Recent News
In Solidarity with Haiti
How you can help - click here.
January 12, 2010
The Haiti earthquake is unprecedented in its scale and devastation. It's hard to know what to do to help.
One thing we know at UAF is this — wherever a disaster, a conflict, or a crisis hits in the world — women activists will always be there as first responders. They will be there to pick up the pieces. We need to support them — and to listen to their voices.
Voices of Solidarity offers those voices, advising on how women respond to disasters — please read more below.
UAF has sent out a letter of solidarity to our grantees and advisors in Haiti. While it is not within our grantmaking mandate to provide funds for humanitarian aid, we are able to support women's groups in situations of escalating violence and conflict. Unfortunately, violence against women often increases after natural disasters. UAF has been able to support groups in Haiti with five separate groups to date.
Download the Letter of Solidarity (pdf)
UAF has also sent out a five thousand dollar solidarity grant from the Executive Director discretionary fund to the Feminist International Solidarity Camp"Myriam Merlet". The camp will open the last week of January on the Haitian-Dominican Republic Border. Read more.
Welcome Urgent Action Fund-Latin America
November 17, 2009
As of November 17th, 2009, Urgent Action Fund-Latin America (UAF-Latin America) is taking over the responsibility for reviewing all proposals for Rapid Response Grants from Latin America. UAF-Latin America, based in Bogotá, Colombia, has been in operation as the third independent Urgent Action Fund since August 2009. Urgent Action Fund, UAF-Africa, and UAF-Latin America will continue to collaborate in our shared mission to promote the human rights of women and girls around the world. Should you have any questions about UAF-Latin America, or any of the Sister Funds, please contact us.
UAF-Latin America is responsible for all proposals from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean. Please send all further correspondence to: info@fondoaccionurgente.org.co.
Bienvenido Fondo de Acción Urgente de América Latina
Desde el 17 de Noviembre de 2009, el Fondo de Acción Urgente de América Latina (FAU-AL) se responsabilizará por la recepción de propuestas para Apoyos de Respuesta Rápida de toda América Latina y el Caribe Hispanohablante. FAU-AL, con sede en Bogotá-Colombia, entra en operación como el tercer fondo independiente Fondo de Acción Urgente desde agosto de 2009. Urgent Action Fund, UAF - África, y FAU-América Latina seguirán colaborando en nuestra misión compartida de promover los derechos humanos de las mujeres y las niñas de todo el mundo. Si usted tiene alguna pregunta acerca del FAU-AL, o cualquiera de los Fondos Hermanos, por favor no dude en comunicárnosla.
FAU-AL se hará cargo de todas las solicitudes provenientes de América Latina y el Caribe Hispanohablante; le agradecemos enviar toda la correspondencia posterior a: info@fondoaccionurgente.org.co.
Women's Leadership & Activism in the Muslim World
On Friday, October 9, 2009, Naropa University Peace Studies Department and the Cordoba Initiative presented Human Rights and Women's Rights in Islam featuring a keynote address by Dr. Shirin Ebadi,
Iranian human rights activist, lawyer and the 2003 Nobel peace
laureate. The following day, UAF's Executive Director, Terry
Greenblatt, moderated the opening session of Women's Leadership and Activism in the Muslim World. Click here to view photos from the opening session or read more about the event.
A Light Goes Out in Chechnya
On Tuesday, July 15, 2009, Natalia Estemirova, a prominent
Chechen human rights activist, was murdered while working to expose the
unsolved abductions and killings of activists and journalists in
Chechnya. In Natalia Estemirova, activists worldwide have lost a hero,
a courageous woman human rights defender and a friend. Read more about Natalia's work and activism. UPDATE: Chechen activist Zarema Sadulayeva and her husband are found murdered just this week, bringing more attention to the escalating violence against activists.
UAF Supports Nomination of Human Rights Activist Mary Robinson for Medal of Freedom
August 10, 2009
Dear President Obama:
Today we join with numerous women’s rights and human rights organizations around the world to salute Mary Robinson’s accomplishments and to celebrate her Presidential Medal of Freedom Award. We commend the Obama Administration for awarding the US Medal of Freedom to former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Mary Robinson. For many years now, Mary has been a strong and unwavering supporter of the slogan made famous at the 1995 Beijing UN Conference for Women: “Women’s rights are Human rights.” Read more.
UAF on the Airwaves!
Boulder-based KGNU featured Ariella Futral, Director of Grantmaking, on their dotorg series June 3, 2009, highlighting the unique work of Urgent Action Fund. You can listen to the segment here: KGNU Interview
Former UAF Board Co-Chair and Executive Director of the new UAF-Latin America, Eleanor Douglas, was interviewed by Radio Canada International's The Link on June 1, 2009. Eleanor discussed the history of UAF as well as the founding of the third Sister Fund in Colombia this year. Listen to the interview.
Former UAF-Africa Executive Director in the News
Kaari Murungi describes her chance meeting in 2005 with then-Senator Obama
Kaari Featured in Kenya's Daily Nation
Read about her activism and Facebook fame!
A Roundtable Discussion on the Role of Human Rights Defenders Around the Globe
Kaari Betty Murungi a leading Kenyan activist, lawyer and former Executive Director of Urgent Action Fund-Africa participates in a roundtable discussion on the role of human rights defenders around the globe, with Zainah Anwar Malaysia’s leading feminist and executive Director of Sisters in Islam and Louise Arbour the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Listen to the discussion on Democracy Now's website...
UAF-Africa Announces New Director!
Jessica Nkuuhe, long-time women's rights activist from Uganda, will succeed UAF-Africa's founding director, Kaari Betty Murungi on March 1, 2009.
