Tackling stigma and misperceptions

Before the FUMI workshop and campaign, I was thinking that people who are HIV and AIDS positive must not eat with healthy people. Now I understand that people with HIV and AIDS can live for many years if cared for by their families

 

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Felicité
- a participant at the rallies

In Moundou, Chad, FUMI, (in English: Women United against Misery and Ignorance) a partner of WACC, mobilised women and men in a 10-day campaign to fight HIV and AIDS and their effects on individuals, families and community.

Clad in T-shirts emblazoned with the message: “Protégeons-nous, protégeons les autres contre le SIDA” (we protect ourselves by protecting others against AIDS), the activists conducted open sessions where Chadians across the city freely discussed the scourge with doctors, social workers and other experts.

With your generous support, groups like FUMI (Femmes Unies Contre la Misère et l'Ignorance) and women like Félicité can gain a better understanding of the pandemic, be empowered to tackle misunderstandings, misconceptions and myths around the pandemic. Supported activists across the world are busy educating about HIV and AIDS through activities including:

• rallies in the streets
• training workshops
• radio programmes and other tools.

WACC is committed to supporting communication strategies and initiatives that contribute to fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in Africa and around the world, affirms Julienne Munyaneza, our Programme Manager for HIV and AIDS, communication and stigma. “Every intervention no matter how small makes a big difference in the lives of the infected and affected by the pandemic”, she said.

Listening to the concerns of Indigenous Peoples

One woman here is worth many women, because any training will be transferred to other women

 

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Tania Ayma Calle
- CECOPI

Tania Ayma Calle, from Oruro City, Bolivia, is Executive Director of the Centre of Education and Communication for Communities and Indigenous People (Centro de Educación y Comunicación para Comunidades y Pueblos Indígenas - CECOPI).

Bolivian society is characterized by a lack of civil tolerance at all levels. The concept of conflict resolution is being introduced to promote respect and tolerance among different groups and to promote citizenship.

Indigenous women are subject to triple discrimination: being women, indigenous and poor. Communication is vital to strengthening their self-esteem, participating in and provide ideas and solutions to everyday problems (health, environment, education, income generation activities, etc).

CECOPI has enabled the voices of Aymara women to be heard at community assemblies, and at district and local government level. Traditionally men are the ones who participate in decision making.

CECOPI is also engaged in promoting the culture and traditional practices of Aymara culture, which has long suffered from discrimination. CECOPI is trying to change this practice through media and communication.

Tangible benefits for participants attending WACC's Congress 2008 and follow up in Bolivia.

• Multiplier effect. Knowledge acquired will be passed on to other women: "One woman here is worth many women, because any training will be transferred to other women".
• Spaces for reflection: to discuss their concerns in places like "Centros de Madres" a place for mothers to meet.
• Videos and interviews of how such training is impacting the everyday life of the Aymara women and community in general.
• Networks of indigenous women among neighborhoods, grassroots associations, government municipalities, etc.

Gender justice for all

Communication is complementary to the peace. Without communication, peace cannot be promoted.

 

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- Sangeeta Lama
Working Women Journalists

Sangeeta Lama is a freelance journalist and media consultant. She is the chair of a Nepali women journalists’ organization named ‘Working Women Journalists’ (WWJ) WWJ advocates rights of women journalists such as their participation in media, their involvement in the decision making levels of the media houses and media organizations.

Sangeeta worked for the magazine “Hakahaki” published by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) supported by WACC. The magazine published information related to environment and natural resources and their relation to women, indigenous people and marginalized groups.

The theme of Congress 2008 is significant to local communities in Nepal most affected by the armed conflict which carried on for 10 years. About 15,000 people were killed and some 2,000 people are still “missing”. Despite a comprehensive peace agreement local communities are still facing different types of violence and security threats.

During the 10 years of armed conflict, media and communication played a significant role in informing and educating people regarding the conflict and peace related issues.

The Congress theme is also particularly significant to women because they are still treated as second class citizens. “In Nepal all the political parties, cabinet, public administration, judiciary, media, police, army and professions are controlled by men. The major decision making positions of all political parties, government offices and all professions are held by men.” The media can help change this imbalance.

Today we have about 10 big daily newspapers, more than 100 community radios all over the country and about half a dozen television channels, but we still have to go to a long way in terms of participation of women and marginalized groups and getting their concerns into the media. This is why an event like Congress 2008 is so important.

Dispelling prejudices and myths surrounding disability

People with disabilities represent one of the most marginalized groups in society, especially in the global South, where opportunities to express their views and concerns are often restricted. Supporting participation in Congress 2008 enables them to meet on equal terms with a wide range of people from all over the world, to share information about their work and to explore new possibilities for cooperation.

Congress 2008 will focus on communication rights, a key issue in regard to the new UN Convention on the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities, which stresses the need for better access to information, using sign language in official interactions, and encouraging the mass media and Internet providers to make their services more accessible.

Furthering this goal is the WACC supported project ‘Minuto da Inclusão’ (Minute of Inclusion), a radio programme made by people with disabilities in São Paulo, launched in May 2007 was initially broadcast on four regional radio stations. Eight months later the one-minute programme was being picked up on 12 more community and private radios stations in several regions of Brazil as well as on two Internet stations.

Produced by a small team with the support of three interns from the Methodist University of São Paulo (potentially to be distributed by 300 small radio stations in Brazil’s hinterlands), Minuto da Inclusão is a social movement covering the challenges and difficulties of people with disabilities in Brazil.

Indian student network studies media literacy

Students in India who attended a media education workshop in Bangalore have learned that images of women in the media reinforce a preference for male children. Now they want those images to change and are organizing themselves to make that happen.

Young people who attended the workshop in Bangalore, co-sponsored by WACC in partnership with the Student Christian Movement of India, were inspired to launch a network of Media Watch Groups with the objective of advocating for fair portrayal of gender in film, newspapers and electronic media. Their objective is to train eight hundred students in media watch skills through groups which will be set up in colleges throughout the country. Media Watch Group members will analyze images of girls and women in the media and use them for training and advocacy for change.

Young people attending Congress 2008 will have the option of enrolling to earn ‘continuing education credits’ in a workshop series entitled ‘Media and Gender Justice’. Workshop leader, Patricia Made from Zimbabwe, will introduce key issues central to advocacy for gender justice through the media. One more important element in the development of a new generation of gender-sensitive leaders and one more step towards redressing prejudices against women and girls.

Your contribution to support the participation of youth and students at Congress, will provide the necessary foundation to address everyday issues of gender and peace resolution. The benefits of their experiences will be felt in their home communities for years to come.