Alvine Siaka, AHA Ekta Prakash, CAPI Raj Chaudhary, SEWA AIFW. MCN Leadership Conference Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change June 26, 2012

Transcription

1 Alvine Siaka, AHA Ekta Prakash, CAPI Raj Chaudhary, SEWA AIFW MCN Leadership Conference Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change Breakout Session June 26, 2012

2 Individually, we are one drop; Together we are and ocean Ryunosuke Satoro.

3 Agenda Down the river is not what s up About the Refugee and Immigrant Women for Change Why Gender democracy? What the Gender Democracy Toolkit is about? Structure of the manual

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6 About the Refugee Rf and Immigrant Women for Change African Health Action CAPI Centro Lao Assistance Center Liberian Women s Initiative SEWA Women s Initiative for Self Empowerment

7 African Health Action Corporation provides culturally, gender, and age appropriate preventive health education, services and referral, focusing on HIV/AIDS, STD, viral Hepatitis, and diabetes to the African community in Minnesota. CAPI guides refugees and immigrants on the journey toward self-determination and social equality through anti-poverty programs and services and health and gender equity initiatives. Centro supports the Latino Family for a better future and empowers Latinos by minimizing barriers to self-sufficiency through coordinated services that provide a continuum of care. Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota increases the capacity of the Lao American population in Minnesota by responding to community identified needs through developing programs and services that will promote the well-being of families and children while retaining their cultural heritage. Liberian Women's Initiative Minnesota'ss mission is to empower Liberian women and girls to become informed decision-makers in society, by promoting personal responsibility in achieving financial, economic and social independence. SEWA addresses immediate needs of families in crisis, provide outreach, promote research to determine service needs, build bridges with state, funding and community partners, and create a corps of trained volunteers for the ethnic and cultural needs of the Asian Indian community. WISE (Women s Initiatives for Self- Empowerment) empowers immigrant women and girls to success through leadership development, access to health, wealth creation and technical assistance.

8 To guide refugees and immigrants in the journey toward self determination and Social equality.

9 RIWC Mission

10 The Change We Seek LONG-TERM COMMUNITY IMPACTS * Delayed early marriage * Violence-free homes and communities * Improved access to education, health care and life-skills training * Economic independence and vitality

11 Why Gender Democracy?

12 Take into account gender stereotypes and gender inequality on both women and men of all ages and social il categories; Create democratic relations betweeneen men and women; Enforce democratic participation for all women/men, persons, and sexes; Consider every person regardless of is gender, as a human being, born free and equal in dignity and rights.

13 Why addressing Gender Democracy in Organizations working with Immigrants/Refugee? Organizational transformation Organizational transformation Is central to community development.

14 Improving the quality of life and socio economic i conditions of both immigrant men and women in Minnesota requires attention to how organizations address gender based d inequality in their hi internal practices; Culture builds society and community. A good understanding of issues related to gender differences among immigrant women and men are important to expand the knowledge of the organization and create a better basis for programs aiming at improving the immigrant s situation in Minnesota; Organizational transformation is central to community development.

15 RIWC Gender Democracy Project

16 Tool kit Structure Introduction MODULE I Background MODULE II RIWC Gender Democracy policy project MODULE III Gender Democracy in health programs Conclusion Bibliography List of Organization Members of RIWC Coalition Appendix

17 Objectives Increase staff sensitivity and awareness of gender equity and its relationship with planning Develop a clear policy regarding gender democracy Better measurement of the impact of RIWC programs Building partnerships with organizations on Gender Democracy

18 Outcomes Gender Policy commitment Systematic monitoring and data collection mechanism Gender sensitive human resources tools and practices Staff training curriculum

19 Group Discussion

20 From Gender Violence to Gender Democracy/Equity what htwill it tk? take?

21 Please share an action(planned or completed) ltd) designed to address gender equity within your organization

22 Riwcnow.org Advocate + Collaborate + Celebrate = Change Support RIWC by making an online donation through GiveMN.org (search RIWC) Or send cash or check to: RIWC/ CAPI: 3702 East Lake Street Mpls, MN Tel: RIWC/CAPI is an IRS 501 (3) nonprofit organization. RIWC/CAPI s tax identification number is No goods or services were provided in exchange for your contribution and 100% of your donation is tax deductible as allowed by law.

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