Read more about Ms. Nkuuhe and the transition process.
Leading peace activist, human rights defender, and friend of UAF Biljana
Kovacevic-Vuco dies
April 21, 2010
A dear friend of UAF died today. Biljana Kovacevic-Vuco, one of Serbia's leading peace and human rights activists, passed away this morning at the age 58. She suffered unforeseen consequences from a kidney transplant.
UAF colleague Frontline Defenders writes, "Biljana was a true human
rights defender who braved slander, attacks and intimidation to continue
her work. She was also intelligent, irreverent and great fun. She was
no respecter of the powerful or the pompous and she had a laugh that can
only be described as an absolute CACKLE. With Natasa Kandic and Sonja
Biserko she was portrayed as one of 'the three witches' who were
demonised by the nationalist press and politicians because they thought
Serbia deserved a better future than that offered by right wing
nationalistic militarism."
Biljana headed YUCOM, which translates as the Lawyers Committee for
Human Rights in Serbia (http://Yucom.org.rs). Prior to her
work with YUCOM, Kovacevic-Vuco founded the Human Rights Council of
Center for Antiwar Action in Belgrade; headed the SOS helpline for the
victims of political, ethnic and workplace discrimination; founded the
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Office for Legal Help in Belgrade,
and served as president of the Democracy Transition Center board.
UAF boardmember Jelena Djordjevic, a friend of hers, says: "She was a
stunning woman. She supported civil society in the most meaningful way.
She was always there when people needed support. She had an unlimited
amount of energy that she used to change Serbia. She was fearless in
pushing for democratic change. She will be deeply missed; the world will
not be the same without her."
For more information, please see our colleague Frontline Defenders
articles here and here. (Photo
from Frontline Defenders)
Former Grantee Mu Sochua Profiled in the New York Times
February 21, 2010
Former grantee and current advisor, Mu Sochua, Cambodian Parliament Member, was recently profiled in the New York Times, describing her lifelong struggle to empower the women of Cambodia. Ms. Sochua was the Minister of Women's Affairs in Cambodia during the 1990's, when she referred two women's groups to Urgent Action Fund to support women activists at risk. In 2005, as chair of the Peace and Development Institute (PDI), she received a $5,000 USD grant from Urgent Action Fund.
PDI was working to support villagers in northern Cambodia who were attacked by local police and military while protesting the illegal sale of their land. Due to continued threats, one woman activist had gone into hiding and many others were concerned about their safety. In conjunction with the League for Cambodian Human Rights Action, PDI provided shelter and food for women activists and community leaders under threat. PDI also produced a DVD (with English subtitles) documenting these human rights abuses for a wider audience.
Please click here to read the full article in the NY Times.
REMEMBERING...
January 12, 2010
Anne Marie Coriolan, Magalie Marcelin and Myriam Merlet, founders of three of Haiti's most important women's advocacy organizations.
Anne Marie Coriolan was a political organizer and leader who helped criminalize rape in the Haitian courts. She increased collective efforts in the struggle to end violence against women and children.
Magalie Marcelin was a lawyer, film actress, and founder of Kay Fanm. Marcelin illuminated women's rights in Haiti by uniting women in public spaces and demanding justice.
Myriam Merlet was a founder of Enfofamn, an author, and Chief of Staff of the Haitian Ministry of Women's Affairs. She was an inspiring supporter to Haitian women.
We hold their spirits in our thoughts and honor their work in support of women's human rights!
Women Fuel Fires of Protest in Iran
September 9, 2009
The demonstrations following Iran’s June
12th presidential election have uncorked decades of anger and
impatience that have been bottled up in Iran’s women’s movement.
Street protests have been a catharsis of sorts, and have provided an
outlet for Iranian women to lay bare their plight to the outside world.
Read more.
Mu Sochua, Cambodian Parliamentarian, attends local event
July 7, 2009
Urgent Action Fund supported Cambodian Parliamentarian, UAF Grantee and Human Rights Activist, Mu Sochua at a local event during her brief stay in the U.S. (view photos). Sochua was in the region to raise awareness of her upcoming prosecution by the Cambodian Prime Minister. Sochua, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, was targeted by the Prime Minister because of her anti-corruption and human rights work. Read a statement by Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) condemning the prosecution of Sochua.
You can watch Sochua's interview on CBS 4 Denver , or listen to her radio interview with KGNU's David Edelstein (from minutes 36:26-1:31:17) and on KPFA Women's Magazine in San Francisco. For an update on Sochua's situation, please visit this link.
Read the update on Sochua's trial.
Announcing UAF’s Latest Publication:
Insiste, Resiste, Persiste, Existe: Women’s Human Rights Defenders’ Security Strategies (Resiste) by Jane Barry and Vahida Nainar is presented by Urgent Action Fund for Women’s Human Rights.
Resiste brings us the voices of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) from all over the world. Each woman speaks from her personal experience of combating violence and discrimination in complex contexts – in situations of overt or hidden conflict, organized armed violence as well as rising fundamentalisms in Iran, Colombia, Nepal, Burma, Thailand, Algeria, Tunisia, Bosnia, Serbia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Read More...Invitation for Book Launch
Women Activists in Mallorca Launch Catalan Translation of What's the Point of Revolution if We Can't Dance?
Terry Greenblatt Honored!
On November 14, 2008, Urgent Action Fund's Executive Director, Terry Greenblatt was honored at Seeking Common Ground's Circles of Change Awards Breakfast.
Congratulations Sunila!
Sunila Abeysekera, Urgent Action Fund board member and founder of Sri Lankan human rights group INFORM, was honored last month when she and four other human rights activists won the 2008 Human Rights Defender Award
Read more about Sunila...
