By: Amie Newman; Originally posted on Impatient Optimists
As we head into the week prior to the 2013 Women Deliver conference, the largest global meeting of the decade to focus on the health and well-being of girls and women, we thought it would be a perfect time to highlight the voices and stories of some of the amazing advocates, from around the world, who are attending this monumental world meeting. Today, meet Julia Wiklander founder of Girls' Globe. Read more...
Updates
More Than “Just a Blog”: Chatting With Girls’ Globe
May 22nd, 2013
Voices of Advocates Part 1: Domestic Violence (Trinidad &Tobago)
March 19th, 2013
Originally posted on ThinkBrigade
This opinion piece is published in collaboration with Women Deliver 100 Young Leaders, liaised by Bijoyeta Das. Ife Smith is one of the 100 Young Leaders for 2012-2013.
The story of a young woman who endured both domestic violence and a court system that is unfriendly to the poor. A hard-working, law-abiding young woman who made the wrong decision of entering into a relationship with someone she thought she knew. During this relationship she endured physical, mental and emotional abuse. Not only did she had to literally run for her life, but the life she now has she can barely call her own because of her country’s inhumane, unfriendly and insufferable legal system which she had to turn to for help.
Government Ministers and UN, NGO Representatives Focus on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls
March 7th, 2013
Government Ministers and UN, NGO Representatives from Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and Middle East Focus on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Fulfilling Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
(March 7, New York) - At a roundtable meeting on March 5 hosted by the High-Level Task Force for the International Conference on Population Development (ICPD), Government Ministers, delegates to the 57thCommission on the Status of Women (CSW), and representatives from UN agencies and non-governmental organizations—164 individuals representing 36 countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East—shared recommendations for action around the event’s theme, Charting a Forward-Looking Agenda–Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Fulfilling Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights for All. Read more...
CHIME FOR CHANGE: Powered by Catapult
February 28th, 2013
By: Maz Kessler, Founder, Catapult
What do Beyoncé and Catapult have in common? Yes, it’s true, in addition to founding Catapult, I’m also a musician. But the real answer is that a number of incredible women, including Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Salma Hayek-Pinault, are taking the lead on a new global initiative: CHIME FOR CHANGE. Founded by Gucci, and powered by Catapult. Read more...
Three Global Priorities for Women and Girls
February 27th, 2013
By: Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank Group; Originally posted on Huffington Post
In recent decades, the status of women and girls has improved around the world, but much more needs to be done. The vicious rape and death of a young woman in Delhi recently horrified us all, and also underlined just how far the world needs to go in order to protect women and girls. Violence against women is far too pervasive - an estimated 510 million women alive today will be abused by their partner in their lifetime. Read more...
Gender-Based Violence: Three Dead Bodies, Zero Safe Space
February 20th, 2013
By: Jos Dirkx; Originally posted on Mail & Guardian
Jos Dirkx is the founder and director of award-winning NGO Girls & Football South Africa. She spoke at TedX on "Girls, Football and Learning" and is a Women Deliver 2013 Young Leader. She has worked at the United Nations in Sudan and Eritrea, has lived in 10 countries, and is passionate about gender equality, media, technology and change.
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. Read more...
Nepal: Chaupadi Culture and Violence Against Women
February 5th, 2013
By: Allyn Gaestel; Originally posted on Pulitzer Center
Rabina Kumari Nepali clambered up the embankment, grasping strands of dried grass to hoist herself. She looked sheepishly over at me, as I walked up the pathway two feet to her left. “I can’t walk on the path,” she said. She gave wide berth to the front yard as she led us to a small hut. Across from the traditional two-story house, the squat mud-brick shelter sat on the edge of the stable yard crowded with buffalo. The wide, black animals stamped down slimy pools of excrement, hay and garbage; chickens clucked and foraged. Read more...
Celebrate Solutions: Providing Support to Domestic Migrant Workers in Malaysia
January 21st, 2013
By: Yousra Yusuf, Women Deliver
Around the world, there are currently about 175 million migrant workers who have left home in search of better jobs. Many South Asian workers end up in Malaysia, which provides job opportunities to approximately 2.1 million documented migrant workers. Women from Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines and other neighboring countries leave their families and support systems behind for jobs as domestic workers. Yet their lives are not always what they expected, and some are faced with devastating, abusive conditions. Fortunately, Women’s Aid Organization (WAO) has worked to provide over 100 abused women, including migrant workers, with shelter and counseling. Read more...
