League of Women Voters of Victoria
An associate member of IAW
Project - 50/50

Projects - 50/50 campaign - Centenary - Reflection and Celebration

The League of Women Voters has had a long commitment to the principle of gender equality especially in relation to political representation. Comparative data on the percentage of women in each National Parliament www.ipu.org/wmn-e/world.htm

"... In our global community, fifty percent of people - women - too often lack access to opportunities and services. They are still, in the twenty first century, grossly under-represented, underutilised, undervalued and underpaid - in business, government, education - indeed, in every arena. Gender equality and the empowerment of women remain major challenges.... Ms Julia Burns Executive Director Australian Government Office for Women 2007, United Nations General Assembly.

http://www.ergd.org/index.html the goal is to reach parity by 2020 the 100th anniversary of women being able to stand for parliament in America." is the goal for 50% women and 50% men in the three branches of government by the year 2020, the 100th anniversary of the right to vote for women." The US League of Women Voters http://www.lwv.org support the 50/50 campaign.

The International Women's Tribune Centre NY has an excellent on-line presence and a free kit for download. http://www.iwtc.org/ This resource collection consists of free games, training manuals, workshop guides etc. for teachers, trainers and development workers who are working for and with girls. It includes interactive and participatory training guides and resources on rights, empowerment, violence against women and girls, HIV/AIDS, sexuality and reproductive health and leadership development.

The Australian Government's AusAID Development Gateway, http://www.developmentgateway.com.au/ Aus Aid states " Gender equality is a concept focused on enabling men, women, boys and girls to have equal access to health and education, economic and political resources and opportunities as well as a safe living environment. Gender inequality occurs when men, women, boys and/or girls have limited or no access to services and resources, live in fear of violence, and/or are unable to control their own destinies due to perceived gender differences and discrimination between and amongst males and females."

Other resources:
Women's Enviroment and Development Organisation WEDO http://www.wedo.org/ are prompting organisations and individuals to lobby governments for equal representation
" WEDO approaches gender and climate from many angles to ensure that women are present at all levels and dimensions of climate change policy-making and action."
Word Press http://5050campaign.wordpress.com/ You can find more information at this site it is particularly Europe focus however you can sign in your support and there are plenty of link pages and information.

 

 

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