In the new Tunisian constitution, dated 27 January 2014, Article 20 proclaims, “The citizens of Tunisia, male and female, have equal rights and responsibilities. They are equal before the law with no discrimination.” Not stopping there, Tunisia goes to the head of the class of Mediterranean countries with the particularly innovative Article 45, which stipulates, “The State is committed to protect-ing established women’s rights and to rein-forcing and extending these rights. The State guarantees equality of opportunity for wom-en and men with regard to access to all re-sponsibilities and in all fields. The State strives to establish parity between women and men in elected assemblies. The State will take the necessary measures to eliminate vi-olence against women.”

If one also considers Article 34 on repre-sentativeness and Article 40 on work, Tuni-sian women are well set to walk with their heads held high... on paper?

This is the question that comes to the minds of the women citizens in numerous countries in the region where the Constitu-tion, the supreme law of the land, stipulates equality between women and men. What good are these lovely constitutions if discrim-ination occurs on a massive and daily basis? The situation of women sometimes is so dif-ficult that some women no longer see what a law can do for them and doubt that there is any point in working to reform them.

This would be the case of women who have

not experienced studying, working, going out onto the street, having heterosexual relation-ships, giving birth or being forced to end a pregnancy, marrying, living with a violent man, separating from a husband, and many other moments of a woman’s life that can be,

depending on the time and place, full of in-justice and unbearable oppression.

However, thanks to tenacious mobilisation, for each of these moments, laws have been passed which help to improve, little by little, the status of women and the way they are viewed.

Because even if the application of laws fa-vourable to women remains a pious wish, their sheer existence means that at least part of the society recognizes the injustice done to them.

Caroline Sakina Brac de la Perrière

n RAPE IS A WEAPON OF WAR USED BY THE SYRIAN REGIME and armed bands to attack the enemy by tear-ing apart social cohesion, with rape victims the first to be destroyed. A report by the Eu-ro-Mediterranean human rights network confirms the magnitude of these war crimes that, if their planning can be proved, could qualify as crimes against humanity. For the 6000 cases reported in 2013, thousands of others shall never come to light as the wom-en involved keep silent when they have not been assassinated by their torturers, killed by their own families to revenge their hon-our, or have not committed suicide.

n FOLLOWING THE EIGHTH SES-SION OF THE UN GENERAL AS-

N°9Feb. 2014

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NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

SEMBLY OPEN WORKING GROUP (OWG) ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS),. a feminist strategy meeting was held in Tarrytown, near New York City, bringing together 60 representatives of women’s organizations to safe-guard a feminist perspective in the post-2015 pro-cess. The Feminist Declaration for Post 2015 calls for a de-velopment model that will work for women and girls of all ages and identities, in conformity with interna-tional human rights obligations. It was signed by over one hundred women’s organizations, including the MWF.

n THE EUROPEAN CHAPTER OF THE INTER-NATIONAL NETWORK OF WOMEN’S FUNDS INWF met in Barcelona in October 2013 to refine its strategic plan and the assessment methods of 10 Eu-

POST

ropean members, including the MWF, which sup-ports women’s associations in 9 European countries.

n THE 58TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York from 10-21 March 2014. It will focus on “The challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Mil-lennium Development Goals for women and girls”.

n THE MAJORITY OF MIGRANTS in Europe and America ARE WOMEN. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the percentage of women among internation-al migrants in 2013 was highest in Europe and Latin and Central America (52% in each), followed by North America (51%) n

Only on paper?

The photographer chose to recount the story of two well known public figures in Tunisia, father and daughter in their pri-vate life. She is Lina Ben Mhenni! A freedom activist, she was nominated once again this year for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her father, Sadok Ben Mhenni (a prominent personality in Tunisia), discretely attends each rally and event at his daugh-ter’s side. Adel Mhadhebi noticed the tremendously proud look the father gave his daughter, and was captivated. He decided to cap-ture these moments of complicity, tenderness, and caring.