Celebrate Solutions: Eliminating Acid Violence in Bangladesh
December 10th, 2012
By: Yousra Yusuf, Women Deliver
In many countries around the world, gender-based violence is carried out through small vials of clear liquid—sulfuric acid. “Acid attacks” are particularly prevalent in South-East and South Asia, and result in excruciating pain, burns, and often fatal complications. In Bangladesh, Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF)’s ongoing advocacy efforts have led to the passing of two laws aimed at preventing the practice, and the establishment of government-NGO partnerships to accelerate further progress. This past year, they have been campaigning in support of the “Comprehensive Acid and Burn Crime Bill”, which would strengthen existing legislation criminalizing acid violence. Read more...
We Can Only End Violence Against Women Together
November 26th, 2012
By: Michelle Bachelet, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, UN Women; Originally posted on Huffington Post
I am often asked whether ending violence against women is possible given the pervasiveness and persistence of these crimes. My answer is yes. It is possible. But we can only do it together. We are all responsible and it is time for leaders to fulfill the promises made to women. Today, looking towards Sunday's International Day to End Violence against Women, I call on all leaders: Take a stand to end violence against women and girls. Last year I launched the 16-step policy agenda. Today, I urge all Heads of State and Government to end the scourge of violence that affects every society by participating in an exciting global initiative to showcase national commitments to end violence against women and girls. Read more...
16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence
November 25th, 2012
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign calls for an end to gender-based violence and appeals to governments to respond, protect, and prevent violence against women. Over the course of the 16 Days of Activism, which begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and ends on Human Rights Day (December 10), Women Deliver will highlight 16 key leaders and updates about women's rights worldwide. When women survive, families, communities, and nations thrive. Read more...
World Contraception Day: Emergency Contraception in the Caribbean
October 3rd, 2012
By: Ife Smith, Women Deliver 100 Young Leader from Trinidad and Tobago
This blog is part of a series, edited by Women Deliver, in partnership with Impatient Optimists, on youth perspectives to celebrate World Contraception Day. Share your thoughts in comments and join the conversation at #WCD2012. For more stories and to get involved further visit No Controversy.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the rates of teenage pregnancy and HIV prevalence are quite high. The adolescent birth rate in Trinidad and Tobago is 33 births per 1,000 girls aged 15-19, and there were 15,000 people living with HIV in 2009. Statistics show that at the end of 2009, an estimated 240,000 people were living with HIV in the Caribbean.
G(irls)20 Summit Communiqué Released
June 4th, 2012
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The G(irls)20 Summit has released a communiqué following their May 24 – June 4, 2012 Summit. The Summit convened 21 representatives from the European Union (EU), the African Union (AU) and each G20 country. Each country delegate was a young woman between the ages of 18-20. This year, the Summit took place in Mexico City, Mexico, just two weeks ahead of the G20 Summit which will take place in Los Cabos, Mexico. The G20 Summit is an international forum which gathers the 19 country members and the European Union which constitute 90% of global GDP, 80% of global trade and two-thirds of the world’s population. Read more...
Celebrate Solutions: A Nepali Radio Show for ‘Mutual Understanding’
March 26th, 2012
By Rati Bishnoi, Women Deliver
Every week, the Samajhdari or “Mutual Understanding” radio show creates a space for Nepali women to “speak out for themselves” and share their often “unspoken, internal dilemmas with one another,” says Programme Director Jaya Luintel. Read more...
Journalist Threatened for Reporting on Female Genital Mutilation
March 12th, 2012
By: Joanna Hoffman, Woman Deliver
Pulitzer-Center grantee Mae Azango has gone into hiding after receiving death threats in response to an article she published last Thursday in FrontPage Africa. Azango bravely reported on female genital mutilation (FGM) in rural Liberia, and the devastating, and sometimes deadly, aftereffects it can produce.
