Meg's update: November 6th, 2008

The Working Group on Girls held its monthly meeting this afternoon. Before the business meeting began, a moment of silence was called for the Somali child, Aisha Iabrahim Duhulow, who was brutally raped and sentenced to death by stoning when the officials to whom she fled for protection accused her of adultery. I offered to draft a letter from faith communities against this horrific and brutal behaviour, to be presented to the membeship for signatures. Many activities are being worked out in preparation for CSW 53 in March, 2009. A second task force meeting dealt with possible visits to UN Agencies seeking to learn the best practices that countries, faithful to their treaty promises, have carried out. This information will help as we visit country representatives who have not been implementing agreed upon treaties. A third task force meeting on "Advocacy" was the last for the day. Reports on planned visits to country representatives were shared; the purpose of these planned visits will be to promote protection for the Girl-Child, as agreed upon through so many conventions I have made a contact with the point person in SADC; hopefully within a few weeks, this visit can be made.