F AWCO Urges UN to Strengthen Human Rights Procedure
Mrs Louise Arbour
High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais Wilson
Geneva
2 Dec 2005
Dear Ms Arbour,
Following the "No Action Vote" on Sudan/Darfur on 23 November in the General Assembly, the undersigned organizations have asked CONGO to convey to you the attached letter expressing their most serious
FAWCO's Environment Team aims to inform members about global environmental issues that confront our planet, such as air, soil & water pollution, energy efficiency, conservation and waste reduction, and the major issues of global climate change. Since we believe that each person can make a difference, one of our main goals is to help members become more environmentally minded through the choices they make in their daily lives. The Team also seeks to promote informed action within FAWCO, at both global and local levels. Major past activities have supported carbon sequestration through tree planting and water awareness in conjunction with the First Target Program.
For more information and to get involved with us, contact the Environment Team Chair at .
|
Anne van Oorschot-Warwick (AWC The Hague) |
|
The Health Team provides information on women's health and aging to allow you to make informed health decisions. We will take a holistic approach to help us safeguard and nurture our bodies, as well as enrich our minds and spirits. There will be articles and reports, suggested books, and FAWCO member contributions. We will also include practical information and resources, such as caring for loved ones from a distance, for ourselves and family members.
In 2014, we re-launched Clubs in Motion, with the goal to walk or run around the globe before the March 2015 Conference. That's 40,000 kms, so we better get moving! To learn more, sign up your club's walking or running group, and check how far we've come, go to Clubs in Motion.
We have gathered information from FAWCO Clubs about their Heart Pillow Projects to help women who have had breast cancer surgery. If you have Heart Pillow news to share, please send it to us at .
We are currently looking for a Health Issues Team Chair. Please contact if you are interested in the position.
Clubs in Motion!
Join Clubs in Motion and get moving with FAWCO. If your club has a walking, hiking or running group, this is for YOU! You can dowload a flyer to publicize the program to your club members by opening Clubs_In_Motion.doc.
Let's get moving! Join FAWCO Clubs in Motion today! Happy and healthy!
Our FAWCO Leadership was caught in the act - out WALKING while attending the Geneva NGO Forum Beijing+20!! From left to right on the rock... Kathleen Simon (Counselor & AWC Bern), Maggie Palu (AWG-LR - thanks to Maggie for the photos), My-Linh Kunst (President & AWC Berlin), Monica Jubayli (1st VP & AWC Lebanon), Suzanne Wheeler (Foundation Board Member & AAWE Paris), and Sallie Chaballier (2nd VP & AAWE Paris). Well done ladies!
Clubs in Motion is a FAWCO initiative to encourage members to stay physically fit.
Keep your club members healthy and increase FAWCO awareness. Start sending a record of all those kilometers or miles your clubs' walkers and runners have walked or run NOW!
Who can send in kilometers/miles?
FAWCO Club activities can include walking groups, participating in walks/runs in your area, organizing a walk with your club members ,etc. In order for the kilometers / miles to count, three or more members must be exercising together. We are not gathering data from individuals walking on their own, because this is about both the physical benefits and the mental benefits of getting active together!
How will the kilometers/miles be tallied?
Send kilometers from club activities with club name to and the number of participants. Please include the name and location of any organized walks/runs - for example: breast cancer awareness, club walking group, marathons, etc. and any special locations. Send photos!
You'll find updates on the FAWCO Clubs In Motion page under the Health Team site, so you can check the progress of the various clubs.
Why should clubs get involved?
Exercise benefits your health. Did you know that for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise you do, like brisk walking, you can live two hours longer? And we all know that it's more FUN to exercise with friends. Clubs in Motion will be a fun way to get your members active and interested in FAWCO, and introduce them to FAWCO's website.
Top 10 reasons to Get in Motion with Clubs in Motion:
When do we start?
NOW! Let’s ‘move it’ together -- with FAWCO!
Many FAWCO member clubs are involved in making heart pillows to donate to help the recovery of women who have had breast cancer surgery. AWC The Hague has a Heart Pillow Best Practice with instructions for how you can start your own heart pillow project that you can access in our members-only Best Practices section (you must be registered and log in to see these). We also have Heart Pillows featured in these articles: Heart Pillow Project and Stitched with Love.
All FAWCO members are invited to get involved in their area of interest. If you don’t see yours here, let us know. Please email Therese Hartwell, Chair of the Human Rights Team at to discuss participation.
