Soroptimist Participate in UNIFEM Conference

On June 11th and 12th, Lois Beilin and Andrea T. Mills attended the US National Committee for UNIFEM Conference on Violence Against Women and Its Interactions with Key Social Investments.

The conference was attended by over 175 women from all parts of the US, the UN and internationally.

Some issues brought up were to look at gender security. Joanne Sandler from UNIFEM stated that they are working to get 30% representation of women in peace negotiations. The issue of getting women to the table is a big one.
Joanne also brought up the fact that when peacekeeping troops were polled about violence against women they commented that they were working to do what they could to protect women but there were no published guidelines, so they did not know if they were doing the right thing. They stated that they needed guidance. Joanne stated that at the UN level they are now working on this for the troops.

One workshop focused on the role of media and it's power to help with violence against women. Mallika Dutt from an organization called Breakthrough - bring human rights home, started a media drive in India to stop violence against women called "Bell Bajao", which means "Ring the Bell". If you hear domestic violence happening with your neighbor, please ring the bell.

The ads just played at the Canne Film Festival and got rave reviews.

The campaigns are focusing the role of men to stop and end domestic violence. The ads are the basis from a true story of an Indian Bus Driver who decided to stop the beating of the wife of a neighbor by ringing the door bell. The ads focus on how men can play a strong role in showing other men that domestic violence is no longer culturally acceptable.

There are so many things to write about- but we wanted to share a flavor of what is important
Andrea Mills- SI Representative to the UN