Sisters and brothers in peace,
On March 8, we celebrate sisters, mothers, daughters and friends throughout the world with International Women’s Day. This important occasion encourages us to pause and reflect on the status of women today – to commemorate the recent accomplishments by and for women in communities around the world, and to draw attention to the ongoing challenges that continue to act as barriers to women and thus to the whole of the human community.
This year’s theme is “Equality for women is progress for all,” and it rings ever true in the year-round activities of our Cooperation Circles committed to addressing women’s issues. This theme resonates within the hearts of the women we are proud to call members of the URI family.
There are so many incredible URI women who are champions for peace and justice. Many are organizing events for International Women's Day including:
Qutub Jehan Kidwai, Regional Coordinator for URI India, is helping lead an International Women’s Day campaign in five villages in West India, bringing Muslim and Hindu Dalit women together in support of their shared human rights. Qutub is also a strong advocate in raising awareness of the Girl-Child Campaign.
Nour Nahleh, the Women’s Initiative Coordinator of URI Middle East and North Africa, is rallying the voice of women in her region over social media channels. She is also helping organizations in her community coordinate activities for International Women’s Day.
Despina Namwembe, Regional Coordinator for URI Africa, is conducting a workshop this Saturday in partnership with Twekolere Women’s Development Association CC, an organization committed to empowering girls and young women.
Elana Rozenman, founder of Trust WIN (Women’s Interfaith Network) CC, is arranging a film–viewing on political issues affecting women in Cyprus to honor International Women’s Day.
Sabina Rifat, Women’s Coordinator for URI Pakistan, is organizing an International Women’s Day event for 100 women of different faiths to share their stories of ongoing challenges and inequality using poems, songs and multimedia presentations.
“Countries with more gender equality have better economic growth,” says Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki Moon. “Companies with more women leaders perform better. Peace agreements that include women are more durable. Parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support. The evidence is clear: equality for women means progress for all."
In the spirit of Secretary Moon’s statement, I call upon the women and men of URI’s global community to commit ourselves to championing women’s empowerment as a crucial piece of our efforts to create cultures of peace and justice around the world.
Peace…
Victor