With the idea of drawing men further into the women’s emancipation movement, the theme of this year’s competition was: “Father and proud of my daughter”. We received 70 photos from 13 countries: Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Portugal and even Yemen.After much deliberation, our jury, composed of Marie-Paule Nègre, Reza, Pierre-Yves Gimenez, Sylvie Hugues, Frédérique Jouval, Caroline Laurent-Simon, Catalina Martin-Chico, Souad Belhaddad and Lizzie Sadin, selected 20 photos and gave awards to 3 of these. A fourth photo received a special honourable mention from the Mediterranean Women’s Fund team.

Photo competition

"FATHER AND PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER"BRAVO TO ALL OF THE 2013 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS AND PRIZE WINNERS!

1st prize ADEL MHADHEBI (Tunisia)

= 2496 €/year

208 €

12 months

= 1248 €/year

105 €

12 months

Director

Secretary

156 €

= 1248 €

RentRentRent

8 months

Egypt

6 months

800 €

= 4800 €

2 months

100 €

6 months

600 €

= 3600 €

Part-time coordination Assistant

Telephone chargesexpenses

France

Part-time program Coordinator

Project Coordinator

8 months

600 €

= 4800 €

300 €

= 300 € = 200 €1 month

Croatia

Full-time Assistance

120 €

12 months= 1440 €/year

Algeria

12 months

300 €

300 €

= 3600 €/year

= 1500 €5 months

Morocco

Part-time Assistance

Women’s associations cannot consider taking long-term actions if they are not strong enough. How can 5000 euros grant help an association to operate?

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

Belonging to the same cultural area, under the influence of three monotheistic religions, women from the Mediterranean region are subjected to a common form of patriarchy and despite living in apparently very different situations, share many similar aspects of their condition.Whether they come from the southern or the northern shores of the Mediterranean, women know that they must not only fight to obtain equality but also to strengthen their existing rights which have been obtained thanks to their tenacity and their struggles.

They act in a climate of general regression which is the effect of radical conservative movements in societies undergoing changes and they are experiencing many difficulties in finding the necessary funding for their actions at a local or regional level.This is why in 2008, women from North Africa and Southern Europe have taken the initiative to create a Mediterranean Women’s Fund whose aim is to help with improving women’s condition and to promote gender equality throughout all those countries in the Mediterranean region.

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORESInformation letter from the Mediterranean Women’s Fund

Address: apt 74, 47, place du Millénaire 34000 Montpellier – Francewww.medwomensfund.orgEmail: letter.info@medwomensfund.org Tel/fax: 0033 –(0)4 67 67 08 73

Free biannual newsletterEditor: Caroline Brac de la Perrière, Shaima JorioGraphic conception: MPBgraph Translation complimentary: Grace Delobel

N°9February 2014

WHY DO WE NEED A MEDITERRANEAN WOMEN’S FUND?

will be an occasion to launch a debate on the rela-tionship between women and the State in order to determine local needs and the support measures to undertake with other women’s groups while re-specting the feminist ethic and responsibility.

FRANCE

The collective, Feminists in Motion, gathering 45 associa-tions, celebrated their third Summer meeting entitled,

“Liberty, Equality, more determined than ever”. These meetings aim to multiply mobilizations and reaffirm the universal and feminist fundamentals of society. They also are an occasion for hundreds of feminists from all over France and overseas to come together, exchange experiences, and together plan future mobilizations.

STRENGTHEN WOMEN’S CAPACITIES

SYRIA

Soriyat For Development, an association founded in 2012 in Paris, works out of Syria. It coop-erates with local and interna-

tional NGOs and with members of civil society to consolidate the role of women in Syrian communities by promoting their participation in social, economic and cultural spheres.The project, “Women and hope under siege”, aims for the economic empowerment of women by establishing a non-violent work environment. The as-sociation also supports mothers who give birth in dis-mal conditions due to the state of siege, and encour-ages the participation of women and young people in the future reconstruction process of Syria.

MOROCCOTafoukte Association for the Development and Rehabili-tation of Women was estab-lished in 2008 in Al Haouz prov-

ince, situated in the south eastern part of the Mar-rakech-Tensift-Al Haouz region. It aims to defend women’s rights and to combat all forms of violence against women. The association works to promote equality through women’s education and citizenship. Their project, “Economic empowerment of wom-en to liberate their speech and give them tools to fight against discrimination”, aims to ensure women’s financial and economic autonomy, and consists of setting up an awareness raising program regarding legal, social, cultural, and economic vio-lence to help women become actors of development and change.

