CFEMEA Feminist Center for Studies and Advisory Services is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that works for the citizenship of women and gender equality. It fights for a just and democratic society and State in an autonomous and non-partisan way.

Founded on feminist thought, CFEMEA actively participates in the national women's movement, and integrates with international feminist networks, especially in Latin America. It also participates in different initiatives against racism.

The center is led by a Deliberative Council and a Collective Directory. It works with a Consultant Council, a Specialist Committee, and a Fiscal Council.

Commitments

• To defend and broaden democracy
• To overcome gender and racial/ethnic inequality and discrimination
• To affirm liberty, autonomy, solidarity and diversity

Objectives

• Defend and promote equal rights and gender equity in legislation as well as in planning and implementing public policies; giving special attention to the inequalities generated by the combination of sexist and racist discrimination.
• Influence the budget process, fighting for its democratization and transparency, and including a gender and racial/ethnic perspective in public spending.
• Contribute to the strengthening of women's and feminist movements, participating in networking, and reinforcing both dialogues with other social movements and arguments with the established powers.
• Promote the presence of women and feminist platforms in society and in political participation and representation.
• Develop political communication to broaden the public sphere of debate regarding feminist perspectives, highlighting the political agenda for gender equity.

Themes

• Human rights of women, especially the international treaties and conventions adopted by Brazil.
• Violence against women, particularly confronting domestic and sexual violence.
• Sexual rights and reproductive rights, emphasizing the health and sexuality of women in all phases of their lives.
• Labor and social security, especially the issues of productive and reproductive (biological/social) work, taking into account unpaid domestic labor.
• Politics and power, focusing on women's movements and the expansion of the presence of women and feminist platforms in civil society and State decision processes.

History

CFEMEA was founded in July of 1989 by a group of feminist women in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil. They took on the great challenge of fighting for the regulation of rights conquered by the newly born democratic Federal Constitution of 1988. In this context, the program Direitos da Mulher na Lei e na Vida (Rights of Women in Life and in Law) was developed in 1992, which later incorporated the Cairo '94 and Beijing '95 World Conference platforms.

Currently the organization develops the program Democracia, Cidadania e Igualdade de Gênero (Democracy, Citizenship and Gender Equality) to firmly ground the conquered rights and avoid setbacks. It affirms the responsibility of the State powers to develop universal policies and affirmative actions capable of ensuring social well-being and equality.

The Center has participated in the victories related to women's rights and gender equality in Brazil, contributing to the construction of a more just and egalitarian society. It participated in the United Nations´ social cycle of conferences, and takes part in the World Social Forum.

Since 1992 CFEMEA has been producing and distributing the monthly newsletter “Jornal Fêmea”. It is a unique source of important information regarding the situation of women, made available to politicians, women's movements, and society in general. CFEMEA also conducts studies and research projects, and issues publications about gender and women's citizenship.

Challenges

New challenges have been appearing due to globalization, the inequalities of Brazilian society, and changes in the national political scene. These are:

• Promoting ties between feminist perspectives and perspectives of racial equality, free sexual expression, age diversity and cultural plurality;
• Broadening partnerships with other civil organizations;
• Contributing to human development that is ecologically sustainable and democratic;
• Joining to voices that affirm: another world is possible, and articulating efforts to build that world.

Support

The following institutions have, at different times, participated in the on-going support of CFEMEA:

• Multilateral Organizations: United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Support Program of Leadership and Political Representation of Women (PROLID/BID).
• Bilateral Agencies: Gender Equality Fund / Canadian Agency for International Development (FIG/CIDA), International Development Department of UK Government (DFID).
• Foreign Foundations: Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Friedrich Ebert Foundation/Latin American Institute of Economic and Social Development (FES/ELDES), NOVIB, Global Fund, ActionAid, International Women's Health Coalition (IWHC), Heinrich Böll Stiftung (HBS), OXFAM, AVINA Foundation.
• Brazilian Federal Government: National Council of Women's Rights (CNDM), Health Ministry, Special Secretary of Policies for Women (SPM).
• Private Companies: Avon, Seda, Hering, O Boticário.
• Others: Support Program for Projects on Sexuality and Reproductive Health (Prosare), Latin American College of Social Sciences (FLACSO Brazilian Academic headquarters), Federation of Social, Educational Assistance Organs (FASE) and the Embassy of Finland.