Mensactivism.org | Afghan Bias Campaign Phase II to Begin

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Afghan Bias Campaign Phase II to Begin

posted by Scott on Thursday January 17, @08:27PM
from the inequality/double-standards dept.

The Men's Health America campaign to lobby the media to include news about the brutalization of Afghan men is about to enter phase II. A special thanks to everyone who participated in the first phase, it was a great success, and many letters were published in leading newspapers around the world. Click Read More for an announcement about phase II.

Dear Activist:

On January 21, we will be re-launching the Afghan Men grass-roots campaign.

Why should we be concerned about the plight of males in far-away Afghanistan? There are two reasons:

1. Civilian Afghan men have been subjected to some of the worst human rights violations over the past decade.

These abuses include forced labor, involuntary conscription, torture, and widespread killings. These men were not targeted because they were engaged in any illegal activities. They were targeted specifically because they were MEN. And 750,000 other Afghan men have been killed or maimed by land-mines, often while trying to earn money to support their families.

These abuses have been summarized in several Special Reports compiled by Men's Health America.

2. Feminists are exploiting the situation in Afghanistan in order to impose a quota system on the new Afghan government.

According to a recent article by Wendy McElroy, "Boss Tweed" Feminism, [December 11, 2001] feminists are using euphemistic phrases such as including the voices of women in government in order to push a feminist utopia on post-Taliban Afghanistan.

This top-down strategy worked in Kosovo, where the parliament now functions under a UN-mandated quota system that required that one-third of all candidates in the 2001 election were female. A similar tactic was also used in Argentina, which dramatically increased the number of women who have been elected into government.

If Afghanistan goes the way of Kosovo and Argentina, then what countries will be next?

< Wonder of Boys Author Releases Wonder of Girls | Women Are Pigs Too >

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How can I help??? (Score:1)

by hobbes on Friday January 18, @12:35AM EST (#1)
(User #537 Info)

Apparently I was out of the loop on the first phase of this endeavor. What can I do to support the effort? This is the reason I prefer this website over most other men's issues sites I've seen - it focuses on *taking action* with letter campaigns and so forth. Other sites obviously take action, but I feel like I can actually get involved here, and not just send in donations. Anyway, thanks to those who are heading this up, and let me know how I can help.

Re:How can I help??? (Score:1)

by Scott (scott@mensactivism.org) on Friday January 18, @07:44AM EST (#3)
(User #3 Info) http://www.vortxweb.net/gorgias/mens_issues/

Hey hobbes,

The focus of this campaign is identifying media stories which ignore Afghan men and then writing letters to the editor in response. We'll try to post these stores to Mensactivism.org and include e-mail addresses for letters, but the best way to get the updates immediately is to join the Men's Health America mailing list:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/menshealth/

Ed, the owner of the list, does an incredible job on building these activism campaigns.

Scott

Revolution? (Score:2)

by frank h on Friday January 18, @08:25AM EST (#4)
(User #141 Info)

Sometimes I find this topic so depressing that I conclude that the only way all of this could end will be through violent revolution. Perhaps, just perhaps, Timothy McVeigh was right.

Re:Revolution? (Score:1)

by Scott (scott@mensactivism.org) on Friday January 18, @08:52AM EST (#5)
(User #3 Info) http://www.vortxweb.net/gorgias/mens_issues/

Hi Frank,

I hope it will never come to that point, but I share your depression and frustration about how insane things are getting. I wonder when people are finally going to say, "enough is enough!" and be willing to make acting upon these issues their top priority.

The main problem, of course, is apathy. The general public either doesn't care until it's too late or they feel their actions will have no effect. I think it's important never to cease reaching out to people to let them know what's going on urge them to start acting, even if it's simple letter writing. If people can't take that first step, there's definitely no hope for revolution, peaceful or otherwise.

Scott

CEDAW - Don't ignore this group !!!!! (Score:1)

by donaldcameron1 (aal@amateuratlarge.com) on Friday January 18, @03:59AM EST (#2)
(User #357 Info) http://www.amateuratlarge.com

If Afghanistan goes the way of Kosovo and Argentina, then what countries will be next?

YOU HAVE NO IDEA !!!

have a peek

As of May, 2001, 168 countries - more than two- thirds of the members of the United Nations - are party to the Convention and an additional 4 have signed the treaty, binding themselves to do nothing in contravention of its terms.