Asurif, created in 2011 in Tizi Ouzou, works to promote wom-en’s rights by creating an action framework for young people,

prioritizing women and particularly university stu-dents and graduates.Through its project, “Tamettut ger tlawin–a wom-an among women”, the association seeks on one hand to enable young women to identify and under-stand the main mechanisms of oppression so that they can take control of their lives, and on the other, to promote the financial independence of women and artisans in disadvantaged rural areas, and to integrate them into leadership and decision making processes.

PALESTINE

Women For Women’s Rights, created in 2004 in Bethlehem, aims to strengthen the economic, social, and cul-

tural rights of women by actively collaborating with local and international feminist organizations. It works to improve the place of Palestinian women, to reinforce their participation in society, to defend their rights and to improve their overall well-being.Their project, “Road of skills”, aims to help young Palestinian women to enter the workplace, improve team work, and develop the leadership and organi-sational skills needed for a solid professional career.

ISRAËLPALESTINE

K a y a n - F e m i n i s t Organization, created in 1999 in Haifa, works at the national level to strengthen the role of

Arab women in local decision making processes and promotes and defends their economic, social, and civil rights. Its project, “The bridges – strengthen-ing the Arab women’s movement in Israel”, of-fers a complete training to some thirty future female Arab leaders. During an intensive, one year training, Kayan seeks to teach participants about personal ef-fectiveness, community work for social change, laws and rights through the prism of gender, the question of power and politics, and animating and leading groups.

COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

FRANCE

Voix d’Elles Rebelles, is a feminist and mixed association created in 1995 in Saint Denis to combat violence against young

girls and women from immigrant groups. The associ-ation responds to the needs of women in the midst of family breakups who are facing violent situations and living in precarious economic and social conditions. The association seeks to be a place where women who have been maltreated can be heard and find support. It also offers support for all social administra-tive procedures, and can provide housing in emergencies. The association’s project, “Self-esteem and self-confidence: the best protection” aims to raise awareness of the help relationship, self-esteem and non-violent communication through talking groups.

CROATIA

Brod group for Women’s Human rights created in 1998, works to promote and protect the rights of women and chil-

dren. In order to extend its network of services for abused women and children, the association is imple-menting a project, “Advice and refuge for women and children victims of domestic violence”, which seeks to provide free legal aid and psychologi-cal support to women who have been victims of dis-crimination, unequal treatment based on gender, and domestic violence in the Brodsko-Posavska region.

EGYPTHarass Map was created in 2010 by young women to act against sexual harassment in public places in Cairo. The asso-

ciation first launched a mobile phone application that allows victims of sexual harassment to alert the au-thorities by sending them an SMS and to benefit from support and counselling.

Through its project, “Anti-harassment security zones”, the association is leading monthly aware-ness raising campaigns on sexual harassment and its impact on all of society, following a participatory ap-proach in which the citizens are involved.

RAISE AWARENESS

MOROCCOThe Ytto Foundation to lodge and rehabilitate abused women, was estab-lished in 2004 in Casablanca. It

works for the rights and citizenship of women, and conducts awareness raising programmes about vio-lence against women in Moroccan society. It undertakes actions against sex-based discrimina-tion, and works for the economic insertion of wom-en, notably in rural areas. Its project, “Caravans for citizenship and real socio-economic and legal equality”, ensures follow-up to social caravans, cam-paigns to record the civil status of women and chil-dren, and fights against the marriage of minors.

Feb. 2014

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

Newsletter of the Mediterranean shores - N° 9

* To view all of the projects, visit the information page on our site

DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER OF 2013, WE HAVE SUPPORTED THE INITIATIVES OF SOME DOZEN WOMEN’S GROUPS WORKING TO...

