International Women’s Rights Action Watch Asia Pacific Internship

Organisation Profile

IWRAW Asia Pacific is a non-profit international organisation based in South-East Asia which works nationally, regionally and internationally towards the achievement of women’s human rights. IWRAW Asia Pacific plays a critical role in filling the gap between the promise of women’s human rights embodied in human rights treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against women (CEDAW), and their actual realisation at a domestic level. This is achieved largely through building the capacity of women and human rights advocates to promote and protect women’s human rights and to demand accountability from governments on the domestic application of international human rights standards.

One of IWRAW Asia Pacific’s current projects is in the area of promoting the ratification and use of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, which enables individuals to claim rights (protected under CEDAW) at the international level.  Another current project is known as the South Asia Litigation Initiative. Through this project, IWRAW Asia Pacific aims to provide support to claimants seeking to enforce women’s right to equality in domestic courts and tribunals.

Intern Profile

IWRAW Asia Pacific’s internship programme offers interns exposure to a range of women’s human rights issues. Through their work at IWRAW, interns will gain a deeper knowledge of the CEDAW Convention and its related treaty bodies, and will also have an opportunity to develop their research, advocacy and organisational skills.

Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Developing position papers on various issues relating to women’s rights;
• Undertake research, collation and analysis of cases and principles;
• Assisting in the logistical needs relating to training and meetings;
• Assisting in tasks relating to the resource centre;
• Assisting in the administrative work relating to programs conducted by the organisation.

Some of the possible areas that the interns may be asked to work on are:

• CEDAW and the Optional Protocol to CEDAW;
•  Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR);
•  Disappearance of rights;
•  Justiciability of ESCR rights;
•  South Asia Litigation Initiative

For more information on IWRAW - Asia Pacific, visit their website at http://www.iwraw-ap.org/ 

Eligibility Criteria

Please click here for eligibility criteria.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be taken into account by the Castan Centre in choosing the intern and applicants are advised to directly address each criterion in the personal statement.

• A demonstrated interest in human rights as shown through your practical or ac ademic experiences;
• Strong interest in and knowledge of women's human rights issues;
• Particular interest in the work currently undertaken by IWRAW;
• Strong academic record, in particular marks received in human rights and other relevant subjects;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to speak French or Spanish (this is preferred, but not essential)

Application process

• Complete the  IWRAW Internship Application Form and also prepare the following documents:
  
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of results (download from WES) which must show at least a 60% average across all law studies
  • A personal statement of no more than one page typed (minimum size ariel font x10 point)showing a proven interest in the work and mission of IWRAW.
• Submit your application either -
  
  • in hard copy to the International Programs Officer located in the Student Services office on Level 1 of the Law building
  • via email from your Monash student account to erica.contini@law.monash.edu.au. If submitting via email, we will contact you to confirm receipt of your application. If you do not get confirmation, please contact us.
• The Monash Castan Centre for Human Rights Law is responsible for short listing applicants.
• Short listing of applicants may include an interview by members of the Castan Centre
• The successful applicant will be contacted directly via phone and/or email by the Castan Centre Project Manager
• All unsuccessful applicants will be notified via phone and/or email by the International Programs Officer  
• International Programs Officer will notify the Faculty Finance Manager of the successful intern
• Once the successful intern has been notified they must contact the International Programs Officer to discuss travel arrangements and release of funds.

Note: All grants should be used in the first instance to cover travel costs, followed by insurance and accommodation costs if funds permit.

Equity grants

Student Travel Fund (STF) Equity Grants have been developed to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. 

Contact information

If you would like further information about this internship please contact:

Forms

IWRAW Internship Application Form [PDF]
Equity Grant application form [PDF]

Other Useful information

Accommodation, Living costs and other expenses
Role of the 2008 intern
Past intern report - Rachael Hopkins 2006-07