Piga Debe campaign has been launched across African countries including Uganda, Liberia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria and Ghana in the aim to draw the attention of African governments to the scandalous fact that thousands of women continue to die needlessly during childbirth.

Under the theme “End women dying while giving life”, the campaign will focus on more efforts by the government of Rwanda towards achieving the MDGs goal 5 (Improve Maternal Health) and it is expected to bring together citizens from Civil Society Organization especially women organizations, youth groups, religious groups, academics, professionals, ordinary and excluded groups, development partners, government ministries (especially the Ministry of Gender and the Ministry of Health), local authorities, parliamentarians and government agencies.

The launch of Piga Debe campaign will be held on 08 March 2010 coinciding with the International Women Day. The campaign is expected to be done in two main sessions namely morning session with a conference during which participants will discuss the current status of maternal health in Rwanda and in evening there will be a well attended concert which will be hosted by renowned Rwandan female artists.  

At 1 in 16, Rwanda has one of the highest rates of maternal mortality in the world and higher than the average in sub-Saharan Africa (1 in 13) The maternal health rate is 750 per 100,000 live births with 52% of assisted deliveries in 2008.

by Rosa Lizarde

We heard the usual dignitaries at the opening session with the chair of the CSW, with the Deputy Secretary-General Asha Rose and others reporting that much has been achieved since Beijing, yet as Gertrude Mongella said at the NGO Forum, at times it feels like Beijing (-) minus 15. Still, proclamations included the time for "strategic opportunities for progress" and there is excitement on the part of NGOs and others around the gender equality architecture reform efforts and as Asha Rosa put it, "here at the United Nations, the decision by Member States to consolidate our existing four gender entities into one dynamic body is an historic opportunity. The new gender entity will champion a stronger role and voice for women in global governance and policy-making." The GEAR Campaign, of which FTF-GCAP is a member, is gearing up for activism throughout the two-week meeting.

Yesterday's opening session was overshadowed by the yearly (yet unavoidable and unpleasant) registration process. For many who could not do it over the weekend, the first day was spent in the long lines waiting to register. With thousands pre-registered for the official event, the UN security was prepared for the large numbers, but as always, the pass office has not perfected the quick registrations process. Rehana reported standing in line for about 5 hours. Guards mentioned to her that over 2000 had been registered yesterday.

Of particular interest was the afternoon High-Level round table with economist Caren Grown, Economist-in-Residence at American University. She encouraged all gender advocates to engage in the financial sector reform and that it be a time to develop new economic frameworks that are relevant to the life we now live and those which address changed economic priorities. She proposed convening high level commission that puts gender equality at short term recover and long-term economic prosperity. (See webcast at www.un.org/webcast/2010.html). Click here for opening statements and to view the proceedings (including live viewing) see the UN webcast channel and archives.

The NGO Global Forum kept some of us quite busy and unfortunately the heavy schedule has prevented us from reporting more on the weekend activities. Some of our FTF members were active with chairing of caucuses, facilitating sessions and organizing. The Open Mic session, which was a bit of a challenge for me to moderate yet enriching and interesting, was the opportunity for women to speak out and be heard. Women's full diversity was on full display at this session with comments about having a "voice and choice," women's subjugation from the "womb to the tomb" and how that has to change, inspirational remarks from young, old, radical, mainstream---all types from all regions.  For all the events of the two-day event and more information, go to the www.ngocsw.org/en/main or the newer site at www.beijing15.org .

FTF Core Team members in attendance at the CSW:
Africa:  Caroline Usikpedo (Nigeria) and Mpho Laing (Botswana) and GCAP co-chair, Adelaide Sosseh
Asia:    Rehana Khilji (Pakistan) and Sharmial Karki (Nepal)
Americas:  Marta Benavides (El Salvador) and myself -Rosa Lizarde and Viviana Bernal (intern) (United States); Europe:   GCAP co-chair, Sylvia Borren (Netherlands) with other members having come on their own and participating in events.

Our main event is tomorrow.  Stay tuned for other entries by FTF core team members throughout the CSW.

Well, as part of events to coincide with the launch of Fair Play for Africa in the Angolan capital Luanda, Fair Play for Africa (Kenya) staged a Mock Africa Cup of Nations Tournament in January 2010.