DEFEND AND ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS

MEDITERRANEAN

European Feminist Initiative, founded in 2004, is an open network that operates beyond political and geographic Euro-

pean borders. Its project, “Promotion of a joint agenda for equality between women and men in the Euro-Mediterranean region”, works with women’s networks in the southern Mediterranean to follow up the Barcelona Process through a coor-dination office in Jordan. It aims to develop spaces for dialogue and exchange on women’s rights, and on major problems such as violence against women.

MEET, REFLECT, AND ORGANIZE TOGETHER

FRANCE

Gender in Action (GeA), founded in 2003, is a network calling for gender inequality to be considered in development

programs. GeA aims for the transversal integration of a gender approach in development practices in the South and North. Through its network, the asso-

ciation provides resources and expertise in the field of “Gender and Development” in francophone countries. Their project, “International francophone meet-ings: feminist or not? New voices and new knowledge on gender, women’s rights, female/male relations, power relations, in the South and North” brought 150 people from 23 franco-phone countries together in Tanger (Morocco) to discuss the links between feminism(s), women’s rights, and the gender approach, and to examine the combination of gender with other identities, and notions of universalism, culturalism, and cultur-al relativism.

CROATIA

Centre for Civil Initiatives Porecč is an association creat-ed in 1997 in Porecč to protect the rights of human beings.

The Centre explores social questions in public and envisions the most suitable solutions. Its actions promote the development of a democratic political culture and encourage the active participation of cit-izens at the local, regional and national levels.Their project, “Feminist ethic of responsibility in different political contexts: example of Serbia and Croatia” aims to organize an event to reinforce the regional network of women’s organizations. It

LAUNCHED IN OC-TOBER IN FRANCE, the Feminist Training in Collective Intelli-gence (which we call FTCI) organized its first session, entitled, “Meet each other and get to re-know one-self”. Seventeen

young women (out of the 22 enrolled) between the ages of 19 and 35, mem-bers of 7 different or autonomous associations, coming from Montpellier, Lodève, Paris, Saint Denis, Lille, Nantes, and Toulouse met over five days in Lauret (Hérault).

ORGANIZED IN NOVEMBER a strate-gic reflection meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, gathering 25 repre-sentatives of 18

women’s associations (8 from elsewhere in the country). Two days were spent on exchanges, analyses, and the definition of a collective strategy to defend Croatian women’s rights threatened by tangible regression in the society.

AND FINALLY IN DECEMBER the FFIC in Algeria with the third session enti-tled, “Construct and create together”. Over 5 days, this session gathered in Alg-er 22 young women ages 18 to 35, autonomous or members of 7 different as-sociations from Alger, Annaba, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou, Bejaïa, Mostaghanem, and Skikda. In all, the FFIC in Algeria touched 31 young women. 10 were able to participate in three sessions, 13 in two sessions, and 8 in just one. The success of this train-ing was measurable at two levels: at the individual level, personal development and increased confidence were widely reported by participants in their final as-sessment; at the network level, the links established across countries between young women sharing the same vision of the changes that they wish to bring to their societies.

... AND

n And do not forget! If you wish to provide support, safe on line

donations are possible on our site!www.medwomensfund.org

ALGERIA

will be an occasion to launch a debate on the rela-tionship between women and the State in order to determine local needs and the support measures to undertake with other women’s groups while re-specting the feminist ethic and responsibility.

FRANCE

The collective, Feminists in Motion, gathering 45 associa-tions, celebrated their third Summer meeting entitled,

“Liberty, Equality, more determined than ever”. These meetings aim to multiply mobilizations and reaffirm the universal and feminist fundamentals of society. They also are an occasion for hundreds of feminists from all over France and overseas to come together, exchange experiences, and together plan future mobilizations.

STRENGTHEN WOMEN’S CAPACITIES

SYRIA

Soriyat For Development, an association founded in 2012 in Paris, works out of Syria. It coop-erates with local and interna-

tional NGOs and with members of civil society to consolidate the role of women in Syrian communities by promoting their participation in social, economic and cultural spheres.The project, “Women and hope under siege”, aims for the economic empowerment of women by establishing a non-violent work environment. The as-sociation also supports mothers who give birth in dis-mal conditions due to the state of siege, and encour-ages the participation of women and young people in the future reconstruction process of Syria.

