Launch of the Lilla Network with an exhibition of work by women at the Creativity Workshop
Lilla is holding a public exhibition of art works by women who came together on International Women’s Day 09 to explore their passion for social justice through creative expression. Over a weekend in the Blue Mountains, the artists were mentored in their practice of the spoken word, digital media, Aboriginal dot painting, cartooning and performance by practising artists, whilst sharing their experiences with each other.
Connections were formed between the women, whose stories intersected and spawned collaborations and new ideas. The works will be developed over the coming months and exhibited at Mori Gallery Sydney from the 8th to the 15th November, 2009. The exhibtion will coincide with the launch of the Lilla network. Currently we are seeking volunteers Read more…
Add comment June 30, 2009
DEADLINE EXTENDED: Directory of pro-woman organisations in Chiapas, Mexico
Firstly, we’d like to thank the organisations who have already submitted their questionnaires. We are happy to have their participation in our directory of organisations which work to benefit the women of Chiapas.
For those organisations who wish to participate but haven’t been able to submit their completed questionnaire, the due date has been extended.
The new deadline is Wednesday 15 April 2009.
We believe that the directory offers a resources for the women of Chiapas, the grassroots organisations operating in the state, and other organisations at a national and international level. The more organisations participate, the richer the resource. Your valuable participation will increase the usefulness of this directory, and we hope you will choose to be part of the project. We also take this opportunity to remind you that each organisation which shares its contact details and information will receive a copy of the printed directory (in Spanish).
We’re republishing the translation of the Spanish-language questionnaire, designed to be accessible to indigenous, campesino and community groups. It includes instructions on completing and submitting the document, a publishing authorisation and the questionnaire itself.
To download the version designed to complete electronically and submit via email (Word file, 6 pages), click here.
To download the version designed to be filled in by hand and posted or hand delivered (PDF file, 9 pages), click here.
If you have any questions on the questionnaire’s format or the means of submitting the completed questionnaire, contact the directory coordinator, Jodie Lea Martire, via the contact form.
Add comment March 25, 2009
Launching the Lilla Network with an exhibtion of work by women at the Creativity Workshop
Lilla is holding a public exhibition of art works by women who came together on International Women’s Day 09 to explore their passion for social justice through creative expression. Over a weekend in the Blue Mountains, the artists were mentored in their practice of the spoken word, digital media, Aboriginal dot painting, cartooning and performance by practising artists, whilst sharing their experiences with each other.
Connections were formed between the women, whose stories intersected and spawned collaborations and new ideas. The works will be developed over the coming months and exhibited at Mori Gallery Sydney from the 8th to the 15th November, 2009. The exhibtion will coincide with the launch of the Lilla network. Currently we are seeking volunteers Read more…
1 comment January 21, 2009
Volunteer Opportunity – Graphic Designer needed
The Lilla Women’s Network at ERC is looking for a graphic designer to assist with the layout of a directory we are compiling, of women’s NGOs in Chiapas, Mexico. This work is essential in its support of grassroots organisations in terms both of safety, and networking. It would most likely be a few days worth of work. Spanish language skills would be a bonus, but are not essential. Please contact marthese@lilla.org.au.
Add comment January 21, 2009
Applications for second round of Mexico internships now open
The Lilla Women’s Network at ERC have decided to open up our Mexico internship program for a second round, and as such we are looking for Spanish speaking women available from June 28th for a three month internship program. This program will be supported both in country and from Sydney, and will involve working in a grass roots organisation in pursuit of social justice for women. Please contact marthese@lilla.org.au for more information.
Add comment January 21, 2009
Directory of pro-woman organisations in Chiapas, Mexico: Questionnaire
As part of our project to compile a directory of pro-women’s organisations operating in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, the Lilla Network presents the questionnaire which will need to be filled in by the organisations which wish to participate.
This document is a faithful translation of the Spanish-language document, designed to be accessible to indigenous, campesino and community groups. It includes instructions, a publishing authorisation and the questionnaire itself.
To download the version designed to complete electronically and submit via email (Word file, 6 pages), click here.
To download the version designed to be filled in by hand and posted or hand delivered (PDF file, 9 pages), click here.
The deadline to hand in the completed questionnaire is Sunday 15 March, 2009.
If you have any questions on the questionnaire’s format or the means of submitting the completed questionnaire, contact the directory coordinator, Jodie Lea Martire, via the contact form.