All  six  teams that will be representing the African Continent in the 2010 IFA  World  Cup in South Africa were represented with team members wearing replica jerseys of the six nations. The highlight of the Tournament was the match pitting Civil Society members who represented Nigeria as they tackled Algeria  which  was  represented  by  local Media personalities.

In the end Nigeria  emerged  winners courtesy of a solitary goal scored by Global call to  Action  against Poverty National Coordinator Mwangi Waituru. In another highlight  match,  South  Africa  represented  by ladies from CSOs thrashed another  women’s  team Algeria 2-0. The final pitted Nigeria (CSOs) against youthful  Ivory  Coast  (Mathare Youth Sports Association) with Ivory Coast emerging the winners courtesy of a solitary goal.

Despite the glitz and fanfare surrounding the tournament, the message of Fair Play for Africa was not lost. The government was put on toes to channel more resources to healthcare in the country. GCAP national coordinator Mwangi Waituru reminded the government of its recent commitment to build a hospital in each of the country’s 210 constituencies. He also called on more to be done in reducing maternal deaths in the country which is at an alarming rate. He also reiterated Fair Play For Africa’s message to the African Union summit this week to develop a plan to accelerate progress on meeting health goals and other Millennium Development Goals on the continent.

In a historic turn out of events comprising focus group discussions in hundred villages, state and regional consultations in 15 different parts of the country and a national consultation attended by representatives of civil society from 29 states and UTs in India, the People's Mid-Term Appraisal (PMTA) of 11th Five Year Plan witnessed several agreements by the Planning Commission Members to the aspirations of the people through an interface between civil society, common masses and policy makers; organised by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan (WNTA) and several other progressive outfits.

The process going on in the country since August 2009 saw more than 3500 people directly involved in the assessment of the implementation of the 11th Plan and took the need for people's monitoring of public policies to millions through a massive campaign on PMTA by our media partners and a series of radio episodes through All India Radio FM aired in all cities and towns in the country as part of our radio programme HAQ HAMARA-WADA TUMHARA prepared jointly by Wada Na Todo Abhiyan and One World South Asia.

The National Consultation of the PMTA process was, in a way, a phase of consolidation held during 4th and 5th February 2010 at Indian Social Institute, Lodi Road, New Delhi. The purpose of the current document is to thank you all for your valuable contribution towards the process and update you about the proceedings of the consultation.

 In its global meeting today GCAP is celebrating 20 years since Mandela’s release, but also calls on the world to recognise that over 1.4 billion people are still not free, trapped in chains of poverty and inequality.

“The global crisis has hit men, women and children living in poverty, hardest. What we see today is a global economic apartheid. With over $18 trillion mobilised by government to bail out corporations and financial institutions only a fraction has been found to tackle poverty, and now promises to halve poverty by 2015 will not be met. This is complete failure of moral leadership,” said Lysa John, Campaign Director of the Global Call to Action Against Poverty.

GCAP is today launching a global campaign targeting world leaders meeting at the U.N in September, to review progress in tackling poverty under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“We are not asking for charity, we are calling for Justice. 2010 must be seen as a year of urgent action against poverty. The Global Call to Action Against Poverty is gearing up for a year of massive mobilisation as citizens around the world hold governments to account. Enough is enough. Governments must keep their promises. We must see emergency measures this year. At our birth in 2005, Nelson Mandela called upon our ‘generation to be great’, this year we can and must be that generation”, said Colm O' Cuanachain, Campaign Director of Amnesty International, also speaking from Johannesburg. 

The statement continues: 

The violation of election laws and the practice of violence at election time are not new phenomena and have taken place in previous elections under previous governments as well.  However, on this occasion our concern is greater as the Election Commissioner himself has publicly bemoaned his helplessness and has threatened to give up his duties as his orders are being disregarded.

We, the undersigned organizations, believe that the impunity surrounding election-related practices, if further tolerated, will lead to space being created for a total breakdown of law and order as Election Day approaches. We call on the two main presidential candidates to jointly issue a statement for a cessation of violence and restoration of law and order with regard to the current election campaign. The government needs to immediately implement this call.

