Kup Women for Peace (KWP), a Global Fund grantee based in Papua New Guinea, has won the seventh Pacific Human Rights Award  sponsored by the Regional Rights Resource Team (RRRT). The award recognizes groups working on the ground that are keeping a spotlight on human rights abuses within the Pacific Region.  Read the Oxfam Press Release for more details.

The Bay Area Reporter writes about Global Fund grantee, The Blue Diamond Society, and the efforts of Sunil Pant to improve the rights of sexual minorities of Nepal.

Maria Luisa Sanchez of Information Group on Reproductive Choice, a Global Fund grantee, was interviewed about the debate over the new abortion legislation in Mexico City.

Bisi Fayemi, a Nigerian advisor to the Global Fund, is interviewed in the Nigerian Tribune on her work with the African Women's Development Fund and working with her husband to improve the lives of Nigerian women.

After receiving death threats from government officials, Betty Makoni, the director of Global Fund grantee, The Girl Child Network, in Zimbabwe, spoke with reporters about her determination to continue defending the rights of children. Makoni, winner of the Global Friends Award and the World Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child for 2007, told the Zim Daily:

This week Yahoo! News teamed up with Direct Relief International, to produce a short story on maternal healthcare in Afghanistan. The story features the work of Global Fund grantee, The Afghan Institute of Learning. Watch the story on You Witness News.

We are proud to congratulate longtime Global Fund grantee and advisor, Luz Méndez, on receiving the Gruber Prize for Women's Rights for her work with the Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemalteca. Founded in 1980, UNAMG is one of the oldest women’s rights organizations in Guatemala and spearheads efforts to stop violence against women. With the $100,000 prize, the group will be able to build or purchase a house for Guatemalan women.

Grantee: Unión Nacional de Mujeres Guatemalteca 

Global Fund grantee and Program Advisor, Majeda al-Saqqa of the Culture and Free Thought Association in the Gaza Strip, was interviewed by the BBC Online. Her organization works with the young people in the refugee camps near the city of Khan Younis.

Grantee: Culture and Free Thought Association, Palestine

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The Girl Child Network of Zimbabwe, a Global Fund Grantee, was awarded the United Nations Development Program Red Ribbon, for addressing the relationship between gender inequities and HIV/AIDS prevention in Zimbabwe.

Grantee: The Girl Child Network, Zimbabwe

FEMINIST INTERNATIONAL RADIO ENDEAVOR

María Suárez Toro, Co-director of the Feminist International Radio Endeavor (FIRE), an internet radio station produced by women in Costa Rica, has been selected by the Foundation GAEA as a resident artist. Suárez will spend two months in Provincetown, Massachusettes, writing a theatrical production of Wings of the Butterfly, based on her recent doctoral dissertation on the contributions of women to social change.

Grantee: Feminist International Radio Endeavor (Asociación de Comunicación Radio Interactiva Feminista (FIRE), Costa Rica

The Collective for Research and Training on Development Action (CRTDA), a Global Fund grantee based in Lebanon, has released a study on the economic participation of women throughout the Middle East and North Africa, which is much lower than in other parts of the world. Global Fund Program Officer for the region, Zeina Zataari stated that "women are learning the trade, but they are unable to market themselves. Thus, they get exploited."

Grantee: Collective for Research and Training on Development Action, Lebanon

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"My parents had to flee to Nepal when it became clear that life in Bhutan would be intolerable. My parents left the country with nothing but the jewelry around my mother's neck. I was 13 years old when I left home. I am one of nearly 105,000 Bhutanese refugees currently living in seven camps in eastern Nepal." In 2004, Ganga and Pingala founded Voice for Change, a Global Fund grantee that builds leadership among Bhutanese refugee women and advocates for policy solutions to the plight of refugees living in Nepal.

Ljiljana Raicevic, founder and executive director of the Women's Safe House, a Global Fund grantee and the first women's shelter in Montenegro, has been awarded the prestigious Ginetta Sagan Award by Amnesty International USA. This women's human rights award recognizes Ljiljana's outstanding contributions to the international effort to eliminate human trafficking and other violations of women's rights in Eastern Europe.

