Dear Friends, Here are the activities conducted by S.O.S Femmes Mauritius for this year 16 days of activism against gender-based violence.
In the context of combating violence against women and children at a regional level, S.O.S Femmes organized a three-day regional workshop from 25th to the 27th of November, 2001 aiming at launching a Southern African regional network that will work specifically at eliminating all forms of violence against women and children. Twenty-two delegates and observers from the SADC countries, including Madagascar, Reunion Island, and Seychelles participated at the workshop. The objectives, constitution, and the plans of actions of the network were finalized and approved. The network officially launched on November 27, 2001 is now known under the name of Southern African Network on Violence Against Women and Children, (SANVAWC). Mrs. Rada Gungaloo, president of S.O.S Femmes Mauritius, has been elected Chair of the Executive Board and president of the general assembly of the network. The Secretariat of the Board is situated at 286A, Royal Road, Rose Hill, MAURITIUS. On the 10th of December, 2001, a member of the network, Ms. Lebogang Malebye from Botswana will present the Constitution of the network, the list of names of the office bearers, and its plans of actions for the next year to Dr. Athaliah Molokomme, Director of the SADC Gender Unit. She will at the same time apply for the network to obtain observer status at all SADC activities and meetings, especially those related to gender-based and women's issues. S.O.S Femmes also organized and sponsored a play, "Secrets of Owl", which was performed by Ms. Matilda (TUTU) Malamafumu of Zambia. While exposing the daily problems of domestic violence, incest, and HIV/AIDS, the play also proffers a message of hope and empowerment for women. The play was performed on the first day of activism for a group of 150 women and then performed for the Mauritian Public on the 26th of November. The response was very positive and women's empowerment could be felt. It was a very powerful sharing experience. The play and the workshop gained significant press coverage by the local Mauritian and regional media. There were two television shows and interviews on the conference that were aired in English, French, and Hindi. Information about the conference, the purpose and history of the 16 days of activism, and the message of the play were widely published in the media. ***End-violence is sponsored by UNIFEM and receives generous support from ICAP*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe end-violence OR type: unsubscribe end-violence Archives of previous End-violence messages can be found at: http://www.edc.org/GLG/end-violence/hypermail/