A further factor that may influence some sections of the electorate not to participate in the elections is the fear that they will become victims of the politics of revenge if they choose to go with the side that does not win. We therefore call on the rival candidates to make a pledge that they will not engage in the politics of revenge after the election, but strictly adhere to the rule of law.  This will encourage voters from all communities to participate in the forthcoming elections and be stakeholders in the outcome, as empowered citizens of a real democracy. We trust that the candidates would by immediate actions demonstrate their commitment to the  values outlined (which by  their words they profess an adherence) and thereby create a path to a peaceful and fair election process as well as the future development of the country

Signed by

• Association of War Affected Women
  
• National Peace Council
  
• R.M.B. Senanayake
  
• Muslim Women’s Research  and Action Forum
  
• Mannar Women for human rights and democracy
  
• Center for Policy Alternative
  
• M.C.M. Iqbal
  
• Sumathi Sivamohan
  
• Sunila Abeysekara
  
• Alliance Development trust
  
• Equal Ground
  
• Saradha de Seram
  
• P. Sarwanamuttu
  
• Service Civil International
  
• Tony Senevirathna
  
• Visaka Dharmadasa

“In addition to the disaster, chaos is huge and people are dying because there is no basic help to lift rubble, in a country where machines are rare,” she reports.

GCAP Coalitions across Latin America have responded to the crisis by lobbying their Governments to urgently send experienced rescue and medical teams to Haiti.

“Our Haitian brothers and sisters have told us that what they most need and what the civil society should demand of their governments is for them to show solidarity by sending heavy equipment and mobile hospitals to rescue and care for people and to start debris removal,” writes Humberto Jaramillo of GCAP Mexico. 

“We must emphasize that the painful and dramatic accounts of our Haitian colleagues, as well as those of some journalists already in Puerto Principe, illustrate that the destruction of service infrastructure has been almost complete.   These events coupled with extremely high rates of poverty, marginalization and inequality of Haitian society, have resulted in an unprecedented social and humanitarian emergency, in addition to the almost total disappearance of the Haitian State and Government, which in turn puts the autonomy and the right to self determination of Haiti at great risk.”

GCAP Coalitions will continue to lobby Governments to ensure ongoing support for the relief effort in Haiti as well as to ensure that the relief is reaching those who most need it.

CALL TO URGENT ACTION FOR HAITI! WHAT YOU AND GCAP CAN DO 

For more information on how to support the Haiti emergency relief efforts being lead by civil society groups in the Dominican Republic please contact info[at]whiteband.org

To sign a petition calling on Governments, the IMF, the World Bank and other bi-lateral creditors to cancel Haiti's so-called Debt go to http://one.org/international/actnow/haiti/

A wide array of powerful video and written testimonies from small island fishermen in the Seychelles to grandmothers in the Niger Delta region, from residents of urban slums in Argentina to Dalit women in India have emerged from these hearings illustrating the very real impact of climate change on the lives of millions of people around the world.

A number of these were presented in Copenhagen –through the screening of videos inside and outside the Bella Centre where the UNFCCC negotiations were taking place as well as during a GCAP event on 10 December where testimonies were heard from Ghana, Nigeria, Peru and the GCAP Feminist Task Force.

Following the event a number of participants decided to hold a follow up meeting to discuss the need to strengthen the involvement of grass roots leaders around the COP process as well as to link with community leaders from other regions / networks who were also present in Copenhagen.  This lead to a dynamic meeting with community leaders from India, Gambia, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Peru, the launching of a Declaration of Climate Communities and the formation of a movement called the ‘Coalition of Climate Communities’ which defines itself as "spontaneous platform that represents the hope and anguish of grassroots leaders attending the UN Climate Summit at Copenhagen (Dec 2009) – and their resolve that grassroots communities need to be the protagonists and not the exhibits of the global debate on climate change."

DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS OF CLIMATE COMMUNITIES FROM ASIA, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA 

There was also a decision to carry out a direct action outside the COP 15 conference venue involving the symbolic burning of our UNFCCC accreditation badges to send a strong message to world leaders that any agreement reached would not be legitimate as the voices of the communities directly affected by climate change had not been heard. Footage of the event can be seen here.

There has been widespread interest in the Coalition with GCAP Gambia, Zambia, Seychelles and Pakistan already signing on to the Declaration. 