97 Signatures/168 ratifications and accessions

(Latest State: Mauritania, 10 May 2001)

State ....................................� Signature - Reply(date & kind) Afghanistan ..............................� 14 Aug 1980 - Albania ..................................� 11 May 1994 a/ - Algeria ..................................� 22 May 1996 a/ b/ - Andorra ..................................� 15 Jan 1997 a - Angola ...................................� 17 Sep 1986 a/ - Antigua and Barbuda ......................� 1 Aug 1989 a/ - Argentina ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 15 Jul 1985 b/ Armenia ..................................� 13 Sep 1993 a/ - Australia ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 28 Jul 1983 b/ Austria ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 31 Mar 1982 b/ Azerbaijan ...............................� 10 Jul 1995 a/ - Bahamas ..................................� 6 Oct 1993 a/ b/ - Bangladesh ...............................� 6 Nov 1984 a/ b/ - Barbados .................................� 24 Jul 1980 - 16 Oct 1980 Belarus ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 4 Feb 1981 c/ Belgium ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 10 Jul 1985 b/ Belize ...................................� 7 Mar 1990 - 16 May 1990 Benin ....................................� 11 Nov 1981 - 12 Mar 1992 Bhutan ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 31 Aug 1981 Bolivia ..................................� 30 May 1980 - 8 Jun 1990 Bosnia & Herzegovina .....................� 1 Sep 1993 d/ - Botswana .................................� 13 Aug 1996 a/ - Brazil ...................................� 31 Mar 1981 b/ - 1 Feb 1984 b/ Bulgaria .................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 8 Feb 1982 c/ Burkina Faso .............................� 14 Oct 1987 a/ - Burundi ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 8 Jan 1992 Cambodia .................................� 17 Oct 1980 - 15 Oct 1992 a/ Cameroon .................................� 6 Jun 1983 - 23 Aug 1994 a/ Canada ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 10 Dec 1981 c/ Cape Verde ...............................� 5 Dec 1980 a/ - Central African Republic .................� 21 Jun 1991 a/ - Chad .....................................� 9 Jun 1995 a/ - Chile ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 7 Dec 1989 b/ China ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 b/ - 4 Nov 1980 b/ Colombia .................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 19 Jan 1982 Comoros ..................................� 31 Oct 1994 a/ - Congo ....................................� 29 Jul 1980 - 26 Jul 1982 Costa Rica ...............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 4 Apr 1986 Cote d'Ivoire ............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 18 Dec 1995 a/ Croatia ..................................� 9 Sep 1992 d/ - Cuba .....................................� 6 Mar 1980 - 17 Jul 1980 b/ Cyprus ...................................� 23 Jul 1985 a/ b/ - Czech Republic / .........................� 22 Feb 1993 c/ d/ - Democratic People's Republic of Korea ....� 27 Feb 2001 a/ - Democratic Republic of the Congo / .......� 17 Oct 1986 - 16 Nov 1986 Denmark ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 21 Apr 1983 Djibouti .................................� 2 Dec 1998 a/ - Dominica .................................� 15 Sep 1980 - 15 Sep 1980 Dominican Republic .......................� 17 Jul 1980 - 2 Sep 1982 Ecuador ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 9 Nov 1981 Egypt ....................................� 16 Jul 1980 b/ - 18 Sep 1981 b/ El Salvador ..............................� 14 Nov 1980 b/ - 19 Aug 1981 b/ Equatorial Guinea ........................� 23 Oct 1984 a/ - Eritrea ..................................� 5 Sep 1995 a/ - Estonia ..................................� 21 Oct 1991 a/ - Ethiopia .................................� 8 Jul 1980 - 10 Dec 1981 b/ Fiji .....................................� 28 Aug 1995 a/ b/ - Finland ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 4 Sep 1986 France ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 b/ - 14 Dec 1983 b/ c/ Gabon ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 21 Jan 1983 Gambia ...................................� 29 Jul 1980 - 16 Apr 1993 Georgia ..................................� 26 Oct 1994 a/ - Germany / ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 10 Jul 1985 b/ Ghana ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 2 Jan 1986 Greece ...................................� 2 Mar 1982 - 7 Jun 1983 Grenada ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 30 Aug 1990 Guatemala ................................� 8 Jun 1981 - 12 Aug 1982 Guinea ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 9 Aug 1982 Guinea-Bissau ............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 23 Aug 1985 Guyana ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 17 Jul 1980 Haiti ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 20 Jul 1981 Honduras .................................� 11 Jun 1980 - 3 Mar 1983 Hungary ..................................� 6 Jun 1980 - 22 Dec 1980 c/ Iceland ..................................� 24 Jul 1980 - 18 Jun 1985 India ....................................� 30 Jul 1980 b/ - 9 Jul 1993 b/ Indonesia ................................� 29 Jul 1980 - 13 Sep 1984 b/ Iraq .....................................� 13 Aug 1986 a/ b/ - Ireland ..................................� 23 Dec 1985 a/ b/ c/ - Israel ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 3 Oct 1991 b/ Italy ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 b/ - 10 Jun 1985 Jamaica ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 19 Oct 1984 b/ Japan ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 25 Jun 1985 Jordan ...................................