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Introduction to GS Position Papers on Power Point format: The priorities for ministry and mission of the 29th Congregational Chapter of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd (2009) were expanded in 2012 into six position Papers using the topics of Trafficking / Migration / Economic Justice / Prostitution / Girl-child / Ecology. The Position Papers were prepared by the Good Shepherd International Justice Peace Office (GSIJPO) and approved by the CGS Congregational Leadership Team (CLT). The text of the Position Papers can be found on the International website at: < http://www.buonpastoreint.org/jp-en/recursos/good-shepherd-congregational-material-> in French: <http://www.buonpastoreint.org/jp-fr/resources/matriel-de-la-congrgation-du-bon-pasteur-> in Spanish: <http://www.buonpastoreint.org/jp-es/recursos/good-shepherd-congregational-material-> This text has been put into Power Point Format (in English) as a flexible way of sharing with all GS People. This Power Point format is a template that you can take and adapt, re-do, and use for your context and needs. You can change images to better express your context; you can simplify language if it helps. You can be creative and use the Position Papers in many ways: Discussion of GS mission in light of today’s realties Review of local realities and priorities: A foundation for chapter renewal and ministerial planning A basis for setting province priorities The ground work for Unit formation Direction for GS ministry development and evaluation Orientation for co-workers and partners in ministry A starting point for local mission and ministry statements, policies & practices Guidelines for advocacy actions A framework for social analysis Etcetera… This power point includes 2 sections 1. slides #3 to #28 A Power Point version of the GS Position Paper on the Girl Child 2. slides #30 to # 45 Some links and further images of the girl child You can change and adapt this for appropriate use and training on your local level. RESOURCE TOOL FOLLOWING the GOOD SHEPHERD CONGREGATIONAL CHAPTER of 2009 Good Shepherd Position Paper on the Girl Child “Inspired by the creative audacity of St. Mary Euphrasia, her prophetic and radical response to the needs of her time…” Prepared by the Int JP Office, Approved by the CLT, 2011 The 25th Chapter, 1985 “urged new responses in relation to Social Justice…” and declared that “justice is an integral part of our mission of reconciliation…” “You are called to be so many Good Shepherds” SME Good Shepherd Position on the The Girl Child GS Direction, stated at the 29th Congregational Chapter, July 2009, excerpt: We commit ourselves... to respond to the anguish of the world calling us to the margins… by taking courageous steps to use our international resources effectively, to network and … by working zealously with women and children… With a history of service extending back to the 1600’s in Europe, Good Shepherd has always been attentive to the social vulnerability of women and girls. Good Shepherd has extended its work to over 70 countries and has adopted programs and methodologies consistent with the best professional practices of each era and particular culture in responding to the needs of girls. Today, in all cultures, girls continue to experience exclusion as a result of social and systemic injustice, discrimination, gender violence, violations of human rights, and, especially, gender inequality. Girls are born with the inherent and inalienable rights of all human beings; They are born with the unique rights of childhood which can enable them to reach their full potential as individuals and members of society. Sadly, for many girls, fundamental rights are denied and violated from birth. Across the globe, low value placed on the girl child subjects her to exclusion, exploitation and violence, genital mutilation (FGM), and even infanticide. obstacles that impede full development: Threats to Girls include: Even in some refugee camps where they have sought protection, girls are often exploited. Good Shepherd develops social service programs to enhance the girl-child. We promote safety and protection for the girl child within her home and within social institutions such as schools. We support universal education for the girl child; it is the most effective avenue for an child to realize her capacity to grow while being the surest path out of cyclical poverty and positive transformation for a family and society. . We develop enrichment programs for self-esteem, pride in culture, and expression of her fullest self; we support children by supporting social benefits for parents and all forms of extended families that care for children Good Shepherd advocates and lobbies for the rights of the Girl Child It is critical that GS: Develop supportive social programs that welcome and value each girl and respect her human and child rights. Good Shepherd programs are characterized by girls’ participation in defining needs and shaping responses; being based in the home community of the child as far as possible; inclusion family and responsiveness to family needs; a wealth of social supports and social interaction foremost is educational opportunities. It is critical that GS: Develop specialized gender sensitive responses appropriate to children who have suffered trauma related to abuse, trafficking, prostitution, armed conflict, loss of parent(s), etc. Such programs will provide gender-sensitive, communitybased reintegration, sensitive to each child’s readiness. It is critical that: Each girl participate in defining her goals. It is critical that GS: Include families, boys and men in program efforts that ensure the human rights of all, including the girl child. The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, can be an appropriate resource to draw from and possible partnership to develop locally. It is critical that GS: Participate in networks and campaigns of Child Rights’ advocates to ensure political visibility and voice for all children, especially the girl child; support public outreach activities that ensure the presence of and inclusion of the voice of the girl child. It is critical that : Empowerment and education about human rights for girls is an essential strategy. Build capacity to know and use gender sensitive research toward “best practices” in child welfare, appropriate to local context and culture. It is critical that GS: Support development of gender-responsive budgeting in the political sphere that explicitly allocates monies for girls’ education and training as well as physical and mental health. Support development of programs seeking to end violence against girls genital cutting, incest, prenatal sex selection, infanticide, and trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation. It is critical that GS: Support the strategic objectives of Section L of the Beijing Platform for Action (UN, 1995); Educate girls and communities according to the principles of Section L on the girl-child. Section L: Beijing PLATFORM FOR ACTION L-1 L-2 L-3 L-4 L-5 L-6 L-7 L-8 L-9 Eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl-child. Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls. Promote and protect the rights of the girl-child and increase awareness of her needs and potential. Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development and training. Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition. Actions to be taken. Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labor and protect young girls at work.. Eradicate violence against the girl-child. Promote the girl-child's awareness of and participation in social, economic and political life. Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of the girl-child.. Winifred Doherty is the GS NGO representative at the UN in New York. She is very active on the NGO Working Group on Girls Contact: [email protected] Hedwig JÖHL & Margaret Lynch are GS NGO representatives at the UN Geneva. They can help you with any information on the Convention on the Rights of the Child or submission of reports to the Committee on the Rights of the Child Contact: [email protected] , [email protected] This power point was prepared November 2012 For information or questions, contact: Clare Nolan, GSIJP Training Facilitator 211 East 43rd St rm 302 New York, NY 10017 Email: [email protected] Phone: 212 599 2711 SKYPE: clarenolan62 http://www.buonpastoreint.org/jp-en links: http://www.unicef.org/ http://www.crin.org/ Convention on the Rights of the Child CRC http://www2.ohchr.org/english/law/crc.htm The Working Group on Girls An NGO Committee working at the United Nations - http://girlsrights.org/ Beijing Women's World conference http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/ October 11 2012 was the First Celebration of the UN International Day of the Girl http://www.un.org/en/events/girlchild/ The Working Group on Girls (WGG) and its International Network for Girls (INfG) are dedicated to promoting the rights of girls in all areas and stages of their lives, advancing the rights and status of girls and assisting them to develop their full potential as women.