— Graduate Women International news —
Turkey Association of University Women
(TAUW) Campaigns against Government Bill
Women¡¯s groups,
nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) and civil society in Turkey and around the
world were stunned by the Turkish government¡¯s bill put forth recently that
would legitimise statutory rape and encourage the practice of taking child
brides. The bill would lower the age of sexual consent from 15 years to 12 years
and allow men convicted of child sexual assault to go free if they married their
victims. The Graduate Women International (GWI) national affiliate, TAUW,
has been actively campaigning against the bill and is calling for its complete
withdrawal. TAUW, along with GWI, are among the 172 NGOs who have signed a joint
statement that declares they ¡°will not accept a bill that legitimises ¡®rape¡¯ of
women and children.¡± Civil society united to take quick and powerful action
which compelled the Turkish government to withdraw the bill. TAUW continues to
advocate on behalf of women's rights by working with civil society and other
NGOs to make sure that all women and girls are
protected.
— GWI member
news —
The Kenya Association of University Women
(KAUW) contributes to food security for girls and
women The Kenya Association of University Women (KAUW) has
helped 15 poverty-stricken households to be food secure. Often when families are
lacking food security, girls are forced to drop out of school in order to earn
extra income to ensure their families do not starve. Supporting food security
efforts has allowed, KAUW to help 15 young girls continue their education. KAUW,
with funding from the Bina Roy Foundation, enabled these girls and their families to
grow vegetables and other crops sustainably. Food insecurity is an often
overlooked barrier to girls¡¯ education and with programmes like KAUW`s, more
girls will be able to remain in school.
— Advocacy
—
Plan International
prevents 2,000 child marriages in
Bangladesh Child marriage is a
violation of child rights and, though prohibited by international law, millions
of young girls are forced into marriage each year. According to UNICEF, child
marriage is formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. Child
marriage is formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18. Often girls
who are forced into child marriage dropout of school. Fortunately, since 2014
Plan International has prevented 2,000 child marriages in Bangladesh.
Plan International¡¯s aim is to continue encouraging the
government, communities and girls to work together to eradicate all forms of
child marriage. Ending child marriage will allow more girls to continue their
education and contribute to their country¡¯s economic and social
development.
— Events
—
Celebrate Human Rights Day on 10
December Human Rights
Day is
recognised each year on 10 December, in remembrance to the adoption of the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The United Nations (UN) encourages people
around the world to advocate and to defend the rights of all those at risk of
discrimination or violence. Zeid Ra¡¯ad Al Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for
Human Rights, stated ¡°It¡¯s time for each of us to step up for human rights.
There is no action that is too small: wherever you are, you can make a
difference. Together, let¡¯s take a stand for more humanity.¡± GWI encourages all
members to take this advice and to campaign on behalf of someone who cannot do
so for themselves, particularly women and girls.
— Legacies —
As a non-profit,
non-governmental organisation, GWI is sincerely grateful for all donations received from the wills of members and patrons, which make a significant difference in enabling
advocacy activities and projects. By leaving a gift in your will to GWI, you are
supporting the organisation to continue its mission to increase access to
lifelong education for girls and women globally. Please remember to update your
legacy to GWI if you have already made one for IFUW.
— Other information
and events —
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