WUNRN
Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim
Societies (CSBR)
Sexuality Institute 2008
16-23 August 2008,
***Deadline for Applications: May 15, 2008***
The Coalition for Sexual and
Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) is pleased to announce the CSBR Sexuality Institute 2008 to be
held between August 16th and 23rd 2008 in
Background
The
realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights is an integral part of
gender equality, development and social justice. However, sexuality continues
to be a contested domain and site of political power struggles across the
globe. Increasing global militarism, conservatism, and nationalism over the
last decades provoked a serious backlash on sexual and reproductive health and
rights, both at the United Nations level, as well as on national contexts. In Muslim
societies, many issues around sexuality remain a taboo, while human rights
violations in the domain of sexuality continue to be legitimized through the
misuse of religion, tradition, and culture. The post 9/11 context, with
increased Islamophobia and the rise of political Islam, poses further
challenges for researchers, practitioners and advocates in Muslim societies.
As a
Coalition actively working to promote sexual, reproductive and bodily health
and rights in Muslim societies, the experience of CSBR has revealed that the
limited erudition and expertise on sexuality issues in our contexts constitute
an obstacle to advancements in this field. Given the current debates and
polarizations, it is more pertinent than ever to strengthen critical insight into
historical and contemporary aspects of the power struggles around sexuality,
enhance knowledge and capacity on sexual health and rights, and build an
inclusive and affirmative discourse on sexuality in Muslim societies. As such,
the CSBR Sexuality Institute provides a unique opportunity to create a better
understanding of sexuality in Muslim societies and further the efforts to
advance sexual, reproductive and bodily health and rights.
Aim
The
Institute is designed to advance participants’ knowledge, understanding and
advocacy skills for sexual, reproductive and bodily health and rights, while
strengthening their theoretical background and analysis of sexuality in Muslim
societies and introducing CSBR’s holistic and affirmative discourse on
sexuality.
To this end, the aims of the CSBR
Sexuality Institute are:
About the Coalition for Sexual and
Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR)
Founded
in 2001, the Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) is an international solidarity
network of organizations, researchers and academics working to promote sexual,
bodily and reproductive rights as human rights in Muslim Societies. CSBR
includes members from
CSBR has succeeded in creating an
alternative discourse and progressive spaces around sexuality and sexual rights
in Muslim societies. Advocating to eliminate customary practices and
discriminatory attitudes related to women’s sexuality, such as honor crimes,
sexual violence, marital rape, sexual harassment, discrimination based on
sexual orientation, restrictions on women’s mobility, forced/early marriages,
CSBR has catalyzed and supported advocacy efforts on national levels, such as
supporting campaigns for penal and civil code reform in countries like Turkey,
Morocco and Palestine, while also working at international platforms and the UN.
CSBR has pioneered the very first international meetings on sexual and
reproductive rights in countries such as Lebanon and Tunisia, where previously
sexuality was not an issue for discussion, and launched international campaigns
and actions on sexual rights and freedoms, human rights violations,
reproductive rights, and the right to organize in many countries, including
Malaysia, Lebanon, Egypt, Pakistan, Palestine, and Iran.
More information on CSBR is
available at http://www.wwhr.org/csbr.php.
Organization of the Institute &
Faculty
The
Institute is designed as an intense 6 day participatory training with 20
participants. The language of the Institute will be English. Travel and
accommodation costs for the participants will be covered by the Institute.
Issues
addressed will include a conceptual and historical framework of sexuality;
contemporary discourses and debates around sexuality and sexual rights in
Muslim societies; shariah and
sexuality; sexual diversities; sexuality and human rights; sexual health;
sexual health and rights advocacy. The Institute will also incorporate sessions
focused on application and experience-sharing including a session on CSBR; a
roundtable featuring presentations and discussions of participants’ work on
sexuality; and a panel with Malaysian activists.
The
faculty will consist of CSBR members with expertise on given topics, and
internationally renowned experts in the field of sexuality.
To apply
please complete the application form below and return it with a C.V. to liz.amado@wwhr.org by May 15, 2008
CSBR Sexuality Institute 2008
16-23 August 2008,
Application Form
***Application deadline:
May 15, 2008***
Please return the
completed form and a C.V. to liz.amado@wwhr.org
Requirements for Application:
Eligible applicants
for the Institute must:
The Institute will be limited to 20
participants, as it is designed as participatory group training. The
applications will be reviewed by the CSBR Training Committee.
Applicant’s
Name: |
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Organization/Affiliation: |
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Country: |
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Email
Address: |
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Telephone
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Mobile Phone
Number: |
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Fax: |
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Mailing Address: |
1)
Please state your position and title in your
organization:
2)
How many years have you been working with this
organization?
3) Please describe your professional background, interests and the
work that you do in relation to sexuality and sexual rights, including
experience at national, regional and international levels (maximum
200 words).
4)
Please briefly describe if/how you and your
organization are familiar with CSBR and if you have had previous involvement
with CSBR (maximum 100 words):
5) Please explain why you want to participate in the CSBR Sexuality
Institute. What you expect to gain from and contribute to the Institute? (maximum
200 words)
6) Please describe your future plans and aspirations in terms of
your work on sexuality. What efforts do you plan to undertake in this field in
the future? (maximum 150 words)
7) Please discuss one or two main emerging issues around sexuality
in your national contexts and Muslim societies. What do you perceive as challenges
and as opportunities in this field? (maximum
200 words)
8)
Please provide the name and contact details
for 2 reference people:
Reference
Person #1
Name: |
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Title: |
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Organization/Affiliation: |
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Email
Address: |
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Telephone Number: |
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Reference
Person #2
Name: |
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Title: |
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Organization/Affiliation: |
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Email
Address: |
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Telephone
Number: |
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Thank you! Please return the completed form and a C.V. to liz.amado@wwhr.org
by
May 15, 2008
Contact:
Women for Women’s Human Rights (WWHR) –
Email: newways@wwhr.org
/ sgoknur@gmail.com
Tel: +90 212 251 00 29
Fax: +90 212 251 00 65
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