Grantee: Women's Safe House, Montenegro

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With the support of the Global Fund, the Women Advocates and Documentation Center (WARDC) traveled to the United Nations to launch a new documentary and book. "The 11 Day Siege: Gains and Challenges of Women's Non-violent Struggles in the Niger Delta" chronicles women's activism against Chevron's exploitation of resources and local communities.

Grantee: Women Advocates and Documentation Center, Nigeria

MONTEREY HERALD

3 Sisters Adventures Trekking (Empowering the Women of Nepal) was started by three incredible Nepali women, Lucky, Nicky and Dicky Chhetri. Lucky, the oldest, explained to me that when she first went trekking herself, she felt so empowered and confident, she and her sisters realized that they could help other Nepali women to become self-sufficient through becoming guides and porters, and to also feel empowered as she had.

Grantee: Empowering the Women of Nepal, Nepal

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ACCRA DAILY MAIL

The Foundation for Female Photojournalists (FFP), a Global Fund grantee, organized an exhibition featuring 50 Ghanaian women working in diverse ways to empower women on International Women's Day (3/8). The exhibition in Accra was supported by a grant from the Global Fund.

Grantee: Foundation for Female Photojournalists, Ghana

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PAMBAZUKA NEWS

Ayesha Imam, a Global Fund advisor, explores the opposition between Sharia (Muslim laws) and women's rights. She highlights what can be done to promote women's reproductive and sexual rights, and argues that one of the most important aspects of this task involves a "demystification" of Sharia for the Muslim communities of Nigeria (and elsewhere).

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THE DAILY STAR

Women's rights groups, such as the Collective for Research and Training on Development (CRTD), a Global Fund grantee, are pushing for legal reform that would provide Lebanese women with citizenship rights equal to men. In the days leading up to International Women's Day (3/8), CRTD stepped up their campaign to change laws that prevent women from passing on their nationality to their children and spouses.

Grantee: Collective for Research and Training on Development, Lebanon

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CATHOLIC NEWS SERVICE

Guatemalan church leaders and the country's president said they will fight a controversial family planning law in court. Women's rights groups, on the other hand, applauded the law. "It's a big advance," said Evelyn Morales of the women's organization Tierra Viva. She said she thought the law would actually help decrease abortions and the number of women who die during childbirth by giving them more opportunities to plan for or prevent pregnancies. She also said it could help decrease poverty.

Grantee: Tierra Viva, Guatemala

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Angela Borba Women's Resource Fund has been recognized by the state of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, for strengthening the initiatives of Brazilian women's groups. The Angela Borba Fund educates the public on the effectiveness of investing in women's projects, and serves as a resource for the most marginalized women in the country.

Grantee: Angela Borba - Fundo de Recursos para Mulheres, Brazil

THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

In Egypt's current parliamentary elections, women are being pushed out by competition between President Mubarak's ruling party and the Muslim Brotherhood, a fundamentalist group. "It's crazy, it's madness," says Nehad Abul Komsan, head of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights. "We are walking backward not forward. There is no future for democracy in this country as long as no one will support women."

Grantee: Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, Egypt
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ALLAFRICA.COM (subscription required)

Global Fund grantee and sister fund, the African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) will launch a HIV/AIDS Fund for African Women as part of its fifth anniversary on November 25, 2005. ADWF hopes to help promote a culture of awareness, compassion and responsibility around HIV/AIDS issues, particularly where they affect women and girls in Africa.

Grantee: African Women's Development Fund, Ghana
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Over a decade of determined advocacy by African women's groups, including several Global Fund grantees, has resulted in a major victory for the African women's movement.On October 27, Togo became the 15th member of the African Union to ratify the Protocol on Women's Rights, making it an official part of the African Charter on Human and People's Rights. The Protocol will go into effect on November 25, 2005.

