Cape Town, South Africa
20th - 24th August, 2008

Together with partner organizations in South Africa, FOKUS (Forum for Women and Development) organized a Networking Conference in Cape Town 20 – 24 August 2008. Our partners in  South Africawere the Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre, Gender Links, POWA (People Opposing Women Abuse), CDP (Curriculum Development Project) and ADAPT (Agisanang Domestic Abuse Prevention and Training).

Trafficking in Women was the main theme of the conference, with a particular focus on the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Lessons learned from similar international sporting events, indicates that the number of human trafficking victims are greatly increased during such major events. Violence against women – including trafficking in Women – is a prioritized area of concern in the FOKUS Strategy 2007 – 2012. In order to facilitate mutual exchange of knowledge and experience – and enhance network building -   partner organizations from East Africa as well as Europe and Asia were invited to the conference. The potential for initiating or participating in a joint campaign prior to the 2010 World Cup was also on the agenda.

The Networking Conference was also a platform for involving partners in the South in a discussion on the shift from a ‘project approach’ to a more comprehensive ‘program approach’, and jointly explore the model’s potentials and challenges.