Mobilizing for the Future with Mass Media and Participatory Web, CSW54

Information, communication, and media technologies are providing unimaginable power to connect people around the world by reducing barriers of distance, time, and cost. This panel presented by WLP's partner in Lebanon, CRTD-A, and Breakthrough will consider innovative ways that grassroots NGOs can engage global audiences, create awareness, advocate for women's rights causes, and mobilize supporters to develop effective women's movements in the future. This is a parallel event of the 54th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).

Panel will showcase success stories and best practices:

• Youth Tech Festival in Jordan: Employ social media (YouTube and Facebook) to develop a committed group of young activists working to create gender-sensitive solutions for stopping early marriages and fighting sexual harassment
• Domestic Violence Campaign in India: Utilizing mass media (TV, radio, print, video vans and online tools) along with community mobilization to create a popular and award-winning Bell Bajao campaign that urges men to take action, speak out, and take a stand against domestic violence
• Facebook for Advocacy in Lebanon: "Claiming Equal Citizenship" Campaign's use of Facebook to reach diaspora audience who took part in the online and on-the-ground actions advocating for gender-equitable nationality laws
• Video Games for Immigration Reform in the United States: Using video games to create awareness and public dialogue about the human rights consequences of unfair detention and deportation policies that destroy families and communities

Moderator: Mallika Dutt, Executive Director, Breakthrough

Speakers: 

• Lina Abou-Habib (WLP Lebanon/CRTD.A)
• Heidi Boisvert (Breakthrough)
• Sonali Khan (Breakthrough)
• Usha Venkatachallam (WLP)