And sign up to receive the Human Rights Team Bulletin at Subscriptions.
Therese Hartwell, AW Eastern Province
Chair, Human Rights Team
Ending Violence Against Women is a Committee of the Human Rights Team, addressing issues of domestic violence and sex trafficking, as well as other forms of violence against women. The Ending Violence Team was created in April 2008 to address issues of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual exploitation in order to increase awareness and empower those women and children affected. Over the years, the Team has put a spotlight on the issues to get people talking about them. We also promote tangible actions that we can all take to help eradicate these forms of violence. When you look at the facts you see that we still have a long way to go.
1 in 3 women has been sexually assaulted in her lifetime;
Rape continues to be used as a weapon during war and conflict;
Globalization and climate change are having the most profound impacts on women and children who are disproportionately displaced and left without options;
Gender-based violence is an affliction that millions of women and children suffer in silence and shame. Many become victimized by those who are supposed to love and protect them.
Please share these three one-page information sheets on issues of Domestic Violence, how you can help victims of Domestic Violence, and global issues of Violence Against Women with your club members.
For a worldwide listing of domestic violence agencies, see the Hot Peaches website.
You'll find a link to the Americans Overseas Domestic Violence Crisis Center (AODVC) website on our homepage under Domestic Violence.
For more information or to get involved, contact the Committee Co-Chairs.
Co-Chair, Global Issues, Tonya Teichert at .
Tonya Teichert (AWC The Taunus)
Co-Chair, Global Issues
Co-Chair, Domestic Violence and AODVC Liaison, Karen Lewis at aodvc@fawco.org.
Karen Lewis (FAUSA)
Co-Chair, Domestic Violence and AODVC Liaison
Women Peace and Security is a committee within the Human Rights Team. Its goal is to raise awareness about violence against women in conflict zones and the role of women in the peace-keeping process.
The theme of women and conflict resonates with the very origins of FAWCO. According to The Red Book, FAWCO: A History 1931-2011:
Caroline Curtis Brown founded FAWCO on the belief that "enlightened women, working cooperatively throughout the world, could do much to help achieve permanent international peace; and that this was especially true of American women living abroad who had acquired special experience in living in foreign lands among foreign people and foreign customs. Their American clubs not only provided a home away from home, she felt, but also served to promote sympathetic awareness of the needs and problems in countries other than the United States." Our founder's words are perhaps even more relevant today than in her own time. In our globally connected world, wars have a real impact on the lives of all of us, even when they occur in a distant land. A peaceful world benefits everyone.
In 2009, FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation announced the Target Program to bring a critical global issue to the attention of FAWCO Clubs, their members and the world. The Target Program offers opportunities for local FAWCO Clubs to make a global difference.
Target Programs:
In keeping with FAWCO’s Resolutions and Recommendations, Target Programs have the overarching goal of improving the lives of women and girls. The FAWCO Board, in consultation with The FAWCO Foundation Board, chooses Target Issues on a revolving basis through our four areas of interest: Education, Environment, Health and Human Rights. As a United Nations accredited NGO (non-governmental organization) with special consultative status to the UN Economic and Social Council, FAWCO places a high priority on giving our Member Clubs the opportunity to contribute together to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The theme of our recently concluded Target Program 5 (2022–2025) was “Our Natural Environment: Empowering Women and Girls to Ensure a Sustainable Future.” FAWCO members selected the Awesome Blossoms project, which developed water-efficient urban farms to support education programs for children as well as the empowerment of 75 women entrepreneurs in the Mathare slum of Nairobi. With the enthusiasm and support of the FAWCO family, we were able to install three farms, with 500 hydroponic gardens each, in two schools, purchase a vehicle to transport vegetables to the market for sale, as well as purchase land for the creation of a center of excellence and training for the long-term sustainability of the project. In recognition of the transformative nature of the project, Awesome Blossoms was recognized in the 2024 Gender Just Climate Awards in the Non-Technical Solutions Category. We were grateful for the support of Launch Education Advisors for their support in raising awareness during the three-year project cycle. (FAWCO clubs and members raised $ 211,000 for Awesome Blossoms, which included land to create a center of expertise, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the project and serving as a proof of concept for this type of hydroponic agriculture and entrepreneurship model, which can be replicated in other parts of the world).
