Introduction

In the year 2004, further 11 countries ratified unconditionally the optional protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. But although up to now 70 countries have ratified the convention again this year violence against women was an omnipresent subject on the global and local agendas. According to a study of the World Health Organization, WHO is violence the most frequent cause of death of women aged between 16 and 44. Domestic violence, killings in the name of "honour" or "jealousy", forced marriage; circumcision, economic and mental violence, sexual torture and rape as a war weapon were subjects that we were confronted with day by day. Together with many engaged women organisations and women at the grassroots the International Free Women's Foundation (IFWF) has been striving to create successful ways and means for the prevention of violence.

With projects in the field of EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT the IFWF on one hand intended to raise and sharpen consciousness over forms and causes of violence. On the other hand it has been an objective enable women to recognise their strengths and to develop self-conscious attitudes towards their lives and actions. Stating that violence is not a woman's destiny, the IFWF organised an empowerment-training programme for women and discussion forums with Kurdish families in the Netherlands. In order to guarantee the continuity and expansion of our activities, however the IFWF urgently requires more space and facilities. Therefore the IFWF this year made the first steps building on the establishment of a 'Border-Crossing Education and Meeting Centre for Women'. An information and fundraising campaign that we carried out through the year met with large interest.
Many women and women organisations made the urgent need and meaning of such a project obvious by their contributions and active support. As IFWF, we will strive to respond to the expectations by with the opening of the 'Border-Crossing Education and Meeting Centre for Women' in the coming year.

In the past year another important field of our activities was to strengthen the INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE & WOMEN'S RIGHTS. By organising seminars, meetings and panels at the European Social Forum or at the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women the IFWF aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the similarities and differences of violence against women in different parts of the world. Hereby a basis for the improvement of solidarity networks and existing initiatives could be reached. The solidarity campaign for Makbule Kaymaz, the continuing cooperation with the Women Centre in the refugee camp Maxmur and starting dialogues with other, newly established women's associations in Iraq were attempts to express our solidarity with women and children suffering from war and violence in concrete ways.

In the year 2004 also in institutional regard the IFWF "kept moving": On 1 September 2004, the IFWF transferred its main office from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. The relocation had become necessary due to structural changes in the Wibauthuis in Amsterdam, where the IFWF had been consolidated since its foundation. Further, under the name "International Women Initiative e. V." a sister organisation of the IFWF established itself in Germany. Hereby, the IFWF will have the possibility to expand its activities in the following year also in other European countries. 

Reviewing the year 2004 we would like to express our gratitude to at all individuals and organisations that enabled the work of the IFWF through their voluntary engagement, their immaterial and/or material support. Especially we would like to thank namely the following institutions for contributing by their project funding:

- Foundation SkAN-Fonds from Hilversum / The Netherlands 
- Foundation Dialoog from Zwolle / The Netherlands
- National Commission for Cooperation und Sustainable Development NCDO from Den Hague / The Netherlands
- Kurdish Students' Union in The Netherlands 
- Kurdish Students' Union in Germany
- Society for Threatened Peoples from Bern / Switzerland

International Free Women's Foundation
Board Committee

Rotterdam, February 2004

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT 

1. Campaigning for a 'Border-Crossing Education and Meeting Centre for Women' 
2. Domestic violence is not a woman' s destiny – Notes from a Women's Empowerment Training Programme
3. "What happens at home?" discussing domestic violence with Kurdish families in the Netherlands


II. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE & WOMEN'S RIGHTS

1. "Women's Longing For Another World…" – Participation to the 3rd European Social Forum in London
2. Cooperation with the Women's Centre in the Kurdish Refugee Camp Maxmur and Women NGOs in Iraq 
3. Solidarity Campaign for Makbule Kaymaz
4. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women


III. PARTICIPATION TO CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & MEETINGS

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I. EDUCATION & EMPOWERMENT 

1. Campaigning for a 'Border-Crossing Education and Meeting Centre for Women' 

Contributing to women's empowerment and advancement, revealing women's creativity and abilities has been a main approach in developing our activities and projects. Since the establishment thought its operating experience the IFWF has been able to conceive women's basic needs, requests and desires. Achieving positive and inspiring results in our work, we started to look for ways and means to ensure continuity and improvement in meeting women's requests. Against this background the need for independent women spaces became obvious. Defining the characteristics of the required space within a discussion process including women from various backgrounds we decided to call it a 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN'.

The aim of this project is to contribute to an intensive exchange and close co-operation of women, teenagers and children from different national, cultural and social backgrounds. The 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' is meant to become a space created by the labour, ideas, skills and contributions of all interested women to meet the needs and requirements of women. Every woman is asked to participate with her own language, culture and social background and to play an active part in realising this project, in the discussions and decision processes. Solidarity, common life and learning form each other will gain a concrete expression. By providing different programmes of further education, workshops and training courses we aim at women's empowerment. 

Our Goals of establishing a 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' are:
– to unveil women's creative power and energy, that has been unrecognised or oppressed
– to stimulate women's engagement for a social, cultural and ecological development
– to overcome any form of discrimination and violence against women by women's empowerment 
– to promote women's economic independence
– to encourage multicultural exchange and cooperation among women
– to give women and children from different backgrounds the opportunity to recover from the influence of depressive and suffocative surroundings in big city on their lives within a natural surrounding.

