WMW Projects and Events

Gender Awareness Training: Does it really make a difference? Yes! according to youth participants in WMW workshops: “I now understand that sexual abuse is a violation of my rights.” "I am thinking differently about the role and value of women." "Now I know more about my rights in the workplace, and I understand the relevance of gender."	WMW Projects
	Promoting Gender Equity in Gender Relations
	This project is sponsored by CIDA.	This project aims to address gender-based violence and gender discrimination in Jamaica by conducting gender-awareness training for Male and Female Leaders, young people and media workers, as well as the production of relevant resource materials. Why is this project needed?
	Building Youth Potential
		This is an integrated community-based programme of training and public education in gender, sexuality and violence-prevention. It equips rural and urban youth with skills to make responsible and healthy sexual choices and develop interpersonal relationships. Why is this project needed? WMW Newsmagazine: Promoting Human Rights
Notable and Recent Events	Sexual Harassment and Women's Rights
DRAMA FOR CEDAW Under the guidance of the WMW resource team, a group of18-19 women who had participated in a two month training programme to become certified CEDAW Promoters, developed and performed a skit on March 7, 2007 at the International Women’s Day event planned by the CEDAW Advocacy Team. The drama presentation “Move to a higher level in 2007” was performed in front of an audience of approximately 250 women and a few men. The drama, the popular segment of an overall programme, highlighted some of the challenges encountered at home and on the job by relatively poor urban and rural women. Speech and song brought great energy and broad audience participation to the event. The skit marked the end of a training programme, “Rights a di Plan wid CEDAW in wi han”, which took place from February – March 2007. The CEDAW and Drama in Education Training Programme aimed to build the women’s capacity to apply the provisions against discrimination, under the articles of CEDAW to socio-economic manifestations of discrimination against women; strengthen and expand the advocacy tools of the CEDAW Advocacy Committee by facilitating a cadre of women who can “popularize” messages of women’s rights; and teach the selected group of women to use drama as a means for education and engagement in community development and advocacy. PROVOKED On Saturday, October 27th WMW hosted the film Provoked. The screening took place in the open air, on the lawns of Red Bones. In PROVOKED a Punjabi couple in London struggle through many pressures - to the point where violence enters the relationship. The showing was a fundraiser to support the violence-prevention and gender-training programmes. Gender Fever 2006 was a big success! A fund-raising event for the outreach work of Women’s Media Watch, Gender Fever 2006 called upon a range of performers whose work challenges traditional ideas on man/woman relations and explore innovative thinking and viable alternatives to gender conflicts. Through poetry and motion, Gender Fever 2006 expounded power, sexuality, and politics as these relate to man and woman. It was a creative space, pushing gender and social boundaries. The audience discovered that gender awareness can be a liberating and enjoyable experience. WMW was proud to present a benefit performance of the Vagina Monologues in March 2006 in recognition of VDAY. Directed by fabian thomas and featuring the performances of Makeda Solomon, Ruth Hoshing, Nadean Rawlins, Noelle Kerr, Deanne Allgrove, Kaysilyn Lawson, Teneile Warren & Georgia Love. Guest appearances by Shelly-Ann Maxwell & Neila Ebanks. WMW would like to thank all of those who gave their time, efforts and talents to put on a successful show.		This project combines advocacy, training and public education on sexual harassment, violence against women and women’s rights with the aim of influencing national policy. Why is this project needed? WMW Newsmagazine: Unmasking Sexual Harassment WMW Newsmagazine: In Search of Gender Justice
	Action for Gender Awareness in Media and Communications
		WMW aims to develop gender-awareness in the media by sending releases to the media on a regular basis, tackling current news and events through a gender lens. This effort seeks to equip media workers and the public with the basic skills needed to challenge gender stereotyping. Why is this project needed?
	Media, Gender and Development
		WMW teaches Media, Gender and Development at the Caribbean Institute for Media and Communication (CARIMAC, University of the West Indies). WMW has been in partnership with CARIMAC for the past 11 years, offering this popular course to journalists and students from around the region. CARIMAC recognizes that students focusing on media and communications need to understand how the media reflects gendered realities. The course gives students insights into the connections between media, gender and key development issues.
	Regional Communications
	This project is sponsored by UNIFEM. "Media have a great potential to promote the advancement of women, and the equality of women and men, by portraying both sexes in a non-stereotypical, diverse and balanced manner, thereby respecting their dignity and worth." - Beijing Platform for Action	WMW, together with UNIFEM-Caribbean and PANOS-Caribbean, is implementing a regional communications project. One component of the project is to produce monthly newspaper articles and radio discussions on a wide range of topical issues, including gender and education, the economy, youth development, human rights, culture and gender socialisation. This project aims to strengthen national and regional dialogue on, and commitment to, issues of gender equity and social justice. It is supported by UNIFEM and CIDA's Gender Equality Programme. Click here to read articles ...
	Forging Partnerships with Men to Address Gender-based Violence
	Click here for more information. Click here to see the organizations and individuals involved. This project was sponsored by CIDA.	How is Caribbean masculinity determined? How do male youth respond to the pressure that a ‘real man’ must be tough, in control, successful—with infinite sexual prowess? What is the role of the media in shaping gender values? How do traditional “macho” ideals harm men, as well as women, through man-on-man violence? These critical questions were the focus of WMW’s course for Male Leaders. Trainees delved deep into the challenges facing men in today’s Jamaica. They explored the power dynamics under-pinning gender relations, and men’s experience of power and powerlessness. The course encouraged fresh, innovative and critical thinking—and for many the experience was eye-opening and empowering. Trainees make use of their new gender knowledge in outreach activities where they are guided by experienced Trainers. Why is this Project needed?
	What do men think about WMW's programmes? Comments from a group of men participating in a pioneering WMW project which aims to redefine gender roles: "Very, very useful, this has opened my eyes!" "Truly thought-provoking! It brought real issues into the open and showed how we can bring clarity to gender power in our work with youth." "Being a man does not mean that I have to conform to the 'gender box' that society expects my gender to uphold. I want to be able to avoid the rough and tough behaviour and emotional concealment that society expects. I want to be able to express my emotions in a positive way and not be afraid."

Looking Out For You Women's Media Watch Jamaica 14 South Avenue, Kingston 10 Tel. (876) 926-0882 Fax (876) 929-7079 wmwjam@hotmail.com

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