At our Biennial Conference in Annapolis in March 2026, we announced the theme of our upcoming Target Program 6 (2025–2028): “Human Rights: Advancing Dignity, Equality and Freedom for Women and Girls,” aligning directly with UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and other interconnected SDGs. In general, these projects could address systemic barriers, protect fundamental freedoms, and/or advance equal participation in society. Launch Education Advisors has once again generously agreed to sponsor education and awareness-raising activities for this Target Cycle. Please click on the link below to learn more about Target Program 6.
Previous Target Projects have included:
In March 2013, Human Rights for Women – Protecting the Rights and Improving the Lives of Women and Girls Worldwide, was announced as the overarching theme for the FAWCO Target Program 2013 - 2016.
The Target Program: Human Rights for Women was composed of two parts: Target Education/Awareness and the Target Project. The Education/Awareness Program focused on women's rights as human rights, specifically in the areas of political empowerment, economic empowerment, peace and security, and ending violence against women. The Target Project was our opportunity to financially support a project that met the Target goal.
Target Education/Awareness continued through the Target Bulletins, Special Programs and Workshops, and with the support of FAWCO's Human Rights Team. Fundraising for the Free The Girls Target Project, through the Backing Women Campaign as well as special events sponsored by Member Clubs, continued through February 2016.
In 2013, twelve Target Project proposals were submitted and the Target Selection Committee developed a short list of three finalist projects announced in December 2013. FAWCO Member Clubs voted for the winning Target Project. The Target Project -- Free The Girls -- was announced at the March 2014 Interim Conference in Brussels. Free the Girls works with former victims of sex trafficking in Africa and Latin America, helping them rebuild their lives through economic empowerment.
From left to right: Melissa Watson, National Director, Free The Girls; MyLinh Kunst, FAWCO President 2011-2015; Kimba Langas, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Free The Girls; Catherine Marland, FAWCO Rep and Application Sponsor, AWC Surrey; Betsy Speer, President, AWC Surrey; Johanna Dishongh, Chair, FAWCO Target Program 2013-2016; Michele Hendrikse DuBois, President, FAWCO Foundation 2012-2015.
Following the Target Project announcement, The FAWCO Foundation launched the Backing Women Fundraising Campaign with the unveiling of Christian de Laubadère’s painting, the inspiration for the campaign logo. The original painting was auctioned at the FAWCO Biennial Conference in Rome (March 2015) with all proceeds going to the campaign.
With the support of The FAWCO Foundation Backing Women Campaign and Member Clubs from every region of FAWCO, over $172,000 was contributed to FREE THE GIRLS, which allowed this start up non-profit the necessary breathing room to streamline operations, fine tune their limited staff positions, all while maintaining a focus on the women they serve. Women who, prior to participating in the FREE THE GIRLS program, did not have a means to support themselves or their families. Women, whose children and very often, children of extended family members, now attend school with school fees paid from their earning. Women, who through their own purchasing power, now support the local economy.
Johanna Dishongh
AWC The Hague
Target Human Rights Chair 2013-2016
In 2009, FAWCO and The FAWCO Foundation announced a four year program to bring a critical global issue to the attention of FAWCO Clubs, their members and the world. The FAWCO Target Water Program was an opportunity for FAWCO member clubs and FAUSA members to work together towards the goal of clean water worldwide.
The 2009-2013 Target Program was focused on the global environmental issues of Water and Sustainability. In addition to raising awareness about the importance of clean water in all the countries where we are represented, we asked our member clubs to fundraise specifically for Tabitha Wells for Clean Water, Cambodia.
FAWCO is an international NGO and the Target Program distinguishes FAWCO clubs from other international clubs by giving them the opportunity to pool their efforts and contribute together to a UN Millennium Development Goal. We asked our member clubs for their support in whatever ways were open to them. Together we have made a huge impact on access to clean water worldwide.
At the 41st Biennial conference in Bern, Target Program Chair Anne van Oorschot (AWC The Hague) received a Caroline Curtis Brown Spirit Award for her tireless work in the last two years. She gave an excellent final report and included a thank-you video from Tabitha's founder Janne Ritskes.
CLUB RESOURCES:
Download the Target Program Final Presentation.
Download PICTURES of FAWCO wells .
Check out our fundraising ideas.
Go to The FAWCO Foundation website for more fundraising ideas and stories from Cambodia.
At the Interim Meeting in Frankfurt (March 11-13, 2016), Education – Empowering Women and Girls through Knowledge and Skills, was announced as the overarching theme for the FAWCO Target Program 2016 - 2019.