These goals should be achieved by:
– offering further education programmes that meet with the needs of the different living realities of women
– providing language courses and seminars in the fields of health care, social science, women's history, psychology, theatre, music, arts and communication, we target on developing women's social, cultural, intellectual, scientific and technically skills
– providing legal support for women and children
– organising conferences and symposiums 
– strengthening interdisciplinary and international networks and co-operation between women's institutions and NGOs 
– providing infrastructures for the activities of civil initiatives and the self-organisation of women.

With these approaches we aim to cross the boarders that divide and narrow women's lives down. We want to create spaces for sharing experiences with women from different nationalities. This will support women also in finding solutions for their problems and new perspectives for their lives. While we strive for an empowerment of women we aim at materialising equality, democracy and justice within all relationships within the families as well as in societies. Therefore the organisational structure of the 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' will be build on the essentials of democratic participation and decision Processes. At the same time the centre will offer support to women and girls that have faced discrimination, violence and injustice. 

For giving mothers and single mothers the opportunity to participate to the activities of the centre special attention will be paid on providing childcare, children's programmes and facilities. Hereby we aim at supporting the children's free and many-sided development and to overcome approaches that lead to stereotyping gender role models. 

For realizing this project the IFWF has worked out a concept and a graduated scheme. Beyond our existing network all women have been invited to participate in the realisation and development of the 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' according to their means and skills - in material or immaterial ways. 
"For Realising our Dreams Women Need Spaces!" has been the headline of a call published in September 2003 by the IFWF introducing the project for the establishment of a 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN'. As we stated in our call "the 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' shall not only belong to the International Free Women's Foundation but to all women, who wish to take part in the social development of democratic and ecological concepts of live. Let's build our 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' by our own means and efforts!" The call was translated from Dutch into Kurdish, Turkish, German, French and English and spread to a broad public.
In January 2004 the IFWF also produced an introduction video to the project. It was shown to a broad audience at a number of discussion platforms, panels, seminars and cultural events in different European cities throughout the year 2004. Inspired by the audio-visual display a great number of women ensured their contributions, new ideas and proposals for the development and the support of the project. The responses we met with were very positive and encouraging. A number of different women, women's initiatives and associations expressed their intention to get involved in the project. It was stated that the conceptual design of 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' would also strengthen the works of women's empowerment and multicultural cooperation on local level. Further women groups in different cities decided to organise international solidarity days and concerts. While the initiative for the organisation of the solidarity events was taken by the grassroots, the IFWF ensured the coordination and support of the local initiatives. As a result the month May in 2004 was marked by the solidarity campaign for the 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' in many European Countries.

IFWF members participated as guest speaker to the following solidarity events:
- On 9 May 2004 a solidarity concert was organised by the German-Kurdish women's initiative Pistgiriya Jinan in Bremen/Germany
- On 16 May 2004 a cultural solidarity event was organised by the Mesopotamian Women's Association in Hamburg/Germany
- On 22 May 2005 a solidarity day was organised within the framework of the 1. Kurdish Women's Festival starting on 15 May 2004 in the British capital London 
- On 22 May 2005 also a solidarity concert was organised by a Kurdish women's initiative in the French capital Paris
- On 23 May 2004 a solidarity day was conjointly organised in the German city Frankfurt by the Women's Centre Süveyda (Offenbach) and the Women's Centre Roza (Darmstadt)
- On 23 May 2004 another solidarity concert was organised by the women's association DEST-DAN in the German capital Berlin 
- On 28 May 2004 the Kurdish Women's Foundation Helin organised a solidarity concert in the Dutch capital Den Haag

Once again the IFWF expresses her gratitude to the enthusiastic interest and support that has been experienced in organising such a powerful solidarity campaign within a preparation time of only 6 month. The benefit of the solidarity events and further donations that have been received on a special donation account for the establishment of 'BORDER-CROSSING EDUCATION AND MEETING CENTRE FOR WOMEN' have created the basic module of the centre. The efforts of the IFWF will continue to realise its opening in 2005. 

I. 2. Domestic violence is not a woman' s destiny – Notes from a Women's Empowerment Training Programme

In the period between 30 July and 8 August 2004 the IFWF organised a 10 days an empowerment training program in support of migrant women being exposed to domestic violence and their children. The project was carried out at the groups' accommodation "Mooi Oavelt" in the village Havelte in the Dutch province Drenthe. A successful realization of the project was made possible by the financial contributes of the Stichting Dialoog/Amsterdam and SkaN Fonds/Hilversum as well as the voluntary support of individuals and women' s associations of the Kurdish community to the project. 
The participants to the training programme had been chosen among interested women that addressed the IFWF and different Kurdish women's associations in Arnhem, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den Haag with requests for personal support. During the preparation phase of the project voluntaries and board members of the IFWF contacted the interested women and clarified in personal dialogues the needs and expectations of the participants. Along with the evaluation of the personal conversations the final program was established. The programmatic focus was composed of workshops on the development of women's self-confidence, social and cultural skills. A second part of the program aimed especially on the improvement of the mother-child relationships. All seminars were prepared and lead by experts and professionals in cooperation with IFWF voluntaries. In total 35 women and 43 children participated to the 10 days empowerment-training program.

