about
us
who
we are
CAWN contributes to uphold the political, social, cultural and economic rights of Central American women by working with others to:
raise awareness
Among the public of the situation of women in Central America, the possible
impacts of international, regional or national policies on women’s
rights and the ways in which these threats are being exposed and resisted
by women’s organisations throughout the region.
strengthen advocacy and campaigning
efforts
In order to advance the specific demands of women’s organisations
in the region and to support campaigning to protect and promote the rights
of women in Central America.
promote solidarity links
To develop CAWN’s capacity to respond to requests for support and
solidarity from women in the region so that they can oppose unjust policies
and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies.
contact us
Central America Women's Network (CAWN)
86, Durham Road
London
N7 7DT
telephone:
+44(0) 2075614828
or you can e-mail us at info@cawn.org
2011 marks the twentieth anniversary of CAWN! In July 1991, CAWN
was set up following a conference: ‘Breaking Chains
- making Links’ organised by women's sections of the Central America
solidarity and human rights committees - as a coordinating group to have
a regional perspective. It did not aim to replace the committees but enhance
their work.
CAWN grew out of the solidarity movement. A few women who were active in these groups and who had lived or visited the region felt it was important to highlight women's rights issues, and a group of current co-directors started meeting on an informal basis in the offices of the Central America Human Rights Committee.
In March of 1992 a second conference was organised "As long as it takes" celebrating 500 years of women's resistance in Central America, as part of the commemorations of 500 years of popular, black and indigenous resistance.
CAWN started producing a bulletin to keep the group informed of events and developments in the region. Several years after, a successful fundraising effort allowed CAWN to set up an office and employed the first Co-ordinator for a project working on the first project on Maquilas in the UK (around 1994).
Since then CAWN has organised speaker tours hosting a variety of women activist form Central America involved in the struggle to challenge inequality in their countries
CAWN has published research, related to labour rights, codes of conduct and gender-based violence.
CAWN is a network of women united by a commitment to women’s
human and labour rights worldwide.
Fundamental for CAWN’s work is the promotion of gender equality
and equity and the elimination of all forms of discrimination against
women.
To facilitate long-term change in the political, economic and social position of women in the direction of greater gender equality.
To learn from and support the struggles of women in Central America in the defence of their rights and the achievement of gender equality in the region.
To help make the voices of Central American women heard in Britain, the European Union and at the international level.
objectives
Networks as a tool to give proactive support to Central American women’s efforts to defend their rights and increase their voice and presence in political and economic decision-making fora in Central America.
Publicises the work of Central American women’s organisations and invites Central American women to make direct inputs into relevant research, policy, advocacy and campaigning initiatives in the global North.
Provide a space for exchange of information, ideas, and
strategies for the defence of women’s rights in Central America.
Creates links between women’s organisations in Central America,
and between them and with women’s organisations in the global North.
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