This blog post was researched and written by Intern Jocelyn Inlay.
One act of violence can cause a chain of events that impact not only the victim, but their family and society at large as well. That is why November 25 is International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women. Once again, the United Nations will bring international attention to the issue through the Secretary General’s UNiTE campaign “Orange YOUR Neighborhood”. The 16 day campaign lasts from November 25 to December 10, Human Rights Day. During this time, ordinary people take the UNiTE campaign to their community by organizing “Orange Events”. They want people across the world to join together in saying “No” to violence and “Yes” to human rights.
Last year, men and women across the world stood together in solidarity, asking for an end to violence against women. They held events in their communities, in their workplace, and at their schools to raise awareness. FOU20 Awareness Initiative in Ciaro Egypt hosted a cycling event to show the power of community in advocating for gender equality. In Kubal, UN Women held a contest and cultural performance event to increase awareness of laws in Afghanistan which protect women and girls from violence. More than 100 people gathered to test and show their knowledge of laws on women’s rights. In Mexico, students lined the streets with signs and information about human rights.
Within the past months we have seen a lot of attention brought to the issue of domestic violence against women in the United States. In 2010 alone, 1,095 women were killed by their male partners. Approximately 42 million women in the United States will experience physical violence, rape and/or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.
Unfortunately, the problem of violence against women is not confined to the United States. Women around the world suffer daily from violence in the form of physical, sexual, psychological, and economic abuse. Worldwide, approximately 30% of women who have been in a relationship have experienced domestic violence, and in some regions that number is even higher. Some national studies report the numbers being as high as 70%.
Empowering women regardless of whether or not they have been a victim of violence is a crucial step towards gender equality and ending the violence. Right here in Pittsburgh, there are many organizations working hard every day to help women. Check out these organizations to see what part they play in saying “Yes” to human rights.
The mission of Women’s Center & Shelter is to advance the safety and wellbeing of victims of intimate partner violence and prevent and respond to intimate partner violence through social change.
Bethlehem Haven’s mission is to provide a continuum of care for homeless women that leads toward self-sufficiency. Bethlehem Haven’s vision is to end homelessness through collaboration with the community and the people we serve.
The Center for Women helps women in transition achieve and maintain economic independence by providing and referring career, educational, and financial resources.
YWCA Greater Pittsburgh empowers women and their families, advocates for fair and equitable conditions, and challenges social and racial injustice.
The mission of Strong Women, Strong Girls is to raise ambition for women and girls by fostering cycles of mutual empowerment through mentoring.
Pennsylvania Women Work is dedicated to empowering women in transition through job readiness, emotional growth, education, training and employment. Pennsylvania Women Work provides free services to thousands of women each year.
Women make up 64% of the lower house of the legislature in the country that leads the world in elected female representatives. Can you guess which country this is?
It’s not the United States. For all of the opportunities it affords women, the U.S. ranks 85th in women elected with 18.3% female legislators. The United Kingdom? No, they rank at number 64 with 22.6% of women elected to Parliament. Many would then guess one of the Nordic countries. Still not correct, but close; Sweden is number five with 43.6%.
You probably wouldn’t guess that it is Rwanda, an African country which 20 years ago was in the midst of one of the most violent civil wars in history. Following the war, the new constitution implemented provided for a gender quota in Parliament, reserving 30% of its seats in the lower house for women. This decision was based on a study by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women marking that particular percentage as a benchmark. With a majority of its lawmakers as women, Rwanda met this quota and then some. And that’s only the lower house of Parliament; Rwandan women are involved in politics from the local level, through the Parliament, and even to the national judiciary. Half of Rwanda’s Supreme Court Justices are women.
Sources: nationsonline.org, CIA World Factbook
After the war, in which approximately 800,000 people were killed in genocide, Rwanda began to rebuild and Rwandan women had an integral role in the country’s healing. There are many factors that can be attributed to Rwanda’s progress and many are because, not in spite of, the 1994 conflict.
