Delegation Form
Nation or International Organization Name: Federation of Czardas
Leader or Group Most Relevant to this Conference: Federal Equity Ministry, Department for the Advancement of Women
Delegate(s) (please no more than 4, list any titles or positions): Representing the Equity Ministry, Dr. Muliwa Varishar (Deputy Minister). Representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Catherine Alsena (Foreign Policy Adviser).
Relevant notes on delegates: Dr. Varishar has served as Deputy Minister of Equity for five years, being previously a policy adviser who in turn had been recruited from the Women's University of Mariosz. The Equity Ministry was formed by the Kastizan Administration in 1993 to address social injustices within Czardas. In addition to being female Dr. Varishar is of the Tokol ethnicity. She holds a postdoctoral degree in law. Ms. Alsena, after receiving her MA in International Relations overseas, returned to Czardas in 2012 to take up her current position with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Although still young, she has a close working relationship with the Minister (Dr. Kari Alhoun) and is fairly experienced.
Organization(s) associated with delegation: see above
How does your nation of origin or umbrella organization view feminism? The Kastizan Administration has been influenced by some feminist practices, both in matters of policy (such as the intended goal of eliminating prostitution altogether, and "equal pay" regulations) and of execution. Within the Federation of Czardas, however, feminism is often ignored or openly mocked and belittled; a certain amount of biological essentialism underpins most of the arguments against feminism.
Please sum up in a few sentences the general status of women in your country: Czardaian society is historically patriarchal and, despite the legal equality of the sexes now enshrined, the old attitudes are still common, particularly in rural areas. Despite the equal pay regulations, fields that become female-dominated display a loss of social prestige over time and attendant loss in average income. Czardas is still a source for international human trafficking gangs (although their activity has been greatly reduced since the 1980s) who mostly target women and children. Elimination not only of these gangs but also of the social attitudes that force marginalised women and children into a position to be preyed upon in this manner is a first priority of the Kastizan Administration.
Does your delegation represent an oppressed group? Please add notes: Technically, no.
Please state issues on the status of women and girls in your nation: The primary reason the current Equity Minister (Mr. Hori Mirewa) requested a delegation sent to this conference was for information on how cultural attitudes towards women might be changed now that legal equality exists. For example, despite the fact that the nation's universities have become female-dominated, this has simply led to a devaluation of the idea of a university education in the first place, as "true men simply learn from their fathers, as always has been done"; despite the harsh sentences for those who abuse or assault women, families still may try to prevent their daughters from reporting crimes against them, as it is seen as dishonourable to the family name. As well, however, the issue of trafficking and its elimination—mentioned above—remains of importance.
State grievances you wish to bring to the attention of the conference : see above
Relevant links to concerns or issues:
Are there any dietary, safety or other concerns we should know about your delegation?: Please note that due to the risks of racially or sexually motivated violence against these two individuals as well as Ms. Alsena's family connections, both will be accompanied by bodyguards.
Preference for lodging (hotel, hostel, campus housing, private host): Hotel or campus housing is preferable, as the bodyguards can then liaise with on-site security personnel.
All delegates must swear to use non violent means of resolving conflict. Do you so swear?: Yes. By custom, Dr. Varishar and Ms. Alsena have both sworn on vials of holy water from the holy mineral springs at Blue Lake*. If these vials are broken, grave offence will be caused to the Czardaian Orthodox Church.
* The city of Czarna is situated within the caldera of an extinct volcano, Mount Virúsa. Several kilometers to the north the slopes of the mountain intersect a small, active volcanic field, where Blue Lake is located. A church has been built on the site. Mineral springs of any kind are considered holy within Czardaian Christianity, as that is where Isa (Jesus) is said to have been baptised.