By raising the issue of domestic violence and isolation of migrant women in the Netherlands, our main goal has been to create a situation where migrant women are not a passive object to the discussion, but a subjective gaining the strength and ability to protect themselves from violence. In order to realize a personal development leading to women's empowerment, it was crucial to create a space in which each woman can refer to her personal life story. During the progress of the training program the following could be noticed: As a woman has been able to review and analyse her life and key events she has gone through, it became much easier for her to understand her present situation and to develop perspectives for a change. By naming concrete examples and realizing the impact of certain experiences on the psychological constitution as well as on the children and the relationships within the family women could also find starting points for concrete challenges. It was important to expose clearly the harm caused by domestic violence on women as well as on the families and the families' lives. In this context it was stressed that violence against women is not a "women's destiny", but that it is a result of male-dominated mentality and structures, that need to be changed for achieving equal relationships within the families and the society. 
In the beginning the women had difficulties in sharing their own personal experiences with other women, but after a short time the participants gained confidence in the group. Noticing similarities in experiences and problems they have been exposed to communication and relations among the participants became more and more intensive. They started to develop interest for each other and endeavoured to support each other in finding solutions to their problems. Especially women sharing their positive experiences they made in overcoming problems and crises gave an important impact to the discussions.

Workshop on pedagogic: During these sessions it has been dealt with the relationship between the mother and her children as well as with the childcare, children's education and development. Hereby attention was paid to overcome existing prejudices in the approaches towards Dutch families and families from different cultural backgrounds. During the workshop the participants realised many similarities in respect to their situation within the family. As a result they noticed that suppression and a deficiency in knowledge are main factors for prejudices coming into existence. It was pointed out that under the pretext of "protecting" the child, children often are isolated from their social surrounding. This circumstance causes even more problems in the development, the social participation and the future of the child. Further they recognized that domestic violence is a reason for difficulties of their children's development, either resulting in strong aggressive behaviours or in an introverted personality of the child. 

Basic methods and rules for a pedagogic child education that were dealt with in the 6 sessions of the workshop were:

1. To pay attention and commend
2. To forbid and do not react
3. Rules and limitation
4. To prevent punishments
5. Rules of punishment
6. Joy at bringing up a child

After the program a certificate was handed over to each of the participants.

Workshop on women's history: Within this workshop it was dealt with the main development directions of women's identity and gender relationships. Hereby it was aimed at developing an understanding of social changes and women's role in society in order to point out that women's present situation is not unchangeable. In this respect examples from different countries were given naming achievements of women's movements in gaining women's rights and emancipation. Providing knowledge and raising conscious on the struggle for women's rights throughout the history also stimulated the discussion on finding new ways for putting women's rights and emancipation into practice nowadays. 

Workshop on women's rights: This workshop was designed to provide information on the universal validity and the board range of women's rights as adopted in the UN Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Being aware of women rights being an essential of universal human rights also contributes to undertake combined efforts for its implementation. At the same time the work of different NGOs and institutions such women rights projects and counselling offices was introduced to give women an idea where they can find support in cases of right abuses. In a second session Mariana Mozdar, a representative of the WGNRR coordination office in Amsterdam, held a lecture on the present activities and campaigns for women's reproductive and sexual rights that are lead by the global women's network. 

Workshop on natural health care: Many diseases and disorders like pains, migraine or allergic reactions are related to a way of life that disrespects the natural needs of women's bodies and minds. In this workshop women have been informed on natural healing methods that can improve their well-feeling and can relief them from a number of disorders. Especially the importance of healthy feeding and sport activities for the health of body and soul was stressed. The participants learnt basic rules for the choice and preparation of healthy meals, curative herbs and teas. 

Workshop on women's psychology: This workshop had prepared as the last issue of the empowerment-training program. Supported by a women psychologist and supervisor the participants had the opportunity to point out their personal situation and experienced problems. At the same time the participants referred to conclusions they drew from the other workshops. The discussion was developed to give each woman concrete advice for making a practical step towards solving her problems within challenges of her daily life surrounding and family structures.

Sportive and creative activities: Many women possess skills, abilities and strength that they are not aware of. By offering separate courses on self-defence and creative arts another aim of the empowerment training was to give women the opportunity to recognize their abilities in different fields. The self-defence course found great interest, as women became to know the strength of their own bodies and how to protect themselves with easy, but effective methods. Another way of self-expression and developing creative skills the participants experienced during the evening courses on creative arts and painting, which were guided by the painter Songül Kurt. Another forum for discussion was opened in the evening by watching films dealing with the social situation and life experiences of women. 

In parallel to the program for the adults childcare and a separate children's program were organised. During the time of the workshops the children could choose between different activities such as sport and games, folkdances, role play, swimming, drawing and handicrafts. 

The completion of new knowledge with new practical tasks, the connection of theory and praxis opened the floor for different forms of interaction whereas women could experience themselves as an individual and not as a "victim of circumstances". In personal dialogues IFWF board members and voluntaries tried to support and accompany each woman according to her needs. The results of the questionnaires that were filled in by the participants at the end of the training program showed an important advancement of the women's attitudes towards their own lives. Most of the participants agreed on the point of view "The violence I have experienced is not a destiny that I have to accept. I have the will to go for a change." 90% of the participants asked for regular activities in the field of women's empowerment and conscious building throughout the year. 
For the sustainability of the empowerment process IFWF has planned to offer follow up meetings and activities for the participants. Contact and activities will be maintained via the facilities of the IFWF office in Rotterdam as well as through the network of regional women associations and professionals that were involved in the preparation of the project. Further a brochure on the issues of domestic violence, protection of women and children's rights including contact addresses of different women support lines and institutions was handed over to the participants. 