Women were responsible for most, if not all of the post-war reconstruction. This was mostly because of the demographic realities of the time: as a result of the genocide, over 70% of Rwanda’s population was female for the first few years after the war. Women cared for orphaned children, implemented a massive adoption campaign, supported widows, and gradually rebuilt the country’s infrastructure. Many of the current men in leadership were raised by single mothers in refugee camps. For them, seeing women as leaders is normal, not a benchmark. Gender-based repression and violence before and during the war was also a huge factor in the advancement of women in elected leadership. In the trials after the war, rape was prosecuted as an act of genocide and laws have since been enacted to prevent violence against women.
What can the rest of the world learn from Rwanda?
In order to get more women in public office in the U.S., more political recruitment may be in order. Psychologically, women have a tendency to be less self-confident than men and will judge their failures and accomplishments more harshly. Publicizing failure in a run for public office is likely a deterrent for many qualified women that simply lack confidence. Another strong deterrent for women is concern about balancing personal life with time commitment and other the obligations that come with public leadership.
It may be especially beneficial to have women in elected political leadership in developing countries. A study by Columbia Business School and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management showed that electing women to leadership positions in politically and economically fragile states is correlated with a significant increase in GDP. This is particularly true of states that have strong ethnic divisions and high economic inequality. Women have a more inclusive and democratic style of leadership which can be attributed to the correlation between female leadership and economic growth.
In an era where there are so many young democracies struggling to maintain political stability and economic growth, this lesson is especially notable. Regardless of the political, economic, or institutional strength of a country, diverse and proportionate representation is one of the hallmarks of successful democracies and thoughtful studies that aid these efforts always valued.
China seems to have little remorse about violating several World Trade Organization principles of free trade and open market access. Its citizens’ are forbidden to access to foreign sites—including social media sites—while foreigners are able to access Chinese sites. Aynne Kokas, an expert on Chinese Internet policies at Rice University in Texas, says this is contributable to the expanding trade gap between America and China. “[China’s] own rising powers on the Web are not only free to operate across the U.S., but also have raised more than $40 billion on U.S. stock exchanges,” she said.
Turkish and Chinese Social Media Users Bypass Crackdowns
This video produced by PBS News Hour features First Lady Michelle Obama in China; she spoke to professors and students about the importance of free speech to the strength of a country’s voice.
China has incurred some major long-term consequences pertaining to basic human rights and trade relations, here’s what I consider to be the top two.
1. Repression of Individual Freedoms
China’s cyber-border guards demonstrate a lead repression of individual online freedoms, according to Hosuk Lee-Makiyama, a legal scholar who was a senior adviser on WTO issues to the EU leadership. Here are some realities of the situation.
- Reports indicate that internet usage in China is patrolled by tens of thousands of cyber-sentries.
- China prevents 600 million internet users from joining Facebook, emailing sites, and photo sharing sites.
- Cyber users are blocked from over 18,000 worldwide websites.
- Cyber blockages are only prevent mainland readers from visiting foreign websites, not prevent foreigners from accessing Chinese sites.
2. Diminishing International Trade Relationships
The United States has taken some major action against China in the last few months. U.S. officials say Chinese spies are responsible for nearly $300 billion a year in stolen intellectual property and lost business to American companies, and who have cost Americans jobs. They’ve launched a counterintelligence campaign against China. U.S. hackers at the National Security Agency (NSA) have broken into Chinese computers in order to find out what information has been stolen from American companies
– bring criminal charges against foreign government officials
– sophisticated cyber sleuthing and the cooperation of American companies, which are willing to work with federal investigators and explain what damage they suffered as the victims of economic espionage.
– appealing to Chinese courts after indicting 5 Chinese militants for cyber espionage, China still maintains its blocks on foreign cyber platforms.
There is a lot to be learned outside of the classroom! Whether you are thinking about college applications or possible career plans, a summer internship, study, or travel opportunity is worth considering, and with summer just around the corner many high school, undergraduate, and graduate students are doing just that.
