I Love the UN, Part 2

Of the thirty one hundred NGOs with consultative status at the UN, three hundred thirteen are explicitly women’s groups. That’s ten percent. And you know what? Thank God. I was concerned that women might be underrepresented in the Man’s World of international politics. Turns out, I was wrong. Here is a sampling of a few of my favorites. Just like yesterday, I’ve let the groups speak (mostly) for themselves.

Coalition of Activist Lesbians—these girls work with the U.N. Convention to eliminate all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Between that and keeping the flannel industry booming, they must be busy. Thank goodness they have time to talk to the UN. http://home.vicnet.net.au/~coal/welcome.html

International Association for Feminist Economics--We are a continually expanding group of scholars, policy professionals, students, advocates and activists interested in empowering and improving the well-being of women-and other under-represented groups-around the world. I have not taken many economics classes, so correct me if I’m wrong here. I thought economics was based on math. I didn’t think math had much to do with gender. So what are feminist economics and how are they different from real economics? http://www.iaffe.org/

S.O.S. Femmes en Detresse—these lovely ladies work on a concrete, practical level providing services to women in difficulty. At the same time the association carries out policy advocacy- and awareness raising work on issues of violence against women and on the need to strengthen women’s rights in Algeria. If they provide knights in shining armor, sign me up. http://www.sos-femmesendetresse.org/article.php3?id_article=24

Sociologists for Women in Society—SWS is an international organization of social scientists—students, faculty, practitioners, and researchers—working together to improve the position of women within sociology and society in general. Are they concerned we won’t find continued use for women in society? I’m pretty sure everyone is in favor of women in society, they shouldn’t restrict membership to sociologists. Everyone should join this one. http://newmedia.colorado.edu/~socwomen/about/about.html

Women Against Rape—these girls want official condemnation of sexual violence, including racist sexual assault and the abuse of power and authority. They have opposed sexism and other discrimination by the police, Crown Prosecution Service, barristers and judges. They must face incredibly tough opposition from WIFR (Women in Favor of Rape). I mean really. Can’t we just assume everyone is against rape and get rid of the lobbying group? http://www.womenagainstrape.net/WhoWeAreContactUs/WhoWeAre.htm

World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action—WABA is a global network of organizations and individuals who believe breastfeeding is the right of all children and mothers and who dedicate themselves to protect, promote and support this right. WABA acts on the Innocenti Declaration and works in liaison with UNICEF. Why does it sound like New Mothers Gone Wild? Can we all agree that is something we’d rather not see? http://www.waba.org.my/wwaba.htm

World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts—WAGGGS is a worldwide Movement providing non-formal education where girls and young women develop leadership and life skills through self-development, challenge and adventure. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts learn by doing. I’m not going to judge this one. Even Kofi needs his cookies. Also, the UN could use some practice making situpons and completing the Herstory Badge like my Daisy Troup did in kindergarten. http://www.wagggsworld.org/en/about

There is one women’s group I would like to see talking to the UN. It’s not there, so I think I’m going to start it. It’s called Women Against the United States Payment of United Nations Dues or WAUSPUND for short. We’re making t-shirts. It’s going to be glorious.