Category Archives: Women

News from the Nobel Women’s Initiative

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The meeting with Honduran women this morning was sobering to say the least. In 2011 there were 460 cases of femicide (murder of women) — that’s a woman murdered every 16 hours. Of these cases, seven were brought to the justice system. Women human rights defenders are targeted with death threats, harassment, threats to their children, and sexual violence. In spite of this, we met over 50 women today who continue to fight for women’s rights, and for an end to impunity. They are building networks, organizing and continuing to call themselves “feminists in resistance”. The meeting was live-tweeted at #defensoras – tons of startling info there… don’t miss.

Do not dismiss this as feminist rhetoric. These are women, most often poor women, surviving and fighting for basic human rights, such as food, the right to exist, and the right to raise their children in a safe and healthy environments and to provide them education. These are nobel qualities and are worthy of your attention.

For information visit Nobel Women’s Initiative here or for live updates follow @NobelWomen

 

Women Peace and Security

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Yesterday I watched and listened to an inspiring conversation with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and World Economic Forum Founder Klaus Schwab . Some quotes from yesterdays conversation moved me to post these photographs from the 2011 Nobel Peace Award in Oslo, Norway. The courageous, bold, and unstoppable efforts of these women, have indeed made their impact. The Archbishop mentioned them in their conversation yesterday.Some of his quotes I found compelling were: “We have excluded people for a very long time (pause) Women!” Then he went on to say, “we won’t make it without them.”
I was tickled that he mentioned the film that chronicles the life and peace building movement of Leymah Gbowee, in the film “Pray the Devil Back to Hell.”
His comments reminded me of a remark made by Tawakkol Karman during the Women Peace and Security panel discussion , “A bird needs two wings to fly,” she said – explaining that men too must help women to fly. We cannot do it without their assistance. Each of these comments is in support of the other.
The link to the Archbishop Tutu and Schwab conversation may be found here at 1 hour and six minutes, after the opening address by  German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Crystal Award presentations.
While to some it may seem that a call to action on behalf of women may be a throwback from the past or an outdated feminist cry. Whatever your position, I encourage you to visit here and here.
You might also be interested in the interview with Billy Moyers and Leymah Gbowee

2011 Nobel Peace Prize Laureates , center Tawakkol Karman of Yemen, (r) President Ellen Jonson Sirleaf of Liberia and Leymah Gbowee, also of Liberia are greeted by dignitaries of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to the official awards ceremony in Oslo, Norway on Saturday December 10, 2011. The three women were honored and awarded by the Committee " were awarded "for their non-violent struggle for the safety of women and for women's rights to full participation in peace-building work"

2011 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient Leymah Gbowee during the film screening of "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" at the Vika Theatre in Oslo, Norway on Friday December 09, 2011. The film chronicles the life of Gbowee, a Social Worker by profession, who led the Women's Peace Movement in Liberia.

"Pray the Devil Back to Hell" Producer and Philanthropist Abigail Disney, and film director Gini Reticker during a Q & A of their film screening at the Vika Theater, in Oslo,Norway, Friday December 09, 2011.

Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini is a leading international advocate, writer, researcher and trainer in the field of women in conflict, conflict resolution and peace-building. In 2000 she co-drafted UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and was appointed to the Civil Society Advisory Group on resolution 1325, chaired by Mary Robinson. Resolution 1325 was ,unanimously adopted on October 31st, 2000, called for the respect of women's and children's rights and their inclusion in conflict resolution, peace negotiations, and peace building in conflict zones, resettlement and/or repatriation. Ms. Anderlini is the co-founder of ICAN, an American NGO based in Washington D.C. She is also the author of "Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why It Matters." http://www.icanpeacework.org/

Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini is a leading international advocate, writer, researcher and trainer in the field of women in conflict, conflict resolution and peace-building. In 2000 she co-drafted UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and was appointed to the Civil Society Advisory Group on resolution 1325, chaired by Mary Robinson. Resolution 1325 was ,unanimously adopted on October 31st, 2000, called for the respect of women's and children's rights and their inclusion in conflict resolution, peace negotiations, and peace building in conflict zones, resettlement and/or repatriation. Ms. Anderlini is the co-founder of ICAN, an American NGO based in Washington D.C. She is also the author of "Women Building Peace: What They Do, Why It Matters." http://www.icanpeacework.org/

Harriette Williams, an Advocacy Officer at Femmes Africa Solidarité during the panel discussion on Women, Peace and Security at the Det Norske Theater, December 11, 2011 in Oslo, Norway.

This post I dedicate to the memory of my mother whose roaring support for the rights and protection of women, burns in my heart daily. Her constant love and support is with me always.

PRIO

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Some of my  images from the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize events, published in the Peace Research Institute of Oslo publication.

If you are interested in the purchase or license of these or any images on my blog please go here or leave me message. Thank you.

From the Nobel Field

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The Nobel Field, a luminary homage to Nobel Peace Laureates, past and present, the Nobel Peace Center, Oslo, Norway.

If you are interested in the license or purchase of these or any of the photographs on my blog please feel free to contact me here or have a look at http://anaelisa.photoshelter.com
Thanks!

Why the Buzz Around Kate Frey?

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Kate Frey pictured among blooming peas at the sustainable Fetzer Valley Oaks garden in Hopland, California.

Kate Frey, has for 18 years designed and  managed the gardens at the Fetzer Valley Oaks vineyard with her award-winning bio-diverse, organic and sustainable gardening methods in Hopland, California. Her merits include gold medals at the  Royal Horticulture Society Chelsea Flower show in 2005 and 2007; and a Silver Gilt in 2003. Her colorful and sustainable gardens were not only favored by the judges but met with literal approval from Her Majesty Elizabeth ll, Queen of England, who met with her privately in 2003 and 2007.

Unassuming yet vibrant, Frey was eager to roam the gardens that gave birth to her career. There are numerous accolades attesting to her achievements but there is no mistake,  that her work is all about the love for sustainable gardening and the beneficial insects, pollinators, and birds who are the punctuation of a colorful garden palette. She likes to create what are called “bird and insect hospitable gardens.”

Since Chelsea, Frey and her husband Ben Frey have accepted invitations from the Shizouka prefecture in Japan and a consultation   with the Royal House of Saud to tailor their organic farms.

Apart from her international accolades and achievements, Frey continues to focus her commitments on the California landscape. Her gardening successes, awards, and prizes have brought her to her current position as teacher and director of Sonoma State University’s Sustainable Landscape Program with Extended Education. The program started in 2007 and issued their first Landscape program certificate in 2008. Her additional projects include presentations at the social and scientific Bioneers conference, and biodiversity specific projects such as The Melissa Garden, a honeybee sanctuary located in Healdsburg, California. Frey was commissioned to the sanctuary project because of the “pollen generator” plants and flowers that are at the heart of her garden landscape design. Pollinators are a given throughout the year, floral nourishment and an environment free from pesticides. The 40-acre ranch owned by Barbara and Jacques Schlumberger consider themselves “bee-stewards.” “It is no secret, Frey said, that bees are a dwindling population in the US.”

We named the sanctuary “Melissa,” after Melissa officinalis or Lemon Balm a herbaceous planet and a favorite of bees in horticulture and mythology. Melissa, in Greek mythology who fed Zeus honey as an infant and who later transformed into a queen bee. Melissa is a Greek word meaning honeybee.

A bumblebee during buzz pollination:  the rapid movement of their wings dislodges pollen from its source.

Words and Pictures Copyright Ana Elisa Fuentes