To help start the search process for opportunities available this summer and throughout the school year, we’ve compiled a list of some great internships, study abroad, and travel experiences in international affairs across a wide range of organizations. Use the information below as a beginning guide on your search, but be sure to do some research on your own as well! To help you out, we have listed some additional resources for more information.
Attention teachers: we’ve included a section on summer opportunities for educators below. Scroll towards the end of this post for information on two exciting opportunities.
Amnesty International – Internship Opportunities: Amnesty International is a human rights organization that provides unpaid summer, fall, and spring internships to rising college juniors (and above) in New York, Washington D.C., Atlanta, San Francisco, and Boston.
Arms Control Association Internships: The Arms Control Association and Arms Control Today offer research and journalism internships in Washington, D.C. This internship program, offered in the spring, summer, and fall, is best suited for undergraduate students.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Internships: APEC is an international affairs and economic organization that provides unpaid internships to graduate-level students who are nationals or permanent residents of APEC member economies. In some cases a financial stipend may be available. The Secretariat seeks candidates from a variety of academic disciplines, specifically those who have a strong interest in the work of international organizations and, in particular, international affairs and international economics.
The Carter Center Internship Program: Semester-long internships are open to undergraduate and graduate students and recent graduates in areas such as health, peace, and operations. These internships are unpaid and may take place in cities across the nation and abroad. Internship opportunities are offered year round.
Center for Strategic and International Studies – Internships: CSIS offers full and part-time internships in the fall, spring, and summer for undergraduates, advanced students, and recent graduates who are interested in gaining practical experience in public policy.
Central Intelligence Agency – Student Opportunities: The CIA has competitive internship opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students in a range of fields, including analytical; business, IT, and security; clandestine service; language; and science, engineering and technology. The student opportunities page also includes information on scholarship and co-op programs, as well as ongoing opportunities for students of all ages. Due to the extensive application and background check required, interested applicants should apply 12 months prior to their desired start date. Applications for the Summer 2015 internship program are due March 31, 2014.
Council on Foreign Relations Internships: CFR offers volunteer internship opportunities for college students, graduate students, and recent graduates focusing on international relations and who are pursuing a career in foreign policy or a related field. Interns are recruited year-round on a semester basis to volunteer in both the New York and Washington, DC offices, and all internships are filled on a rolling basis.
Doctors Without Borders – Paid Internship Program: A very competitive program, Doctors Without Borders offers internships in many departments, including HIV/AIDs, Human Resources, Marketing, Medical Editing, Planned Giving, Public Events, Press, and Web. Internships take place in New York City. The deadline to apply for a summer internship is April 11, 2014.
European Union – Washington Delegation Internships: Open to college/university students and recent graduates, internships with the Washington Delegation are unpaid and preference is given to applicants who are available full-time. Internships are offered during the fall semester, spring semester, and summer.
Human Rights Watch Internships: Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate-level students, both within the U.S. and abroad.
International Monetary Fund Internships: The IMF offers approximately 50 paid summer (June – October) internships each year to highly qualified PhD students.
Korea Economic Institute Internships: Applicants to KEI should be graduate students (or exceptional undergraduate students) with a background in political science and/or economics as well as an interest in Asia-Pacific issues, especially Korea. Internships are offered for the fall, spring, and summer.
NATO Internships: The application window for a NATO internship is from March-April for the following year. Internships last 6 months, beginning in either September or March, and are based in Brussels, Belgium. Application requirements include an online application form, CV, and letter of motivation.
United Nations Internships: The UN Programme on Youth provides a list of internships available with the United Nations. Please visit each link for specific details and applicant criteria.
United States Commercial Service Internships: The U.S. Commercial service offers student volunteer internships at U.S. Field Offices, Headquarters, and International Field Offices. This page provides more information about applying to the different locations.
United States Department of State – Student Programs: This page offers information for high school, college, and graduate/post-graduate opportunities within the State Department. Please visit each opportunity for details and applicant criteria.
United States Office of Personnel Management – Student Jobs (USAJobs.gov): This website is the portal to all job and internship applications for the federal government for students and recent graduates. Internships can be found by searching the site for “internship.” This page also offers information on the Pathways Program, the Presidential Management Fellows Program, summer jobs, and volunteer experiences.
