Global Fund for Women Site Visits in Israel

Bowerbird Photography January 27, 2014

We have been traveling all over Israel, visiting some of the most incredible women activists. Every day is filled with inspiring stories, warm hugs and copious cups of delicious coffee. Below is a peek into some of the wonderful groups we've been visiting.

GUN FREE KITCHEN TABLES

This organization is working on decreasing the number of deaths that result when private security guards bring guns home through the implementation of disarmament regulations.

KAYAN

Promoting empowerment and social activism of Palestinian women in Israel.

MUNTADA

Providing sexual health and reproductive education within the Arab community.

ASSIWAR - Arab Feminist Movement in Support of Victims of Sexual Assaults

Providing crucial support for victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and raising awareness to end violence against women.

Assiwar. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Assiwar. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

MAAN

Supporting divorced Arab women and mothers that endure unfair stigma and challenges in their community.

AL-ZAHRAA

Advocating for the rights of Arab women politically, socially, and economically.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Photo Diary: Amman, Jordan

Bowerbird Photography January 25, 2014

Photos from our time in Amman :)

Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

Copyright Bowerbird Photography_Amman-10.jpg

Copyright Bowerbird Photography_Amman-14.jpg

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan, Day 3

Bowerbird Photography January 24, 2014

For the last day of the convening in Amman, women from around the Middle East/ North African (MENA) region formed small round-table discussions, and delved into four core impact areas relating to women's human rights: political empowerment, economic empowerment, zero violence, and sexual and reproductive health. After the round-tables, each group presented their findings at the plenary session, and stated their commitments and strategies for furthering work and collaboration on these issues.

We are now in Israel, meeting one-on-one with Global Fund for Women grantees. We look forward to sharing some of their stories and photos soon :)

Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014. — Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan. © Bowerbird Photography, 2014.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Global Fund for Women Regional Convening in Amman, Jordan, Day 2

Bowerbird Photography January 21, 2014

The Global Fund for Women's Convening of NGO delegates from the Middle East/North Africa region started yesterday with inspiring discussions from panel members on the condition of women's rights in their home countries. Having participated in the drafting of Egypt's new constitution and having advocated successfully for the inclusion of language that advances women's rights in her country, Hoda Elsadda spoke powerfully about getting governments to listen to women and legislate change. Hannan Al Sana shared the impact her organization, Sidreh, is making to empower Bedouin women who have been marginalized by the state and suffer severe economic inequality. Nevin Oztop reported on the LGBTQ movement in Turkey and the Middle East, and the way creative protest is finding expression on the streets. Once cultural and national contexts were understood, discussion turned to the work that needs to be done, and participants supported each other in developing strategies to advance women's rights in their own countries.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam

Bowerbird Photography published on the Kaos GL website

Bowerbird Photography January 21, 2014

We are meeting amazing women activists here in Amman at the Global Fund for Women MENA Convening, including Nevin, who works with Kaos GL, an awesome LGBTQI NGO in Turkey. Check out her write-up about yesterday's events (and our photos!) on the Kaos GL blog.

xoxo,

Ariel + Sam