Dr Uzodinma Adirieje: November 2023

Sunday 12 November 2023

Starting Today: 5-Days Civil Society Workshops on the Imperative for an Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

Excellency,

Invitation Reminder: 5-Days Civil Society Workshops on the Imperative for an Optional Protocol to CEDAW to end Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV)

The Chairperson Her Excellency Rt. Hon. Dr. Thokozani Khupe - former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, the International Advisory Board (IAB), International Technical Advisory Panel (ITAP), Management, Members/Partners, and Staff of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) invite you and the general public to a weeklong civil society workshop, briefing and consultation on the imperative of an Optional Protocol to the CEDAW.

PROGRAMME/AGENDA (All the time is WAT or GMT+1)

Day 1: 13th November 2023

2:00-2.10 pm: Registration and Recognitions – Faith Mvududu
2.15-2.20 pm: Opening Speech – Zainab Ali Khan, Every Woman Coalition
2.20-2.35 pm: Presentation – Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje. CEO, AHOA
2.35-2.55 pm: General Discussions, Comments, Q&A – Prof. Hayat Gomma/All
2.55-3.00 pm: Wrap up and closing – AHOA

Day 2: 14th November 2023

2:00-2.10 pm: Registration and Recognitions – Faith Mvududu
2.15-2.20 pm: Recap of Yesterday – Adakwo Yakubu Tukura
2.20-2.35 pm: Presentation – Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje. CEO, AHOA
2.35-2.55 pm: General Discussions, Comments, Q&A – Prof. Hayat Gomma/All
2.55-3.00 pm: Wrap up and closing – AHOA

Day 3: 15th November 2023

2:00-2.10 pm: Registration and Recognitions – Faith Mvududu
2.15-2.20 pm: Recap of Yesterday – Otorme Victoria Jarikre
2.20-2.35 pm: Presentation – Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje. CEO, AHOA
2.35-2.55 pm: General Discussions, Comments, Q&A – Prof. Hayat Gomma/All
2.55-3.00 pm: Wrap up and closing – AHOA

Day 4: 16th November 2023

2:00-2.10 pm: Registration and Recognitions – Faith Mvududu
2.15-2.20 pm: Recap of Yesterday – Aimee Osamudiamen Chris
2.20-2.35 pm: Presentation – Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje. CEO, AHOA
2.35-2.55 pm: General Discussions, Comments, Q&A – Prof. Hayat Gomma/All
2.55-3.00 pm: Wrap up and closing – AHOA

Day 5: 17th November 2023

2:00-2.10 pm: Registration and Recognitions – Faith Mvududu
2.15-2.20 pm: Recap of Yesterday – Okorie Agwu Ama
2.20-2.35 pm: Presentation – Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje. CEO, AHOA
2.35-2.55 pm: General Discussions, Comments, Q&A – Prof. Hayat Gomma/All
2.55-3.00 pm: Recap for the Day – Chinagorom Nadia Uguru
Closing Remarks – Madam Pauline Lambou, Member, AHOA-IAB

GOOGLE LINKS FOR EACH DAY’S SESSION

The briefing and consultation shall take place daily from 13 – 17 November 2023, by 2.00 pm WAT/1.00 pm GMT through the following Google Meet Links:

Monday, 13 November 2023 <https://meet.google.com/eeh-nwns-zqc>

Tuesday, 14 November 2023 <https://meet.google.com/jdk-ubhn-jui>

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 https://meet.google.com/egi-kxsk-edn

