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Woman of the World - What can you do

Woman of the World -

Know Your International Human Rights

What can you do: Private actions

The achievement of equality requires commitment and attenton in our every day lives. Each of us can contribute in a variety of ways.

T
he achievement of equality requires commitment and attention in our every day lives. Each of us can contribute in a variety of ways.

Raise awareness amongst your friends, family and colleagues about the importance of human rights - whether through informal discussion, or by taking a stand against inappropriate behaviour, such as sexual or racist harassment.

Join an organisation like Amnesty International, the Young Women's Christian Association, or the Women's Electoral Lobby, which prioritise action around women's human rights issues.

You can go to: http://www.worldywca.org/ ; http://www.amnesty.org/ or to www.wel.org.au for more information.

Join an e-mail list that discusses women's human rights issues. You can visit the Australian Virtual Centre for Women and the Law (AVCWL) at: http://www.nwjc.org.au/avcwl to access a diverse range of e-mail lists about women's issues.

Attitudes, prejudices and stereotypes are perpetuated by the media and advertising. You can speak out about sexist body images and advertisements that demean women. Why not get involved in International No Diet Day on May 6 each year to celebrate diverse body images and healthy life-styles. You can contact your local Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa Association or the Young Women's Christian Association to be involved in their campaigns. You can contact the Advertising Standards Board to complain about advertising that you find offensive.

Women's surfin' rights - list of web-site resources:

The Internet is a fabulous source of updated information regarding women's human rights, from briefings on specific issues, to campaign ideas, to networking with other individuals and organisations around the world. Below is a list of websites that will provide a broad overview of the national and international women's movement. As a woman of the world, it will give you some ideas about where to start on the global campaign for women's rights!

Australian websites:

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission: http://www.hreoc.gov.au

Federal Office of the Status of Women Australia: http://www.osw.dpmc.gov.au

Women's Rights Action Network Australia: http://www.nwjc.org.au/wrana

Australian NGO's Beijing + 5: http://www.nwjc.org.au/beijing.htm

Lawstuff: a website for young people in Australia: http://www.lawstuff.org.au

United Nations websites:

United Nations website for Women's Human Rights issues: http://www.un.org/womenwatch

United Nations website for the Division for the Advancement of Women: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw

United Nations Human Rights Bodies: http://www.un.org/rights

United Nations Development Fund for Women: http://www.unifem.undp.org

The internet is a fabulous sources of updated information regarding women's human rights.NGO Websites:

Conference of NGO's in Consultative Status (CONGO) with the UN: http://www.conferenceofngos.org

Global alternative site for the Beijing + 5 Review Process:http://www.womenaction.org

NGO Committee on the Status of Women: http://www.womenact.org

International Women's Tribune Centre: http://www.iwtc.org

Human Rights Internet: database on human rights organisations, literature, funding and awards: http://www.hri.ca

Isis International: documenting ideas and visions, creating links, advancing women's rights, empowerment and leadership in the Asia-Pacific: http://www.isiswomen.org

Centre for Women's Global Leadership: http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/