Lilla Network announces English-language publication of Chiapas pro-women directory

The Lilla: International Women’s Network is proud to announce the English-language publication of its directory of pro-women organisations operating in Chiapas, Mexico. Entitled The Struggles for Women’s Rights in Chiapas: A Directory of Social Organisations Supporting Chiapas Women, it is the translation of the original Spanish work, Las Luchas por los Derechos de las Mujeres en Chiapas: Un Directorio de Organizaciones Sociales que Trabajan a Favor de las Chiapanecas. The English publication brings an end to a 12-month project, and is introduced with a text by Mercedes Olivera B. of the Centre for Higher Studies of Mexico and Central America (Centro de Estudios Superiores de México y Centroamérica, CESMECA) and the Chiapas Centre for Women’s Rights (Centro de Derechos de la Mujer de Chiapas, CDMCH).

The English edition of the directory can be downloaded at the following links:

• The complete publication (also here from this external link).
• The complete publication (as a .zip file from an external link).
• The prologue, hints and tips, and research methodology.
• The introduction by Mercedes Olivera B.
• Two maps of Chiapas plus the location index, listing the areas of operation of the organisations registered in the directory.
• The directory of organisations (also here from this external link).
• The index, including names and abbreviations of civil society organisations mentioned in the directory (in both English and Spanish), as well as the issues dealt with by the organisations and the populations they work with.
• The appendices, which include the EZLN’s Women’s Revolutionary Law, the Political Pact: Non-Governmental Organisations, Collectives, Social Organisations and Institutions of Chiapas, Free of Violence Against Women, and the questionnaires used to collect the information which appears in this publication.

In addition, a revised edition of the original Spanish publication has been finalised. Both editions are available for download here: http://lilla.org.au/directory-chiapas.

We appreciate your comments on this publication, which can be sent to info@lilla.org.au.

Volunteer Opportunity – Graphic Designer needed

The Lilla Women’s Network at ERC is looking for a graphic designer to assist with the layout of a directory we are compiling, of women’s NGOs in Chiapas, Mexico. This work is essential in its support of grassroots organisations in terms both of safety, and networking. It would most likely be a few days worth of work. Spanish language skills would be a bonus, but are not essential. Please contact marthese@lilla.org.au.

Directory of pro-woman organisations in Chiapas, Mexico: Questionnaire

As part of our project to compile a directory of pro-women’s organisations operating in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, the Lilla Network presents the questionnaire which will need to be filled in by the organisations which wish to participate.

This document is a faithful translation of the Spanish-language document, designed to be accessible to indigenous, campesino and community groups. It includes instructions, a publishing authorisation and the questionnaire itself.

To download the version designed to complete electronically and submit via email (Word file, 6 pages), click here.

To download the version designed to be filled in by hand and posted or hand delivered (PDF file, 9 pages), click here.

The deadline to hand in the completed questionnaire is Sunday 15 March, 2009.

If you have any questions on the questionnaire’s format or the means of submitting the completed questionnaire, contact the directory coordinator, Jodie Lea Martire, via the contact form.

New Lilla Network project in Chiapas, Mexico

The Lilla: International Women’s Network has launched a new pilot project in the Mexican state of Chiapas. The Network hopes to extend its international network to the grassroots movements and social organisations which conduct work in favour of the women of Chiapas, thus permitting connections with Lilla’s contacts in Australia and India.

To begin our work in Chiapas, the Lilla Network is initiating two projects. The first is to connect Australian women to organisations in Chiapas working at the grass roots in  pursuit of social justice for women. This will take the form of a three-month internship during the first months of 2009, with the possibility of opening a second round of internships later on in the year. Both the organisations and the interns will be supported by a coordinator, who will be based in Chiapas for the duration of the internship.

The second project will be the research and compilation of a directory of organisations located in Chiapas which work in favour of women’s rights. The objective of the directory is to offer a resource to the organisations of Chiapas and other national and internatioal organisations which are interested in the struggle for women’s rights in the south of Mexico. We plan to include the largest possible number of organisations, including feminist, religious and autonomous organisation; campesino, indigenous and urban movements, campaigns against the trafficking of people and violence against women; groups of women, groups of men with an understanding of gender, mixed groups, etc. These are only a few examples. The final document will be published in a print edition in Spanish, to be distributed to the organisations which appear in the directory, and it will also be distributed in electronic format en Spanish and English.

If you or your organisation wish to know more about the new projects of the International Women’s Network in Chiapas, or would like to participate in the internship of the directory, please get in touch with the researcher in Chiapas, Jodie Lea Martire, using the contact form.