2010 Global Sikh Civil & Human Rights Conference Day 1 Role Of Women In Protecting The Sikh Identity

[rsingh]

"Our mothers and sisters are the backbone of our faith"

2010 Global Sikh Civil & Human Rights Conference Day 1

Role of Women in Protecting the Sikh Identity

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Highlights:

UNITED SIKHS presents the first in the series of updates on the 2010 Global Sikh Civil & Human Rights Conference.

On Friday night, panelists discussed the role of women in protecting the Sikh identity, and how Sikh women are fulfilling that role in our schools, in our homes, and in our society. Issues such as domestic violence and female infanticide/foeticide were also addressed. See videos of some speakers below!

Sikh leaders, delegates, educators and members of Parliament, along with prominent human rights advocates gathered to discuss issues related to the theme for the conference "Protect Our Identity" as part of UNITED SIKHS' ongoing global campaign launched earlier this year. Support this campaign, which will continue into 2011. Volunteer, Donate or both!

Surrey, BC (CANADA): Alice Walker once said, "the most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." Recognizing this, UNITED SIKHS directors and conference organizers thought it was important to address issues of women's empowerment within Sikh society and so devoted the first day of the 2010 Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference to addressing women's rights.

A picture of Mai Bhago, a Sikh woman warrior who led soldiers into battle against the Moghuls in the 16th century. The painting by artist Kanwar Singh Dhillon was donated towards UNITED SIKHS human and civil rights advocacy projects.

Picture Courtesy: ArtofPunjab.com

The panel that kicked off this 3rd annual conference focused on the importance of the role of women in protecting the Sikh identity. Women from all walks of life came together to discuss how they can engage more actively in the fight for Sikh civil and human rights, to address women's rights issues such as domestic violence, and to affirm how important their contribution is in ensuring that future generations of Sikh youth take pride in who they are. Not only did the panel provide a forum for a thought provoking discussion on these issues, but also the feedback from this panel will help UNITED SIKHS tailor its women's rights projects in the new year towards better meeting the communities needs.

The conference opened in Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara on Friday, December 17, 2010 in Surrey, BC where speakers from all over the world participated in the evening panel. Speakers included prominent activists and community leaders such as:

Jessi Kaur, Co-founder of the International Institute of Gurmat Studies (IIGS) and Author & Board Member of Kaur Foundation

Kiranjot Kaur, Senior Shironmani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee Member,

Barinder Kaur Rasode, Surrey City Councillor,

Harminder Kaur, Global Sikh News columnist,

Kamal Dhillon, Author/ Activist,

Harminder Kaur Punia, Coordinator for Voices for Freedom,

Becky Monroe, Acting Director of U.S. Department of Justice Community Relations Service, and

Jarnail Singh, journalist and activist. To see biographies and pictures of the Friday panelists from the conference program, click here.

Jessi Kaur, calling on mothers to get actively engaged with educators and youth to uplift their spirits and encourage them to protect their identity

Kiranjot Kaur, speaking about the importance of women's involvement in shaping the Sikh identity

The topics that were covered highlighted the importance of the role that women play in Sikhism, the ongoing problems of domestic violence and female foeticide/infanticide, and how to motivate parents to engage with educators around identity issues. Kamal Dhillon, a survivor of domestic violence, shared her moving story of abuse, emancipation and empowerment and also hosted a book signing after the panel. Kamal promotes a special message: "The victims of domestic violence need to know that they are not alone and that there is help for them." Jessi Kaur called on mothers to encourage Sikh youth to see the beauty in both their internal and external identity.

Jarnail Singh, expressing his views on the unique role of Sikh women and their right to wear the dastaar

Becky Monroe, discussing the importance of protecting communities, their identities, and how that can help in hate crime prevention

"It was a very inspiring evening," reported Ilana Ofgang, Legal Fellow from UNITED SIKHS New York office, "Many women were coming up to us after the panel saying that there needs to be more discussions of this kind, that the community needs to start talking more about women and Sikh identity, about domestic violence, and about other women's rights issues in such a way that can lead to the greater empowerment of women, to greater community action and to social change."

Click here to see videos of opening remarks by Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara President Bikramjit Singh, and presentations by Jessi Kaur and Kamal Dhillon!

The conference opened with an address by Becky Monroe on the importance of protecting communities and their identities, and how this is vital in preventing hate crimes. Jarnail Singh also presented his views about the importance of the contribution of Sikh women in retaining the fabric of the Sikh identity. He also called on women to embrace their right to wear the dastaar.

Audience members gathering to listen intently to the speakers at the Friday night panel on The Role of Women in Protecting the Sikh Identity.

Friday night's panelists opened up a weekend long discussion of important civil & human rights issues affecting the global Sikh community. In explaining why the Conference kicked off with a discussion for and about women, UNITED SIKHS director Gurvinder Singh said that, "Our mothers and sisters are the backbone of our faith. They are the ones who console us when we fear, guide us when we waver, provide for us when we are unable, and quite literally breathe life into us when we lack the wherewithal. If substantive change is to occur, our mothers and sisters must come to the forefront and rightfully claim their throne."

One of Friday nights speaker's, Barinder Kaur Rasode, reminded the audience that, "It is important that we look at the lessons Mata Gujri ji taught us: strength, sacrifice for the greater good, and to stand up to injustice."

Sadly, what Alice Walker once said is sometimes true -one of the ways in which people give up their power is by forgetting that they have any. However, in hosting conferences and events such as this, UNITED SIKHS aims to make sure that no member of the Sikh community -man, woman, or child -ever feels they are without the power to change their own circumstances, their community, or the world for the better. In reflecting on the Conference, Ms. Rasode said, "I would like to congratulate the organizers of the 3rd Annual Conference. The topics discussed were of relevance to making our community stronger."

UNITED SIKHS and Guru Nanak Sikh Gurudwara-Surrey Delta hosted the Conference with the support of the Sikh Sangat of Canada. More details about the Conference forthcoming!

Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara is currently addressing the issue of domestic violence by partnering with local organizations in order to get individuals in need in contact with experts who can help, by hosting educational seminars such as this Conference, and by conducting prevention education. The UNITED SIKHS Educare Center has provided legal assistance to a number of battered women who needed counselling and empowered them by making them aware of their rights. Anyone seeking assistance can reach us at 1-800-243-1690.

UNITED SIKHS will be putting domestic violence awareness training and services at the forefront of its projects in 2011, and will be partnering with national organizations focusing on these issues to implement better reporting of domestic violence incidents with the goal of improving access to these services within the Sikh community.

Note to editors:

UNITED SIKHS is a U.N. affiliated international non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief, human development and advocacy organization.

The Global Sikh Civil Rights Conference is an annual global gathering of human rights lawyers, politicians, judges, activists, multi-faith representatives, and leaders and members of the Sikh community. Organized by UNITED SIKHS, this global conference provides an open arena for discussion of ideas and concerns that most affect Sikhs as a community.

http://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-23-12-2010-00.html