The Tibetan Women’s Association is actively involved in the public political arena promoting both the political issue of Tibet and the empowerment of women. TWA is becoming increasingly active in international meetings on development, the environment, gender and political issues. TWA’s work encompasses lobbying governments and NGOs, organizing press releases, conferences, and petitions that support the Tibetan cause, and raising general public awareness of the human rights abuses in Tibet, particularly against women. Rallying for local and international support is one of the key ways TWA raises its political voice.
To highlight the involvement of women in the political sphere and to increase focus on women’s issues, TWA organized the International Year of Tibetan Women from March 12, 1994 to March 12, 1995. During this year, Tibetan women around the world organized demonstrations, festivals, video screenings, lectures and public gatherings to discuss the many issues of Tibet and its women. A festival of Tibetan culture was staged in Bombay, India in January 1995 to commemorate the year.
Whenever possible TWA participates in international UN and NGO conferences worldwide. One of TWA’s most comprehensive campaigns has been to attend the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China in 1995. While the majority of exiled Tibetan women were denied the right to participate, an extensive lobbying campaign was launched that succeeded in gaining widespread international attention for the plight of Tibetan women.
The anniversary of the March 12th uprisingin 1959 by the women in Lhasa is observed by all the branches of TWA. TWA also fully participates in the March 10th uprising gatherings and regards this day as one of the most important days in the history of occupied Tibet.
TWA joins hands with women’s organizations worldwide in support of solidarity, exchange of information and a greater understanding of Tibetan women’s issues.
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