Grantees: Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR), Kenya
Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), Togo, Ghana & Zimbabwe Branches

BBC NEWS

"Most people do not know that domestic workers have rights," says Blanche Figueroa, founder of Global Fund grantee Casa de Panchita/ Grupo de Trabajo Redes. The group raises awareness among domestic workers, many of whom are young girls, about laws in Peru guaranteeing a day off, a negotiated wage and health care.

Grantee: Grupo de Trabajo Redes, Peru
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THE HUFFINGTON POST

Sima Wali, Global Fund advisor and President of grantee group Refugee Women in Development, shares a personal experience of violent extremism in Afghanistan. On a recent trip to Kabul, Wali was attacked by armed insurgents from Pakistan during a meeting about women's rights in Afghanistan. Refugee Women in Development focuses on refugee women's rights and women's rights in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Grantee: Refugee Women in Development, USA
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THE ANALYST

Liberian refugee groups in Ghana, including the New Liberia Women Skills Training Center, a Global Fund grantee, recently celebrated the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first female president. "I am pleased that in the history of Liberia and Africa, a woman has made a mark of becoming president of Africa's oldest independent nation," said Miata Gibson, Director of the Center.

Grantee: New Liberian Women Organization, Ghana
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Global Fund grantees and advisors have been consistently among Goldman Environmental Prize Winners over the past several years. We asked two activists in Central Asia to share their experiences as recipients of the prize.

Grantees: EcoCenter, Kazakhstan
Center Perzent, Uzbekistan

PETER GRUBER FOUNDATION

For the second year in a row, the Peter Gruber Foundation has selected a Global Fund grantee as the recipient of the International Women's Rights Prize. The Shan Women's Action Network and the Women's League of Burma will receive this year's prize for challenging human rights violations and bringing attention to the systematic sexual abuse of ethnic Shan women in Burma. The Shan Women's Action Network helped establish the Women's League of Burma, a Global Fund grantee since 2001.

Grantees: Shan Women's Action Network, Thailand
Women's League of Burma, Thailand
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THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR

The Jordanian Women's Union, a Global Fund grantee, is working to draw attention to the issue of honor killings—assaults committed against women by male family members in response to alleged sexual misconduct. Since 1945, the Jordanian Women's Union has been empowering and educating women; it now runs a hotline and shelter for survivors of violence.

Grantee: The Jordanian Women's Union, Jordan

BBC NEWS

Should women and men be allowed to take part in mixed sports events? Pakistan has recently witnessed confrontations and violence in the city of Lahore when a mixed-sex race was broken up by the police. The BBC News website invited Asma Jehangir, leader of Global Fund grantee, AGHS Legal Aid Cell, Pakistan, to speak on this issue.

Grantee: AGHS Legal Aid Cell, Pakistan
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THE ASSOCIATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STATUS OF WOMEN: LAQIYA

On Thursday, the 19th of May 2005, the Center of The Association for the Improvement of the Status of Women: Laqiya was set on fire. This incident is one of the many incidents against social change in general, and against activities for women in particular, that have occurred in the village.

Grantee: The Association for the Improvement of the Status of Women: Laqiya, Israel

MINNESOTA ADVOCATES FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

For the first time since the adoption of the Law on Protection Against Domestic Violence in March 2005, the regional court in the Bulgarian city of Russe ordered a spouse to be removed from the family home for a period of one year, and to not approach his wife and children for the same period. With the support of Global Fund grantee, the Nadja Center, the injured woman submitted requests to the regional police department and the Regional Court in Russe.

Grantee: Nadja Center Foundation, Bulgaria

SHAN WOMEN'S ACTION NETWORK

"This case proves the systematic nature of sexual violence under the regime in Burma," said Nag Charm Tong of SWAN. "Even the daughters of the Burmese Army troops are now suffering the consequences of the policy of License to Rape."

Grantees: Shan Women's Action Network, Thailand
Women's League of Burma, Thailand

VITAL VOICES

Global Fund Advisor Mu Sochua is the recipient of Vital Voices' 2005 Human Rights and Anti-Trafficking Award. Sochua is founder of Global Fund grantee Khemara, the first women's NGO in Cambodia, and the former Cambodian Minister of Women's and Veteran Affairs. She has dedicated much of her life to ending the trafficking of women and children.

