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Target Bulletin November 2013
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The FAWCO Target Program, Human Rights for Women - Protecting the Rights and Improving the Lives of Women and Girls Worldwide, offers opportunities for local Clubs to make a global difference by actively contributing toward the achievement of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). This program is directly tied to MDG #3, Promote Gender Equality and Empower Women, but by improving the lives of women we have the ability to also contribute to the success of several other MDGs.
The FAWCO Target Program is comprised of two parts: Target Education/ Awareness and Target Fundraising. Target Education/Awareness focuses on women's rights as human rights specifically in the areas of political empowerment and participation, economic empowerment, peace and security, and ending violence against women. Target Education/Awareness was launched at regional conferences in the fall of 2013 and will continue for the duration of the Target Program. The video, PowerPoint presentation and script used at the regional conferences are available on the FAWCO website click here for local club's use.
Target Fundraising is our opportunity to select and financially support a Target Project that meets the Target Program goals and objectives. By participating collectively in Target Fundraising, we are able to demonstrate the power of FAWCO Clubs working together toward a common goal while bringing a critical global issue to the attention of FAWCO Clubs, their members and their host communities.
Twelve applications for the Target Project were received from member clubs and FAUSA and are currently being considered by the 7-member Target Project Selection Committee comprised of a cross section of the FAWCO membership. The finalists will be announced on November 15, 2013, when information on each short listed project will be available. From December 15 to February 15, each FAWCO member club will be entitled to cast one vote and the winning Target Project will be announced at the interim conference in Brussels in March 2014.
Johanna Dishongh
Target Program Chair
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Meet the Target Team
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To support the Target Program and member clubs in fundraising efforts for the Target Project, the FAWCO Foundation has developed the following new positions.
The Target Fundraising Coordinator recommends, administers and conducts fundraising events and activities for the Target Program. These projects may include a "worldwide" FAWCO fundraising activity, a Target Cruise or special Target Trip, an online auction, a fundraising activity at the annual conference plus many more exciting ideas. In addition, the Fundraising Coordinator will provide assistance to local clubs throughout the entire fundraising campaign.
Marie Bénédicte Luxem discovered FAWCO as a member of AIWC Cologne, where  she served on and later chaired the Charity Committee. Marie was born in Paris, where she lived until attending the Hotel Management School in Lausanne, Switzerland. From then on she moved from place to place, initially alone and later together with her husband and their 5 children. In addition to Europe, she has lived in Australia, Cyprus and Mauritius. In January 2013, Marie returned to Switzerland, where she is now a member of the AWC Zürich. Marie is looking forward to the challenge of this newly formed position and has already begun to prepare for the Target Fundraising launch at the Brussels Conference.
The Target Corporate Donor Coordinator is challenged with identifying and establishing relationships with corporations and other organizations whose social responsibility goals are aligned to the goals of the Target Program and to ultimately secure donations for the Target Project Fundraising Campaign. She is a member of The FAWCO Foundation's Target Project Fundraising Team.
Elsie Bose has served in many different positions on The FAWCO Foundation Board including President (2008-2010) and currently serves as the Foundation  Board's Parliamentarian. She is intimately acquainted with the Target Program, having served on all three committees charged with developing the Target Program: Vision of the Future Team, Philanthropic Strategy and Focus Committee, and Target Program Team. She lives in Dubai and is a member of AWG Paris. Having been involved in the Target Program since its inception, Elsie is pleased to serve as the Target Corporate Donor Coordinator.
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Something to think about.....
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Last month, I attended a screening and panel discussion of Peace Unveiled, which is part 3 of the 5 part PBS Documentary, Women, War and Peace. This event was in recognition of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (SCR1325), signed October 31, 2000, marking the first time the Security Council addressed the disproportionate and unique impact of armed conflict on women; recognizing the under-valued and under-utilized contributions women make to conflict prevention, peacekeeping, conflict resolution and peace-building. It also stressed the importance of women's equal and full participation as active agents in peace and security.
The most interesting thread throughout the panel discussion was the importance of listening to those you are trying to help and basing your support strategies on what they say they need. When asked what we should do differently in the future, Hasina Safi, Executive Director of Afghan Women's Network, said, "Don't give them cookies if they want milk." Another example cited by a member of the Dutch Ministry of Defense occured when he was directing humanitarian efforts in Africa. His troops were concerned that the women had to travel so far every day to collect water, so they built a well in the center of the village. The women were furious! Their culture almost held them hostage to their homes and the daily journey to collect water was their only time to socialize with others.
Peace Unveiled chronicles the lives of 3 Afghan women who were determined that the advances in women's rights would not be traded away in peace talks with the Taliban. Although it was difficult to watch the day to day struggles and life threatening situations of these women, I was encouraged by the young man in Kandahar bursting with pride as he speaks of his mother, Hasina Safi, who was a delegate to the peace talks. Although it has been 13 years since the signing of UNSCR 1325, we still have a long way to go before women's place in the peace process is universally implemented.
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