Sequences of the empowerment training were filmed by a women's camera team that prepared a 15 minutes documentary on the progress of the program including interviews with the participants. On 9 August 2004 a Kurdish television channel broadcasted the documentary in Kurdish and Turkish language. As further women will be informed about opportunities to find a way out of the destructive circle of domestic violence and isolation by the means of a brochure a possible multiplication effect on awareness raising on the still tabooed issue of domestic violence in Kurdish and Turkish migrant communities is expected.

I. 3. "What happens at home?" discussing domestic violence with Kurdish families in the Netherlands

Family and private life are main subjects of our talks and discussions. However, in the least cases the picture of the happy family matches with the reality of our daily lives. According to statistics in one of every three families domestic violence is used. Domestic violence signifies oppression against women and against children.

How do we perceive violence? What do we understand as violence? What are the causes and consequences of violence in the family life? Behind figures and statistics concrete events and affected persons often remain concealed in the darkness. Violence has different forms: from verbal violence like terms of abuse, psychological violence like threatening and the use of economic, legal or emotional dependence up to physical power.

Although domestic violence is widespread, only a few find the courage to talk about this subject. Since violence creates fear, charm and feelings of guilt. Again the fear of violence prevents many from seeking for help. Being ashamed in front of the Dutch neighbour and a social surrounding which condemns anyhow foreign families due to stereotypes as "violent" and "not progressive", although domestic violence still remains a serious problem also in Dutch families. There are many reasons for keeping quiet about the experienced violence: The feeling of being guilty for the husband's outburst of rage or "having provoked" the parents by own behaviour. At last the image of the family should not get in a bad light. The list of pretexts, which makes domestic violence unpronounceable in the Kurdish families in the Netherlands, could be continued even further. However, we know that the silence does not contribute to a solution of the problem. We want to change this.

Therefore, we ask: How can we counteract against domestic violence? How can we form family relations where we feel responsible for each other, but to all family member's rights on self-realization and participation to decisions are recognized? How can mutual understanding and respect be developed?

In order to discuss the subject of domestic violence in the Kurdish community in the Netherlands and to find ways for their overcoming, the International Free Women's Foundation IFWF cooperated with the Federation of Kurdish Associations in the Netherlands Fedkom on the realisation of a long-term project, which is supported by the Dutch ministry SZW/DCE. After a preparation period followed by one-to-one dialogues with women, men and children from Kurdish community a common forum has been created by the IFWF, Kurdish associations and women's organisations. As a result on 19 December 2004 a discussion forum under the headline "What happens at home?" was organised in Amsterdam. On behalf the IFWF the social service professional Ayten Adlim shared her experiences with the support of victims of domestic violence. She stressed the importance to lift the stigmatisation of the victims. Gülseren Demir, a representative from the Human Rights Association IHD and the Women's Association VAKAD in Van/Turkey reported on the difficulties and the progresses that have been made in challenging domestic violence and feudal family structures in the Kurdish region. It was stated that a closer exchange between the Kurds in their homeland and Kurdish migrants in Europe could contribute mutually the emancipation process of Kurdish women. 

Moderated by Aliye Pekedis from the Kurdish Women's Foundation Helin the discussion forum was followed with great interest by families from the Kurdish community in North Holland. The implemented interactive methods ensured an open discussion atmosphere in which personal experiences were articulated. It was remarkable that women played the most active part in the discussion, while men remained mainly in the position of listeners. The discussion forum was a first but important step to raise the issue of domestic violence and to promote support for victims within the community. The joint project will be continued in 2005.

II. INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION & SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE & WOMEN'S RIGHTS

1. "Women's Longing For Another World…" – Participation to the 3rd European Social Forum in London

For three years the IFWF has taken part actively in the discussion processes and mobilizations of the Social Forum. The process, which began with the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre in 2000 under the slogan "another world is possible!", met during the following years with an amazing response at global level. 

In the meantime hundred thousands of people on all continents have got involved in local and regional initiatives of the Social Forums. A huge number of NGOs, trade unions, environment initiatives peace and civil movements, women's and youth organizations as well as individuals gather to discuss their demands and alternatives to the neoliberal order and develop new action forms.
Since our participation at the 1st European Social Forum (ESF) in Florence in 2002 the IFWF pursues the intention to introduce her perceptions in the ESF process. In particular it is our concern to strengthen women's organizing and women's positions within the process. Since women's requirements and perspectives for the establishment of a human society are still perceived insufficiently. In this sense the First Women's Day, which took place in the run-up to the second ESF in Paris, was an important step for the manifestation of international solidarity among women. 

This meeting at which more than 3,000 women from Europe, Africa, America, Asia and the Middle East came together symbolized the actuality and diversity of the women's struggle and movements. Women from different countries declaimed openly the different contradictions they are confronted with at political, social, economic and cultural level. The participants' contributions and suggestions for solutions and in particular the approach to understand every problem as the own made the experience and strength of women's solidarity perceptible.

