Everjoice Win
My name is Everjoice Win and I am the International Head of Women's Rights for ActionAid International.
My role is to make sure that women are treated as individuals with their own rights across the world. For example, in some cultures and countries, women cannot own land. They are not considered as separate from their father or husband.
My team works to increase women's involvement in politics and their local governments. We also work to make sure women can own their own land.
Violence against women is another problem. We work to help women who are attacked and to make sure girls can go to school safely.
Questions and Answers (October 30, 2006)
Q: [from Kate] are you married?
A: Why? Does it matter?
Q: [from michael] How are you making sure women can own their own land?
A: In several countries where ActionAid International works we have partners working on campaigns to change laws. In some cases women negotiate directly with traditional leaders, (e.g. Senegal), to get land for a group of people to work on.
Q: [from Lisa] Why can't girls go to school safely in some countries?
A: Because they experience violence on the way to school. In some cases this is due to armed conflict for example in Northern Uganda and parts of India/Pakistan. Parents are often afraid to let girls go on their own so they end up staying at home.
Q: [from Jacob] Where can't women own land?
A: Land is heavily fought over. In many societies, whether in Europe or Africa – land represents power and wealth. So who owns it has that power and owns resources. So for example an individual who owns 50acres near London can then sell this piece of land for a huge sum to the City of London for housing development. Imagine how much power they have. In some places women are not allowed by law or custom to own land because they are regarded as inferior human beings who have no rights to have such power.
Q: [from Ben] Where is your office?
A: Rosebank area, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Q: [from Aleem] what do you do to help girls get to school safely?
A: We try to influence governments to build schools close to where people live. We also work with police to ensure that there is safety and security on the way, with judges and courts to make sure those who hurt girls are severely punished by law etc.
Q: [from Issy] What do you see day to day?
A: You mean besides tall sky scrappers, angry men driving, or women selling vegetables on the road side? Not much.
Q: [from Boyd] Where do you live and what's it like?
A: Johannesburg - a very violent city. Every night on the news, the first 15 minutes is about violence. It is not a happy space to be female. But it is also a vibey hip and happening city. Lots of musical shows, great movies. Wonderful street side restaurants. Great media which talks about everything….!!! And too much wealth in the hands of a few people.
Q: [from Elloise fangel-lloyd] How much of india covers the globe? What is right next to india?
A: India covers roughly 0.6% of the globe. Next to it is: Afghanistan and Pakistan to the west; China, Nepal and Bhutan to the north-east; and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east.
