Dear Friends:

 The election process to select 11 members for the CEDAW Committee will be held in July. We are glad to inform you that our colleague  Silvia Pimentel has been proposed by the Government of Brazil, to be reelected as member of the said committee for the period 2009- 2012.

Silvia, has been a member of CLADEM from the start and presently she is a member of our Advisory Council. For our organization and for thousands of women in Latin America as well as from other regions, her reelection is of high importance and significance as it represents the continuation of an active position of protection of women human rights, a commitment with their empowerment and the consolidation of the representation of the region of Latin America within this strategic international  monitoring body.

In that sense, we ask all women organizations of the region and human rights organizations that share this same commitment, to express their support to the reelection of Silvia Pimentel before their respective governments, as a recognition of  her legitimacy, competence and commitment in the struggle for women human rights in particular.

To facilitate this task, we attach a model letter and a summary of her CV and background that can be also used in your communication with officials of your own countries, a letter that can be also modified and adapted according to your national contexts, especially in countries where sexual and reproductive rights remain under controversy.

 Thank you in advance for all your support and please send a copy of your letters to rcabana@cladem.org .

 Best regards,

Norma Enríquez Riascos

Regional Coordinator