On the way of the preparations to the 3rd ESF the IFWF intended to refer to the outcome of the first Women's Day, to reach a continuity and expansion of the women's activities within the scope of the ESF of process. Searching for possibilities to overcome patriarchal oppression and to develop democratic alternatives from a women's perspective, we introduced our approaches on subjects that specifically concern our life as women during the preparatory meetings. Among others we spoke about issues like violence against women, the situation of women in war region, social injustice, religion as means of domination to justify sexism and racism, the rights of refugee's women and migrant women. As members of the IFWF it was important to us to introduce our points of view, recommendations for solutions and actions on these subjects. At the same time we stressed the necessity to follow up and expand the women's organizing process within the Social Forum. We hoped to intensify the discussions among women and to develop common perspectives for actions at another Women's Day in the framework of the 3rd ESF in London. However, unfortunately, this common demand of the women's organisations was ignored or obstructed by some groups within the preparatory committee.

Not only the IFWF criticised this kind of procedure. More than 50 women's organizations from 12 countries reviewed the ESF in London in open letters to the newspaper The Guardian and in a resolution of the ESF Women's Day. The IFWF shares the opinion that the Women's Day must be an integral component of the yearly ESF as stated in the resolution: "We are critical of the fact that there was no women's day despite the efforts of the Global Women's Strike and other women's organisations in more than 10 countries who had been calling for it since December 2003. This is a backward step after the women's day in Paris where more than 3000 people participated. Grassroots women have had little opportunity to speak due to the sabotage of the organisation of this forum. The time and place allocated for the women's assembly was insufficient and was overwhelmingly taken up by the official speakers.
Yet, women are the backbone of society and the economy, and of the anti-war and human rights movement. Together with our children we are most of the casualties both in time of war as in so-called peace. THEREFORE: we refuse to be invisible and propose that future forums must hold a whole day for women with the full participation of grassroots women and without being monopolised by panels and speakers from any one organisation or political party." 

Accordingly IFWF members participated in the alternative Women's Open Day, which had been organized by the Global Women's Strike and further women's organizations on the 14 October 2004 at the Crossroads Women Centre in London. At the opening session of the Open Women's Day called "Women Speak Out", women from all walks of life – asylum seekers, prostitutes, disabled women and mothers – spoke out about the injustice they have experienced and their continued marginalisation by government structures. The discussions and performances of the day attended by 300 women carried the message: "It is time to invest in caring not killing".

Within the framework of the official ESF 2004, on behalf of the IFWF Sebelan Kilic broached her criticisms on the approaches towards the women's day at the ESF Women's Plenary and drew attention to the conservative backlash aiming at women's movements and women's rights. As the organising committee refused to give space for a serious preparation and venue outcome of the plenary remained insufficient in sense of quality and quantity.

Further within the general ESF programme the IFWF organised in cooperation with the South Asia Solidarity Group (SASG), Asian Women Unite and the Kurdish Women's Peace Office Ceni a seminar with the title "Women in South Asia, Middle East, Europe: Resisting Patriarchy, State & Religion Based Violence". As women from South Asia, from the Middle East and Europe we aimed at naming the different forms of oppression we are facing, and to exchange our experiences and strategies for survival and resistance. We feel it is particularly important to define and organise the struggle for our rights as women from our own perspectives, at a time when the pretext of defending "women's rights" is used more and more by those in power in order to justify wars, military attacks and sanctions. In her presentation the IFWF board member Ann-Kristin Kowarsch pointed out the dangers of the unholy alliance between Patriarchy, State and Religion attacking women's lives and rights. Nurgül Yakiskan from the Kurdish Women's Peace Office argued on the challenges and repressions Kurdish women have been confronted with in four parts of Kurdistan as well as in Europe. Representatives from the SASG and Asian Women Unite called in their speeches for solidarity for women from South Asian countries whose lives are threatened by racist and sexist immigration laws and practices of European countries and religion based oppression in their home countries. In this context Kiran Azam who is facing deportation to Pakistan and her solicitor Talat Jabin plead on her personal case. Along with the presentations Amrit Wilson from SASG moderated the discussion part of the seminar, which was attended by about 100 women. The discussion focused on the following questions: Which forms of violence are women confronted with? What are the connections between religion-based violence, state and patriarchal oppression? How can we oppose racist politics and ideologies? What impacts have the present attacks on women and women's rights? What are women's strategies for survival and resistance in South Asia, the Middle East and Europe? What are the gains and deficiencies of the present initiatives and movements? How can we strengthen local and international co-operation?
As a result of the seminar a joint statement was published containing the key points and demands of the discussion. The interest that was shown to the seminar by the participants once again pointed out the need to establish a continuing woman's agenda and forum within the ESF. 