Add comment December 16, 2008
New Lilla Network project in Chiapas, Mexico
The Lilla: International Women’s Network has launched a new pilot project in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The Network hopes to extend its international network to the grassroots movements and social organisations which conduct work in favour of the women of Chiapas, thus permitting connections with Lilla’s contacts in Australia and India.
To begin our work in Chiapas, the Lilla Network is initiating two projects. The first is to connect Australian women to organisations in Chiapas working at the grass roots in pursuit of social justice for women. This will take the form of a three-month internship during the first months of 2009, with the possibility of opening a second round of internships later on in the year. Both the organisations and the interns will be supported by a coordinator, who will be based in Chiapas for the duration of the internship.
The second project will be the research and compilation of a directory of organisations located in Chiapas which work in favour of women’s rights. The objective of the directory is to offer a resource to the organisations of Chiapas and other national and internatioal organisations which are interested in the struggle for women’s rights in the south of Mexico. We plan to include the largest possible number of organisations, including feminist, religious and autonomous organisation; campesino, indigenous and urban movements, campaigns against the trafficking of people and violence against women; groups of women, groups of men with an understanding of gender, mixed groups, etc. These are only a few examples. The final document will be published in a print edition in Spanish, to be distributed to the organisations which appear in the directory, and it will also be distributed in electronic format en Spanish and English.
If you or your organisation wish to know more about the new projects of the International Women’s Network in Chiapas, or would like to participate in the internship of the directory, please get in touch with the researcher in Chiapas, Jodie Lea Martire, using the contact form.
Add comment October 1, 2008
Submission: From Victims to Changemakers
A Grass-roots focus for the National Plan of Action to Reduce Violence against Women and Children
In July 2008, Lilla made a submission to the new National Council to Reduce Violence against Women and Children. We argued that an effective National Plan of Action needs to be informed by Australia’s long history of strong and diverse social movements addressing men’s violence against women and children. Indigenous women’s groups, immigrant and refugee women’s groups, feminist groups, human-rights activists and advocates have all formulated creative and effective initiatives which have facilitated women’s transformation from isolation and victimhood to empowerment and rights, making significant and lasting changes in the lives of many women and their children and society at large.
Add comment July 1, 2008
Pilot Internship Program in Kolkata
In 2007, Lilla ran the pilot project of the network: a 3-month internship to Sanlaap, an anti-trafficking organisation in Kolkata India.
The aim of the pilot was to connect Australians and South Asians working on women’s issues at in order to begin a process of learning and working together across cultural differences. Outlined below were some of the specific aims of the internship program developed in collaboration with ERC international programs coordinator Sean Cleary.
Short term
- Explore women’s issues in the context of a vastly different political climate
- Observe how women’s organisations are responding to the abuse of women’s rights in West Bengal
- Develop skills in working across cultural boundaries
- Gain exposure to a dynamic organisation that facilitates change at a range of levels – from grass roots community work to advocacy at a local, national and international level
Medium Term
- Compare women’s rights in India to women’s rights in Australia
- Compare grass roots responses to women’s injustice in India and Australia
- Explore the connections between poverty and women’s rights in our region
- Consider the legacy of colonial rule in cross cultural interactions
- Consider the impact of continuing power inequalities in our region in shaping the relationships built during internship process
Long Term
- Transformative education through a period of immersion in another culture.
- Build qualitatively deep personal and professional relationships between Australians and Indians defending women’s rights
- Create a dynamic network that transcends national boundaries that is able to respond effectively to a range of emerging challenges to women’s rights
In Australia, the response from community organisations to this pilot women’s internship program, has been overwhelming positive. Rugmini Ventakaram, chair of the Immigrant Women’s Speakout Association and violence prevention worker described the internships as “a wonderful first step in a long term strategy to initiate actions to address the violation of the human rights of women.”
Download report of pilot program here
Add comment November 26, 2007
Opportunity or Indenture: Human Trafficking in Australia
Human trafficking is a complex crime that transcends national boundaries and impacts on many different countries, including Australia. The purpose of trafficking is sexual or labour based exploitation where the victim is usually deceived about the type and conditions of work they are being recruited for. Australia’s effort to tackle this crime has come from both the government and the community, however combating this phenomenon is no easy task – especially since there is widespread disagreement as to the types of conduct that amount to trafficking. This issue must be considered in relation to Visa 457 and its facilitation of labour exploitation that in some circumstances can amount to human trafficking.
Read entire article by clicking on image.
Add comment June 20, 2007
