Women's Learning Partnership (WLP)

eNews Issue 25 (Winter 2009)

Dear Friends:

The first decade of the 21st century has been a trying time for many of our partners. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, they have faced wars, political conflict, social discord, and, more recently, suffered the effects of the global economic crisis, which has disproportionately impacted the poor, especially women.

Some of these stories have been repeated often and broadcast widely through the media. But the stories that are not often told are the ones that give us hope as we enter a new decade. It is the story of women's achievements and victories despite the calamities they have faced. The central achievement of WLP in the past decade has been the strengthening of South-South communication and the establishment and expansion of strong ties among our partners and with other like-minded organizations across national, religious, ethnic, and cultural boundaries.

The South-South communication that we have nurtured has fostered a climate of mutual learning and exchange, and helped build the strength and capacity of organizations that share similar goals and operate in similar contexts.

Read Mahnaz Afkhami's full letter »

Youth Essay Contest: We Can Change...

Submit Your Idea and Win Prizes

What better way to celebrate the 30th anniversary of CEDAW than to imagine the future? Tell us:

What is the most important issue affecting women's lives in your country, and what solutions do you propose? What change do you want to see, and how can we make it happen?

Submit your short, original essay on these questions for the chance to win valuable prizes and get published on the WLP website. Open to youth between 18 and 25 years of age, particularly in developing countries. Learn More »

Partner Activity Highlights

CEDAW and the Future of Women's Activism

Asma Khader of WLP Jordan and Rabéa Naciri of WLP Morocco at Women and Democracy in the Middle East, October 26, 2009, at NED

• What's In It For Me? How do we engage tomorrow's activists as well as today's policy makers in the struggle for women's rights? Lina Abou-Habib of Lebanon shares her thoughts on why CEDAW remains relevant and how it can help galvanize young people. Learn More »
• WLP Partners Speak: In October, members of the Partnership representing Bahrain, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco convened in Washington, D.C. to share their experiences with grassroots movement building and international advocacy for women's rights. Watch video of the live event. The lively conversation focused on how women are not only at the center of the struggle for equal rights, but also the movement for democratic change and government reform. Learn More »
• Learning Across Borders: As part of WLP's peer-to-peer strategic planning initiative, Asma Khader of Jordan recently traveled to Kyrgyzstan, where she met with students, activists, filmmakers, journalists, and local NGOs. The conversations were wide ranging -- touching on everything from Islam, honor killings, and the rise of fundamentalism to organizational development, documentary film, and the future of women's activism. Learn More »
• Mobile Technology for Social Change: Mobile phones have changed the technology landscape and international development in ways never imagined before. WLP partnered with Center for Internet & Society, MobileActive.org, and Mobile Monday, Bangalore to organize the first-of-its-kind Mobile Technology 4 Social Change Camp in Bangalore, India on September 4, 2009.
  Learn More »

New Resources from WLP

Now Available in English: Iranian Women's One Million Signatures Campaign for Equality: The Inside Story. Read Noushin Ahmadi Khorasani's account of the courageous struggle for women's rights in Iran. The lessons of this campaign, which brought together a diverse cross-section of Iranian society, are as valuable for those living under autocratic rule as for open and tolerant communities that have yet to achieve full equality for women. Read an excerpt from the book » or Order Online Now » Forthcoming in Arabic: Making IT Our Own. This innovative technology trainer's manual developed by Women's Learning Partnership helps organizations use technology to advance gender justice and human rights advocacy. A new edition will soon be available in Arabic. Order Online Now » NEW BLOG: Our Vision & Our Voices. WLP's new blog features the unique voices of those who have come together to make our partnership so strong. Read about current developments, get the inside view of what's happening on the ground, and share your own thoughts in our online forum. View the Blog »

Make WLP Part of Your Year-End Giving

This past year, women and girls around the world have once again shown extraordinary bravery and solidarity in the face of unprecedented challenges. While the global financial crisis is a grave concern for many organizations and governments, it has overwhelmingly and disproportionately affected women and girls in developing countries. However, their voices and their vision remain strong.

From land-rights triumphs in Morocco and legislative reform in Jordan to the renewed energy and amplified voice of the women's movement in Iran, with your support WLP's programs have empowered thousands of women to become active agents of positive change around the world. But now more than ever, your financial support of WLP makes a difference.

We are immensely thankful for the generosity and solidarity you have always shown for our calls for action and support. We hope that -- in this season of giving -- you will renew your commitment to women's empowerment and human rights by donating to WLP.

Donate Now »

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