United States Senate or House of Representatives Internships: Many offices of government officials in the House of Representatives and United States Senate offer internships for high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students. A variety of opportunities can be found at the link provided. You are also encouraged to visit the professional website of a representative, senator, or committee for more detailed information.
USAID Internships: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) offers paid and volunteer-based internships, both domestically and abroad, for college and graduate students.
White House Internships: Applicants for a White House internship must be U.S. citizens who will be at least 18 years old on the first day of the internship, and must be enrolled in an academic program. A completed application for this competitive program includes two essay questions, two letters of recommendation, and a resume.
World Affairs Councils: Like the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, many World Affairs Councils across the country offer internships at their organization. This link goes to the World Affairs Councils of America list of member Councils.
World Bank Internships: The World Bank offers paid internships in the summer (June-September) and winter (December-March), primarily in Washington, D.C. Applicants are required to be graduate or PhD students who have ideally completed one or more years of graduate-level education at the time of the internship.
Summer Travel and International Learning Opportunities
Amizade Global Service-Learning: This Pittsburgh-based nonprofit organization offers experiences for individuals and groups to travel abroad to participate in service-learning opportunities. There are also accredited study-abroad opportunities, offered in partnership with West Virginia University.
Global Citizen Year: During this year-long total immersion program, offered to recent high school graduates, students will develop critical skills, master new tools, and learn from recognized experts all while living abroad and being fully immersed in a new culture. Programs are offered in Brazil, Ecuador, and Senegal, and last from the summer following high school graduation to the following April.
Global Scholar: An intensive two-week academic enrichment program that offers rising high school juniors and seniors the chance to sharpen their understanding of international affairs in a university setting. Global Scholar Prep is held at American University in Washington, D.C.
Kosciuszko Foundation Summer Study Abroad Programs: A variety of study abroad programs are offered by the Kosciuszko Foundation for study at the Catholic University of Lublin and Jagiellonian University of Cracow in Poland. Programs range in length and include courses in the Polish language, history, and culture with sightseeing trips on weekends. The deadline to apply is May 15, 2014.
National Geographic – Student Expeditions: Students completing 9th through 12th grades are eligible to participate in National Geographic Student Expeditions. There are four types of trips offered: expeditions, field workshops, photo workshops, and community service programs.
Summer at Georgetown: Georgetown University’s Summer Programs for High School Students include a range of activities, such as Institutes on International Relations and National Security/Counter-Intelligence; Fundamentals of Business: Leadership in a Global Economy; and summer courses on a range of international topics. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2014.
Summer Seminar on Global Issues: New in 2014, the Summer Seminar on Global Issues is a two-week, non-residential program offered by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh in partnership with the Global Studies Center and the University Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Open to rising high school juniors and seniors, the Summer Seminar will expose students to a range of interdisciplinary global issues, and will include language study, presentations from regional experts, simulation and scenario activities, among others. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2014.
World Learning: A partner of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh’s Global Travel Scholarship Program, World Learning offers travel learning opportunities for high school and undergraduate students. The Experiment in International Living offers 3-5 week programs for high school students in 30 different countries, while SIT Study Abroad offers college students more than 70 semester, academic year, and summer programs around the world.
American Foreign Service Association – Student Resources: The AFSA provides students with information on careers in Foreign Service, internship opportunities in foreign affairs, and other ways to become involved with international relations.
EuroBrussels – Internship Level Jobs: This site lists European Affairs internships/traineeships that are not affiliated with the EU Institutions. Interested applicants will need to contact the organizations or read the requirements to verify whether U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
European Union Institutions – Traineeships for Students: A listing of internships at the Institutions of the EU in Brussels. There may be a limited number of internship positions available for non-EU students.
Global Job Board: An extensive up-to-date listing of job and internship opportunities, searchable by level, location, and sector. A great resource for internship- and job-seekers alike.
