Heba Serag Eldin

Pols. 310

New Women Foundation’s first Essay

 

 

 

New Women Foundation

NWF:

Is an Egyptian feminist non-governmental organization? Was established in 1984 by a number of women (who were focused on issues of democracy and social justice) as in informal study association. NWF was recently registered as a formal foundation in 2004 by the ministry of social affairs; in accordance with law 84/2002.

 

Their vision:

They believe that the struggle for women’s liberation is part of a wider struggle for democracy and social justice, it is also a struggle against all forms of discrimination based on gender, class, race, ethnicity, or religion And against all forms of oppressive power relationships on the national, regional, or global levels.  NWF also believes in women’s unconditional rights to freedom and equalities, starting of from women’s social and political freedom to women’s citizenship issues and reproductive rights (as an integral part of human rights). Moreover, NWF believes that “the struggle for women cannot be separated from the struggle of nations and people for freedom and liberation from oppression.” 

 

Their objectives:  

Play an active role in impacting policies 
and legislation, which have a negative
 affect on women.

 

Contribute to changing the predominant 
patriarchal culture, which prevails in society.

 

Empower and support marginalized women, who suffer most from the impact of different policies and prevalent 
conservative discourse, in order to express themselves and 
become positive actors in changing their conditions.

 

Help develop women's social, economic, political and 
cultural rights. Promote the establishment of democratic practice in 
society and the enhancement of a civil society based on the
 full participation of marginalized and deprived sectors.

 

Contribute to the feminist discourse nationally, regionally, and globally from the perspective of the impact of the present conditions on 
women's lives.

 

Activate mechanisms of solidarity among global efforts aiming to 
empower women in practicing their rights as means of achieving 
social justice in societies that refuse to grant women equality. 

One of the biggest campaigns by the NWF was to promote (Cedaw)

(Cedaw) ; Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

 

This convention defines any kind of discrimination against women, any distinction, exclusion or restriction that are made on the bases of sexual gender. Which has the purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status.

“The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:

_To incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;

 

 

_To establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and

to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.”

 

The convention aims to provide women an equal access to equal opportunities in political and public life as men. Moreover, the right to vote, get elected, education, health, and employment.

 

This is the only human rights treaty that affirms the reproductive rights of women- targeting cultural and traditional issues that mainly give rise to gender inequality. Also affirming women’s rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.

There are about 185 countries and over 90 % of the members of the United Nations are participants of the Cedaw convention.

Egypt signed in 16 July 1980.

 

 

Second:

NWF adopts the first lawsuit against sexual harassment.

“On 25/6/2008, 5 p.m, in refaa st. from El Khalifa El Mamon…… Noha – 25 years old – was exposed to rude sexual harassment while walking with her friend in the mentioned street. As a driver dragged her from her breast, then he tried to escape by his car. Yet Noha tried to catch him calling for the help of the walkers and threw herself on his car attempting to stop him by all means. By the help of some walkers, she was able to take the man who harassed her to the police station. Noha refused the driver’s apology and the conciliation attempts to avoid “scandals”, and insisted on writing a minutes and taking her right, which was violated. The minutes (registry) was written and transferred to Misr El Gidida prosecution where the testimonies of both of plaintiff and defendant were taken (minutes’ no. 11652).” Apparently, the police officials didn’t want to take any legal action against the man so in Noha went to the NWF asking them for support and asking them to claim her rights.

The NWF adopted the lawsuit and raised it to the Egyptian judiciary.

 

My job description is not yet determined by the NGO but it will probably take place in their law office (attending cases in court and writing legal reports).