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Numéro 12 (août)
Dear Friends,
The last few months we have witnessed escalating violence and attempts to enforce regressive social measures against citizens in many parts of the world. On May 14, Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur on religious freedom or belief and former Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, was publicly attacked and humiliated at a mixed-gender mini-marathon and rally in Lahore. Asma was one of many citizens and human rights defenders arrested for their attempt to bring attention to women's right to public participation. The sporting event had been held to protest the ban on mixed-gender road races imposed by the mayor of Lahore. This recent attack against activists in Lahore is one of many instances indicating the backsliding of rights and civil liberties, particularly of women's rights and freedoms, taking place in Pakistan. Meanwhile, political unrest and violence continues to endanger our partners and their fellow citizens in Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe. WLP stands in solidarity with the courageous women and men in these countries and elsewhere who continue to work to build more peaceful and equitable societies in the face of continued threats to their safety and well-being.
In these trying times we find hope and optimism in the work and achievements of our partners and colleagues in the Global South. Sakena Yacoobi, WLP's partner in Afghanistan, was selected for the National Endowment for Democracy's 2005 Democracy Award for her efforts to promote women's rights and political participation in Afghanistan. In Sierra Leone, two of our colleagues were appointed to national leadership positions shortly after participating in our Africa Regional Institute for Women's Leadership. And our Mauritanian partner organized a national Institute for Women's Leadership in order to build a stronger network of women's rights activists in the country. In May, following years of struggle, women in Kuwait were granted the right to vote and run for elections for the first time. These are but a few of the examples of the positive developments around the world. We are inspired by these women's personal achievements, initiatives to advance women's rights, and cooperative efforts to mobilize for social change.
Thank you for your continued support and solidarity without which WLP's work to advance women's rights and full participation in civil society would not be possible.
Mahnaz Afkhami
President
Women's Learning Partnership for Rights, Development, and Peace
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