Global Career Blog (Passport Career): Although the main Passport Career site requires registration (and payment) the blog is available to everyone, and is full of advice for job-searching and working abroad.
Summer Opportunities for Educators
10th Annual Great Decisions Teacher Training Institute: Organized by the Foreign Policy Association’s Great Decisions program, the Teacher Training Institute (June 30-July 2) provides educators a unique opportunity to build skills in teaching global affairs, develop international studies curricula, learn about related teaching resources, and interact with other committed international affairs educators. Topics range from defense technology to the Islamic awakening. The Institute is held in New York City. Applications are due by Friday, April 25, 2014.
Summer Institute for Teachers: A three-day (June 24-26, 2014) summer workshop for educators hosted by the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, which consists of briefings from experts on contemporary world affairs, small group problem solving exercises, and lesson-planning sessions. This year’s topics will focus on a range of issues including transnational threats, genocide, as well as regional studies covering South America.
Over a century and a half ago, slavery was abolished in the United States and it is illegal worldwide. Human trafficking, however, persists as a form of modern-day bondage. The United Nations defines human trafficking as a crime against humanity in which traffickers coerce people into performing labor or sexual acts against their will for the financial gain of the trafficker. It’s truly a global issue with victims and perpetrators all over the world. Although it is difficult to compile comprehensive data on the topic, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is certain it affects all the world’s regions and generates billions of dollars in illicit profits each year. The office also estimates that there are 2.5 million victims of human trafficking at any one time.
Human trafficking takes place in a variety of forms, including:
Forced labor is a widespread form of human trafficking. A recruiter, transporter, and final employer are usually involved in the movement of people for this purpose. The trafficking victims endure a hazardous journey and, when they do reach their destination, are subject to low paying jobs in poor working conditions. In conflict countries, children as young as 8-years-old are sometimes kidnapped by government or rebel forces. They are forced to serve as soldiers on the front lines or are trapped into sexual slavery.
Involuntary Domestic Servitude
This is a type of forced labor wherein foreign migrants are recruited to come to more developed countries to work as domestic servants and caretakers. These workers, usually women, are not afforded legal protections and employers take advantage of gaps in the law. Workers are often sexually exploited or confined to their workplaces through physical restraint or confiscation of passports and travel visas.
Sex trafficking involves recruiting, transporting, or paying for the services of a person to perform a forced commercial sex act. Women and girls make up a disproportionate amount of sex trafficking victims. Sex traffickers target vulnerable populations, such as people who have previously been abused, and use violence, threats, or other types of manipulation to trap victims in the sex trade.
International adoption has become increasingly popular, but corruption and loose international regulations have turned it into a form of human trafficking. Babies are often coerced, bought, or stolen from their birth families, many of whom are poor or illiterate. Those involved in the procurement of babies, from adoption agencies to medical professionals, derive lucrative profit from the high fees adoptive parents are willing to pay for children.
Human trafficking activity isn’t always apparent, but more and more people are becoming involved in preventing this crime. The Pittsburgh region has organizations that are devoted to raising public awareness for human trafficking and providing services for victims. The Project to End Human Trafficking, led by Carlow University’s Dr. Mary Burke, pulls slavery into the public eye through educational lectures that focus on topics relating to human trafficking. Dr. Burke is also at the helm of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Anti-Human Trafficking Coalition. Local, state, and federal organizations, law enforcement officials, and citizens come together for monthly meetings and educational and prevention initiatives. Living in Liberty is a local safe house for victims of human trafficking. Clients have access to educators, lawyers, health care providers, and counselors to restore their physical and mental well being as well as help them toward self-sufficiency.
Numerous national and international organizations also work to spread the word about human trafficking and support its victims. The United Nations, Resolution Hope, and YWCA, among many others, all have programming and support research that address human trafficking. A Presidential Proclamation established January 2014 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and President Barack Obama called on businesses, organizations, and individuals across the world to take action against modern-day slavery, something he calls a “global tragedy”.
