National Coalition to End Child Marriage
End Gender-Violence Zonta Says NO!
Play #1 The Grand Dames of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Inspired by the historical record, and created by the members of the Human Rights Special Interest Group (HRSIG), this play was first presented at a CSW67 parallel event held in March 2023. The play tracks the discussion among three powerful woman, all immersed in the UN work to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. These women suggested alternative wording for the draft UDHR. They sought to replace the word MEN in Article 1 (All MEN are born free and equal in dignity and rights…) with the wording “ALL HUMAN BEINGS are born free and equal in dignity and rights….” The women depicted in this play are Eleanor Roosevelt, Hansa Mehta and Bodil Begtrup.
Play #2 The Struggle for CEDAW
Inspired by the historical record, and created by the members of the Human Rights Special Interest Group, this fictional documentary was first presented at a CSW67 parallel event held in March 2023. Women’s struggle to be free from discrimination and violence has been seemingly endless. In the 1970’s, four unconventional women overcame bureaucratic obstacles and pushed back against outdated societal norms in their successful initiative to draft and promote a UN convention supporting the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The convention, CEDAW, was ratified by the UN General Assembly in 1979.
Play #3 Bringing CEDAW Home
Inspired by real events in the present day and created by HRSIG (the Human Rights Special Interest Group) , this play was first presented at a CSW67 parallel event in March 2023. This is the final play in THE CEDAW TRILOGY. It tracks a fictional Board of Supervisors during a hearing on a proposed Resolution in Support of CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.) The video content has been made available for informational and educational purposes only. HRSIG does not condone statements or opinions expressed in this video that deny fundamental human rights to, or disparage the dignity of, any human being. All rights reserved. HRSIG 2023
About Jill Follows, Playwright
Co-founder of Human Rights Special Interest Group. Jill was the coalition leader for the Fairfax County, VA initiative to secure a CEDAW resolution. They were successful and the Resolution was granted on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2022. Jill is pleased to be one of the Zonta Club of Fairfax newest members.