Vienna+20: Some progress, but instruments are only effective if they are implemented

FRIDAY FILE: As part of AWID’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, AWID spoke to feminist human rights activist, Lin Chew[i], about the importance of the conference and the instruments that followed.

Alternative Radio Used to Highlight Diverse Voices

FRIDAY FILE – February 13 is World Radio Day[1], and this year UNESCO recommended undertaking actions to promote gender equality. AWID spoke to feminist activists and communicators from Costa Rica and Argentina about how women and other social movements are taking ownership of the radio to ensure it reflects their issues and agendas.

By Gabriela De Cicco

Vienna +20: Some Advances and Setbacks for Women’s Human Rights in Asia

FRIDAY FILE – In the latest interview forming part of AWID’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, AWID speaks to advocate of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, leading activist in Pakistan's women's movement and international champion of human rights, Hina Jilani, about how the conference strengthened women’s networks and advocacy to advance women’s human rights, b

Vienna +20: Feminist Movement and Solidarity Building in Central and Eastern Europe

FRIDAY FILE – In the latest interview forming part of AWID’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights, AWID speaks to radical feminist activist and an anti-war lesbian, Lepa Mladjenovic, about how the conference helped to advance feminist anti-war work and LGBT rights; and how it shaped and strengthened the women’s movement and solidarity building in Central and Eastern Europe/ Commonwealth of Independent States

The Transnational Ex-Gay Movement

FRIDAY FILE - AWID interviewed feminist researcher, Annie Wilkinson[i], about her research on sexual orientation change efforts in Ecuador and the transnational ‘ex-gay’ movement she describes as a multi-million dollar industry.

By Rochelle Jones

“I name myself as an identity that this oppressive State refuses to acknowledge”

FRIDAY FILE: AWID spoke to Sara Álvarez Medrano, a young Mayan lesbian feminist about her experiences living as a lesbian in her community, the discrimination she has faced and her feminist and spiritual journey.

By Gabriela De Cicco

Vienna +20: Some Progress in MENA but Relativity of Rights and Backlash Persist

FRIDAY FILE - In this latest interview forming part of AWID’s commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, AWID speaks to Mahnaz Afkhami, Director of Women’s Learning Partnership about some of the advances and challenges for women’s rights and women’s rights organizing in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region over the last 20 years

By Susan Tolmay

Breaking Through the Iron Ceiling: Iran’s New Government and the Hopes of the Iranian Women’s Movements

FRIDAY FILE: Iranian women’s rights activist, Sussan Tahmasebi, shares her insights with AWID about Iran’s new President Hassan Rouhani, and what this could mean for Iranian women.

By Rochelle Jones

Women’s Movement Building: Lessons From Transitions to Democracy

FRIDAY FILE – AWID and Women’s Learning Partnership (WLP) recently launched two initiatives that aim to share and build knowledge and awareness about countries in transition to democracy; and the need to ensure that all citizens, including women, are enabled to participate in these processes is essential to guaranteeing rights for all.

By Angelika Arutyunova

Her Yer Taksim! Feminist and LGBTQI Engagement in the Gezi Park Protests

FRIDAY FILE - News of the lower court decision[1] at the beginning of July that a construction project in Istanbul’s Gezi Park be halted was overshadowed by the police crackdown on what had started as a small demonstration against the park’s destruction.