Thursday, 16 November 2023 <https://meet.google.com/ofo-rzgt-bvi

Friday, 17 November 2023 <https://meet.google.com/srt-fiog-jvg

Afghanistan - 5:30 PM

Argentina - 10 AM

Brazil - 10 AM

Costa Rica - 7 AM

Egypt - 4 PM

India - 6:30 PM

Kenya - 4 PM

Kyrgyzstan - 7 PM

Liberia - 1 PM

Madagascar - 4 PM

Mali - 1 PM

Nepal - 6:45 PM

Nigeria - 2 PM

Pakistan - 6 PM

Puerto Rico - 9 AM

Sudan - 3 PM

Toronto, Canada - 9 AM

Tunisia - 2 PM

Turkmenistan - 6 PM

Uganda - 4 PM

UK – 1 PM

USA & Canada – 8 AM

Venezuela - 9 AM

Yemen - 4 PM

1:00 PM (GMT): United Kingdom, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Mali

2.00 PM: Germany, France, Nigeria, Angola, Congo, Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon, Benin

3.00 PM: South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Sudan, Rwanda, Botswana, Burundi, Mozambique, Malawi, South Sudan

4.00 PM: Russia, Qatar, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Turkey, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Madagascar

4.30 PM: Iran

5.00 PM: UAE, Oman

6.30 PM: Sri Lanka

6.45 PM: Nepal

7.00 PM: Bangladesh, Bhutan

8.00 PM: Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand

9.00 PM: Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Hong Kong

The following topics/issues shall be discussed:

Day 1 (Monday, 13 November 2023)

Violence Against Women (VAW) - Introductions and the silent pandemic that is VAW (This sets the stage for the consultation. Participants are expected to share why VAW matters to them).

Day 2 (Tuesday, 14 November 2023)

Overview of CEDAW and why we chose to go for Optional Protocol to CEDAW (Explaining the political climate and how an OP to CEDAW will further strengthen CEDAW)

Day 3 (Wednesday, 15 November 2023)

Binding Provisions for Legal Reform and Metrics-Based Reporting (Wholehand framework interventions)

Day 4 (Thursday, 16 November 2023)

Women and Girls Can't-Wait any Longer (This will be more of an interactive session where participants will be asked to share how their work has impacted their personal lives - threats, harassment etc.)

Day 5 (Friday, 17 November 2023)

Recap of the five days and call on participants to sign on the indigenous women and disability letters and closing remarks.

EXPRESS YOUR SOLIDARITY WITH THE YOUTH, WOMEN WITH DISABILITIES, AND INDIGENOUS WOMEN

Dear Advocate, Youth, Women, Indigenous People, NGO Leader, Civil Society Member, Excellency,

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) recognizes you as a critical stakeholder in the development and well-being of the Youth, Women with Disabilities, and Indigenous Women. AHOA invites you to express your support of the following statements/positions (all that interest or affect you, directly or indirectly):
(THANK YOU IF YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY RESPONDED TO THIS CALL. YOU DON’T HAVE TO SIGN AGAIN)

1. Youth/Emerging Leaders (for persons under 35 years of age)
<https://forms.gle/1hM3bZokvCHWkPjE8>

2. Women and Girls with Disabilities <https://forms.gle/DLNq9YKV7nLjpTfq5>

3. Indigenous Women <https://forms.gle/NEvTxAxGTEB8vVFK9>

4. NGOs: Register your organization <https://forms.gle/DGFwsTuG9nLw7wRRA>

5. Individuals: You can also register to be an individual <https://forms.gle/DGFwsTuG9nLw7wRRA>

6. Youth Engagement: Additionally, if you are a Youth (age 18 – 35 years), register your support as a Youth <https://forms.gle/DGFwsTuG9nLw7wRRA>

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award is community-focused civil society organizations(CSOs) international Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank deeply engaged in promoting evidence-based credible actions and support for policies, practices, programmes, and interventions that enhance productivity, accountability, transparency, and civil society’s coordination/contributions in gender justice, financial inclusion, equitable access to health, democracy, good governance, and human rights; in Health - including Traditional Complimentary Integrative Health (TCIH)/Ayurvedic Medicine; Community Welfare/Social Safety nets, Sustainable Development/ Development Work, and in educational, literary, scientific, social, climate change, energy, biodiversity, nutritional/agricultural, cultural, sporting, governance, human rights, and charitable intervention(s)/purpose(s).