Ten out of Liberia’s 16 tribes practice FGM, accounting for up to 85% of the country’s population. Often, cutting takes place in an unsanitary environment with unsterilized tools, which can lead to infection, tetanus, and HIV transmission. If fresh tissue is cut and not stitched up, excessive bleeding can lead to shock and death. Read more...
The Word on Women - International Women’s Day: Voices from the Ground
March 9th, 2012
By: Lyric Thompson, Originally posted on TrustLaw
This International Women’s Day, I had the privilege of sitting on the selection committee for Women Deliver’s 50 most inspiring ideas and solutions to deliver for girls and women, an annual campaign to honor the contributions of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing female empowerment around the world.
It was a tremendous task. We received hundreds of submissions from across the globe, all inspiring accounts of innovations and ideas that are advancing women’s health, educational and economic opportunities, social and political empowerment and more. For someone whose entire career has been devoted to this field, I was newly energized by the number, quality and diversity of submissions, and grateful for the opportunity to learn about so much good work being done around the world, by organizations large and small.
I was personally pleased to see the efforts of phenomenal organizations I’ve had the pleasure to work directly with were finalists: Women for Women International’s work with male religious, military and community leaders to promote women’s safety and rights made the final 125, as did an innovative International Center for Research on Women program to protect and empower girls in Tanzania.
And today, the votes are in. The 50 most inspiring ideas and solutions to deliver for girls and women have been announced and will be promoted throughout the forthcoming year. A big congratulations goes out to the groups and individuals involved in some of the most promising global efforts to promote equality, prosperity and peace through the full inclusion and empowerment of women and girls. From eco-friendly sanitary pads in Rwanda, to “Husband Schools” in Niger, to a youth leadership program engaging former sex slaves to end domestic trafficking in the U.S., these interventions and innovations truly do inspire.
There is hence much cause for celebration on this 101st anniversary of International Women’s Day. Yet there is also cause for reflection on the work left to be done. As I reviewed the many submissions, I was particularly struck by the words of a Ghanaian woman who used the forum to write not about a particular idea or innovation that is helping women and girls, but about the areas in which she has seen little progress in her community: exploitation and violence against women. Her submission was a stark reminder of the distance we have yet to traverse before all women will enjoy security and true equality.
The words of our Ghanaian sister have awakened in me a deep appreciation for the reasons we observe International Women’s Day. My first experience living abroad was in Ghana, so the connection was all the stronger upon reading. Today I can think of no better way to honor the call to action she has put forward than by giving voice to them here. I have reprinted them below, providing slight edits for ease of reading, but the substance and the poetry of her testimony remains unchanged.
As we salute the year’s most inspiring progress in promoting the health, education, economic advancement and leadership of women and girls, I also offer the unmediated thoughts of our ally on the ground to serve as a reminder of the road ahead.
Happy International Women’s Day; may it be a day of celebration, inspiration and reflection for us all.
"Violence Against Women is the most common thing which is going on day in and day out in my country, killing of women as [they] come to stay with people. Any mistake a woman does will bring war at home, but every mistake a man does is right—why? Sexual Abuse in homes, Rape and Beating from [the] Husband—why?
I think this is The Right Time for every Woman to stand and fight for her rights, and to create a violence-free world for every Woman. Woman has stayed for too long in the Dark. Let us also share the Good Things we have in us, for the whole world.
Maternal Health is very important for every pregnant woman. Every woman stands as a Big Tree in Her family. Whether you believe it or not, The Answer is Yes. Because women are the people who suffer most in homes, I will be very glad if there would be a Law that will stop every pregnant woman from having to sell things on their heads at the road side. I think this can also help save more lives in some African countries as well. I think many organizations have to step in to train more and more African woman and girls in maternal health. I know this will enhance more understanding in many African communities, hospitals, and the World as a whole.
I would also like to share this with our African Men: Please help your wives at home by washing clothes or cooking, bathing the children, or cleaning the rooms. I don't think this is a Sin if You assist your wives in doing this; I know this will bring total balance and joy into your family.
