LIMPAL-COSTA RICA SECTION REPORT 2005-2006

This report refers to the following issues:

1. The strengthening of our organization;

2. The work of the different committees;

3. National political participation;

4. International issues.

The strengthening of our organization

1. We have reached some stability and respect among us in spite to our diversity.

2. The legal and accounting papers have been kept up to date, so that this allows us to apply to financial agencies and to participate in wider spaces such as the Foro Nacional de Mujeres (National Women’s Forum).

3. We have obtained a new fax machine, two computers and one printer and we have renewed our access to Internet, which had been suspended. We were able to pay the Peace Center the past due rent for our office. All these were achieved by resources generated by the seven percent contributions made from the salary of the advisors of the CR-USA project, which did not contemplate administrative expenses.

4. During 2004 and 2005 we had economic difficulties for maintaining administrative expenses, so this and other projects have permitted us to solve our economic problems.

The work of the different committees

1. Peace Education Committee (EDPAZ) and Woman’s Life Committee have been involved in helping the to set up community policy in the placed involve in the CR-USA project. In Talamanca, Amanda Romero participated in a training program dependent on the National Welfare Agency for Children (PANI) emphasizing human rights issues. In Isla Venado, Silvia Rojas and Adilia Caravaca helped to articulate the work of the National University and the Ministry of Education so that CR-USA could finance projects i9n the education area of rural zones.

2. Woman Workers Committee initiated workshops on sexual harassment to the Trade Unions of the Health Sector and to the Inspectors of the Labor Ministries through the Project “Holistic Approach to Sexual Harassment in the Working Place” financed by the United Methodist Church. This project generated a booklet on the issue, which has been well received by the different groups.

3. Young Wilpfers Costa Rica

With the support of the Sweden Section, we will be able to send a young representative to the Gertrud Baer Seminar in England next September. The Sweden Section has been helping to obtain from the Swedish Government to finance a project for Migrant Children that will be executed by Young Wilpfers of Costa Rica.

National political participation;

1. In the political arena we have concentrated our concern on action against the Trade Agreement in coordination with other organizations and the Network of Citizens Watch in which several of our members participate. We have also participated in several manifestations against the TLC.

2. We also have had an active participation in the Forum on Migrations integrated by Government and NGO’s, and the Network of NGO’s on Migrations.

3. We have been working in a Human Rights Network organized by Juridical Council of the Americas (CEJIL).

International Issues

1. We commemorated the 90th Anniversary of WILPF International.

2. We’ll making an evaluation of the impact obtained by the radio program “Entre Nosotras” directed to women workers and twice obtained the National Award for Radio. We are renewing the Project, making corrections and sending it to the Spanish Embassy who financed the Project in previous occasions.

3. We sent a Project to Save the Children for Migrant Adolescents.

4. Due to the current situation in the Middle East, we have joined a network seeking peace in the region.

Adilia Caravaca, President
LIMPAL-WILPF
COSTA RICA SECTION