The
Isis International Activist School for Women Human Rights Defenders is
an 8-day training for human rights or women’s human rights advocates
working in conflict and politically dangerous situations. Women human
rights defenders (WHRD) promote and protect their own rights, and the
rights of others. WHRDs face a litany of threats in their line of work.
This is exacerbated by the fact that they are women challenging the
status quo, or because of the nature of their work which focuses on
defending women’s human rights. The current backlash against women’s
struggles and their achievements have made these risks and attacks more
grave and incessant.
The distinct challenges faced by WHRDs haves recently become
recognised in the context of the United Nations. In November 2013, the
United Nations adopted the first ever resolution on WHRDs which takes a
step forward in their protection. However, recognition and resolutions
alone aren’t sufficient for supporting WHRDs working on the ground. This
Isis International Activist School aims to further strengthen and
support WHRDs in East and South East Asia, and provide analytical and
reflective spaces for their exchange of survival strategies and
experiences of enhanced sustainability. We aim to do this by providing a
multidimensional and holistic training approach that starts from self
to larger social transformation issues.The training will provide participants with the opportunity to engage in a deeper reflectiveness of self, motivations and values that then connects with one’s relationship to their organisation/community and the movements they are a part of, and the change that they seek to bring about. This will be combined with feminist consciousness raising and the development of feminist frameworks of analysis. Participants will gain tools for assessing risk and improving self-care and security, along with a deepened understanding of the legal and political human rights of WHRDs and how these can be asserted in their local contexts. The training will also build communication skills in advocacy for WHRD. Additionally, there will be a special focus on heightening activists’ understanding of organizations, networks and movements and how to lead these with integrity.
Who can participate?
This Isis International Activist School is for human rights or women’s human rights advocates working in conflict and politically dangerous situations. Women, men and transpeople are all welcome. Priority will be given to those who represent marginalized communities/organizations. Young women leaders or women young to the women’s movement, members of a network that needs strengthening, and human rights advocates working at the grassroots level from East and South East Asia are encouraged to apply. There is no age limitation to those applying, but priority will be given to those who have not had previous opportunities. The workshop Activist School will primarily be conducted in English, so proficiency in English is a requirement. We will look into requests for translators on a case by case basis. Given limited resources, however, this will only be provided if absolutely necessary.Logistical Arrangements
The Isis International Women’s House will serve as the venue and accommodation for this training. Full scholarships to attend the training are provided for applicants selected from Southeast Asia, China and Mongolia. Isis International will cover the selected participant’s airfare, land travels (to and from the airport), accommodation and a modest per diem for evening meals. Participants are expected to cover other personal expenses including communications and personal needs. Depending on the best rate that can be attained, participants may be asked to book and purchase their ticket from their home countries and will be fully reimbursed upon submission of receipts in Manila.We are unfortunately unable to provide scholarships for participants from Singapore, Taiwan, Macau, Japan, Hong Kong or South Korea, but they are welcome to apply to attend at their own costs. For participants from these countries, the expenses that they would to need to cover include: flights, other travel expenses and accommodation. Meals during the day will be provided, while participants from these countries will have to cover breakfast and dinner at their own expense. The training will be provided for free and no registration fee is required.
Participant must have a valid passport and the capacity to attain a Philippine visa if necessary. For participants receiving a full scholarship, Isis International will cover the cost of the visa only and expect the selected participant to cover any incurred expenses to attain it (such as travel and accommodation) as participants’ counterpart contribution. Isis International will not cover the cost of renewing your passport.
Interested in participating in the Isis Activist School for Women Human Rights Defenders?
Please apply online or download the application form and send to nicole(at)isiswomen.org on or before 31 January 2014.| For further inquiries please contact: Nicole Hutchison Activist School Coordinator Isis International 3 Marunong Street, Barangay Central Quezon City 1100, Philippines |
nicole(a)isismanila.org w |
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