Rehana Khiliji from the Feminist Task Force Pakistan who was part of the GCAP Delegation in Copenhagen has been following up on her return. She writes “We had an experience sharing meeting with partner NGOs of Balochistan today. The community based organizations have shown a deep interest to formalize as an alliance in Balochistan Province (initially and with strategic expansion next year to other parts of the country). Right now 10 community based organizations have signed up for the alliance, called Climate Justice Alliance Balochistan (CJAB). Both HOPE and climate justice Alliance Balochistan would like to sign up for the declaration and want to play active role both at national as well as international level with regard to climate justice, gender & poverty.”

As GCAP we must work to build this movement in the run up to the next UNFCCC COP16 which is due to take place in Mexico 2010 to ensure greater grassroots participation in the process. 

Find out more in our Climate Justice 2009 pages.

Given the growing concerns over the impact that climate change has started to have over farming and family well being in Chiapas, Mexico, a number of civil society organisations called a Climate Hearing Forum to collect personal testimonies from those who are already suffering the impacts of climate change.

The objective is to create a channel for the voices of communities affected by the change to be heard by those responsible for policies related to agriculture and climate change.

One of the most obvious conclusions from the testimonies is that climate change has affected the most those of us who have the least. The communities living in the most extreme poverty, the most marginalised, we suffer the impact of draughts and floods, of hurricanes and landslides. And within our communities, it is the women that suffer the most.

The farmers present at this meeting, we call on the federal and state governments to include specific plans of prevention and management of the impacts of climate change on agricultural work, and to include adaptation funding to cover not only costs but also to guarantee the recovery of food security and the affected families' ways of life. It is crucial that the educational sector and the media are both involved in this issue. We demand that programs oriented towards the promotion of agricultural activities cover subjects such as the care and preservation of natural resources, instead of promoting harmful and perverse practices. We also ask non-governamental organisations to commit to address the real needs of the communities, investing responsibly and with a long-term view which prioritises the well-being of affected families.

First world countries must provide sufficient and effective funding for adaptation, guaranteed to get directly to the communities through transparent mechanisms. The communities should be able to participate in the verification of the use of these funds.

We demands the Mexican leaders taking part in the COP15 to abandon their posture of denial and support the rest of the developing countries in demanding that developed countries not only recognise their responsibility in climate change, but also offer the resources needed and adopt drastic measures to reduce their CO2 emissions.

• The above is a translated extract from the full declaration (in Spanish): Declaración audiencias de Justicia Climática en Chiapas, México
• Mexican civil society has also worked on 10 essential points for policy makers on climate change (in Spanish): 10 Puntos Esenciales de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil para una Política de Cambio Climático en México    

pages.

The bad news is: there is only one week left and the climate negotiations are still deadlocked.

The good news is: this is our opportunity to shift the debate.

To our leaders: Give us the deal we need for survival. Give us the tools to transform our world.

Citizens around the world have the moral high ground. Let us not wait any longer. We must unite and make the moral declaration that nothing short of an equitable science-based treaty is acceptable.

The science is clear. The technological and social tools needed to reduce carbon pollution are ready. The public is waiting .

Our governments are stalling.

We call for all people across the world, to join us in a global day of action on climate justice: Hunger for Survival.

People all over the world for one day will voluntarily go without food, drinking only water - on Thursday 17th December.

We call for moral leadership, from our world leaders:

• Reduce the concentration of carbon in the atmosphere to well below 350ppm as rapidly as possible
• Commit to end both fossil fuel use and deforestation, beginning with eliminating subsidies for these industries, wholly redirect them into renewable energy, reforestation and sustainable agriculture.
• Ensure protection for the world's most vulnerable people by making adequate provisions for climate finance for developing countries to deal with the effects of climate change, and promote sustainable energy development that is economically sound and consistent with science

While we demand that our governments act, we also commit to examining our own lifestyles and priorities.
We want to break our habit of over-consumption. While others struggle world wide to meet basic needs, we challenge the idea that excess is virtuous. We will us our daily economic and political choices to reward those who promote nourishing and life-sustaining policies, rather than those who abuse the planet and its people.

As we experience hunger this Thursday, our collective expression of devotion and self-sacrifice will send a strong signal to our leaders that we are united and ready to overcome these global challenges as one people.

We stand in solidarity with the millions who have and will lose their lives due to the preventable and involuntary hunger, disease and conflict resulting from climate change. Copenhagen is the moment, we all need to show leadership and courage.

History has shown the power of fasting. Gandhi used it as a tool to unseat the British Empire's powerful grip over India. The American, English and Irish women suffragists used it to gain the right to vote.

