Training of Trainers on CEDAW

The Training of Trainers on application of the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women was held in Warsaw, Poland, on 17-23 November. The event was organized jointly by KARAT Coalition and International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia-Pacific and was addressed to female trainers from Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. It aimed at strengthening the ability of individuals and organisations to understand and apply principles of the CEDAW Convention in the national, sub-regional and regional context. The seven day program of the meeting allowed the participants to sharpen their understanding of CEDAW as well as of the structural and institutional aspects of discrimination and inequality. It also provided the forum for sharing the experience and insights on techniques and approaches for effective trainings.Due to the event the pool of resource persons based in the CEE/CIS countries and prepared to conduct workshops on the CEDAW Convention at local, national and regional level was significantly enhanced.

Regional Consultation on the implementation of CEDAW Concluding Observations in Europe and Central Asia

On 1-3 July, European Consultation on the implementation of CEDAW Concluding Observations (COs) organized by IWRAW Asia Pacific in cooperation with KARAT and WIDE took place in Warsaw, Poland. During this 3-day strategic meeting women’s rights advocates from EU member states, CEE countries and Central Asia shared strategies on how to use Concluding Observations that are issued by the CEDAW Committee after the reviewing session of the state to keep the governments accountable for complying with the obligation to fully implement CEDAW Convention at national level. The meeting was attended by 32 women from 17 countries, including KARAT’s members and project partners. Previous member of the CEDAW Committee – Shanthi Dairiam from Malaysia – was present at the Regional Consultation to share her expertise and experience. Participants will carry out follow up activities linked to implementation of CEDAW COs on national level.

1st Strategic Meeting of Project Partners

Inception meeting of the three-year KARAT’s project focused on the promotion of CEDAW and its mechanisms took place on 29-30 April in Warsaw, Poland.
The meeting was a first opportunity for all project partners to meet and discuss in depth the project strategy, objectives and actions to be taken on regional level and in the project countries: Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The project aims in particular at addressing women’s rights through advocating and lobbying for the implementation of CEDAW Committee’s Concluding Observations and at improving women’s access to justice also through building capacity to use the procedures provided by the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
During the meeting the special attention was given to the CEDAW training of trainers that will be organized in November 2010 on regional level for women’s activists from project countries.