SOURCE: Wougnet - http://www.wougnet.org

Rural Women's Access to land - online discussion launched on Dimitra website

Dear friends,

As some of you may already be aware, the Rural Women's Network of
Senegal and ENDA-PRONAT are organizing a conference on "Rural Women's
Access to land" - from 25-27 February 2003 in Thiès, Senegal.

An online discussion is now open on the new Dimitra website
in preparation for this event.

(Please not that our website has recently been updated so there may
still be some small problems).

The themes of the conference are as follows:

* women and cultivable land
* women and natural resources
* women and land inheritance

By participating in the online conference you can help shape the
discussions in Thiès and share your own practical experiences and
findings, for example:

* share your thoughts on current practices and situations in your
country and describe the consequences of insecure land tenure on rural
women: how it can affect their livelihood, their status, food security,
etc.

* give examples of grassroots initiatives, projects and advocacy
efforts in this field

* explain how and why traditional customs and family law continue
to influence land access and management today.

* describe the place of women in traditional land inheritance
systems in your country

* share your comments, theories and criticisms on the current
situation, socio-cultural consequences and proposals for the way forward

The discussion will be held in French and English. Messages will be
posted in their original language with summaries in the other language.
The discussion will take place on the Dimitra website and you will not
receive e-mails directly to your email inbox.

To participate is simple:

1. Go to the Dimitra website (http://www.fao.org/dimitra/)
2. Enter the section 'News and Events' and click on 'Enter the
online discussion'
3. Complete the registration form online
4. An automated reply will be sent to your email address confirming
your registration
5. Logon to the discussion using your chosen password
6. Choose a theme and click on 'participate' to write your message
(it is useful to introduce yourself briefly in your first posting)
7. After approval by the moderator your message will be posted
online

At the World Food Summit, five years later, June 2002, everyone agreed
that rural women are crucial partners in the fight against hunger and
poverty. Make your voice heard on this important topic, whether or not
you will be able to participate to the actual conference in Senegal.

Thank you for speaking out!