ABA Sponsors New Project to Reduce Oppression of Women Worldwide

The American Bar Association is sponsoring a new Internet-based project that is aimed at countering political and cultural traditions that support the oppression of women around the world.  The International Models Project on Women's Rights (IMPOWR) will create an online database to collect information on gender-related legal issues, laws and reform efforts in 100 countries.  In country experts and outside experts will be able to contribute information.  The database will also include links to resources and other materials that can be accessed through the database. The project started earlier this year with a prototype online database involving only Bangladesh and focusing on acid attacks against women.  It is scheduled to be fully operational by the end of the year.  While it is being sponsored by the ABA, the organizers hope that many legal experts, lawyers and women's advocates from around the world will contribute information so that the database will be truly international.

(cgb)