Content Development is Key: Dialogue with UN Women

October 26, 2011

New York

“We get your newsletter” said Nanette Braun as she welcomed FemLINKPACIFIC representatives to an interactive dialogue with the media and communications team based at UN Women HQ in midtown Manhattan today.

She was referring to our EMegazine “The Thirteen 25 Report” which has been one of FemLINKPACIFIC’s media platforms to communicate to media, policy and CSO partners about the implementation of UNSCR1325, and other gender equality commitments. We were there as members of the GPPAC Gender Focal Points network coming together in the lead up to the annual Open Debate on UNSCR1325.

Peace and Security is now one of the core programme areas of UN Women, and Braun reiterated what is possible with enhanced relationships between at the grassroots, national and regional offices of UN Women, as well as media networks.

There has been a sea change, since 2002, when it comes to the portrayal of women in the peace and sphere. It is reflected in the media coverage and enhanced visibility of sexual gender based violence:

“There has been a shift, a policy shift including at the inter-governmental level, so it is not impossible, “she said highlighting the catalytic role of the first edition of Women, War, Peace co authored by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Elisabeth Rehn. But Braun also agreed that there is a still a need to transform the portrayal of women, more than just as victims:

“The media is an opportunity to enhance the visibility of what we are doing as Peacewomen activists”, said Veena Singh Bryar of FemLINKPACIFIC, “(in our work) We would like to reach the media as well as governments.”

“We want to enhance women’s visibility of women’s efforts in preventive action in dialogue and mediation stressed Gesa Bent the Gender Coordinator of GPPAC in The Hague “(as) we look at highlighting the work to prevent.”

The dialogue was an opportunity to highlight the work of the global network from the 15 regions “The core of our work is Preventive Action,” explained Carmen Gatmaytan of IID based in Mindanao, who highlighted that media, and communications are integrated into the work at the national and regional efforts, such as through the GPPAC Peace Portal.

It was agreed that content development, is a valuable way to communicate civil society action, particularly for Women, Peace and Security and enhance women’s visibilities:

“We want to create a media platform for what is happening in the field, not just the work of UN Women,” said Oisika Chakrabati the Media Specialist based at UN WomenHeadquarters, “ (so) it is exciting to hear what you are all doing on the ground, we want to learn about your work, whether it is suitcase radio, and how you are working with journalists on the ground, and their situation,” adding that she acknowledged that in many global south communities, the daily reality of the digital divide means social media as well as other online media forms is not accessible.

The report ‘In Libya, Massacre Site is Cleaned Up, Not Investigated’ in the New York Times on the 25^th of October raises fundamental concerns on the future of democracy in Libya.

Massacres, assassinations including the possible assassination of Moamar Gaddafi, public displays of vengeance and a perverse preoccupation with gloating over the corpses of the vanquished are already challenging a democratic Libya.

Justice for Libyans would have been better served if those charged with crimes had been given the opportunity to defend themselves. One can only wonder why there is not more of an outrage at such barbarity especially by those countries that gave massive military support to the Libyan ‘rebels’. Public trials may well have implicated members of the Transitional Government and others pursuing the democracy ‘mantra’ but would have ensured a Libya based on the principles of justice and due process.

Libyans must also be given the space, opportunity and support to work their way towards a democratic future. External pressure to ‘speed up the process’ and ‘fast track’ democracy or to quickly reimburse the amounts spent in the military support by NATO would create its own nemesis. If Libya is to move forward with justice and equality for all its citizens there must be a process of reconciliation and tolerance.

Nighat Said Khan

Feminist activist and academic in Pakistan 

In response to "A new kind of benevolence", 10/26/2011, Financial Times.

Regarding “A new kind of benevolence”, 10/26/2011, the increasing engagement of multinationals to fight poverty across the world is not only based on commercial interests but is redefining cooperation in the development community, in a way that undermines civil society and not-for-profit initiatives.

First, the move of multinational companies to engage in the fight against poverty through campaigns linking consumption in the Western world to aid in the poorest countries is still based on commercial motives. Multinationals are moving into what they see as emerging future markets, in a way that gives them reputation and future product monopoly.

Second, the money multinationals bring into the development sector encourages large development organisations to “partner where the dollar is” - and lend their reputation to the private sector rather than to smaller non-profit initiatives. The joint tetanus vaccine campaign of UNICEF and Procter & Gamble gives P&G an advance boost in social responsibility reputation. In contrast, the AFRIpads initiative in Uganda has significantly contributed to girls' education by reducing school drop-out rates – but has not (yet) received support from a “big name”. Even if proven successful, civil society initiatives often go unrecognised.

Third, an increased engagement of large development organisations in private sector partnerships shifts public opinion focus to the private sector as the only relevant development partner; and away from numerous small-scale initiatives which keep development going behind the screens. Also, the private sector can pay for increased publicity – civil society cannot.

Large international development organisations need a reminder of what is a useful partnership – on financial, sustainable and moral grounds. UN Member States have a role to play here – in limiting the monopoly of multinationals; and investing in the civil society they were assigned to support.

Regarding the article “Screen Time Higher Than Ever for Children” 10/25/2011, it is necessary to emphasize the consequences of excessive use of technology amongst children, primarily social illnesses and violence. The focus should be on effects that excessive use of technology has on the behavior of children. We should tackle the reasons why media play such a big part in the child’s upbringing, while parents, as the article illustrates,are checking their email three times just on the way the bus stop and by doing so are modeling similar behavior.  

First, psychologists have correlated aggressiveness and lack of sensitivity to violence among children and abuse of technology, especially watching violent movies and playing violent video games.

Second, it is a fact that excessive use of technology among kids leads to unhealthy lifestyles and future illnesses.

Third, while Internet and social media improve communication between people, if children are only interacting with computer software and applications they might never develop necessary social communication and conflict resolution skills.

Parents should talk to their children. It is also necessary that kids interact with their peers directly. Children should obtain communication and conflict resolution skills in real life and not in designed, and often violence inducing realities.

Regarding USA today’s article “VA works to improve treatment of Gulf illness” on 25^th October 2011 shows that US is not ready to welcome war veterans returning from Iraq. Firstly, because though military budgets have increased significantly in the past couple of years the budget allocation for health and wellbeing of war veterans is being reduced by Congress. Secondly, there are no initiatives to conduct new research on Gulf illness. Taking these realities into consideration, it is vital that new research is conducted on the negative impacts from chemical usage in warfare and that preventive measures are taken based on the findings. Additionally, we must prioritize the troops’ health and wellbeing and increase budget allocations .Taking the above measures will ensure that America is truly welcoming the troops who sacrificed their today for the country’s tomorrow.

Visaka Dharmadasa

Chairperson

Association of War Affected Women and Parents of Servicemen Missing in Action

# 09, Riverdale Rd.,

Anniewatta, Kandy

Sri Lanka

visakad2000@yahoo.com

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