� 3 Dec 1980 b/ - 1 Jul 1992 b/ Kazakhstan ...............................� 26 Aug 1998 a/ - Kenya ....................................� 9 Mar 1984 a/ - Kuwait ...................................� 2 Sep 1994 a/ b/ - Kyrgyzstan ...............................� 10 Feb 1997 a/ - Lao Peoples Democratic Rep. ..............� 17 Jul 1980 - 14 Aug 1981 Latvia ...................................� 14 Apr 1992 a/ - Lebanon ..................................� 21 Apr 1997 a/ b/ - Lesotho ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 22 Aug 1995 a/ b/ Liberia ..................................� 17 Jul 1984 a/ - Libyan A. Jamahiriya .....................� 16 May 1989 a/ b/ - Liechtenstein ............................� 22 Dec 1995 a/ b/ - Lithuania ................................� 18 Jan 1994 a/ - Luxembourg ...............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 2 Feb 1989 b/ Madagascar ...............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 17 Mar 1989 Malawi ...................................� 12 Mar 1987 a/ c/ - Malaysia .................................� 5 Jul 1995 a/ b/ - Maldives .................................� 1 Jul 1993 a/ b/ - Mali .....................................� 5 Feb 1985 - 10 Sep 1985 Malta ....................................� 8 Mar 1991 a/ b/ - Mauritania ...............................� 10 May 2001 a/ - Mauritius ................................� 9 Jul 1984 a/ b/ - Mexico ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 b/ - 23 Mar 1981 Mongolia .................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 20 Jul 1981 c/ Morocco ..................................� 21 Jun 1993 a/ b/ - Mozambique ...............................� 16 Apr 1997 a/ - Myanmar ..................................� 22 Jul 1997 a/ b/ - Namibia ..................................� 23 Nov 1992 a/ - Nepal ....................................� 5 Feb 1991 - 22 Apr 1991 Netherlands ..............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 23 Jul 1991 b/ New Zealand ..............................� 17 Jul 1980 - 10 Jan 1985 b/ c/ Nicaragua ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 27 Oct 1981 Niger ....................................� 8 Oct 1999 a/ - Nigeria ..................................� 23 Apr 1984 - 13 Jun 1985 Norway ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 21 May 1981 Pakistan .................................� 12 Mar 1996 a/ b/ - Panama ...................................� 26 Jun 1980 - 29 Oct 1981 Papua New Guinea .........................� 12 Jan 1995 a/ - Paraguay .................................� 6 Apr 1987 a/ - Peru .....................................� 23 Jul 1981 - 13 Sep 1982 Philippines ..............................� 15 Jul 1980 - 5 Aug 1981 Poland ...................................� 29 May 1980 - 30 Jul 1980 b/ Portugal .................................� 24 Apr 1980 - 30 Jul 1980 Republic of Korea ........................� 25 May 1983 b/ - 27 Dec 1984 b/ c/ Republic of Moldova ......................� 1 Jul 1994 a/ - Romania ..................................� 4 Sep 1980 b/ - 7 Jan 1982 b/ Russian Federation .......................� 17 Jul 1980 - 23 Jan 1981 c/ Rwanda ...................................� 1 May 1980 - 2 Mar 1981 Saint Kitts and Nevis ....................� 25 Apr 1985 a/ - Saint Lucia ..............................� 8 Oct 1982 a/ - St. Vincent & the Grenadines .............� 4 Aug 1981 a/ - Samoa ....................................� 25 Sep 1992 a/ - Sao Tome and Principe ....................� 31 Oct 1995 - Saudi Arabia .............................� 7 Sep 2000 - 7 Sep 2000 b/ Senegal ..................................� 29 Jul 1980 - 5 Feb 1985 Seychelles ...............................� 5 May 1992 a/ - Sierra Leone .............................� 21 Sep 1988 - 11 Nov 1988 Singapore ................................� 5 Oct 1995 a/ b/ - Slovakia / ...............................� 28 May 1993 d/ - Slovenia .................................� 6 Jul 1992 d/ - South Africa .............................� 29 Jan 1993 - 15 Dec 1995 a/ Spain ....................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 5 Jan 1984 b/ Sri Lanka ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 5 Oct 1981 Suriname .................................� 1 Mar 1993 a/ - Sweden ...................................� 7 Mar 1980 - 2 Jul 1980 Switzerland ..............................� 23 Jan 1987 - 27 Mar 1997 a/ b/ Tajikistan ...............................� 26 Oct 1993 a/ - Thailand .................................� 9 Aug 1985 a/ b/ c/ - The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia � 18 Jan 1994 d/ - Togo .....................................� 26 Sep 1983 a/ - Trinidad and Tobago ......................� 27 Jun 1985 b/ - 12 Jan 1990 b/ Tunisia ..................................� 24 Jul 1980 - 20 Sep 1985 b/ Turkey ...................................� 20 Dec 1985 a/ b/ - Turkmenistan .............................� 1 May 1997 a/ - Tuvalu ...................................� 6 Oct 1999 a/ - Uganda ...................................� 30 Jul 1980 - 22 Jul 1985 Ukraine ..................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 12 Mar 1981 c/ UK & Northern Ireland ....................� 22 Jul 1981 - 7 Apr 1986 b/ United Republic of Tanzania ..............� 17 Jul 1980 - 20 Aug 1985 United States of America .................� 17 Jul 1980 - Uruguay ..................................� 30 Mar 1981 - 9 Oct 1981 Uzbekistan ...............................� 19 Jul 1995 a/ - Vanuatu ..................................� 8 Sep 1995 a/ - Venezuela ................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 2 May 1983 b/ Viet Nam .................................� 29 Jul 1980 - 17 Feb 1982 b/ Yemen / ..................................� 30 May 1984 a/ b/ - Yugoslavia ...............................� 12 Mar 2001 d/ - Zambia ...................................� 17 Jul 1980 - 21 Jun 1985 Zimbabwe .................................� 13 May 1991 a/ -