Whether a woman from Malawi is sold to a brothel in the United Kingdom, a baby from Peru is “adopted” by a family in the United States, or Cambodian domestic workers are being imprisoned in the Malaysian homes in which they were recruited to work, human trafficking isn’t confined to certain countries or specific industries. However, as citizens of an increasingly globalized world, we have the power to take action against modern-day slavery. As consumers, we can choose to buy from companies that have slave-free supply chains. U.S. technology company Intel Corp. recently announced that its processors are free of minerals from mines held by armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Patagonia, a clothing company based in Ventura, California, is debuting a line of clothing made in factories socially and environmentally monitored and certified by Fair Trade USA. Organizations such as Products of Slavery detail products made by child labor and forced labor, many of which you may unknowingly buy or consume regularly. Conscious purchasing decisions are just one of the ways to hold governments, companies, and yourself responsible for human trafficking and its global implications.
In an effort to raise awareness for this international issue, the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Filmmakers are hosting a screening of Not My Life, a documentary focused on human trafficking and modern slavery across five continents. Visit our website or Facebook event to learn more and register for the January 27th screening.
By: Ciara O’Connor, World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh Intern
For those of you who are not aware, today (March 8) is International Women’s Day. The official United Nations theme for this year’s International Women’s Day is “A promise is a promise: Time for action to end violence against women.”
According to statistics provided by the UN, many women today still face dire situations:
- Up to 50% of sexual assaults are committed against girls under the age of 16.
- Globally, 603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime.
- Up to 70% of women in the world report having experienced physical and/or sexual violence at some point in their lifetime.
- Over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides, married before the age of 18.
Here are some resources and articles to help you learn more about women’s issues and International Women’s Day.
International Women’s Day – Main Page (United Nations): This is the main page with links to information about IWD 2013.
International Women’s Day – History (United Nations): The UN provides a chronological history of International Women’s Day, dating back to the first celebration in 1909 in the United States.
International Women’s Day – Statement from the Secretary General (United Nations): “As we commemorate International Women’s Day, we must look back on a year of shocking crimes of violence against women and girls and ask ourselves how to usher in a better future,” begins Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
A Promise Is A Promise – Facts and Figures (United Nations): This .pdf highlights some shocking statistics about women worldwide, in support of Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon’s UNiTE campaign to end violence against women.
International Women’s Day: This website serves as a hub for sharing International Women’s Day information, events, news and resources.
International Women’s Day Resources: A variety of IWD resources including toolkits, videos, art, articles, and more.
#ShesTheReason (Huffington Post): A great slideshow of photos (scroll down) to see how International Women’s Day is being celebrated around the globe.
Why We Celebrate International Women’s Day (CNN): Melinda Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, shares her opinion on the importance of International Women’s Day. She states, “It’s a chance for so many people to move beyond ‘celebrating’ and take action to create meaningful and sustainable change for women and girls.”
7 Ways Women are Still Falling Behind on International Women’s Day (Forbes): “Today is a good day to take a look at the many ways [women are] still struggling to reach equality.”
10 Phenomenal Ways to Celebrate International Women’s Day (Mashable): Now that you have learned about the history and importance of International Women’s Day, what is there to do? Check out this list of 10 great ideas.
Are there any websites or resources we’ve missed? Let us know in the comments!
Are you interested in human rights, activism and humanitarian work? Look no further than the Steel City’s own La Roche College!
Local Pittsburgh University, La Roche College, is offering an innovative, unique summer training program aimed at eager college graduates hoping to work in the Emergency and Humanitarian Aid field. Their two week Global Development and Humanitarian Aid Training Program will develop participant’s understanding of human rights and humanitarian contexts, principles and laws in this modern, ever-changing world.
This program entails: Two-week online pre- and post-trainings, providing initial assessment, orientation to key concepts and ideas, and program follow-up…
Followed by: Two-week intensive on-campus training, using simulations and other applied skills training, field visits to humanitarian aid organizations, RedR UK training, and guest lectures by experienced professionals
Application Requirements include:
- College Degree
- 2 References
- Essay & Application
For more information on this program visit: http://www.laroche.edu/humanitarian/