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• What is the scenario of Violence Against Women in Politics and Women's Political Participation?
• Why this Regional Conference?
• What we want to achieve?
• Why participate?
• What will be the themes?
• What will be the program methodology?
• Who can participate in this conference?

What is the scenario of Violence Against Women in Politics and Women’s Political Participation?

In South Asia, the concept of power and authority are ascribed to certain social characteristics determined by the male privileged groups to exclude women. Women normally are not given the opportunity to hold positions of power in politics. Being powerless and marginalized women in  South Asian society are at great disadvantage and experience injustice in inclusion and  in the political domain. Gender based violence discourages women from actively participating in politics. Violence against women in politics (VAWIP) is an issue of concern. Almost all forms of gender based violence are used as tools for harming women through physical, psychological or social intimidation.

The gender insensitive political culture of the region has made it difficult for women politicians to firmly establish themselves in decision-making positions. The intensely competitive world of men dominated politics, patriarchal mindset and masculine culture of politics are major obstacles to women's participation. The insensitive and violent masculine political culture of the region has raised an urgent need for the issue of VAWIP to be undertaken at a regional level and addressed effectively.
Gender sensitive laws, policies and provisions are currently absent in South Asian countries. Most of the National laws are silent about VAWIP and political violence is dealt with under criminal law. There seem to be no specific plans and actions to address the issues of VAWIP. Without appropriate laws, policies, provisions and mechanisms, it is not possible to address VAWIP. Violence against women in politics has not been discussed in most of the International Instruments including CEDAW.  Even the SAARC gender data base has ignored violence against women in politics. Since most of the international instruments do not have explicit provisions to create a gender sensitive, safe and secure space for women to participate actively in politics, it is imperative to harmonize the existing international instruments to be adapted at the national level. Therefore, SAP International is attempting to build a policy influencing process for the incorporation of VAWIP agendas in the gender sensitive international instruments and mechanisms as well as in national legal provisions and mechanisms in South Asia.

To maintain the continuity of the regional platform to share learning and experience, SAP International is going to organize the third South Asian Regional Conference on November 10-12, 2009 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Why this Regional Conference?

The first and the second regional conferences on VAWIP were held in Kathmandu in 2007 and  2008. The first conference recommended an immediate amendment of the existing laws and introduction of positive discriminatory laws, policies, plans and actions to create a congenial political environment and to address the state of impunity for perpetrators of violence on women politicians from the national government. Therefore, the second conference was initiated to discuss the existing national laws, policies and provisions for reducing the incidents of VAWIP as well as showcase the stories and best practices of women politicians who have successfully overcome the hindrances confronting their careers. The second Regional Conference recommended that not only the Governments of South Asia but also all relevant international human rights treaty bodies such as CEDAW Committee and Human Rights Committee should recognize and act upon VAWIP. It also showed the way to address the issues of VAWIP by adapting and harmonizing of national laws and policies with existing international instruments, mechanisms and standards to specifically address the issue of VAWIP. 
Lobbying with relevant UN bodies including CEDAW and human rights bodies for the interpretation of existing international human rights instruments is important to encompass issues of VAWIP. Therefore collective advocacy and lobbying at the national and international level with relevant agencies by 'friends of women in politics' is a necessary step for taking the agenda ahead. Networking of the relevant stakeholders including UN and international agencies therefore becomes a necessity for impacting the process.

What we want to achieve?

• Analyzing laws and policies to promote women's participation in politics: By providing a regional forum to women politicians, legal experts, academicians and women activist to share gender gaps in the laws and policies of South Asia from the VAWIP perspective for enhancing the safe and secure participation of women in politics.

• Enlightening South Asian Media perspectives on VAWIP: By providing a regional platform to media journalists, analysts, critiques and activists to share the existing status/situation of gender sensitive political coverage/space in the media and it's value and the importance of the media in addressing the issues of VAWIP in South Asia to promote safe and secure participation of women in politics.

• Synergizing the collaborative actions for lobbying:  By bringing together all stakeholders working on women in politics including national, regional and international organizations to develop the common lobbying of strategies and collaborative actions for addressing VAWIP issues at the International level.

Why participate?

• To ensure commitment towards addressing issues of VAWIP as 'friends of women in politics'
• To join in lobbying process for incorporating VAWIP agenda in the UN international instruments addressing issues of Violence against women (VAW) and women in politics
• To enhance networking opportunities with institutions and individuals fighting for zero tolerance towards VAWIP.
• To ensure Violence free Democracy in South Asia

What will be the themes?

1. Gender sensitive VAWIP policy environment

• Gender sensitivity in politics and women's participation in South Asia
• Laws and political participation in South Asia
• Election laws, system and code of ethics from gender perspectives
• Harmonization of VAWIP in CEDAW
• South Asian Media perspectives on VAWIP and their role

2.  Collaboration for Lobbying VAWIP in International level
Lobbying strategies and collaborative actions for addressing VAWIP issues

• Role of Stakeholders in lobbying with national governments, SAARC and UN agencies:
• Role of women politicians
• Role of Networks
• Role of INGOs/ Bilateral/ Multilateral agencies

What will be the program methodology?

• Presentation and discussion
• Workshopping
• Experience sharing

Who can participate in this conference?

• UN agencies and committees
• International agencies and organizations
• Women and men politicians
• Women political activists
• Civil society organizations
• Media
• Legal professionals/activists
• Women/ human rights activists

Location: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Date: 10-12 November, 2009

Contact:
Please send your query about the event to rachanas@sapi.org.np

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