The AHOA CSOs Movement/Network Coalition and Think-tank works to explore the nexus between and within the following sectors:

1. Health - including UHC, PHC, Reproductive Health, Maternal and Newborn Child Health (MNBCH), Primary Health Care (PHC), HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Malaria, Non-Communicable Disease (NCDs), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), Infectious and Communicable diseases, Vaccines/Immunization and COVID-19;

2. Energy and Environment – including biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and climate change (BEEREEECCC);

3. Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security;

4. Gender, Democracy, Good Governance, Peace, Human Security, and Human Rights; and 5. Sustainable Development across regions, populations, communities, and generations

AHOA’s activities/interventions are for the benefit of rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable, and disadvantaged populations of women, children, infants, youth, adolescents, persons with disabilities, persons in conflict-affected areas, the poor, elderly, rural, disadvantaged and vulnerable persons, orphans and the elderly. AHOA has a current global membership/partnership of more than 2,200 (Two Thousand, Two Hundred) organizations mainly from the global South, and promotes the ‘One Health’ paradigm where Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being. AHOA uses partnership/collaboration, advocacy, research/evidence generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring, and evaluation (M&E) as strategies.

AHOA’s mandate includes:

1. Building an inclusive and broad movement for Health and Sustainable Development;

2. Creating avenues to influence the design and implementation of policies, practices, programmes, and interventions;

3. Promoting coordination, information exchange, and harmonization among civil society and stakeholder groups across the world; and

4. Promoting citizen involvement, leadership, and accountability mechanisms in the implementation of respective interventions.

AHOA partners with the Society for Conservation and Sustainability of Energy and Environment in Nigeria (SOCSEEN). AHOA has members/local Chapters in Nigeria’s 36 States and Federal Capital Abuja, National Chapters in some countries, sub-regional Chapters in North Africa, West and Central Africa, East and Southern Africa; and in America, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, and Oceania regions. AHOA is in special consultative status with the United Nations ECOSOC; and an Accredited Observer status at the UNEP/United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

Best regards,

Uzodinma

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje, CMC, CMTF, FIMC, FIMS, FNAE, FASI, FSEE, FAHOA

CEO/Evaluation Expert, Projects & Conference Management Consultant, Researcher, Health/Dev’t and Human Rights Advocate, Facilitator/Trainer,

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) - CSOs Global Movement and Think-tank for Health and Development

(Winner of the SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing Champion Award)

1 Taiwo Close, MCC Rd, P.O. Box 1484, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Plot 520, FHA Estate, Lugbe, Airport Rd; P.O. Box 8880, Wuse, Abuja, Nigeria

Twitter: @uaadirieje; https://twitter.com/uaadirieje; https://twitter.com/afrihealthcso; @DAdirieje; @afrihealthcso

Email: afrepton@gmail.com, hspconsults2012@gmail.com

Instagram: @druzoadirieje; https://www.instagram.com/druzoadirieje/

Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/uzoadirieje; https://web.facebook.com/afrihealthcsos;

Skype: druzoadirieje, uaadirieje@yahoo.com;

Zoom: uaadirieje@yahoo.com

LinkedIn: https://ng.linkedin.com/pub/dir/Dr.+Uzodinma/Adirieje

Phone, Telegram & WhatsApp: +234 803 472 5905

Website: http://www.afrihealthcsos.org

https://afrihealthoptonetassociation.blogspot.com

Friday 10 November 2023

CEDAW: 75% of Indigenous Women and Girls Still Victims of Violence Against Women and Girls Globally - AFRIHEALTH

ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIGENOUS WOMEN AND GIRLS

a media interview by Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) – CSOs global Network and Think-tank for Health and Development