Sex Trafficking is the leading problem in some African communities. School girls from the ages of 10 to 12 to 15 years go out with Big Men and have sex with them—why? Mothers should stop giving their girls to strangers that they don't know very well. Sometimes these people may appear to you very good from their [heads] up to [their] toes, but inside them is Black. Some of these Traffickers travel from the cities to the rural communities just to go and Tell Many Lies To Innocent Girls. In the rural communities, these are some of their Tricks:
“Wards do you know you look very beautiful?” “Let’s go to the Main City; you will get lots of Money and Cars, Clothes,” and so [on]. Some will also tell the girl’s mother, “I own a Very Big Company so I want Girls to work for Me.”
And when they bring in those girls to the city, first of all they take them out into Night Clubs. Then inside the night club these women will tell the Girls to go and dance with the men inside. From this stage just guess what will happen to those poor girls. If this trafficking lady finds that some of the men have fallen in love with any of the girls, she will walk to The Man face to face [and say:] “You cannot take her away without payment of Money to me.” Then you see that she will speak to The Poor Girl: “Do whatever this Man asks you to do, okay?” Then she will give her phone number to the Girl: “Call me if the Man wants to hurt you. Just let me know.”
All [this] is lies. Just pretending as if she really cares, and from there she will tell the poor Girl to go with The Stranger Man. Then this Man will take the Girl in to a hotel to have sex with her as many [times] as he wishes, because he has given Huge Money to this woman who travels to rural areas just to tell fake stories to poor Girls.
Those Girls will just end their lives with this Deadly HIV AIDS Infection. My little advice to women and girls is: “Don't let people waste your lives. Look sharp and Focus. Read wide and let your Eyes Open like an Eagle Bird.”
This International Women’s Day, I had the privilege of sitting on the selection committee for Women Deliver’s 50 most inspiring ideas and solutions to deliver for girls and women, an annual campaign to honor the contributions of individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing female empowerment around the world.
It was a tremendous task. We received hundreds of submissions from across the globe, all inspiring accounts of innovations and ideas that are advancing women’s health, educational and economic opportunities, social and political empowerment and more. Read more...
Why a Daughter is Not an Apology
January 31st, 2012
By: Joanna Hoffman, Special Projects Manager
Last week, 22 year-old Storai Mohammed was strangled to death by her husband and mother-in-law for giving birth to a girl, and not the son they had demanded of her. Her husband fled, but his mother was detained and told police that Storai “felt guilty” for bearing three daughters and committed suicide.
In Afghanistan, as in many parts of the world, newborn sons are celebrated while girls are met with disappointment, fewer opportunities and a stifling lack of autonomy. Read more...
The UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women Announces the 2011 Call for Proposals
December 8th, 2011
The United Nations Trust Fund in Support of Actions to Eliminate Violence against Women is accepting applications for its 16th grant cycle (2011) from government authorities, civil society organizations and networks — including non-governmental, women’s and community-based organizations and coalitions, and operational research institutions — and UN Country Teams (in partnership with governments and civil society organizations). Read more...
16 Days Campaign Challenges MIlitarism And Violence Against Women
November 25th, 2011
New Brunswick, New Jersey -- On November 25, 2011, the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWGL) will launch the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence Campaign. Hundreds of events by organizations worldwide are planned to campaign against gender-based violence, which is experienced by up to 70% of women in their lifetime, according to the United Nations. It is estimated that worldwide, one in five women will experience rape or attempted rape. Women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war, and malaria. Read more...
Celebrate Solutions: Fostering Husbands’ Involvement and Support in Ethiopia
June 20th, 2011
By: Mariko Rasmussen, Communications Specialist at Women Deliver
A few months ago I wrote about a program that works to empower young women in Guatemala by providing essential health, education, and social services to an underserved population. Today I’d like to highlight the flip side: a gender project that works with men in rural Ethiopia.
In Ethiopia, the lifetime risk of maternal death is 1 in 40 and the contraceptive prevalence rate is just 15 percent. HIV prevalence in the Amhara region is significant. The Addis Birhan (meaning “new light” in Amharic) program seeks to promote HIV prevention by changing attitudes and promoting equitable relationships through educating and engaging husbands in issues related to reproductive health, including HIV prevention, family planning, gender violence, alcohol and drug abuse, and domestic responsibilities. Read more...