OneWorld.net (U.S.)

The gender insensitive masculine political culture has made it difficult for women politicians to firmly establish themselves in decision making positions in South Asia. While violence in politics is a widely known and accepted phenomenon, its adverse effect on participation of women in politics has yet to be accounted for.

The low level of participation of women and the inability of women to actively partake in politics and decision making could be because of prevalence of feminized violence. Violence against women politicians has been staunching women's political growth and discouraging women to enter in political discourses. The prevalent "Culture of Silence" among women politicians and deeply rooted cultural barrier have been responsible for the silent suffering of violence.

Until this silence is broken, women's effective participation at all levels of politics in South Asia will continue to be a dream. It is thus with the concerns raised, during our previous study which indicated violence as a hindrance to women's political participation and our conference "Cries of Women in Politics: Quest for Justice" in August 2006 further confirmed our assumption, that we are organizing this Regional Conference, Invisible Faces of Violence on Women in Politics : Breaking the Silence.

About the Conference

The Regional Conference is organized to bring women politicians, researchers, academicians, international and regional institutions and media persons of South Asia working on this and related issues, together on a common platform.

The main objective of the conference is to enhance understanding of the issue of Violence Against Women in Politics from a regional perspective, share knowledge and resources with all concerned stakeholders and raise awareness to consolidate all our voices to initiate the issue as a priority to be addressed by all including concerned stakeholders, authorities of South Asian countries and Regional and International bodies.

The conference aims for

Envisioning the Future of Women in Politics: By providing a regional forum to women politicians of South Asia for consolidating their voices at regional level to outline future course of actions.

Strategic Alliance with Fourth State: By recognizing contribution of media for addressing issues of violence against women to promote safe and secure participation of women in politics.

Synergizing the Actions: By bringing together different stakeholders including women politicians to develop a regional agenda for undertaking corrective measures.

SAP International calls for Registration to participate in one of the Region's first Conference on Violence Against Women in Politics in South Asia

Early Registration USD 150. Register by 31 July 2007 to secure the Lowest Rate.

Registration Fee USD 200 per person.

To Register, fill the attached registration form send your completed form to .

Last Date for Registration 20 August 2007

For more information visit www.vawip.net or mail to

Contact Person

Ms. Binisha Shrestha Ranjitkar ( ) TEL :977-1-5522234,5528612 Fax :977-1-5553126

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