Human Rights Now will participate in the upcoming NGO CSW68 Forum and hold a webinar titled “Poverty Without Peace: Gender-based poverty during armed conflict” on March 14. The forum will take place between March 10-22 in parallel to the the 68th session of the Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) which our representatives will also attend in person.
The gross violations of human rights during armed conflict seriously affects the lives and living conditions of women and girls across the world. Ongoing armed conflicts not only kill many women and girls, but push a significant number to extreme poverty and vulnerable situations. This event will feature speakers from Myanmar, and Ukraine, including women refugees and IDPs, as well as a program coordinator who is in charge of emergency relief projects in Gaza and Yemen, to discuss their situations in relation to poverty. By promoting these women’s critical voices, this event aims to demonstrate how justice, conflict resolution, and gender sensitive support can contribute to the progress of women and girls affected by armed conflict.
【Date】March 14, 2024
【Time】9am (New York) | 10pm (Tokyo)
【Format】Virtual (Zoom webinar)
【Language】English
【Admission】Free
【Registration】Click here to sign up
【Panelists】*In alphabetical order
Ms. Kazuko Ito
Founder and vice president of Human Rights Now, president of Human Rights Now New York, and an attorney at law. Since 1994, Ms. Ito has been active as a Tokyo-based human rights lawyer dedicated to women’s and children’s rights, criminal justice and death penalty, and public interest litigation in Japan as well as critical human rights issues around the world. As a Hauser research fellow at the New York University School of Law, Ms. Ito researched international human rights law and conducted a comparative study of criminal justice systems. In 2005, she worked for several human rights organizations, including the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York City.
In 2006, Ms. Ito established Human Rights Now, the first international human rights NGO based in Japan, and since then, she has served as its Secretary-General and Vice-President. She also serves as a member of the Gender Equality Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. She has published several books on human rights issues in Japanese.
Ms. Nau Hser Hser
Ms. Naw Hser Hser is the former Secretary-General of the Women’s League of Burma. Currently, she is the Political Initiative and Advocacy Delegate of the Women’s League. She is also one of the representatives of the Women’s League of Burma in the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC).
I addition, Ms. Naw Hser Hser is currently serving as a member advocacy director of her mother organization, Karen Women’s Organization (KWO). At the same time, she is a regional council member of the Asia Pacific Women, Law and Development (APWLD) in 2020-2023. She is also the advisory board member of Urgent Action Fund – the Asia Pacific.
In 2019, Ms. Naw Hser Hser joined the delegation of the Karen National Union ( KNU ) at the union Peace Conference -21st Century Panglong. During the conference, she led the NCA -S EAOs delegations in the political sector to advocate for gender equality and women’s participation at all levels of the decision-making process.From 2015-2017, Ms. Naw Hser Hser also served on the technical support Team for KNU’s participation in Peace Process.
Since joining Karen Women’s Organization (KWO) in 2008, she has been advocating for human rights, women’s rights, justice, and accountability, and ending the system of impunity for over 15 years. she has also advocated for ethnic equality and self-determination and has taken part in the political process within the Karen state as well as at national, regional, and international levels. For her commitment and dedication, she received Pdoh Mahn Shar Lah Phan Karen Young Leader Award from the phan foundation in 2018.
Ms. Ningli Hkawn
Ms. Hkawn is a distinguished Kachin activist with over 15 years of experience in human and women’s rights, notably with civil society organizations in Myanmar. As a member of the Kachin Women’s Association Thailand (KWAT) Advocacy Team, she has been instrumental in advancing the rights and welfare of ethnic and religious minorities. Her expertise was honed through the Political Education Program by the Women’s League of Burma, supported by the Madeleine K. Albright Democracy Fund (2008-2009).
Targeted by the military coup leaders for her role as a Program Officer of Human Rights at Open Society Myanmar Foundation in 2021, Ms. Hkawn was compelled to flee to the USA for safety. Her extensive career includes pivotal roles such as Program Coordinator at KWAT, Secretary at the Federal Constitutional Drafting Committee, Network Coordinator at the Kachin Women Peace Network, and research consultancy positions at different institutions, including the International Republican Institute and United Nations Women Myanmar, contributing significantly to research in various socio-political areas including gender, women’s peace, and security.
Ms. Hkawn, an Australian National University alumna with a Master’s in International Relations, was awarded the Australian Award Scholarship for her dedication to promoting democracy and peace in Myanmar and beyond.
Ms. Sofiya Kataoka
Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, Sofiya has called Japan her home since arriving with family in 1993.
As a board member of NPO KRAIANY (Association of friendship Japan-Ukraine), Sofiya actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering a deeper and more accurate understanding of Ukraine’s current situation. Through the organization’s initiatives, she is particularly engaged in the projects that provide crucial support such as rehabilitation aid for the injured and sending essential medical supplies, including ambulances, to Ukraine.
NPO KRAIANY stands as a beacon of solidarity and support bridging the cultures of Japan and Ukraine. At the heart of NPO KRAIANY’s mission is a dedication to deepening the understanding of Ukraine’s culture, history, and current affairs within Japan. Beyond cultural exchange, NPO KRAIANY is actively engaged in humanitarian efforts to support Ukraine during challenging times. This includes initiatives such as providing rehabilitation support for those affected by Russian invasion, sending essential medical supplies and equipment, and building bomb shelters that allow children to safely continue their educational programs in Ukraine.
Ms. Yuka Kaneko
Program Coordinator, International Programs, Save the Children Japan. Worked for ODA implementing organizations, NGOs, United Nations University and Red Cross Society Japan etc over 22 years. Completed a Master’s degree in International Politics at the University of Queensland in 2011. Served in Palestine as Japanese NGO employee from 2012 to 2017, overseeing nutrition project for mother and children in the Gaza Strip. Joined Save the Children Japan in 2022 and currently in charge of emergency relief projects in Gaza and Yemen at the International Programs. Part-time lecturer at Rikkyo University since 2019.