MOROCCOTafoukte Association for the Development and Rehabili-tation of Women was estab-lished in 2008 in Al Haouz prov-

ince, situated in the south eastern part of the Mar-rakech-Tensift-Al Haouz region. It aims to defend women’s rights and to combat all forms of violence against women. The association works to promote equality through women’s education and citizenship. Their project, “Economic empowerment of wom-en to liberate their speech and give them tools to fight against discrimination”, aims to ensure women’s financial and economic autonomy, and consists of setting up an awareness raising program regarding legal, social, cultural, and economic vio-lence to help women become actors of development and change.

Asurif, created in 2011 in Tizi Ouzou, works to promote wom-en’s rights by creating an action framework for young people,

prioritizing women and particularly university stu-dents and graduates.Through its project, “Tamettut ger tlawin–a wom-an among women”, the association seeks on one hand to enable young women to identify and under-stand the main mechanisms of oppression so that they can take control of their lives, and on the other, to promote the financial independence of women and artisans in disadvantaged rural areas, and to integrate them into leadership and decision making processes.

PALESTINE

Women For Women’s Rights, created in 2004 in Bethlehem, aims to strengthen the economic, social, and cul-

tural rights of women by actively collaborating with local and international feminist organizations. It works to improve the place of Palestinian women, to reinforce their participation in society, to defend their rights and to improve their overall well-being.Their project, “Road of skills”, aims to help young Palestinian women to enter the workplace, improve team work, and develop the leadership and organi-sational skills needed for a solid professional career.

ISRAËLPALESTINE

K a y a n - F e m i n i s t Organization, created in 1999 in Haifa, works at the national level to strengthen the role of

Arab women in local decision making processes and promotes and defends their economic, social, and civil rights. Its project, “The bridges – strengthen-ing the Arab women’s movement in Israel”, of-fers a complete training to some thirty future female Arab leaders. During an intensive, one year training, Kayan seeks to teach participants about personal ef-fectiveness, community work for social change, laws and rights through the prism of gender, the question of power and politics, and animating and leading groups.

COMBAT VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

FRANCE

Voix d’Elles Rebelles, is a feminist and mixed association created in 1995 in Saint Denis to combat violence against young

girls and women from immigrant groups. The associ-ation responds to the needs of women in the midst of family breakups who are facing violent situations and living in precarious economic and social conditions. The association seeks to be a place where women who have been maltreated can be heard and find support. It also offers support for all social administra-tive procedures, and can provide housing in emergencies. The association’s project, “Self-esteem and self-confidence: the best protection” aims to raise awareness of the help relationship, self-esteem and non-violent communication through talking groups.

CROATIA

Brod group for Women’s Human rights created in 1998, works to promote and protect the rights of women and chil-

dren. In order to extend its network of services for abused women and children, the association is imple-menting a project, “Advice and refuge for women and children victims of domestic violence”, which seeks to provide free legal aid and psychologi-cal support to women who have been victims of dis-crimination, unequal treatment based on gender, and domestic violence in the Brodsko-Posavska region.

EGYPTHarass Map was created in 2010 by young women to act against sexual harassment in public places in Cairo. The asso-

ciation first launched a mobile phone application that allows victims of sexual harassment to alert the au-thorities by sending them an SMS and to benefit from support and counselling.

Through its project, “Anti-harassment security zones”, the association is leading monthly aware-ness raising campaigns on sexual harassment and its impact on all of society, following a participatory ap-proach in which the citizens are involved.

RAISE AWARENESS

MOROCCOThe Ytto Foundation to lodge and rehabilitate abused women, was estab-lished in 2004 in Casablanca. It

works for the rights and citizenship of women, and conducts awareness raising programmes about vio-lence against women in Moroccan society. It undertakes actions against sex-based discrimina-tion, and works for the economic insertion of wom-en, notably in rural areas. Its project, “Caravans for citizenship and real socio-economic and legal equality”, ensures follow-up to social caravans, cam-paigns to record the civil status of women and chil-dren, and fights against the marriage of minors.