To summarize our view on the ESF mobilisation in 2004 we can state the following:

Starting with the slogan "Another world is possible" the Social Forum process is a significant part of the globalisation of peoples' demands for peace, human rights and justice. In this respect the principles of the process should not just be formulated but also put into praxis. Human values like democracy, justice, freedom and equality have to be implemented within all platforms oft the alternative globalisation movement. If the grassroots are not considered as the fundament of the movement neo-liberalist and patriarchal attitudes that we claim to oppose are likely to be reproduced and sustained within the ESF process. Important deficiencies are the lack of information on the works of the coordinating body and the insufficient transparency and participation possibilities to decision processes. This reflects also the approach towards the women, youth and ecology movements. Interests and proposals of marginalized or concerned groups are not taken into account and cannot find an adequate space for expressing themselves. The IFWF is of the opinion that all different contradictions should be embraced. They should be considered as the propulsion of movement's advancement. By saying "another world is possible" we will insist on the implementation of the principles of the Social Forum in its very structures as well as in social developments on local and international level.

II. 2. Cooperation with the Women's Centre in the Kurdish Refugee Camp Maxmur and Women NGOs in Iraq

The Maxmur Committee that was established under the umbrella of the IFWF in 2001 continued its meetings for the support and realization of projects of the women's refugee centre in North Iraq/South Kurdistan also throughout the year 2004. By means of visit of the IFWF board members in the refugee camp in spring, 2004 the impacts of the recent developments in Iraq on the situation of the refugees could be observed and evaluated with the project partners. 
Beside the stay at the refugee camp the IFWF was also able to gain an insight on the situation of women in other parts of Iraq. Due to the participation to the women's congress at the University of Baghdad "2000 Women - After a despotic past women's perspectives for a new Iraq" further relations with new-founded women's associations in Baghdad, Mosul and Kirkuk were created. Exchanges of information and experiences were ensured with the staff and voluntaries in order to support the participation of women towards the development of civil society and women's rights in Iraq. 
The unstable situation in Iraq also shows its consequences at Kurdish refugee camp in Maxmur. While the UNHCR and Turkish government representatives announced in the beginning of 2004 to remove the camp, the refugee council in Maxmur rejected this plan. In repeated statements they pointed out that they still do not possess security guarantees that could enable them to return in their destroyed villages on the Turkish territory. In the meantime the withdrawal of the UNHCR officials and relief organizations from the refugee camp led to serious bottlenecks in supply and security risks. In particular the increasing lack in drinking water and fuel put a strain on the daily life of the refugees. Before the war the refugees were not allowed to leave the area of the camp. Now, some families try to find an income in the surrounding villages and in Mosul by casual labour like retail trade, fieldwork and taxi driving. However, on account of the present economic and political difficulties in Iraq the majority of the refugees is still depending on humanitarian aid for ensuring their survival.

Struggle for Women's and Children's Health 
The critical health situation in the refugee camp is obvious by a huge number of worm illnesses, tuberculosis and typhoid cases, airway infections and intestinal infections. Serious decencies exist in the medical treatment of acute and chronic illnesses. This applies especially to the fields of gynaecology, women's health, child and infant care. Against this background last year the IFWF started field-works in the collaboration with the Women's Centre in Maxmur for the establishment of a woman-child health centre in the refugee camp.
For promoting conscious raising on health issues a nurse working in the refugee camp prepared a brochure on pregnancy, care of children, illnesses and prevention in Kurdish language. The brochure was printed in the beginning of 2004 and distributed among the women refugees. Throughout the year 2004 a group of 10 young women received education in the first aid and prevention to participate on long term in the activities of the health centre and in the health work in the four quarters of the refugee camp. Besides, seminars on subjects like hygiene; prevention, child health and women's health were offered to women of different ages. These activities were well attended and followed with big interest.
From February to December, 2004 the German paediatrician Dr. Inge von Alvensleben stayed in refugee camp Maxmur to take part in the project management of the health centre project. In spite of some logistic difficulties she succeeded in building up the fundamentals for the realisation of this project. 

Even if account of the lack of space and specialist staff the work in the health centre had been primly limited on children's health, the everyday practise looked often different. In May, 2004 Dr. Inge von Alvensleben stated: "Within a short time everybody in the camp was informed on the establishment of our new "Health Centre", or surgery. Now, we had to decide, that as long as no women's doctor or general physician is available we have to restrict the consultation hours during daytime to children's health. Otherwise unfortunately, it becomes too much. Although I am a "doxtor" the children still like me, because I give only in special cases injections. I try to replace antibiotic injections, which are frequently prescribed by the UN doctors either by syrups or other, more sensible drugs. (The fact that some illnesses with well-arranged nursing also heal by itself is still very hard to teach. So, I am always glad if I have vitamin tablets or syrups, they are needed here anyhow...) I miss the whole nice child-appropriate or infant-appropriate needles and infusion equipments that we use in Germany. Those I brought with me have been finished a long time ago. I could not find anything comparable, yet. Therefore it takes me a little longer to put on intravenous drips for the small, often quite dry children, which chagrins the children (and my nerves). And it happens always in the evening or at nighttimes when the electric power failures last at least for two hours and I am just about to give a shot. (...) Nevertheless daily about 50 sick women come for examinations during the opening times and further 10-15 for injections, bandages, explanation of ultrasonic results or the like. Actually, as I mentioned I wanted to examine primarily children. But indeed, almost the same number of women comes daily asking for treatment. They come even if they have to wait for a long time until I have examined the children. And if their situation is not too urgent, I have to send them away because they are simply too many."

