High-level participants join program for advocacy organization’s landmark meeting in Kuala Lumpur
A number of influential leaders are confirmed to participate in the Women Deliver’s third global conference, Women Deliver 2013, which will take place on May 28-30 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Speakers at the conference will include:
- Melinda Gates, Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General & Executive Director of United Nations Women
- Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
- Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
- HRH Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway
- Dr. Hans Rosling, Professor of International Health, Karolinska Institute; Co-founder & Chairman, Gapminder Foundation
Three stories regarding gender-based violence have recently "shocked" the world: the rape and mutilation of 23-year-old Indian Jyoti Singh Pandey on a public bus in New Dehli, the rape and disembowelment of 17-year-old South African Anene Booysen in a small 'dorp' near Cape Town, and the killing of 29-year-old South African Reeva Steenkamp in her boyfriend's luxury residence in Pretoria. 
In India, like many places throughout the world, girls and women experience gender-based discrimination in areas such as education, job opportunities and even marriage options. Rural girls face an even greater degree of gender inequality. 
This February contains a plethora of important events -- almost too many to name. There's Valentine's Day, the start of the new Congress, the State of the Union address and several significant opportunities to look back and honor those who have come before us, including celebrations for American History and American Black History month. February is also dedicated to heart health so