Feb. 2014

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

Newsletter of the Mediterranean shores - N° 9

* To view all of the projects, visit the information page on our site

DURING THE SECOND SEMESTER OF 2013, WE HAVE SUPPORTED THE INITIATIVES OF SOME DOZEN WOMEN’S GROUPS WORKING TO...

DEFEND AND ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS

MEDITERRANEAN

European Feminist Initiative, founded in 2004, is an open network that operates beyond political and geographic Euro-

pean borders. Its project, “Promotion of a joint agenda for equality between women and men in the Euro-Mediterranean region”, works with women’s networks in the southern Mediterranean to follow up the Barcelona Process through a coor-dination office in Jordan. It aims to develop spaces for dialogue and exchange on women’s rights, and on major problems such as violence against women.

MEET, REFLECT, AND ORGANIZE TOGETHER

FRANCE

Gender in Action (GeA), founded in 2003, is a network calling for gender inequality to be considered in development

programs. GeA aims for the transversal integration of a gender approach in development practices in the South and North. Through its network, the asso-

ciation provides resources and expertise in the field of “Gender and Development” in francophone countries. Their project, “International francophone meet-ings: feminist or not? New voices and new knowledge on gender, women’s rights, female/male relations, power relations, in the South and North” brought 150 people from 23 franco-phone countries together in Tanger (Morocco) to discuss the links between feminism(s), women’s rights, and the gender approach, and to examine the combination of gender with other identities, and notions of universalism, culturalism, and cultur-al relativism.

CROATIA

Centre for Civil Initiatives Porecč is an association creat-ed in 1997 in Porecč to protect the rights of human beings.

The Centre explores social questions in public and envisions the most suitable solutions. Its actions promote the development of a democratic political culture and encourage the active participation of cit-izens at the local, regional and national levels.Their project, “Feminist ethic of responsibility in different political contexts: example of Serbia and Croatia” aims to organize an event to reinforce the regional network of women’s organizations. It

LAUNCHED IN OC-TOBER IN FRANCE, the Feminist Training in Collective Intelli-gence (which we call FTCI) organized its first session, entitled, “Meet each other and get to re-know one-self”. Seventeen

young women (out of the 22 enrolled) between the ages of 19 and 35, mem-bers of 7 different or autonomous associations, coming from Montpellier, Lodève, Paris, Saint Denis, Lille, Nantes, and Toulouse met over five days in Lauret (Hérault).

ORGANIZED IN NOVEMBER a strate-gic reflection meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, gathering 25 repre-sentatives of 18

women’s associations (8 from elsewhere in the country). Two days were spent on exchanges, analyses, and the definition of a collective strategy to defend Croatian women’s rights threatened by tangible regression in the society.

AND FINALLY IN DECEMBER the FFIC in Algeria with the third session enti-tled, “Construct and create together”. Over 5 days, this session gathered in Alg-er 22 young women ages 18 to 35, autonomous or members of 7 different as-sociations from Alger, Annaba, Constantine, Tizi Ouzou, Bejaïa, Mostaghanem, and Skikda. In all, the FFIC in Algeria touched 31 young women. 10 were able to participate in three sessions, 13 in two sessions, and 8 in just one. The success of this train-ing was measurable at two levels: at the individual level, personal development and increased confidence were widely reported by participants in their final as-sessment; at the network level, the links established across countries between young women sharing the same vision of the changes that they wish to bring to their societies.

... AND

n And do not forget! If you wish to provide support, safe on line

donations are possible on our site!www.medwomensfund.org

ALGERIA

In the new Tunisian constitution, dated 27 January 2014, Article 20 proclaims, “The citizens of Tunisia, male and female, have equal rights and responsibilities. They are equal before the law with no discrimination.” Not stopping there, Tunisia goes to the head of the class of Mediterranean countries with the particularly innovative Article 45, which stipulates, “The State is committed to protect-ing established women’s rights and to rein-forcing and extending these rights. The State guarantees equality of opportunity for wom-en and men with regard to access to all re-sponsibilities and in all fields. The State strives to establish parity between women and men in elected assemblies. The State will take the necessary measures to eliminate vi-olence against women.”

