International Women’s Day 2010
- 70% of those living in poverty are women
- 45 million girls are currently denied an education
- Women in poor countries grow more than 60% of the food but own less than 1% of the land
- Every minute a woman dies as a result of pregnancy complications
Violence against women must stop before equality is achieved, says ActionAid.
Eliminating violence against women is inseparable from achieving equality for women, says ActionAid on International Women’s Day.
One in three women will be raped, beaten, coerced into sex or abused in her lifetime - and in conflicts, the situation is exacerbated.
In a new report called Her Stories, African women tell remarkable accounts of how they have overcome violence and discrimination in appalling circumstances.
The women, from Burundi, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo, have all taken part in ActionAid’s project, aimed at reducing violence against women and have been provided with legal, psychosocial support, livelihoods training and lobbying advice.
The stories show how, despite horrific experiences, with help, survivors of violence can find the strength and self-confidence to increase their own protection.
“We feel we’ve made a big step forward,” said Lucie Ntamuzuro, a farmer in Burundi. “We’ve already dealt with twelve rape cases and several cases of domestic violence. People are no longer indifferent to violence against women in our commune. They speak out against it and we help victims initiate legal proceedings.
“We’ve also understood that the most important thing is to make the first step. The proverb ‘God helps those who help themselves,’ is quite correct.”
Sarah Harrison, ActionAid’s project coordinator, said it had assisted women to secure justice for rights violations, re-integrating survivors back into communities, changing attitudes and opinions towards violence against women.
“Central to that success has been the strength, resilience and resourcefulness of the women themselves, as well as the commitment and dedication of those working with women’s groups and movements.”
Roseline Watta Beah, ActionAid’s facilitator in Sierra Leone, summed up the women’s feelings: “The project has been a journey from a place called nowhere to a place called hope. But hope here is built on shaky ground, needing consolidation if we don’t want to be sent back to nowhere.”
It is hoped the booklet will inform and influence further projects and ensure that the voices of the women ActionAid works with, will be heard loud and clear.
© ActionAid
Eileen Filler-Corn is a mother of two Fairfax public school students and will lead the fight to oppose massive cuts to Fairfax County schools.
IF YOU LIVE IN THE 41st DISTRICT, PLEASE REMEMBER TO VOTE TUESDAY, MARCH 2 FOR
EILEEN FILLER-CORN FOR DELEGATE
For five years, Eileen was on the PTA board for Fairfax County Public Schools. As a PTA leader, she knows what is important to parents, our kids, and our community.
You can read more of Eileen’s bio on her website.
Read moreAnalysis: A Week to Explain Public’s Lack of Faith
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON (AP) — To understand why people don’t trust institutions — and why America is so disgruntled — look no further than these doings in the nation’s capital.
At historic Blair House, President Barack Obama, Democrats and Republicans fought about a health care overhaul they’ve debated for a year. They broke no new ground and the gridlock that has paralyzed Washington — and infuriated the public — was on full display.
Eileen Filler-Corn has just been endorsed by the Washington Post!
Friends,
Eileen Filler-Corn has just been endorsed by the Washington Post!
In their endorsement, the Post recognized what you already know: that Eileen Filler-Corn is our best choice for delegate!
Click here to read the whole Washington Post Endorsement
We need your help to get the word out about this endorsement among the many others Eileen has received , especially your own!
We need you to tell your friends and neighbors about why you think Eileen should be our next Delegate.
Can you volunteer today to help get the word out? Sign up here or call 571-249-3453
Our phone bank opens at 10 AM to start spreading the word! We’ll see you then!
Thanks,
Danny Friedman
Campaign Manager
Eileen Filler-Corn for Delegate
Farm Team Endorsed Candidate Eileen Filler-Corn: Democrat In Special Election For Fairfax House Seat Nabs Endorsement From Ex-Rival
By Derek Kravitz
The Washington Post’s Blog
A Democratic lobbyist running for a Virginia House seat in Fairfax County picked up a big endorsement this week — from her old political rival.
Former Republican delegate James H. Dillard II, who served as Virginia’s 41st District House delegate from 1972 to 2005, endorsedEileen Filler-Corn, a Democratic lobbyist who served as an adviser to two former Virginia Democratic governors.
Dillard defeated Filler-Corn in 1999 in a hotly contested race for the 41st House District, which is in Fairfax County and includes the areas of Burke, Fairfax Station and Springfield.
The 41st House seat opened up again when Sen. David W. Marsden(D-Fairfax), who succeeded Dillard in 2005, defeated Republican Stephen M. “Steve” Hunt by 324 votes in a Senate special election in mid-January. He resigned his House seat a day later.
Filler-Corn faces Kerry D. Bolognese, a higher-education lobbyist who unsuccessfully tried to take the seat from Marsden in November, losing by 209 votes. The special election is set for March 2.
Filler-Corn, 45, of Springfield, is the director of government relations for Albers and Co., an Arlington-based lobbying firm, and served as a senior adviser for state and federal relations to former governor Timothy M. Kaine (D) from 2006 to 2007.
Education played a big role in the 1999 race, with both Dillard and Filler-Corn campaigning for raises for teachers and zero-tolerance policies regarding weapons on school property. Dillard, a former co-chairman of the House’s Education Committee and a former Fairfax teacher and school principal, said Filler-Corn was the toughest challenger he faced in two decades.
Now, Dillard is putting his money on his old opponent.
“As a Republican, I am willing to cross party lines to support a moderate who cares strongly about providing educational opportunities for our children in our public schools and institutions of higher learning,” Dillard said in an endorsement letter released by Filler-Corn’s campaign Friday. “Unlike her opponent, who believes we spend ‘-’excessive’ amounts on public education, Eileen will fight to get our fair share of education dollars to maintain our superior schools in Fairfax County.”
Campaign finance reports for Filler-Corn and Bolognese are scheduled to be filed by Monday.
Read moreClick on the link below to attend the Women of Courage and Truth Reception
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