Excellencies and Gentlemen,

Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA) is a global and community-focused CSOs global Network and Think-tank of over 2,200 organizations in 101 (One Hundred and One) countries, for the promotion of Development Work, the SDGs, and Health as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being; using partnership/collaboration, advocacy, communication, research/evidence-generation, capacity development, outreaches, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) as strategies; to benefit rural and poor urban dwellers, marginalized, vulnerable and disadvantaged populations of women, girls, children, youth, adolescents, people with disability, orphans and elderly; while exploring the nexus between Health - PHC, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria, NCDs, Vaccines and COVID-19; Energy and Environment - biodiversity, environment, ecosystems, renewable energy, energy efficiency, conservation and climate change; Nutrition/micronutrients and Food Security; Gender, Democracy, Good Governance and Human Rights; with Consultative Status at United Nations ECOSOC; and an Accredited Observer status at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)/United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

We acknowledge all the indigenous women who have been murdered, violated and are missing, in all areas of the world. They are our friends, our daughters, our sisters and our mothers. They are our cousins and neighbors. To most of the world, these sacred souls are invisible. Not to us, which is why we are writing to you.

Violence against indigenous women is astronomically high. The World Bank estimates that 68 percent of indigenous women in Ecuador have experienced violence. In Cameroon, violence against two indigenous communities is estimated at 55 percent. Eighty-four percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence in their lifetime, while indigenous women in Canada are almost seven times more likely to be murdered by an acquaintance than non-indigenous women. In 2020, 889 indigenous women were raped in Bangladesh, a number that is believed to be underreported. It’s believed that the data are underestimated.

The intersecting reality of discrimination against indigenous women means not only are rates of violence against them higher, seeking help and getting justice is difficult. Indigenous women have less access to education, employment and healthcare. In shelters in a province in Canada, for example, indigenous women comprise 70 percent of the women, while the indigenous population is 16 percent, a result of high rates of violence plus added economic and social marginalization.

What can we do to stop this? What can we do to make the world see our situation and work toward change? We, indigenous women’s rights activists across the globe, need this violence to be out into the light, everywhere. We believe the most promising path is through a treaty in the form of an Optional Protocol to CEDAW specific to ending violence against women and girls.

In many nations, data specific to violence against indigenous women is minimal or non-existent, part of our invisibility and racist practices. Data collection can be part of a new instrument’s metrics-based monitoring and reporting system.

Your Excellencies António Guterres, UN General-Secretary; Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director, UN Women; Dr. Natalia Kanem Executive Director, UNFPA; All Presidents/Heads of States and Governments within the United Nations; in short, a treaty would give us a tool to further our work — a document we can use to partner with native and government officials to push them to take actions.

CEDAW is the right home for this treaty. It is an extraordinarily powerful tool for women’s equality, and its 2022 General Recommendation 39 on the rights of indigenous women and girls was an important and necessary step. A new optional protocol to CEDAW specific to violence against women and girls will strengthen CEDAW’s framework and be binding on states, pushing them to action. It will close the geographic gap created by the three regional instruments, which leave nearly 75 percent of women and girls without protection from a legally binding instrument on violence against women and girls.

An Optional Protocol is urgently needed. Broadly speaking, such a mechanism would mandate interventions widely known to lower rates of violence, particularly when enacted together, including legal reform; training for police, judges, healthcare providers and all others who come into contact with survivors; establishment of survivor support systems; and violence prevention education and national campaigns.

We need global leaders like you to become champions of a binding framework to end violence against women and girls.

We know you believe in human rights, in justice and in the rights of all people and all women, including the rights to indigenous women and girls to live free from violence. We know you believe in the interventions a treaty would mandate. We are asking you to see the power a treaty has to change our lives and the power you have to make it happen. We are asking you to save our lives and the lives of our sisters, daughters, and granddaughters, and your sisters, daughters and granddaughters. We are asking you to join us in hope and to call for an Optional Protocol to CEDAW dedicated to ending violence against women and girls to make the world safer for all of us.

Thank you for your consideration and for your leadership.

Dr. Uzodinma Adirieje

CEO and Main Representative to the United Nations