MADRE’s Post

Celebrating my birthday with a newly published article at Apolitical! 🎊 How can policymaking do better to address gender-based violence? We know that poor policy design can limit access to justice for women, especially in cases of violence, resulting in increased risks to women’s lives and a violation of their right to a life free from violence. This violence is deeply rooted in culture and systems of inequality that also permeate government institutions and policy design and implementation. What is worse, cases of feminicide are often the result of the sum of several errors in the justice system that could have been avoided. So what can be done? In this case study, I explain how policymakers can improve access to justice by learning from the knowledge of feminist civil society organizations, especially those working directly with women victims of violence. In Paraguay, the Consultorio Jurídico Feminista has been leading these efforts, combining evidence and advocacy to help dismantle the structural barriers in the justice system. Check out my full article here: https://lnkd.in/g6vwqZS7 - Please share other examples from grassroots organizations and their approaches to GBV, I would love to read about it! Society of Gender Professionals

On the path towards #EU accession, #Ukraine's journey is linked with the advancement of #LGBTI rights. In our latest blog we discuss two draft laws that could significantly impact the rights of LGBTI individuals in Ukraine and explore how the support of the EU is shaping this journey. One of these draft laws is on recognition of same-sex partnerships and the other on protection against hate crimes. If passed, they could make a big difference for LGBTI people in Ukraine and bring the country closer to joining the EU. The European Court of Human Rights confirmed the need for hate crime legislation with yesterday’s judgment in the case concerning a hateful attack against a gay person in Ukraine. The Court specifically considered the lack of explicit recognition of attacks motivated by sexual orientation as an aggravating circumstance in domestic criminal law. Join us in understanding Ukraine's path to inclusivity and equality 👇

An important development.

We, members of civil society organizations, HRDs, and activists dedicated to safeguarding the human rights of internally displaced persons, people with disabilities, migrants, national and ethnic communities, LGBTIQ+ people, and other vulnerable groups, urge the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to promptly adopt Draft Law No. 5488 “On Amendments to the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses and the Criminal Code of Ukraine Regarding Combating Discrimination” in the first reading, and ensure its further refinement and adoption in the second reading. We are confident that to establish an effective mechanism for responding to cases of discrimination and investigating crimes motivated by intolerance, the state should focus its efforts on: 🔸 Reducing manifestations of discrimination based on ethnicity, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and other grounds. 🔸 Proper response and effective investigation of hate crimes, including homophobia and transphobia. 🔸 Training law enforcement officials on prevention and response to hate crimes. 🔸 Initiating and supporting international cooperation with countries experienced in combating discrimination and hate crimes to exchange best practices and enhance the effectiveness of Ukrainian legislation. Read the full statement: https://lnkd.in/gPtpP8Uk

The recent trial of Kuandyk Bishimbayev, a former government official in Kazakhstan, has sparked national outcry and calls for action against DV. Bishimbayev was convicted of t0rturing and unaliving his wife, Saltanat Nukenova, leading to widespread demands for harsher penalties for DV. The case highlighted the urgent need for progress on issues like DV and gender disparities in Kazakhstan, prompting legislative reforms to toughen spousal @buse laws. Despite challenges, including cultural norms and underreporting, there's growing momentum for change, fueled by online activism and presidential commitments to women's rights. The verdict marks a significant step, but ongoing efforts are crucial to ensure effective implementation and cultural shifts toward gender equality and safety. #EndDomesticViolence #JusticeForSaltanat #GenderEquality #BTSADV https://lnkd.in/eBh4BRy6

10 March - I have just learned that today is the International Day of Women Judges. I served as a judge for more than 17 years, including almost 6 years as an international judge in Kosovo. Women judges need to be recognised, especially as they have played a key role in developing the practice of international humanitarian law, particularly concerning sexual and gender-based violence. I wrote about this in the article titled "Women judges in transitional justice and their impact on trials on cases of sexual and gender-based violence committed as war crimes" which can be found here https://lnkd.in/d9MzczyC #gender #judge #femalejudge #transitional #justice

