Monthly Archives: October 2013

UN Webcast – Celebration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Commemoration of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is celebrated on October 17 each year.  You can view the event here

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Commemorative Stone at the United Nations, New York was unveiled in 1996 and has the following words

“WHEREVER MEN AND WOMEN ARE CONDEMNED TO LIVE IN EXTREME POVERTY, HUMAN RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED. TO COME TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT THESE RIGHTS BE RESPECTED IS OUR SOLEMN DUTY.”

FATHER JOSEPH WRESINSKI

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Violence and Poverty are interrelated say Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary General on Violence against Children. There are some very moving sharing in this webcast.

Reports focusing on restorative justice and non-violent juvenile justice for children

Flyer Restorative Justice for Children

“This report examines the potential of restorative justice programmes to facilitate conflict resolution and provide appropriate protection to children. This applies to the justice system, whether children are victims, offenders or witnesses, but it also applies in a range of other contexts, including at school, in residential care units, in social welfare settings and in the community. ”   Click here to see the report  Promoting Restorative Justice for Children        A useful resource if you are working with children.


FlyerA Second report launched is entitled ” Creating a Non-Violent Juvenile Justice System” Report 2013.  This report was prepared by The International NGO Council on Violence Against Children.  It is easy to read and a helpful resource, laid out in a very attractive way with a foreword by Marta Santos Pais, Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children.  The full report is available here

At last the link to the UN Webcast of WGG ‘Girls Speak Out’

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It makes me happy to share with you the link to the webcast of the WGG ‘Girls Speak Out’ in the UN ECOSOC Chamber at the United Nations on October 11th, 2013, the 2nd International Day of the Girl  Access the link here.

The flyer for the event will tell something about the speakers 2013 WGG Girls Speak Out   

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Read some reflections on the experience at http://dayofthegirlsummit.org/

October 17 – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

This year’s official commemoration on 17 October at UN Headquarters will be an occasion to recognize people living in poverty as critical partners for fighting the development challenges we face. The commemoration at the UN is organized in partnership with the International Movement for ATD 4th World,  the NGO Sub-committee for the Eradication of Poverty and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, supported by the Missions of France and Burkina Faso to the UN.

Watch persons affected by poverty share their views at the official commemoration at UN headquarters,     Live on UN Webcast 1.15 to 2.30 EST to day October 17th.

LeaveNoWomanBehind WWW logo

Rose Lizarde, Global Director of the Feminist Task Force writes today is also a day to honor the work we do as women’s rights activists, as social justice transformers, as contributors to durable peace. We share this video as part of GCAP’s Leave No One Behind which of course we’ve tweaked to emphasize:  LEAVE NO WOMAN BEHIND

AND I ADD TO THAT MESSAGE

LEAVE NO GIRL BEHIND! 

Girls share from Nolawi Services, Ethiopia

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Because I am a Girl…(Tshay,)

I can do great things …  I have potential and a bright future … I will overcome any obstacle

Because I am a Girl…(Webalem,)

I will work hard to attain goal in life  … I  fight for my dreams … I empower other girls around me-learning from others and my experiences

Because I am a Girl…(Selam,)

I can achieve my way in life … I have the power to change the world around me … I have great insight and understanding..

Because I am a Girl…(Mulu,)

I can be active in my village through education …  I will teach my daughters the value that girls should  have in society

Because I am a Girl… 

I can be strong and compassionate at the same time  … I have the capacity to care …I will help the people around me and help myself.

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Day 6 of the 11 Days of Action – Who is your shero?

Day 6 of the the 11 days of action has a video telling us about Alice Paul and asking you to name your shero!  Check out the video    My shero is Eve Ensler turning pain to power in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  See some photographs

Maybe you have noticed that I missed day 5.  Never too late to post an inspiring message for girls  Write your message here

Day 4 of the 11 Days of Action – International Day of the Girl

If you are following the 11 days of action leading up to the International Day of the Girls on October 11 Click here.  Today,  focuses on messages that girls receive about girls and asks you to think about this.  Who tells you who your are?   What messages are you receiving?  The sponsoring organization for today have come up with creative approaches to counter images and inequality.  You are invited to help create a list of gender equal media choices.

389My attention today was drawn to 80 teenage girls who are victims of abuse in Kolwezi, located in the south of the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo. The Good Shepherd Sisters of Kolwezi are putting in place child protection services to address the exploitative circumstances surrounding these girls’ lives.   With community leaders, Good Shepherd Sisters  will begin an initiative to lobby the mining industry for extended basic rights to the workers. The mission is bold, to extend “an equitable distribution of resources and increase the accountability of the mining companies” to the community.

What do you think the dominant image of girls in this region?  Read more

Girls on the Run is so much fun! Join Day 3 of the 11 day events for the International Day of the Girl

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Day 3 of the 11 days of action. See what actions are proposed for today and contribute – Girls on the Run International invite YOU to Help Girls Achieve their Dreams

The Working Group on Girls is co-sponsoring with many other organizations the International Day of the Girl. The highlight for the Working Group on Girls will be ‘Girls Speak Out’ on October 11th. DayoftheGirlSummit.org will live-stream the Girls Speak Out.