Gender
Photos by: Sacca, Babasteve (girl), Mknobil (bride)
Introduction
Feminism and the striving for equity among women and men have been central among the roots of the Green movement, out of which the Heinrich Böll Foundation has emerged. Today, the Foundation pursues "gender democracy" as a socio-political vision and as an organizational principle alike.


For the Heinrich Böll Foundation, gender democracy means that patriarchal structures and power relations in private and public spheres are overcome; that social positions (work, income, power etc.) are conveyed by ability and not by virtue of gender; that a diversity of models and concepts of life are recognized as equally valuable and legitimate; and that a variety of gender identities and orientations are recognized, legally and by the society.

Thus, gender democracy is not only merely about "women's rights" or the empowerment of women in society, but encompasses a much wider vision of equality between the sexes, in areas both public and private.

The Gender Forum is one of the longest discussion forums in existence in Ethiopia. Established in 2000 and since 2006 organized directly by the country office of the Foundation, the Gender Forum connects the international discussion on gender issues with the situation in Ethiopia. The Gender Forum initiated inter alia debates on violence against women, the public image of women in the patriarchic society of Ethiopia, Gender and religion or Gender and leadership. We also support studies on gender relations, conferences and since 2008 the Addis International Film Festival on Human Rights.

Equality, development and peace for women – how much progress since Beijing?
Equality, development and peace for women – how much progress since Beijing?
Equality, development and peace for women – how much progress since Beijing?
March 10, 2010 - In 1995, the Fourth World Conference on Women adopted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA), which was then considered to be the most comprehensive agenda for women's empowerment. At its 54th meeting in March 2010, the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) seems to be quite satisfied with the developments since the declaration was adopted 15 year ago. However, civil society organisations are criticising the official statement as overstating the progress made, and ignoring  the slow and partial nature of implementation and complain about a lack of political space for women’s organisations to participate in a meaningful way. A group of concerned women’s organisations has issued a critical statement in the proceedings at the CSW meeting and invites supporting signatures.
Strengthening Women's Political Participation
Gender Mainstreaming – Possibilities and Limits of a Radical Social Concept
Gender mainstreaming is, at its core, a radical socio-political concept for achieving gender equality and equal opportunity. Barbara Unmüßig explores its advance – and the difficulties encountered. more»
Our Partners in the Field of Gender
Initiative Africa (IA) is an organization that fights inequality, injustice and power differentials by promoting actions that advance Human Rights, Good Governance and Democracy and by building the capacity of local NGOs/CSOs working in this area.

The country office of HBF sponsored the international film festival on Rights and Justice and Hidden Heroes.

P.O.Box 1123, Addis Ababa
Tel. 251- 11-440 02 05
E-mail: iafrica@telecom.net.et
www.initiativeafrica.net

News and Events
The Heinrich Boell Foundation announces a public lecture on "The Role of Botanic Gardens for Biodiversity Conservation" which will be held on the 9th of September, 2010 at Kaleb Hotel (close to Edna Mall) starting from 4:30pm.

Please be informed that there will be a field visit to the first Botanical Garden of Ethiopia which is located in Addis Ababa around Gulele area on September 18, 2010 @ 9:00 am.

For more infomation please call our office 0116631100.

Green Party
Headquarters in Berlin and Regional office of Heinrich Boell Foundation Nairobi
Other Links
Reflections Publication Series on Gender