The Parliamentary Committee Inquiry into Right Wing Extremist Movements in Australia is holding its first hearings today. My personal submission to this inquiry, focusing on the rise of anti-LGBTIQ extremism and failure by governments to adequately address it, is published below. In it, I call for the Commonwealth Government to take the following six steps: 1. Clear public condemnation of right-wing anti-LGBTIQ extremism 2. Fund a national strategy countering anti-LGBTIQ prejudice 3. Introduce Commonwealth laws prohibiting anti-LGBTIQ vilification 4. Fund safety initiatives for LGBTIQ community organisations and Local Governments 5. Create and appoint an LGBTIQ Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, and 6. Create and appoint a Commonwealth Government LGBTIQ Advisory Committee. Since that submission was lodged, in April, it has been revealed that the Commonwealth Government's criminal hate-speech laws will at least include sexual orientation and gender - although it is unclear whether civil vilification laws will also be introduced. Disappointingly, we will not know the full details of this proposal until the Bill is introduced in August, given the Commonwealth is refusing to engage in broad public consultation on their amendments. There has been no progress on the other five issues identified in my submission. Which means the onus still lies on the Albanese Government to start taking the challenge of growing anti-LGBTIQ extremism seriously. #auslaw #auspol #hatespeech #vilification #homophobia #transphobia https://lnkd.in/gRaBzphR

On April 11, 2024 Honourable Attorney General Niki Sharma, tabled the much needed Anti-Racism Legislation, that is designed to hold public bodies accountable for addressing systematic racism in policy and programs.  ⁠ ⁠ SALCBC supports enactment of the Anti-Racism Act. We are hopeful the Anti-Racism Act along with the Anti-Racism Data Act, will work to create much needed change that is needed to hold public bodies, accountable for addressing system racism in programs, policy and current systems that many marginalized people report feeling discriminated in. ⁠ ⁠ In March 2023, the BC Human Rights Commissioner, Kasari Govender, released the report “From hate to home, Inquiry into hate in the Covid-19 pandemic”, an inquiry that SALCBC contributed. This report established that hate has a long history in BC, rooted in power and control and long-standing patterns of discrimination and oppression. The Commissioners report further highlighted that hate is disproportionately experienced by marginalized communities. ⁠ ⁠ At SALCBC, we advocate for a justice system and access to justice initiatives that recognize and support the intersectional identities of marginalized people, including identities with respect to gender, age, immigration status, place of origin, sexual orientation, and disability. ⁠ ⁠ At SALCBC we urge public bodies to be proactive and be accountable about addressing systematic racism in their programs, policy and current systems. ⁠ ⁠ Meena Dhillon, Managing Lawyer⁠ Shareable Link: https://lnkd.in/gBmix7eS

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟓𝟕: 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 In a collective statement with the International Organisation for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (EAFORD), Adam Richard Seymour / GICJ, expressed appreciation for the ongoing international efforts to address racial discrimination against Africans and people of African descent. Although some countries have made marginal gains, EAFORD acknowledged significant systemic challenges that require immediate and urgent attention. He stressed the need for concrete steps to ensure justice and accountability, particularly regarding the excessive use of force by law enforcement. The statement emphasised the prevalence of racial profiling, harassment, and discriminatory practices that continue to affect marginalised communities. Additionally, the systemic racism faced today by Africans and people of African descent is deeply concerned by intersectionality, with multiple identities compounding their experiences of discrimination. Furthermore, one of the independent experts, Akua Kuenyehia, noted that women and girls of African descent face compounded challenges due to their race and gender. EAFORD calls for the establishment of independent civilian oversight bodies to combat racial profiling and enhance accountability measures. To close her statement, one of the Independent Experts, Paola Yañez Inofuentes, Regional Coordinator of Red de Mujeres Afro Latinoamericanas, Afro Caribeñas y de la Diáspora, emphasised the need to strengthen justice systems and provide guarantees for all, especially those of African descent. She underscored the importance of reforming judicial systems and ensuring accountability, stating that it is vital for the international community to take immediate action to address these alarming human rights violations rather than waiting for them to worsen. #HRC57 #EndRacialDiscrimination #JusticeForAll #EAFORD #DurbanDeclaration #HumanRights #Intersectionality #Accountability

https://lnkd.in/dX8xhaUz “This moment of triumph in South Africa starkly contrasts the grim reality faced by the LGBTIQ+ community in other parts of the continent. For instance, Uganda passed a draconian law that criminalize same-sex relationships and impose severe penalties on those found guilty of homosexual acts. These laws, often used as political tools to galvanize support from conservative constituents, are a gross violation of human rights and have been widely condemned by international human rights organizations. In Uganda, the passage of such laws is frequently accompanied by a dangerous rhetoric that dehumanizes LGBTIQ+ individuals and incites violence against them. MPs in Uganda have been accused of queerbaiting—manipulating anti-LGBTIQ+ sentiment to gain votes and political favor. This cynical exploitation of fear and prejudice stands in stark contrast to the progressive strides being made