Education is one of the most critical areas of empowerment for women. When girls are educated, they lead healthier and more productive lives. They gain the skills, knowledge and self-confidence to escape the cycle of poverty. They become better citizens, parents and breadwinners. An educated girl has a positive ripple effect on her health, family, community and society as a whole. - USAID
On April 1, 2017, FAWCO announced the 2017-2019 Target Project
 |
Hope Beyond Displacement |
Educating and Empowering Refugee Women and Girls in Jordan
Visit the Target Project page to learn more.
The best way to find out everything you need to know about the Target Program is through our monthly Bulletin.
 |
 |
|
|
Over the next three years, we will take a deep dive to learn what matters in girls’ education. We will explore the issues which prevent millions of women and girls from receiving quality education around the globe. We will become familiar with the goals established by world leaders in education to remedy this injustice. We will look at the impact educating women and girls have on their lives, their families, their communities and society. We will become experts! |
The FAWCO Target Project is a sustainable investment by our Member Clubs to empower women and girls. Over the next two years (2017-2019), The FAWCO Foundation will employ the energy and generosity of our members through the Backing Women Fundraising Campaign to support women's and girls’ education. Proceeds generated through these efforts will support the FAWCO Target Project: Hope Beyond Displacement an initiative of the Collateral Repair Project
Educating and Empowering Refugee Women and Girls in Jordan |
Target Program Flyer
We know it can be hard to explain exactly what the Target Program is all about. This PDF flyer explains the Why, What and How. If there is anything else you need to promote the Target Program in your club, please be in touch!
Tricia R. Saur
"Ensuring Healthy Lives and Promoting Well-Being to Improve the LIves of Women and Girls" was announced as the theme for the 2019-2022 FAWCO Target Program: Health at the Biennial Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, on March 24, 2019.
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease and infirmity.
– World Health Organization
Health programs that address gender barriers improve development programs overall. When women are educated and can earn and control income, infant mortality declines, child health and nutrition improve, population growth slows, economies expand, and cycles of poverty are broken.
– US Aid
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
In our monthly Target Blog, we will learn about the most important issues in women's and girls' health:
What are the top ten issues for women's and girls' health?
What prevents women and girls from accessing quality health care?
What are the goals established by world leaders in health to remedy these issues?
What are the effects of poor health on women and girls, their families, communities and societies?
What is the impact on women and girls, their families, communities and societies when good health is achieved?
Our monthly bulletin, Target Program: Health, will update you on the current status of the Target Program, tease you with a snippet from the blog, and offer a visual inspiration to enhance your understanding of the health issues faced by women and children.
Don't miss a future issue, it's the best way to stay up to date!
The Cultural Volunteers module of FAWCO's Youth Program is designed to foster cultural awareness and volunteerism among FAWCO youths. FAWCO teens aged 15 - 18 will be hosted by FAWCO families for a week, and will experience a new culture while volunteering with local charities, working side-by-side with local teens. As part of the program, the participants will create a video about their experiences, and write individual essays reflecting on what they learn. Participants will be able to receive community service credits required by their International Baccalaureate program.
Here are just a few excerpts from reflections by our Youth Cultural Volunteers in 2013 and 2014:
"I made new friends in the UAE --- Emirati teens, who helped us learn more about their culture. Believe me, we may dress differently and practice different religions, but teenagers around the world are pretty much the same --- we're all goofy, curious, and hoping our generation can improve life for all of us."
"In the end, what matters is that you have raised your personal awareness of poverty. And maybe it would have inspired you by then to grab the initiative and take part in a bigger project."
"It was nice to be able to go outside the tourist destinations and contribute to the lives of others who may not have the same luxuries as we do back in our own countries."
"[It was] a wonderful group of people. . . These friendships will last a lifetime. . . I am proud of what I feel I have accomplished with the group, and look forward to hearing about FAWCO Youth’s continued development."
The pilot Cultural Volunteers Program was held in Dubai in July 2013, hosted by AWA Dubai.
The 2014 Cultural Volunteers Program was held in Shanghai in July 2014, hosted by AWC Shanghai.
The 2015 Cultural Volunteers Program was held in Mumbai in August 2015, hosted by AWC Mumbai.
Please contact for more information.
Click to see videos prepared by the Youth Cultural Volunteers for Dubai 2013, Shanghai 2014 and Mumbai 2015.
|
|
|
