[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” border_radius=”” box_shadow=”no” dimension_box_shadow=”” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_color=”” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””] How can we honor International Women’s Day with the Afghani women? I can say to the Bosnian, Serb, Croat women, ‘Ma sretna ti zena’, as well as to the Eastern European women. How can we honor International Women’s Day to the Syrian, Iranian, Turkish, Arab and African women that will let them know I have worked hard to honor women, heal trauma and that I feel for them and all of their children? How can we honor International Women’s Day with a one-day Western holiday begrudgingly given to the Asian-Pacific Islanders? How can we honor International Women’s Day to the mothers taken at the southern border of the USA? To Central America, South America, the Caribbean Islanders? – Danica Anderson, Founder and Clinical Program Director [/fusion_text][fusion_section_separator divider_type=”horizon” divider_position=”left” divider_candy=”top” icon=”” icon_color=”” bordersize=”” bordercolor=”” backgroundcolor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” /][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”left” size=”3″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”#961b1e”] History and Meaning of International Women’s Day [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””] March 8, International Working Women’s Day, with a 110 year history in commemorating women’s political struggles insisting on her primacy to author her destiny, and promoting the fight for equal rights, and progress. The founding of International Women’s Day was birthed through women collaborating, inspired by each other’s public political struggles for women’s rights and liberation across the world. In Chicago, 1908 U.S. socialist women celebrated a Women’s Day giving rise to solidarity from international women collaborating on the horizon. In Germany 1910, Luise Zietz and Clara Zetkin were inspired by their foresisters, and proposed at the International Women’s Conference, a proclamation to establish an annual International Women’s Day, endorsed by women from over 17 countries. A day for commemorating working women’s struggles both personal and political, at home and life at large – stressing the need to advance history for all with demands including equal pay in the workplace, and equal rights in law, all of which we still battle to this day. The meaning of International Women’s Day of recognition took a turn from it’s roots upon the United Nations recognition of International Women’s Day in 1977 when it became a day for cards and flowers and spa days in the U.S. for your sister. Let us never forget the struggles women have fought and we continue to face today, and the fierce fierce women poured into the streets this weekend to keep in tradition of 110 years ago. [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” border_size=”4″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”10px” margin_bottom=”10px” padding_top=”10px” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”10px” padding_left=”” gradient_start_color=”#fcc63f” gradient_end_color=”” gradient_start_position=”5″ gradient_end_position=”53″ gradient_type=”radial” radial_direction=”center left” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””] Sign-up to receive emails Stay updated via email for our newsletters, articles and be the first to know about upcoming events and opportunities to get involved. [/fusion_text][fusion_code]W2NvbnRhY3QtZm9ybS03IGlkPSI4OTMiIHRpdGxlPSJNYWlsaW5nIExpc3QgU2lnbi1VcCJd[/fusion_code][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”no” hundred_percent_height=”no” hundred_percent_height_scroll=”no” hundred_percent_height_center_content=”yes” equal_height_columns=”no” menu_anchor=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” status=”published” publish_date=”” class=”” id=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” padding_top=”” padding_right=”” padding_bottom=”” padding_left=”” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_position=”center center” background_repeat=”no-repeat” fade=”no” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_blend_mode=”none” video_mp4=”” video_webm=”” video_ogv=”” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_loop=”yes” video_mute=”yes” video_preview_image=”” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ layout=”1_1″ spacing=”” center_content=”no” link=”” target=”_self” min_height=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” hover_type=”none” border_size=”0″ border_color=”” border_style=”solid” border_position=”all” box_shadow=”no” box_shadow_blur=”0″ box_shadow_spread=”0″ box_shadow_color=”” box_shadow_style=”” background_type=”single” gradient_start_position=”0″ gradient_end_position=”100″ gradient_type=”linear” radial_direction=”center” linear_angle=”180″ background_color=”” background_image=”” background_image_id=”” background_position=”left top” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_blend_mode=”none” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=”” filter_type=”regular” filter_hue=”0″ filter_saturation=”100″ filter_brightness=”100″ filter_contrast=”100″ filter_invert=”0″ filter_sepia=”0″ filter_opacity=”100″ filter_blur=”0″ filter_hue_hover=”0″ filter_saturation_hover=”100″ filter_brightness_hover=”100″ filter_contrast_hover=”100″ filter_invert_hover=”0″ filter_sepia_hover=”0″ filter_opacity_hover=”100″ filter_blur_hover=”0″ last=”no”][fusion_title title_type=”text” rotation_effect=”bounceIn” display_time=”1200″ highlight_effect=”circle” loop_animation=”off” highlight_width=”9″ highlight_top_margin=”0″ before_text=”” rotation_text=”” highlight_text=”” after_text=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” content_align=”left” size=”3″ font_size=”” animated_font_size=”” line_height=”” letter_spacing=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” margin_top_mobile=”” margin_bottom_mobile=”” text_color=”” animated_text_color=”” highlight_color=”” style_type=”single solid” sep_color=”#961b1e”] Elinor Ostrom, Governing the Commons [/fusion_title][fusion_text columns=”” column_min_width=”” column_spacing=”” rule_style=”default” rule_size=”” rule_color=”” hide_on_mobile=”small-visibility,medium-visibility,large-visibility” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_offset=””] Elinor Ostrom (b. 1933- d. 2012), the first and only woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 2009, for her myth-busting esteemed research and fieldwork on the commons and social collective action, relied upon a epigenetic and collaborative social collective backbone in alignment with the Kolo Self Trauma Care Protocol. Ostrom devoted her life to the power in people’s every day small acts to evolve how we manage the commons sustainably by evolving our collective self-governance. Both The Kolo: WCCC and Elinor Ostrom’s bodies of work instruct us to collaborate in social collectives, heal trauma and confront the greatest crises of our times where violence
UN PeaceKeepers Involved in Congo War Atrocities
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The mass rapes in Congo DRC continue unimpeded by the International Criminal Court for war crimes. “YOU WILL BE PUNISHED” – REPORT Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo This 183-page report documents in detail the deliberate killing of more than 1,400 civilians between January and September 2009 during two successive Congolese army operations against a Rwandan Hutu militia, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. The UN writes its own report and barely outlines in detail which of its PeaceKeepers committed the war atrocities with Congolese army operations against a Rwandan Hutu militia, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. Link to Full Human Rights Watch Report UN peacekeepers made important efforts to protect civilians in this complex and difficult terrain, Human Rights Watch said. But the peacekeeping force’s role as a joint player in the military operations, providing substantial support to the Congolese army, has implicated peacekeepers in the abuses and undermined the mission’s primary objective, which is to protect civilians. Some victims were tied together before their throats were, according to one witness, “slit like chickens.” The majority of the victims were women, children, and the elderly. The FDLR first raped the mother and inserted a large stick in her vagina causing serious injury which led to her death. When the young girl cried out in distress, the FDLR raped her as well. Commentary Many UN Security Council ambassadors have visited Congo and expressed outrage at the massive sexual violence,” said Van Woudenberg.” Faced with another UN proclamation and with what constitutes torture, gang rape, enforced sexual slavery of Congolese females, the UN provides a 183 page document that tries to distance the useless organization from any possible repercussions of its involvement and lack of involvement. In fact the UN spokesmen stated in the report: “”Many UN Security Council ambassadors have visited Congo and expressed outrage at the massive sexual violence,” said Van Woudenberg. “Yet rape is increasing – not decreasing – in eastern Congo. That outrage needs to be translated into bold and effective action to help protect these women and girls.” The 183 report by the UN is titled UN peacekeepers made important efforts to protect civilians in this complex and difficult terrain. Nothing can be so far from the truth. I have been in the Eastern part of the Congo and witnessed the world of the Congolese female and children. Fear does not shed light on the violence. Moreover, it is not a test of truth: false ideas, faking humanitarian efforts such as the UN are rolled into the rule of law, UN charters and so-called UN Peacekeepers who participate or are bystanders to the most violent sexual abuse towards women and children. January 2009, under the supposed UN expert group called peacekeepers- an oxymoron- with the Congolese and Rwandan government are doing a joint military operation known as Umoja Wetu and Kimia II is still being conducted. But the report itself states: “”The Security Council needs to provide UN peacekeepers in Congo with clear and concrete direction,” Van Woudenberg said “Sending a group of experts and making clear to the Congolese army the conditions under which the peacekeepers will work with its troops can play a crucial role in ending abuses and ensuring that UN peacekeepers are not implicated in future atrocities.” The inhumanity by the UN chartered to prevent and help the affected populations which are mostly women and children needs to be center point of our outrage. The amount of paper declaring whatever needs to be declared so as to look like they are earning their high salaries, elaborate environments or what is mostly covering their butts from any legal repercussions constitutes an extraordinary example of unconscious hatred towards women and children. It is incomprehensible for Van Woudenberg to appeal for the need of the security council to have a clear and concrete direction in ending abuses and ensuring Un peacekeepers are not implicated in future atrocities. I ask where was this clear and concrete direction before the brutalities committed and point to the infinite abyss of UN proclamations, charters, councils, to UNIFEM sections of the UN. The violence dynamics show up not only at the macro-level of the species-mind but in the smaller, transient groups or sections of the UN. Please lodge a protest to the UN Security Council and appeal to know the names of each individual peacekeeper involved and ultimate head of the operations to learn if any consequences were given. Write a letter to the International Criminal Court and ask for an