Read the O Magazine article about Mu Sochua

Grantee: Khemara, Cambodia
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IRIN NEWS.ORG

Every year an estimated two million girls around the world are at risk of undergoing the removal of all or part of their genitalia, a procedure referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM), female circumcision or female genital cutting. Kenya is one of 28 countries in Africa in which FGM is widely practiced.

Grantee: Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization, Kenya
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Through years of advocacy, the Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation has achieved a major success in the struggle against domestic violence. On March 16, 2005, the National Assembly of Bulgaria adopted the Law on Protection against Domestic Violence, implementing programs to prevent and prohibit violence against women. The Global Fund for Women congratulates the foundation for this landmark victory for women's rights in Bulgaria.

Grantee: Bulgarian Gender Research Foundation, Bulgaria

RELIEF WEB

In a Bangkok forum to mark International Women's Day, Cholpon Akmatova, an officer of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development, expressed her organization's "deep concern with violations of women's human rights in the tsunami-affected countries."

Grantee: Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD), Thailand
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International Indigenous Women's Forum Declaration

This declaration, drafted by 40 indigenous women leaders from Africa, Latin America, and Asia for the UN's 10 year review of the Beijing Platform for Action, calls on governments to commit to stronger action to advance indigenous women's human rights.

Grantee: International Indigenous Women's Forum

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SEMILLAS

Women's eNews has awarded it's annual prize, 21 Leaders for the 21st Century, to Emilenne de León Aulina, executive director Semillas, Mexico's only women's fund, for her extraordinary contributions to durable change on behalf of women.

Grantee: Semillas, México

THE HINDU

Gender justice, economic empowerment and communal harmony are the issues Shaheen is trying to tackle. But in its short existence of three years it has learnt the hard way that the path chosen by it is difficult to tread. "But it is the only one available to us," says Jamila Nishat, the lady behind this Women's Resource and Welfare Association.

Grantee: Shaheen Women's Resource and Welfare Association, India
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NISAN YOUNG WOMEN LEADERS

In recognition of her commitment to fostering leadership among young Jewish and Arab women, Sanaa Zreik-Saleh, Executive Director of Global Fund for Women grantee, Nisan Young Women Leaders, Nazareth, has been awarded US/Israel Women to Women's Jewel Bellush Outstanding Feminist Award 2005.

Grantee: Nisan Young Women Leaders, Israel

Zanaa Jurmed, director of the National CEDAW Watch Network Center, and chair of the Mongolian Women's NGO Coalition, both Global Fund Grantees, was awarded the Order of the Red Star on November 25th. The president of Mongolia awarded this honor to Zanaa in recognition of her vital contributions to the development of democracy, civil society and the nongovernmental organizational movement in Mongolia.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai recently appointed Dr. Massouda Jalal, director of the Afghan Public Relief Organization, to his cabinet as the minister of women's affairs. The Global Fund awarded Dr. Jalal, who was the sole female candidate in the Afghan presidential elections, a $3,000 grant last year to organize a conference on expanding women's civic and political participation in the restructuring of Afghanistan, and the implementation of human rights for Afghan women.

MTV NETWORKS EUROPE

On November 18, at the MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony in Rome, Global Fund for Women grantee La Strada Network, received the 2004 "Free Your Mind" award for the organization's dedication to the fight against the trafficking of women and girls in Europe; the event launched a year long MTV Europe campaign, entitled EXIT, to increase awareness and prevention of trafficking. The award was accepted by Alicia Keys on behalf of La Strada.

INTER PRESS SERVICE NEWS AGENCY

More than 700 professionals in the health field from 107 countries will gather in London next week to push forward a delivery of reproductive health services that has been slowing down if not stalling.

MOBILITY INTERNATIONAL USA

This manual is a toolkit for development agencies and others concerned with the inclusion of people with disabilities at all levels and in all areas of the international development process. It brings together expert opinion, techniques and guidelines, resource lists, and examples of best practices from around the world.