APWLD NGO in consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
11 –
35 women from 22 countries around the region, including Afghanistan,
Australia, Bangladesh, Burma, China, Cook Islands, Fiji, India, Iran, Indonesia,
Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Korea, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines,
Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Russia, gathered in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on
11 -12 September to dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against
Women (UNSRVAW), Dr Yakin Erturk, on the
topic of “Culture and Violence Against Women in Asia Pacific”.
The focus
of
this year’s
Consultation on “Culture and VAW” responded to the theme of the elected topic of
the UNSRVAW’s next annual report to the Human Rights Council (2007). It also reflected APWLD’s own
articulation of ‘culture’ as a critical issue necessary to deepen our
understanding and approach to women’s human rights and in addressing violence
against women in the Asia Pacific region.
The
Consultation provided an opportunity for women’s groups from the Asia Pacific
region to inform the Special Rapporteur of the critical issues relating to
Culture and VAW in the region as well as inform the Special Rapporteur’s
articulation of the scope of women’s rights based on the local and national
experiences of women in Asia Pacific. Specifically it aimed to understand and
articulate how despite the fluidity and contestability of cultural norms,
oppressive elements of culture (which invariable reflect and reinforce
patriarchal power relations) gain dominant representation. The Consultation
sought to strategise how a women’s human rights agenda can be advanced in this
context, providing effective strategies for both the women’s movement in Asia
Pacific and for the UNSRVAW for inclusion in her recommendations for States and
other actors.
The first
day of the Consultation aimed to map the inter-linkages between culture and
violations of women’s human rights in Asia Pacific. It began by shaping a more
nuanced understanding of culture distinguishing
culture from religion and understanding culture as a system of assigned meanings
which are dynamic and fluid. The
discussions stressed the importance of going beyond identifying bad cultural
practices and instead trying to understand culture as a whole. Culture is about
structures of power. It has been used a political tool and therefore as a tool
for exclusion, and for a process of ‘othering’. One of the main challenges we
face is to not start identifying bad and good parts of culture but reframe the
way we talk about culture to reflect the roles of women as the movers and
shapers of culture. Different ways of reframing and reformulating the discourse
on culture should include: not falling into the trap of essentialising culture
but rather recognising its fluidity and diversity; not dichotomizing group rights and
individual rights but instead recognizing that individual rights are necessary
in establishing rules and ordering
within collectives; recognising women as the agents of culture and
challengers of patriarchy rather than victims of culture; further, we need to
create a third space for women outside of this dichotomy (binary).
The
discussions also stressed the importance of remembering and addressing the
consequences of carrying this out. As we challenge our cultures from within (as
women human right defenders) we face serious risks, including the risk of
silencing. The responsibility of the movement includes building a solidarity
network.
The second
day of the Consultation focused on strategies for addressing harmful cultural
paradigms through engaging with international, state and non-state actors as
well as through adopting strategies/approaches within own organisations and
movements. The discussions built on the understandings/approaches which emerged
from the first day particularly for the support for the on-going efforts of
women themselves to “negotiate their identities” within their cultures and
communities. Some specific
presentations were given of strategies to address culture and violence against
women through law, through community engagement and through engaging with
community, particularly traditional leaders of communities. This was followed by a session aimed at
articulating strategies/recommendations for the UN Special Rapporteur’s report,
for our organisations and for the movement.
A
comprehensive report of the Consultation is currently being prepared and will be
available on
The
Consultation was organised by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development
(APWLD) in collaboration with National Centre Against Violence Mongolia (NCAV).
For
further information please contact Lisa Pusey at lisa@apwld.org