Karelian Center for Gender Studies (KCGS) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) registered: October 30, 1995 аt the Ministry of Justice, Republic of Karelia (Ref. 357). Our work is  focused on women’s rights as an integral part of human rights, on human values as stated in the Declaration on Human Rights (UN, 1948) and the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Women’s Discrimination (UN, 1979), the Proceedings  of the World Women’s Congress in Beijing(1995) and the Concept on Improvement of Women’s Situation in the Russian Federation (Moscow, 1996).

The KCGS Executive Council works under the Chair elected for 5 years.  40 persons serve as volunteers.

Women and Men of most varied professions: historicists, psychologists, sociologists, psychologists,  engineers, geologists, lawyers, journalists  participate in the KCGS activities.

The members of our organization took part  in international  conferences and seminars:

1993 - in Moscowand Bratislava

1994 - in Vienna;

  1995 - in Beijing

1996 - in Moscow, Мurmansk, Oslo, Joensuu, Stockholm, Barcelona, St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk

1997 - in Moscow, Rostov-on-Don

1998 - in Kiev, Stockholm, Duluth

1999 - in Helsinki, Kazan, Apatiti

2000 - in Brussel

2001 - in Oulu, Rovaniemi

2002 - in Zagreb, Croatia

2003 - in Tallinn, Estonia; WashingtonDC, US; Tirana, Albania

2004 – in Stockholm, Berlin

The Center’s activities are aimed at:

·       Making gender studies;

·       Establishing database on women’s situation and women’s organizations in the Republic;

·       Studying the needs of NGOs in informational, educational, psychological and other kinds of assistance;

·       Developing and implementing gender programs, courses, psychological training and workshops;

·       Fostering the development of informational infrastructure, including publishing activities (newsletters, brochures, etc.) with the use of Intra - and International Nets, ensuring free access to information with respect to the Russian Federal legislation;

·       Exercising control on observance of human rights including reproductive rights, prevention of violence and traffic;

·       Establishing international cooperation by supporting and organizing training trips abroad;

·       Participating in the expertise of programs for regional and municipal development, working out the ways of joint activities with the Governmental administrative bodies to conduct the policy against discrimination, corruption and for transparent budget;

·       Being part of the “Angel” NGOs Coalition, which participates in the projects devoted to anti-trafficking problems, KCGS has become part of the larger project concerning the problems of sexual trade-traffic and prostitution.

      Since February 2003, the Project “Safe House” has been under way in Petrozavodsk, Kazan, St. Petersburg, Moscow, the Project is directed on rehabilitation of traffic victims, supported by the “Angel” Coalition;

·       The Organization cooperates with St. Petersburg Political and Human Center “Strategy” and Moscow Organization “Leadership and Partnership” on the problems concerning transparent budget, and bribery problems;

·       KCGS has took part in writing, and working on the Program “Women of Karelia”, 2001-2005;

·       KCGS, jointly with Petrozavodsk State University, has been working on the Project “Gender Education for the University staff, administrators and students of Petrozavodsk higher educational establishments” supported by The Open Society Institute, “Women’s Network” Program (Soros Foundation, Russia). The purpose of the Project is to improve gender knowledge of the staff and administration, as well as students at Petrozavodsk State University.

     Our final seminar was held on 28 June, 2003, on the Day of 300^th Anniversary of Petrozavodsk;

·       KCGS is Coordinator of the Regional Program Against Social Violence in the Republic of Karelia;

·       Since March 2004 till February 2005 center has on-going project: “Gender at art of modern ethic authors in Russian European North.”

 

Our partners and supporters:

·       Ford Foundation

·       Eurasia Foundation

·       Mott Foundation

·       Open Society Institute (Soros F.)

·       USIA

·       IRE

·       NDI

·       Embassies of the Netherlands, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Canada

·       Nordic Council Ministry

·       Women’s Information network (“Zhenset”,  Moscow)

·       Russian Social Women’s Movement

·       Information Center of Independent women’s Forum (Moscow)

·       Consortium of Women’s CIS NGOs  (Moscow)

·       Association of Women - Journalists (Moscow)

·       The Kola Women’s Congress (Murmansk)

·       Women’s NGOs of Republic of Karelia

·       Moscow and St Petersburg Center for Gender Studies

·       St-Petersburg Center of Gender Problems

·       Independent Social Women’s Center (Pskov)

·       Universities at Petrozavodsk, St.Petersburg, Joensuu, Oslo, Stokholm.