If one also considers Article 34 on repre-sentativeness and Article 40 on work, Tuni-sian women are well set to walk with their heads held high... on paper?

This is the question that comes to the minds of the women citizens in numerous countries in the region where the Constitu-tion, the supreme law of the land, stipulates equality between women and men. What good are these lovely constitutions if discrim-ination occurs on a massive and daily basis? The situation of women sometimes is so dif-ficult that some women no longer see what a law can do for them and doubt that there is any point in working to reform them.

This would be the case of women who have

not experienced studying, working, going out onto the street, having heterosexual relation-ships, giving birth or being forced to end a pregnancy, marrying, living with a violent man, separating from a husband, and many other moments of a woman’s life that can be,

depending on the time and place, full of in-justice and unbearable oppression.

However, thanks to tenacious mobilisation, for each of these moments, laws have been passed which help to improve, little by little, the status of women and the way they are viewed.

Because even if the application of laws fa-vourable to women remains a pious wish, their sheer existence means that at least part of the society recognizes the injustice done to them.

Caroline Sakina Brac de la Perrière

n RAPE IS A WEAPON OF WAR USED BY THE SYRIAN REGIME and armed bands to attack the enemy by tear-ing apart social cohesion, with rape victims the first to be destroyed. A report by the Eu-ro-Mediterranean human rights network confirms the magnitude of these war crimes that, if their planning can be proved, could qualify as crimes against humanity. For the 6000 cases reported in 2013, thousands of others shall never come to light as the wom-en involved keep silent when they have not been assassinated by their torturers, killed by their own families to revenge their hon-our, or have not committed suicide.

n FOLLOWING THE EIGHTH SES-SION OF THE UN GENERAL AS-

N°9Feb. 2014

SHO

RT a

nd le

ss s

hort

new

s

N°

09

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

SEMBLY OPEN WORKING GROUP (OWG) ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS),. a feminist strategy meeting was held in Tarrytown, near New York City, bringing together 60 representatives of women’s organizations to safe-guard a feminist perspective in the post-2015 pro-cess. The Feminist Declaration for Post 2015 calls for a de-velopment model that will work for women and girls of all ages and identities, in conformity with interna-tional human rights obligations. It was signed by over one hundred women’s organizations, including the MWF.

n THE EUROPEAN CHAPTER OF THE INTER-NATIONAL NETWORK OF WOMEN’S FUNDS INWF met in Barcelona in October 2013 to refine its strategic plan and the assessment methods of 10 Eu-

POST

ropean members, including the MWF, which sup-ports women’s associations in 9 European countries.

n THE 58TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN will take place at the United Nations headquarters in New York from 10-21 March 2014. It will focus on “The challenges and achievements in the implementation of the Mil-lennium Development Goals for women and girls”.

n THE MAJORITY OF MIGRANTS in Europe and America ARE WOMEN. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the percentage of women among internation-al migrants in 2013 was highest in Europe and Latin and Central America (52% in each), followed by North America (51%) n

Only on paper?

The photographer chose to recount the story of two well known public figures in Tunisia, father and daughter in their pri-vate life. She is Lina Ben Mhenni! A freedom activist, she was nominated once again this year for the Nobel Peace Prize. Her father, Sadok Ben Mhenni (a prominent personality in Tunisia), discretely attends each rally and event at his daugh-ter’s side. Adel Mhadhebi noticed the tremendously proud look the father gave his daughter, and was captivated. He decided to cap-ture these moments of complicity, tenderness, and caring.

With the idea of drawing men further into the women’s emancipation movement, the theme of this year’s competition was: “Father and proud of my daughter”. We received 70 photos from 13 countries: Algeria, Croatia, Egypt, Spain, France, Italy, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, Tunisia, Palestine, Portugal and even Yemen.After much deliberation, our jury, composed of Marie-Paule Nègre, Reza, Pierre-Yves Gimenez, Sylvie Hugues, Frédérique Jouval, Caroline Laurent-Simon, Catalina Martin-Chico, Souad Belhaddad and Lizzie Sadin, selected 20 photos and gave awards to 3 of these. A fourth photo received a special honourable mention from the Mediterranean Women’s Fund team.

