MUM: 1st Elimination of Violence Against Women Conference 2018
Call for Papers
The 1st Elimination of Violence against Women Conference organised by Middlesex University Mauritius will be held on 23 November 2018 at Middlesex University Mauritius, Flic en Flac. This is in support of the UN’s International Day for the
Elimination of Violence against Women.
The last years marked several important victories for women. Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia repealed rape-marriage laws. Powerful men were held accountable for sexual harassment and assault. Chile eased its rules on abortion. The UK and parts of the US eliminated tampon taxes. More women were involved in the peace-building process in Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Yemen. For the first time in decades, some Pakistani women voted. Female heads of state were appointed in Croatia, Lithuania, Mauritius, Nepal and Taiwan. Canada and the Netherlands stepped up to direct more resources to advance women’s rights. Thousands of women marched for anti-discrimination, LGBTQI rights, reproductive rights, religious freedom and refugee rights all over the world.
Despite these victories, women still face many challenges. In mid-2016, only 22.8% of all national parliamentarians were women. The gender gap in the labour market prevails. It is estimated that 1 in 3 women worldwide experiences physical and/or sexual
violence during their lifetime. Russia took steps to decriminalise domestic violence. Bangladesh is considering to legalise the marriage of girls under the age of 18. Early and forced marriage as well as poverty and gender norms prevent many girls around
the world from attending secondary school. In addition to promoting gender inequality, social customs such as female genital mutilation impose real health consequences. It is estimated that 800 women die every day from preventable, pregnancy-related
causes. The US’ Global Gag Rule threatens global health funding and its efforts to defund Planned Parenthood undermine women’s legal and reproductive rights at home. Conflict-related sexualised violence continues to be perpetrated in Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, Colombia, the Congo, Iraq, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan and South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Every year, over 60,000 women are killed in an act of femicide around the world.
Event details
Date: 23 November 2018
Location: Middlesex University Mauritius, Coastal Road, Uniciti, Flic en Flac, Mauritius
Against this background, we invite proposals for oral presentations in the following or related areas:
Women in and at war
Violence against women, peace and security
Violence against women and health
Violence against women and the economy
Violence against women and education
Violence against women and the law