On the day of our fast, world leaders will be presented with the names and stories of all the participants. Images and articles about your fasting will flood the international media. Your actions will clearly demonstrate that the time for political compromise is over.

Commit to join Hunger for Survival, the global day of fasting for climate justice, here.
You can also help to promote the day of fasting on Facebook!

With Love,

The 'Hunger for Survival' team - Anna, Sara and Paul, Deepa, Marcie, Madeline, Shadia and many others - supported by members of the International Youth Climate Movement present in Copenhagen.

P.S. Together we will be joining 3 courageous individuals who have been fasting for 42 days – supported by hundreds of others – in the lead up to these negotiations as part of the Climate Justice Fast! Their dedication and sacrifice is the inspiration for this ambitious project. 

P.P.S. Many notable leaders in the climate justice movements, including author and activist Vandana Shiva, Former Prime Minister of Ireland Mary Robinson, Head of the UN World Food Programme Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of Greenpeace Kumi Naidoo, Naomi Klein and President of the Maldives Mohammed Nasheed will also be joining in this fast and moral call.

____

GCAP is supporting this call for action by various groups. View our Climate Justice pages for more info on GCAP activities

Find out more:

• Climate Justice 2009 
  
• DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS OF CLIMATE COMMUNITIES FROM ASIA, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA  
• Burn the Badge! Community Leaders Action in Copenhagen 
  

Following conversations of community leaders during the event to present the outcomes of the Climate Hearings / Tribunals in Copenhagen last week (organized by GCAP on 10th December, Human Rights Day) - a follow up meeting to take forward discussions and link with community leaders from other regions / networks was held at the Klima Forum Infopoint (the activist hub here at Copenhagen) this afternoon.

This informal and yet deeply insightful sharing of experiences of grassroots leaders paved way for an dynamic and amazingly interconnected conversation that was based around three issues: experiences of grassroots leaders with the negotiations so far; a statement of the leaders on the expected outcomes of Copenhagen and possibilities for strengthening the leadership of communities in the road to COP16.

The interesting ideas that emerged - each led by a community leader from a different region - provide a strong basis for us to think about how we can build on and bring together the work that has been undertaken by GCAP coalitions and partners across the Climate Hearings / Tribunals - and link the same with other like minded groups in the coming year.

The direct action being planned for this morning (amidst great energy and debate - and agreement for a symbolic 'burning of the badge' in keeping with Gandhi's actions in the Satyagraha movement - in case you were doubting the non-violent or environmental implications of the act like some of us!) and a statement that has been developed by members of the group (no urban dweller could have conveyed this with the same passion) is enclosed with this mail for your reference - and is being released in English, Spanish and Hindi.

Please support us in disseminating this widely to your civil society and media contacts...

In solidarity,
Ximena / Fionuala / Lysa
GCAP

• View our Climate Justice pages for more information on GCAP's activities.
• DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS OF CLIMATE COMMUNITIES FROM ASIA, AFRICA AND LATIN AMERICA 
  

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Act and Spread the Word ....

COALITION OF CLIMATE COMMUNITIES

16 December 2009 - Copenhagen

BURN THE BADGE!
We Don't Need A Badge to Be Heard
Grassroots leaders from across Asia, Africa and Latin America - representing communities that protect, nurture and live as one with nature - call for your action and solidarity in condemning the disrespect to the voices of the people at the Copenhagen Summit and demanding that world leaders take inspiration from the democratic process of engagement and consultation that they - and others like them across countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America - have organized at the grassroots to ensure that people across the world stand committed to real action and lasting solutions.

Join us at 8.30am on 16th December 2009 below the Bella Centre Metro Station to 'Burn The Badge' as a message that our voices cannot be controlled and our commitment to find the answers to protect this earth and the future of the coming generations cannot be restrained.

A Declaration of Leaders of Climate Communities will be released at 10am on the same day at the Klima Forum INFO POINT Meeting Room.

For more information, please contact: Ximena: (+45) 28327720 or Kenneth: (+45) 52988615; Email: media[at]whiteband.org

The Coalition of Climate Communities is a spontaneous platform that represents the hope and anguish of grassroots leaders attending the UN Climate Summit at Copenhagen (Dec 2009) - and their resolve that grassroots communities need to be the protagonists and not the exhibits of the global debate on climate change.