STATES THAT BECAME PARTIES IN 2000

Saudi Arabia 7 September 2000

STATES THAT BECAME PARTIES IN 2001

Democratic People's Republic of Korea 27 February 2001

Mauritania 10 May 2001

Source of Table Data

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women. Consisting of a preamble and 30 articles, it defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.

The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."
By accepting the Convention, States commit themselves to undertake a series of measures to end discrimination against women in all forms, including:

to incorporate the principle of equality of men and women in their legal system, abolish all discriminatory laws and adopt appropriate ones prohibiting discrimination against women;

to establish tribunals and other public institutions to ensure the effective protection of women against discrimination; and

to ensure elimination of all acts of discrimination against women by persons, organizations or enterprises.

The Convention provides the basis for realizing equality between women and men through ensuring women's equal access to, and equal opportunities in, political and public life -- including the right to vote and to stand for election -- as well as education, health and employment. States parties agree to take all appropriate measures, including legislation and temporary special measures, so that women can enjoy all their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Convention is the only human rights treaty which affirms the reproductive rights of women and targets culture and tradition as influential forces shaping gender roles and family relations. It affirms women's rights to acquire, change or retain their nationality and the nationality of their children. States parties also agree to take appropriate measures against all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of women.

Countries that have ratified or acceded to the Convention are legally bound to put its provisions into practice. They are also committed to submit national reports, at least every four years, on measures they have taken to comply with their treaty obligations.
The Convention, which entered into force on 3 September 1981, has, as of June, 2001, 168 States parties.

Source of the above text

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