On June 15th, JASS Southeast Asia launched a new movement-building institute in Bogor. Chosen from 22 provinces in Indonesia, 25 mostly young women analyzed power from the personal to the national, tracked the history of women’s organizing, and framed an agenda for making change. Joined by young leaders from previous JASS processes, they met with eight older, established feminists to discuss multigenerational movement-building – and to put it into practice at the same time.
Women Redefining Democracy
The
Nobel Women’s Initiative, in partnership with JASS and the
Rigoberta Menchú Tum Foundation, hosted “Women Redefining
Democracy for Peace, Justice and Equality,” May 10-12, 2009, in
Antigua, Guatemala. Women from around the world examined the challenges of democratization and reshaping democracy. Reporting on the conference is available on the JASS blog, JASS Facebook, the NWI blog, and
Open Democracy.
Sea-Change Feminist Leadership School
JASS Mesoamerica, with the Petateras, IFUN, CEASPA and Alas de Mariposa, will hold the first Mar de Cambios/Sea-Change School in Panama City, July 5-10, with diploma accreditation from the University of Panama. Here, 45 women will analyze power in the current context and in women’s movements, to understand and mitigate backlash in these violent times, as well as conflict among activists. With a deepened understanding of feminism as the main purpose, the group will debate ageism, and build a wall mural of feminist ancestors as they trace a history of resistance.
Movement Building in Malawi
February
'09 - The JASS team held movement building workshops in three regions
of Malawi. Each workshop convened 20 grassroots activists living with
and working on HIV/AIDS to share experiences, support each other,
discuss and dramatize power dynamics and strengthen their organizing
strategies. "...Almost
every woman who attends the workshops talks about the disruption of her
life by HIV and AIDS but they also share stories of rebellion (crossing
the line) and coming to terms with defying the cultural norms..."
reflects Hope Chigudu (JASS team). Read
more.
Who’s new at JASS Southern Africa?
Martha Tholanah, JASS Southern Africa
Regional Coordinator. An advocate for universal access to holistic
healthcare and for women's reproductive health and rights, Martha
participates actively in national, regional, and international advocacy
and activism around the rights of those living with HIV, particularly
women and children. Having lived positively with HIV since January
2003, Martha has been public about her status since 2004. Read her bio and her commentary on the JASS Southern Africa strategy meeting.
Who’s new at JASS Cross-Regional?
Charlotta “Lottie” Beavers, Communications & Outreach Associate, brings more than 15 years of information and alternative media expertise to JASS. Already known to the Southern Africans as uLottie, Charlotta holds a BA in Comparative Literature and Africana, Latin American and Caribbean Studies; is studying for a Masters degree at St. John’s College Graduate Institute in Annapolis, Maryland; and wears numerous other hats as an activist, photographer, writer, handywoman and really good cook. Read her bio.
JASS Knowledge
Just Associates
2040 S Street NW 3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20009
Tel: +1 202.232.1211
info@justassociates.org
