After hearing about FAWCO’s recent trip to Rwanda, members who attended November’s FAWCO coffee meeting left inspired and eager to learn how to work alongside FAWCO’s Human Rights Task Force to tackle the global issues of health, education, environment and human rights. Learning details of the genocide that ensued in Rwanda, where more than a million people were brutally massacred in 1994, spurred our group to discuss actions each could take to make a difference.
Starting with the current 16 Days Campaign (Nov. 25- Dec. 10), our members are wearing orange to raise awareness about gender-based violence. They’ve shared titles of books and films depicting the experiences of victims in Rwanda and other nations (see list below). And they’ll begin meeting regularly to focus on specific actions each can take to prevent such atrocities from recurring. A lofty goal, yes, but one that everyone can contribute to, even in a small way.
To learn more about FAWCO and the Human Rights Task Force, please contact Jodi Gentilozzi, our FAWCO rep. She’ll be sharing her experiences in Rwanda with other women’s groups here in Doha, and will be working with our members on strategies to impact human rights issues here and abroad.
Find out more on the UN Women website http://www.unwomen.org/en/
Suggested Reading:
The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver http://www.amazon.com/The-Poisonwood-Bible-A-Novel/dp/0061577073
Left to Tell, by Immaculee Ilibagiza http://www.amazon.com/Left-
I’m Not Leaving, by Carl Wilkens http://www.amazon.com/Im-not-
FYI, if you sign up for iGive first (http://www.igive.com/hsBMcQS) and you also have an Amazon Smile account: FAWCO can get a “double dip” from your purchase of any of these books on Amazon.com!
Suggested Viewing:
Solar Mama http://www.whypoverty.net/
16 Days Campaign http://www.unwomen.org/en/