U.S. Federal Judge Diane Wood to Come to Madagascar to Assist with Women's Legal Rights Intiative

Antananarivo - The Women's Legal Rights Initiative (WLR) is a USAID program that advances the legal, civil, property, and human rights of women in countries where the agency is working. In 2003, Madagascar was selected as a focus country for WLR activities. Chemonics International, with the generous support of the American people, is implementing a three year program that seeks to improve Malagasy legislation by increasing public awareness, enhancing the justice sector's enforcement capacity , and strengthening civil society organizations  that advocate for women's legal rights.

On November 29, 2005, the Madagascar WLR team officially entered an agreement with the Ministry of Justice to provide technical assistance on women's rights and to facilitate a series of consultations and public debates with civil society organizations. These actions seek to promote reforms that will enhance WLR, such as increasing the age of marriage and establishing equal head of household and legal guardianship rights for women. 

To support this initiative, the U.S. Federal Court of Appeals Judge Diane Wood has graciously agreed to support the WLR team efforts in Madagascar. From April 17 to 22, 2006, Judge Wood will be participating in a variety of WLR Initiative-led activities with the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Magistrates School (ENMG), journalists, the English Club of the American Cultural Center, and the Law Department of the University of Antananarivo.  At the request of local partners, the Judge's visit will include training programs at ENMG on the court's role in protecting women's legal rights.

Judge Wood is a very accomplished judicial expert with a broad range of international experience that includes presentations at the Ecole Nationale de la Magistrature in Bordeaux, France and USAID-funded judicial reform work in Russia.  Judge Wood has also published widely in the areas of judicial practice and procedure as well as women's rights. Her publications include articles such as: The Rule of Law in Times of Stress , Sex Discrimination in Life and Law , and Generalist Judges in a Specialized World.

Notable achievements of WLR in 2004-2006:

•  Published brochures on the Malagasy Family Law.

•  Produced national and local radio programs on Family Law and marriage settlement.

•  Trained 70 civil society organizations in Taolagnaro, Fenerive Est, Manakara and Antananarivo on international conventions, the Malagasy legislation such as constitution and Family Law, and advocacy techniques.

•  Implemented sensitization campaigns, in collaboration with the Ministry of Population, and civil society organizations on violence against women, and promoting women citizen participation in their community.

•  Trained 400 representatives from civil society organizations on advocacy and roles and responsibilities linked to marriage.

•  Established partnerships with the Ministry of Justice to ensure the Malagasy legal texts are in compliance with international conventions.

•  Trained judges of the Supreme Court and Court of First Instance at the ENMG.