Training on Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument (HeRWAI)
On 14th and 15th of June 2008 WECF organised a training with the aim to introduce HeRWAI, the Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument developed by Aim for human rights, an international NGO based in the Netherlands.
18.07.2008 |Anke Stock and Jennifer Ricketts
On June 14-15, 2008, WECF organised a training with the aim
to introduce HeRWAI, the Health Rights of Women Assessment Instrument developed
by Aim for human rights, an
international NGO based in the Netherlands.
HeRWAI is a practical tool for
organisations that want to bring a human rights approach into practise. It contains practical guidance for a rights based analysis of a policy
that influences women’s health. The aim of working with HeRWAI is to increase an organisation’s capacity
to apply human rights principles and particularly women's health rights in its
work in a strategic way.
The workshop itself took place in Riga,
following the Third Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention, and was
held by Marije Neederveen from Aim for human rights and Corine Otte from Women´s Global Network on Reproductive Rights. Twelve people (all
partner of WECF) from nine different organisations of the Eastern European,
Caucasus and Central Asian region participated in the training.
HeRWAI study
Starting with a general introduction and an
overview regarding human rights, women`s rights and health rights on the first
day, the trainers increased the knowledge of the participants on these issues
and highlighted their relevance for the daily work of the participants’
organisations. On the second day HeRWAI itself was introduced which was
followed by a discussion of the HeRWAI steps one by one. Hereby the purpose of
the step was analysed as well as it was looked at the related human rights
aspects, the key questions, where to find the relevant information and the
conclusion of the step. After that each participant had to choose one special
focus for the HeRWAI study that contributes to the work of her organisation.
This chosen subject then built the basis for the development of a work plan in
order to reach agreement within the organisation on their own and others’ roles
for the HeRWAI analysis and follow-up activities. At the end each participant
established one work plan related to one special subject, which all aim at to implement. Aim
for human rights and WECF will be
available for consultation to 'think along' if issues are unclear, to provide
support in case of difficulties. Furthermore Aim for human rights and WECF will regularly contact the
organisations to discuss the progress of the work plan.
Implementation
In conclusion, the HeRWAI training was received
very positive by all participants. It is clear that the HeRWAI process is an ongoing
process, which started with this introductory workshop. It is now up to the
organisations in close co-operation with WECF
and Aim for human rights to start
the analysis of the policies. This will finally lead to an implementation of an
action plan together with recommendations as formulated at the end of the
analysis. In this way participants aim to increase the knowledge on human,
women’s and health rights, to achieve effective change of a policy and to
contribute to the improvement of women’s health rights in the EECCA region.