For the support and funding of the health project the Maxmur Committee carried out public relations activities in the Netherlands, France, Italy and Germany. In February 2004 a one-week-visit to the refugee camp was organised. By visiting the camp a group consisting of a social education professional, a computer expert, a philosophy student and an interpreter provided seminars for the voluntaries and users of the women's centre. Gifts in kind and cash donations were handed over to the board of the Women's Centre and the project management of the health centre.
Nevertheless, unfortunately, the Maxmur Committee could not succeed in strengthening the team in the health centre personally till the end of 2005. The lack of a voluntary gynaecologist and physicians maintains. Therefore, it becomes inevitably to adapt the following phase of the project due to the local circumstances and according to the available means in 2005.
Furthermore the Maxmur Committee published information on the situation of the child and adult education in the refugee camp. In a dialog with the board of the Women's Centre Maxmur a call was published in support of the nursery school of the women's centre and the primary and secondary schools in the refugee camp. As a positive reaction to the call IFWF reached gifts in kind like education materials and a set of computers. In 2005 the materials should be sent by an auxiliary transport to the refugee camp.

II. 3. Solidarity Campaign for Makbule Kaymaz

In December 2004 the International Free Women's Foundation started a solidarity campaign for the Kurdish mother Makbule Kaymaz. While activities for peace and human rights are spreading worldwide, unfortunately armed aggressions have not come to an end, yet. In many regions even basic human rights – like the right to live – are not ensured and the first victims are always women and children. Once again a violent incident happened on November 21st 2004 in Turkey in the Kurdish town Kiziltepe near Mardin. Makbule Kaymaz lost her husband and her twelve-year-old son as a result of an armed attack carried out by the national security forces. 

The truck driver Ahmet Kaymaz and his son Ugur Kaymaz were killed during a police operation on Turgut-Özal-Street nearby their home in Kiziltepe. After the incident 13 bullets were found in the body of the little Ugur and 9 bullets in the body of his father. 
While Turkish security forces declared Ugur and his father as "terrorists", investigations of IHD (Human Rights Association), the Commission of Human Rights of the Turkish Parliament, various NGOs and political parties consider the incident as an "extra-legal execution." The trial on the case is still continuing.

Makbule Kaymaz, mother of 4 children, explained the following: "I was preparing dinner around 4.30 in the evening. My husband and my son brought some blankets to the truck. Shortly after they went on the street, shots could be heart. We were scared and ran to our neighbour's yard. Then again we heard shots. At this moment I saw my son his head bended forward kneeling in front of the truck. It was dark, but I recognized him by his white trousers. I was frightened and went in our neighbour's house. Afterwards once again I heard shots."

Makbule Kaymaz is one of many Kurdish women, who have been affected by the violence of the Turkish policy forces. The Kaymaz family earned their living by the income of Ahmet Kaymaz as truck driver. In addition to the pain of the loss of her child and husband the widow Makbule Kaymaz and her remaining 3 children are now confronted seriously with financial difficulties. 

The International Free Women's Foundation appeals for justice and solidarity with the victims of human rights abuses. As a practical step of solidarity with women who are victims of war and violence the IFWF addressed an appeal to the international public for material and immaterial solidarity in support of Makbule Kaymaz. Further an information file on the case was published in 5 different languages and handed over to NGOs, political parties and the media in different European countries. Contributions received on the total amount of 550,– € that were donated for the support of Makbule Kaymaz have been transferred to the beneficiary.


II. 4. International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November 2004 the IFWF organised a panel discussion in Rotterdam. The aim was to introduce women experts and women rights' activists' approaches and activities to combat any forms of violence against women. After having moved to Rotterdam it was the first event of the IFWF to be organised in the city of its new main office. In the facilities of the community centre Mozaik, IFWF board member Verula Verweij introduced the aims and activities of the foundation stressing the importance of women gaining self-confidence, acknowledgment and strength in order to defend themselves against violence and injustice. The presentation was supported by the means of a film documentary showing impressions from IFWF activities that have been carried out during the last 3 years. 

In the second part of the program about 50 representatives of local NGOs and women's organisations attended to the panel discussion that was chaired by Sebelan Kilic. Experts and activists presented their views and experiences around the questions: How do we define violence against women? How do we realize the different forms of violence against women and how can we prevent them? Against the background of the shocking events in the Netherlands following the assassination of the filmmaker Theo van Gough another important topic of the discussion was: How can women build on solidarity and cooperation to counteract the atmosphere of fear, violence and racist attacks? 

Introducing the activities of Amnesty International Rotterdam Mariana Stevens pointed out, that it is one of their aims to show solidarity with the victims of violence and human rights abuses by pressuring governments through letter-campaigns to respect human rights. Presenting the recent the Amnesty International campaign "Stop violence against women" she stated: "Activism for human rights means to bring light into the darkness by lighting a candle. Our weapon and strength is the pen. If ten thousands of people write letters protesting injustice, then of course it makes an impression." 
Jantiene Kriens, member of the city council Rotterdam from the Party of Labour (PvdA), drew attention to the influence of the changing political agenda on women's lives and safety. Mentioning the assassination of Theo van Gough she said, that changes in the political climate in the Netherlands are noticed especially in the approaches towards the issues security, religion and multicultural living together. On the contrary, domestic violence remains in silence on the local agenda, although Jantiene Kriens indicated the urgent need for immediate action by giving alarming statistics on women's lives in Rotterdam:

– 30% of young women at secondary education level are contemplating suicide.
– 30.000 women are suffering from domestic violence and battering in Rotterdam, but only 600 cases have been reported officially.

