Asia Pacific NGO consultation with the UN Special Rapporteur
on Violence Against Women, Yakin Erturk
and theSpecial Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Asma Jahangir on
'Culture and Violence Against Women in Asia Pacific'
11 - 12 September, 2006, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

APWLD has been facilitating regional consultations with the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women (UNSRVAW) since the inception of the UNSRVAW mandate in 1995. The focus of the Consultation this year will be on 'Culture and Violence Against Women' - the focus of the UNSRVAW's 2007 thematic report and a critical issue for women in Asia Pacific.

The clash between religious or cultural autonomy and gender equality is a pervasive problem around the globe. In many parts of Asia Pacific, particular religious and cultural practices and values continue to prevail over the universal standards of gender equality. Discriminatory practices, including violence against women, avoid national and international scrutiny because they are seen as cultural practices which therefore deserve tolerance and respect.

The consultation will seek to understand how despite the fluidity and contestability of cultural norms, oppressive elements of culture (which invariably reflect and reinforce patriarchal power relations), gain dominant representation. Further, it will seek to strategise how a women's human rights agenda can be advanced in this context. How do we challenge the hegemony of voices that represent culture and rather give voice and strength to the contention and plurality of culture?

The Consultation will bring together approximately 40 representatives from NGOs face to face with the Special Rapporteurs to have constructive discussions on these issues from a cross-sectoral perspective. The Consultation is organised by APWLD in collaboration with the National Centre Against Violence (NCAV) in Mongolia.

The regional Consultation will be followed on September 13, 2006 by a one day National Consultation between Mongolian women's NGOs and the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women organised by the NCAV.

Feminist Legal Theory and Practice Training of Trainers
9 - 15 October, 2006 Chiang Mai, Thailand

APWLD has been conducting Feminist Legal Theory and Practice (FLTP) Training since 1994. The training seeks to challenge the traditional notion that law is a neutral, objective, and rational set of rules, unaffected by the perspective of those who possess the power inherent in the legal institutions. It seeks to address the social, cultural and political contexts that shape the legal system. The basic thrust of the training is: feminism as its core, human rights as its foundation and law as an arena of women's struggle.

The specific objectives of the training are:

• to serve as a venue for participants to share experiences in using law in advocacy on women's concerns;
• to develop greater understanding of gender, discrimination, equality, law and human rights;
• to identify and discuss issues and dilemmas encountered by women's rights advocates in their use of legal strategies to address women's concerns; and
• to enhance the capacity of participants to effectively challenge discriminatory laws and practices in their countries by applying feminist, rights-based legal practice and international conventions and precedents for advancement of women's rights.

This year, APWLD aims to expand its pool of FLTP trainers as well as the capacity of members to conduct FLTP trainings at a national level by conducting a Training of Trainers (TOT) for past participants of the FLTP trainings who have shown an interest and potential to become an FLTP trainer. The 7 day training will review the learnings of the FLTP training and teach participants training skills to enable them to conduct an FLTP training. The course is designed to be a 'learning through doing' course so all participants will be assessed on their training skills by conducting a session of the FLTP training. The TOT will be led by a team of FLTP trainers, including Eleanor Conda, Imrana Jalal, Gina Houng Lee and Seema Naidu.

APWLD welcomes Lynnsay Rongokea Francis (to the left), its Newly Appointed Regional Coordinator from Cook Islands in the Pacific and wishes Titi Soentoro (to the right), the outgoing Regional Coordinator, good luck in all of her future endeavours!