October/November 2006

Dear Friends,

As I write to you today, I am traveling to universities in the Northeast with Rebecca Lolosoli, one of MADRE’s Kenyan partners, on MADRE’s fall speaking tour, Umoja: How an African Village is Banning Violence against Women. We are excited to be sharing inspiring stories from Umoja and telling audiences about the powerful strategies that Rebecca and her neighbors have developed to combat violence against Indigenous women. If you live in the Northeast, please see our list of engagements. We hope you will join us.

As we prepare to speak in Pennsylvania about Rebecca’s work in Umoja, I think about all the work that MADRE’s sister organizations are doing to eliminate gender-based violence. Right now in Darfur, for example, as the humanitarian crisis continues and women and girls are being systematically raped, MADRE’s partner Zenab is working to create safe spaces amid the violence of the refugee camps. Our sisters in Darfur tell us that women are particularly vulnerable to rape when they have to leave the camps to search for firewood and food. Zenab is responding by hiring aid workers to accompany women when they leave the camp, and by building enclosed toilets within the camp, so that women don’t have to venture far away in search of privacy.

I am so proud to be part of a network of women who are standing up for their rights. And I'm delighted to be able to share their work with you, the MADRE members who make it possible.

Sincerely,

Vivian Stromberg
Executive Director

P.S. As the holidays approach, don't forget to give gifts that make a real difference. MADRE's Holiday Giving program enables you to support women working to eliminate violence with every gift to friends and family. More information will be available soon.

PROGRAM UPDATES
Haitian Rape Survivors Risk Their Lives to Demand Their Rights: Read KOFAVIV's Press Release
The women of KOFAVIV, MADRE's new sister organization in Haiti, take to the streets to speak out against the violence that affects so many women in Port-au-Prince.

MADRE Helps Facilitate a New Report on Violence against Indigenous Women
The report, to be released by the International Indigenous Women's Forum (FIMI/IIWF), explores the complex interactions of gender, race, class, ethnicity, and other factors that mediate violence against Indigenous women, and describes Indigenous women's strategies to combat violence.

MADRE'S LATEST
Travel to Kenya and the World Social Forum: January 13-20
Join us as we travel to Umoja, Kenya, to learn from Indigenous Samburu and Maasai women working to make human rights a reality for themselves and their communities; delegates can also extend their trip to participate in the World Social Forum, an annual gathering of activists from around the world.

MADRE'S HOLIDAY WISH LIST
Helping Hands: Send Gifts to Children for the Holidays
MADRE is working to send a shipment of children's toys, school supplies, and health & hygiene items to our sisters in Nicaragua, Peru, and Kenya. Join our effort by contributing new, unused gifts, and give children hope this holiday season. Please check our Wish List for items that are needed.

MADRE IN THE NEWS
Middle East Crisis: Vivian Stromberg Interviewed on Voices of Resistance
MADRE's Executive Director and others speak to FIRE (Feminist International Radio Endeavour) about the recent war in Lebanon.