Drs. Isik Iscanli, psychiatrist at BAVO/RNO Rotterdam shared the experiences she gained from her professional work with traumatized refugees and migrants: "It is not possible to isolate the issue of violence. Violence concerns all of us. Working in the clinical psychiatry for refugees and migrants gave me a new perspective on violence against women. It has to be realised as part of our social reality. Many people are suffering from PTSS. Treatment in the context of a post-war trauma is regarded as something legitimate. But women suffering from trauma as a result of domestic violence are not likely to go and see a psychiatrist; because domestic violence is still a tabooed issue. As the preventive psychiatry is not good developed in the Netherlands it is very hard to take the required measures for the prevention of suicides." 

The International Spokesperson of the Purple Rose Campaign, Ninotchka Rosca, from the Philippines raised the issue of trafficking in women as a form of globalising violence against girls and women. Emphasising the dimension of trafficking she gave figures from the Philippines: In the year 2002, more than 638,000 men and women have left the Philippines for work overseas. This is an average of 2,600 daily. Around 60% of these overseas workers are women. While majority of these women work overseas as domestics like maids, nannies or cooks the second likeliest overseas jobs for Filipinas are in the sex trade. The women are exported under a variety of disguises: as so-called "cultural dancers" or "entertainers". Filipinas are exported to nearly 200 countries. The top country recipient of Filipinas recruited into the sex trade has been Japan, but Filipinas are also trafficked into Europe, particularly The Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, into the Middle Eastern and African countries. Sex trade has become a major component of globalisation. The estimated earnings of the sex trade is some $7 billion, excluding earnings of so-called legitimate business such as airlines, hotels or travel agencies. Many of these women are tricked and deceived, being promised jobs as waitresses or nannies, only to discover too late that they are meant to be prostitutes. Besides sex trade, sex tourism, mail-order brides and domestic prostitution are other forms of sex trafficking carried out within and across national boundaries. Further Ninotchka Rosca introduced the Purple Rose Campaign as an international movement against the sex trafficking of Filipinas and their children that seeks to inform and educate, to arouse and mobilize, and to organize all men and women who oppose the sex trade. While the Purple Rose Campaign aims to remove all factors that contribute to the appearance of sex trafficking, it also demands an immediate refugee status for all women who have been trafficked. This could be a first step towards the prosecution of traffickers and responsible government, she concluded.

The panel discussion was completed with questions and contributions from the audience concluding that there is still insufficient engagement to eliminate violence against women by public authorities. Especially the approach towards migrant and refugee women is either stigmatising or their needs are ignored totally. While the diverse, local and global dimensions of different forms of violence against women were indicated by the different presentations the need for successful concepts and networking for combating violence against women, offering support and solidarity to the victims were named as urgent tasks for women experts, community workers and grassroots' organisations. 

A Short History of the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

On 25-11-1960 the sisters Patria, Minerva and Maria Theresa were sexually tortured and murdered. The three sisters had fought for freedom and human rights in the resistance movement against the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic. The outrage and the resistance that spread among the Dominican population as a consequence of the three sisters' deaths lead to the end of the dictatorship in 1961. In the following the day was remembered as an action day against violence against women in different countries all around the world. In 1993 the UN declared November 25th as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. 

III. PARTICIPATION TO CONFERENCES, SEMINARS & MEETINGS

SEMINAR ON CHILD EDUCATION held at the Kurdish Cultural Association in Krefeld, Germany

 "HONOUR KILLING AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN" conference on 14-03-2004 in Den Haag

CONFERENCE OF THE EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR PEACE AND HUMAN RIGHTS in Brussels/Belgium on 29/30-04-2004 organized by Bertrand-Russell-Peace-Foundation

Workshop on "GENDER RELATIONS" at Globalisation Festival on 26-06-2004 at the University of Amsterdam

1. International Women's Festival "ZILAN" on 10-07-2004 in Dortmund organised by Kurdish Women's Peace Office and Women's Initiative Freedom for Leyla Zana

FEMINIST ACTION DAYS in Berlin from 9 to 12-09-2004 in Berlin, Germany

Annual Matra/KPA symposium "DEMOCRACY AND CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS IN MIDDLE AND EAST EUROPE" on 29-09-2004 in Den Haag

NETHERLANDS SOCIAL FORUM from 26 to 28-11-2004 in Amsterdam

"TURKEY AND THE EU: RECOGNIZING DIFFERENCES AND CONSONANCES" conference in Amsterdam on 29-11-2004, organised by FORUM Institute for Multicultural Development and the Middle East Technical University METU Ankara

Panel Discussion on Women's Rights on 28-11-2004 in Potsdam, organised by the Diakonie

Continuing participation to WOMEN'S NETWORK ROTTERDAM-NORTH and local 8TH MARCH COMMITTEE since October 2004

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International Free Women’s Foundation
Internationale Vrije Vrouwen Stichting
Weqfa Jinên Azad a Cîhanê

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NL-3037 TC Rotterdam 
Tel.: 0031 (0) 465 1800
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E-mail: info@freewomensfoundation.org
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