Media Advisory
Contact: Human Rights Now-NY, hrnnyinfo@gmail.com
Beyond the #MeToo Movement: Protecting Silence Breakers & Changing Social Norms
-62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women-
March 16, Friday, 4:30pm
The Armenian Convention Center
630 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Room: Vartan Hall
Sponsored by Human Rights Now
Co-sponsored by Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York
WHAT: What is happening to silence breakers in the #MeToo movement
The #MeToo movement encouraged thousands of women in the world to break their silence and revealed that sexual violence is still prevailing in societies in different parts of world. However, certain women have been left behind from this movement, and even when they raise their voices, they encounter significant challenges. Inviting several silence breakers and activists, this event aims to share the experiences, impacts and challenges of the #MeToo movement.
The speakers include Ms. Shiori Ito, a Japanese journalist who has recently gone public about her rape case and has been covered by news media around the world including The New York Times, BBC, Le Monde and Huffington Post.
Ms. Ito’s experience illustrates the massive challenge for women in Japan to raise their voices and pursue justice and truth for sexual violence. After she revealed that she had been assaulted by a politically influential journalist, neither the social nor the legal system sufficiently helped her with her claim. Instead, she experienced media silence and a massive backlash by society.
Together with other speakers, the discussion will focus on how to break the social, cultural and legal barriers in society that discourage women to speak out. Further, the discussion aims to highlight how the legal and social system can support access to truth and justice and provide an effective remedy for survivors.
As thousands of women around the world gather in NYC during the sixty-second session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62, March 12-23), we welcome all silence breakers who will come and speak out. The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session.
WHERE:
The Armenian Convention Center, Vartan Hall
630 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10016
WHEN:
March 16, 2018, 4:30pm-
WHO:
Ms. Shiori Ito: Journalist & author of Black Box
Ms. Hiroko Goto: Professor at Chiba University School of Law
Ms. Kazuko Ito: Secretary-General of Human Rights Now & Lawyer
Additional speakers: TBA
ORGANIZATIONS:
Human Rights Now (HRN) is a Tokyo-based international human rights NGO with UN ECOSOC special consultative status. HRN works for promotion and protection of human rights worldwide, with a special focus on Asia. One of HRN’s focus areas is Women’s and Girls’ Rights.
Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York has a long and honored role in making life better for all women in society, by advocating for equality and fair treatment of all women. The Association has long been in the forefront of changing laws in the areas of domestic violence, in achieving equity in marital dissolution, in achieving fairness in custody decisions, in the initiative against crimes of sexual violence and in the initiative against sexual discrimination in employment.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
Free admission. No UN pass or RSVP required.