Women from 19 different countries and 6 continents that were participating at FOKUS networking conference in Cape Town, South Africa are concerned about the increasing global trafficking of women and children. The group is working to eliminate the demand for women and children for purposes of sexual exploitation.

Please note that we will in the days ahead add more information from this important conference, so please visit us soon again!

Conference Statement - FOKUS Networking Conference, Cape Town 2008



Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre in partnership with FOKUS a Norwegian network for women’s organisations, is holding a 4 day conference starting today in Cape Town. Women’s groups from 6 continents and 14 countries discussed the trafficking of women and girl children for purposes of sexual exploitation which is a growing phenomenon in the world generally including South Africa.

FOKUS will arrange a Networking Conference in Cape Town, South Africa  20 - 23.August 2008, discussing trafficking in women and children. Participants at the conference will be representatives from FOKUS memberorganisations and their partneres from Africa, Asia and Europe, together with South African participants.

The conference is hosted by the South African organisation Masimanyane Women's Support Centre.

Final Conference agenda Cape Town 2008.doc



Asian Women fighting Exploitation, Creating a Culture of Peace
Chiang Mai, Thailand January 2007

We, coming from 30 diverse women’s organizations representing survivors and victims of various forms of Violence Against Women, feminists, journalists, academics and activist have gathered here in Thailand for the FOKUS networking conference that aims to strengthen the coordination between organizations, especially from the Asian region in addressing the issue of gender-based violence in the context of war and conflict.


FOKUS - Forum for Women and Development is a resource centre on international women's issues and a co-ordinating organ for women's organisations in Norway.

Women around the world are challenging cultural, social, political, religious and economical barriers and are actively contributing to a better future for themselves, their families and society in general.

WOMEN UNITED CHANGE THE WORLD


FOKUS coordinates the international solidarity work of 71 women's organisations in Norway.
The affiliated organisations in FOKUS include traditional and radical feminist organisations, environment and solidarity organisations, women in trade unions and workers organisations, immigrant- and refugee women and women's units in development NGOs, church organisations and political parties.


Norwegian women`s organisations and the Centre for Gender Equality wish through the alternative report to present some of the challenges Norway faces with respect to the maintenance of women`s rights. The report has been drawn up with input from a number of organisations focusing on fields they determine to be important in relation to the follow-up of the plan of action adopted by the UN Conference on Women held in Beijing in 1995.

The Norwegian Alternative Report Beijing + 10
Norwegian NGOs’ Alternative Report to Beijing+5/ Women 2000



Quarterly magazine on international women's issues.


Economic globalisation - a challenge for women