Arab Women’s Forum (AISHA)
From TrustAfrica wiki - African Regional Organizations
Arab Women’s Forum (AISHA)
Sama Aweidah-Liftawi
P.O. Box 54071, East Jerusalem - Via Israel
Phone-Fax: 00972-2-2348848
Email: aisha@palnet.com
Website: http://www.nisaa.org
Description
AISHA is a network of progressive Arab women's organizations dedicated to promoting the rights of Arab women. The Arab Women's Forum was founded by a group of Arab women's organizations in December 1992. Members include NGOs from Palestine, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Tunis, Morocco, Sudan and Algeria.
AISHA’s objectives include the advancement of democratic principles, legal rights for Arab women, gender equality in all areas of society, and women's participation in the public sphere at the decision-making levels, as well as confronting all forms of discriminations against girls and women. It addresses such issues as violence against women, media portrayals of women, the promotion of human rights, and laws that discriminate against girls and women, and works to educate women, especially on reproductive rights and on other health care and feminist concerns. It organizes panels, conferences, and presentations on these issues and on others that pertinent to women's lives. It also provides resources for research and awareness.
Track Record
One of AISHA biggest milestones has been its success in imposing Arabic women’s issues on the global agenda. Through the organization of conferences and workshops AISHA has profiled Arab women, their status, their problems, their successes and has exerted effort at the regional level to accelerate their advancement.
These initiatives contribute to changing the negative image of the Arab women, bringing to attention their successes and raising awareness of their status and advancements. The organization has therefore offered access to new ideas, information and resources that can help women expand their life options, including those affecting their economic, social, legal and health status.
The forum maintains a Web site, called NISAA (women in Arabic). This site creates a network for Arab women and organizations, allowing them to make connections, exchange ideas, and share research and documentation on women's experiences. The Web site is maintained by the Women's Center, a legal aid and counseling center in Jerusalem, run by a Palestinian private organization. The forum relies heavily on the Internet to act as a central clearinghouse for ideas and research in its fight against injustices affecting women.
