ABOUT US
FOR Madagascar (FIEFA/MIR-MAD) is one of IFOR's branches, which has been in existance since 1993. The organization has evolved little by little and is now implanted in 8 areas within the island. This movement has members who have had various trainings in nonviolence, and is supported by national meetings. Thus, FOR Madagascar aims at acting against violence and injustice, and hopes to build a new, peaceful future. This fellowship would like to make people aware of its convictions to nonviolence and peace, to reducing violence, unfairness and poverty and to contribute to the social, cultural and economical development of the country. Moreover, this branch also works with a lively interest in improving women's rights within the country. WHAT WE DO
Between 2002 and 2005, FOR Madagascar (FIEFA/MIR-MAD) established a National Program of Active Nonviolence Education, basically designed for Youth. It implemented nonviolence education taught by FIFA's members who were engaged in promoting justice and development within social groups. Thanks to this measure, numerous Malagasy people seriously set out to work on the island on development, in order to eradicate poverty. In October 2005, FOR Madagascar organized a training for trainers with the theme "Nonviolence and Gender Communication" with highlighted peace and justice by nonviolent means. This clearly endorsed one of the aspects of a Culture of Peace as seen by the United Nations, encouraging peace through education. Then, inconjuction with various political events, the fellowship showed its involvement to do work in fields with the presence of associations supporting nonviolence during political campaigns and debates throughout the country. Indeed, in Madagascar the political situation is quite tense between the party in power and the the party in opposition. That is why FIEFA/MIR-MAD has been involved in awareness activities - for instance, it stands to celebrate "The Week of Education," as well as the organization of a National Committee. Some members belonging to FOR Madagascar will also be present as observers during the presidential elections. |
WOMEN PEACEMAKERS
One of the most important missions of FOR Madagascar (FIEFA-MIR-MAD) is the struggle for women's rights and equality. Indeed, in this country women have to fight all the time to be heard and to improve their conditions in order to provide more justice and fairness. Most of Malagasy women suffer of the lack of empowerment opportunity and the lack of enforcement in regards to gender-related matters. Thanks to a personal reflection by Vololona Razafindrainibe, a trainer in Madagascar, treasurer on the IFOR International Board and member of the IFOR Gender Working Group, analyses of the dynamics of gender-related power structures could have been implemented. Vololona Razafindrainibe native from Madagascar attended Women Peacemakers Program gender training established by IFOR. She wanted to resolve conflicts regarding gender issues in a nonviolent way. That is why, she did researches on the living conditions of women, a series of surveys, debates and consultations in order to increase the awareness of violence against women, with the hope to make positive change possible on a social level. FIEFA/MIR-MAD was assigned to lead a survey project ; it was the first time such a topic was addressed in the country and it coincided with the government decision to participate in the international campaign of 16 days to End Violence against Women. With the help of Women Legal Rights (WLR) Association, FOR Madagascar set up awareness projects, pamphlets, radio campaigns for major NGOs networks that spread the message of gender equality. It also cooperated with other organizations and progressive religious associations to hold trainings, to write reports and articles to increase women's power for the development of the country and for the legal protection of women's rights. More men and women have been trained in understanding gender equality and nonviolence and could have had the opportunity to express their message at numerous conferences. Nowadays, there is a higher awareness that poverty and misery in Madagascar are linked to the the exclusion of half of the population. It has taken many years of persistence but finally a set of amended more gender-sensitive laws went into force in the island. For example, a set of laws on equal marriage has been approved, including setting an equal minimum legal age of 18 years for both sexes - before it was 14 for girls and 17 for boys. Women are able to carry on the struggle to participate actively in the social, political or economical life as full citizens. SUPPORT US
Today, FOR Madagascar focuses on new ways to make as many people as possible aware of the necessity of Nonviolence, Peace and Justice. It must reach several new areas of the island, which will need more assistance. You can help those areas to let go old beliefs and illusions and to find new goals and values. Your support will be its courage. Contact FOR Madagascar (FIEFA/MIR-MAD): FOR Madagascar (FIEFA/MIR-MAD)
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