Photo competition

"FATHER AND PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER"BRAVO TO ALL OF THE 2013 PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS AND PRIZE WINNERS!

1st prize ADEL MHADHEBI (Tunisia)

= 2496 €/year

208 €

12 months

= 1248 €/year

105 €

12 months

Director

Secretary

156 €

= 1248 €

RentRentRent

8 months

Egypt

6 months

800 €

= 4800 €

2 months

100 €

6 months

600 €

= 3600 €

Part-time coordination Assistant

Telephone chargesexpenses

France

Part-time program Coordinator

Project Coordinator

8 months

600 €

= 4800 €

300 €

= 300 € = 200 €1 month

Croatia

Full-time Assistance

120 €

12 months= 1440 €/year

Algeria

12 months

300 €

300 €

= 3600 €/year

= 1500 €5 months

Morocco

Part-time Assistance

Women’s associations cannot consider taking long-term actions if they are not strong enough. How can 5000 euros grant help an association to operate?

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORES

Belonging to the same cultural area, under the influence of three monotheistic religions, women from the Mediterranean region are subjected to a common form of patriarchy and despite living in apparently very different situations, share many similar aspects of their condition.Whether they come from the southern or the northern shores of the Mediterranean, women know that they must not only fight to obtain equality but also to strengthen their existing rights which have been obtained thanks to their tenacity and their struggles.

They act in a climate of general regression which is the effect of radical conservative movements in societies undergoing changes and they are experiencing many difficulties in finding the necessary funding for their actions at a local or regional level.This is why in 2008, women from North Africa and Southern Europe have taken the initiative to create a Mediterranean Women’s Fund whose aim is to help with improving women’s condition and to promote gender equality throughout all those countries in the Mediterranean region.

NEWSLETTER FROM THE MEDITERRANEAN SHORESInformation letter from the Mediterranean Women’s Fund

Address: apt 74, 47, place du Millénaire 34000 Montpellier – Francewww.medwomensfund.orgEmail: letter.info@medwomensfund.org Tel/fax: 0033 –(0)4 67 67 08 73

Free biannual newsletterEditor: Caroline Brac de la Perrière, Shaima JorioGraphic conception: MPBgraph Translation complimentary: Grace Delobel

N°9February 2014

WHY DO WE NEED A MEDITERRANEAN WOMEN’S FUND?

N°9Fonds pour les Femmes en Méditerranée

Concours photo

PHOTO COMPETITION

2nd prize ANAMARIJA MATANOVIC (Croatia, Slavonski Brod)

3rd prize ZENAB OUDAH (Palestine, Gaza)

The photograph shows Anamarija with her father Rudi in the work-shop that they share. Rudi com-ments, “We work side by side, but I can truly say that everything that my daughter accomplishes is the result of her own person-al choices”

The photograph shows the art-ist Mohammed Sahwil, a 66 year old Palestinian refugee, encourag-ing his daughter Rafidah, 25 years old, in her artwork. The father en-couraged his daughter to study art at the University of Aqsa in Gaza. She furthermore participated in

developing a large number of wall paintings and took part in numer-ous expositions. “I am very happy that my family supports me, and particularly my father, who played an important role in my career as an artist,” said Rafidha

Lastly, special mention for the photo taken by YANN RENOULT (France /Palestine), “The young girl and the sea”. The accompa-nying text touched us deeply as it well reflects the spirit of the com-petition. “When her father’s in-juries stopped him from continu-ing on as a fisherman, Madeline, despite her youth, did not hesi-tate: she took over her father’s work. The only woman in a man’s

world, she had to work harder than everyone else to gain the re-spect of her peers. While he had doubts in the beginning as to whether she would succeed, her father is now proud of her. He does not hesitate to protect her and submit to arrest and pressure from Hamas, which takes a poor view of a woman working in this environment.”

Thanks to Micheline Decroix for having carefully collected and organized all of the photographs in the competition.

“FATHER AND PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER”

“She has her own world, but I have learned so much from her world“

You may now go to our photo gallery to view the complete selection of the jury and the 20 photos