investigation of War Crimes. Danica Anderson http://www.hrw.org/node/87151 CONGO – “YOU WILL BE PUNISHED” – REPORT Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo This 183-page report documents in detail the deliberate killing of more than 1,400 civilians between January and September 2009 during two successive Congolese army operations against a Rwandan Hutu militia, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda Source: http://www.hrw.org/en/news/2009/12/12/un-act-end-atrocities-eastern-congo December 13, 2009 ( New York ) – The United Nations Security Council should urgently act to protect civilians in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo from further atrocities by government and rebel forces and ensure peacekeepers are not implicated in abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a report published today. The 183-page report, “‘You Will Be Punished’: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo,” documents in detail the deliberate killing of more than 1,400 civilians between January and September 2009 during two successive Congolese army operations against a Rwandan Hutu militia, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The report is based
Syrian War
On October 4, 2012, after a Syrian bombing kills five women and children in a Turkish border town, has CNN interviewing former Nation ‘Supreme’ Commander, Wesley Clark, as their media an expert. Clark states that the killing of Turkish mother’s and children, “It happens…..civilian casualties.” Citing it is a part of a broader conflict and how strategies are at work in the region, the reasoning behind the patriarchs in NATO, and humanitarian organizations conglomerates such as the UN, are that they cannot be mobilized as of yet. ‘The powers that be’ reasoning; it is not a full scale war or enough refugees to merit the spending of their coffers sitting at millions and millions of dollars in their organizations. You and I, ‘we’ gave them our inner authority, emptied the insides of our pockets for the experts in violence and autocrats to push paper or do critical analysis to make sure the situation fits the definition to merit the slightest intervention. Media displays the horrors of yet another war. You could substitute the Syrian peoples with that of the Balkan War survivors. Meanwhile, the axis of resistance which refers to Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah in Lebanon to the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza continues to erupt. Whole countries recovering from ethnic hatreds, wars and violence surely shudder at each image flying past on their television sets or in more removed countries it’s their smart phones, ipads or laptops. Ho-hum is the reaction to the war images if it is not as succulent as the graphic bodies in a fine spray of red rain and bomb shrapnel. We are addicted to following fresh bodies, bombs and bullets. Just like garbage once in the trash can or on curbside for pick up – very few think of where it goes- the aftermath. You see, being a bystander is so much more rewarding sitting in front of our televisions, ipads, laptops or smart phones. We can pretend we are just being more informed while our physical bodies grow limp and our capacity to respond and act atrophies. We believe someone else will do it. We believe the outside authorities are the truth. Nowhere in media do I see the ‘real’ cost in human lives. There is not a single article on collateral damage, the cost of homes destroyed, and the maimed and lame limbed individuals that can no longer feed their families. I notice how it is our homes, our families in the bulls’ eye of mass destruction weapons. The bystanders feel euphoric that is not them or their homes on fire. They have media images and reports to prove that false sense of safety. Bystander living is the end all. It is the end all of life on this planet. The term “we, the people” is no longer able to respond as a community.
Her political activities define her radical nature
Wahu Kaara and Danica Anderson, Female Solidarity Wahu Kaara, Nobel Peace Prize Nominee/Winner 2005, board member of the Kolo: Women’s Cross Cultural Collaboration is a leading advocate for social justice in Kenya. She says: “African women are not dying for Africa anymore; they want to live for Africa.” She works for the Kenya Debt Relief Network (Kendren), the African Social Forum and the Kenya Social Forum. Her political activities define her radical nature and instead of her name or stereotyped roles females play, Wahu’s identity is the community she keeps. A 53-year-old widow, describes herself as a global social justice activist. The former history and Kiswahili teacher says she has been radical from an early age, having been involved in promoting social justice and economic democracy for 30 years. Despite the repression from the government and the hard times she experienced when her husband was forced into exile, the mother of four relentlessly worked locally and is today involved internationally in the African Social Forum and the Kenya Debt Relief Network, and she is also one of the main leaders of Katiba Watch, the main lobby group spearheading the ongoing mass mobilization in Kenya around the demand for a new constitution. We can learn more about Wahu through a series of quotes and pieces from conversations I had with her in Toronto, Canada for the Genevieve Vaughn sponsored (M) Otherworld Conference. This is Wahu’s voice and identity: All movements we do must know how to connect making what we know. Refuse to be a victim. Stand up in your power. Fertility of Women’s Spirituality Women are being dislocated and disoriented. We need to stop the unending re-inventing and re-engineering of women, who we are. The matriarchy is the heartbeat of the community. The waking up of the people…. How matriarchy is a community not a system. We have to show how it works. We get lost when we do not connect all.