problem of violence against women. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women has been established. More groups are targeting this crucial issue and have valuable experience to share. Many groups from the South are now online and can become members of the End-Violence Working Group. Several governments have taken steps to help address the problem. Yet a tremendous amount remains to be done. Violence against women is a linchpin issue. Security and safety are fundamental to all endeavors to provide women with equal access to rights and opportunities. Sadly, violence against women continues to be a global pandemic that kills, maims and tortures women and girls in every country. Far greater commitment is needed from governments and other funding agencies. We plan to use the End-Violence working group to raise the visibility of the outstanding work being done by NGOs, businesses and governments in every country. It will help us urge donors, foundations, governments and others to provide more support to organisations working to end violence against women, particularly those working in the South. We hope that you will also use the opportunity provided by the Working Group to raise understanding and commitment to end violence against women in your community and country. We propose to examine a wide range of topics during the coming six months (please see below). We welcome your advice and suggestions regarding these or other topics. Our deep thanks for participating in this important Working Group. Together, we can achieve important advances in securing women's right to a safe and secure environment. With warm regards, Noeleen Heyzer, Executive Director of UNIFEM and the entire UNIFEM staff ******** PROPOSED AGENDA TOPICS (not in chronological order) ISSUES OF WAR * Violence Against Women in War * Peace-building and Taking Steps to End Violence Against Women in Societies in Transition POLITICS AND LEGAL ISSUES * New legislation regarding Violence Against Women * Women in Politics * Gender budgeting in governments * Local governments and violence against women * Transitional justice, including Truth and Reconciliation Commissions ECONOMICS * Economic conditions and violence against women * Women's economic opportunities and violence against women * The financial cost of violence against women CULTURE * HIV/AIDS and violence against women * Culture and changing male behavior * Art and violence against women COMMUNITIES * Improving community awareness and community based initiatives to end violence against women * Social audits of sexual violence MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY * Innovative media and communications * Use of new technologies to help end violence against women YOUTH * Youth education to prevent violence against women * Special concerns regarding violence against girls * Programs and initiatives conducted by youth PREVENTION * Self defense * Innovative approaches to prevention
