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VG Flash February 2006 |
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VGIF Participates at 50th Session of CSW at the United Nations |
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VGIF hosted two parallel events at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) beginning on February 27th in New York City and running until March 10th. Leslie Wright, VGIF UN Delegation Chair, organized and moderated both events which were well attended and well received. The two themes for this 50th session of the CSW are enhanced participation of women and development through creation of an enabling environment for women in the areas of health, education and work; and equal participation of women and men in decision-making processes at all levels. The first workshop entitled Power and Decision Making: A Look at Money, Politics and the Board Room, was held on Tuesday, February 28th. Panelists included VGIF member and UN representative Jackie Woods; Michaela Walsh from Manhattanville College and former consultant to the Women's Bank; and Yvonne Raveles-Resida, member of Parliament from Suriname. The panel brought years of experience and a wide background from business, academia, and government. Lively presentations included topics on corporate board service from a woman's perspective in addition to discussion of international markets, micro-credit, and globalization. The second workshop entitled Funding Development to Enhance Women's Participation in Health, Education, and Work, was held on Thursday, March 2nd and hosted jointly by VGIF and Zonta International. Sakeena Yacoobi, who founded the Afghanistan Institute of Learning in 1995 and is a recipient of Zonta funding, told of her experiences in bringing education and improved health care to countless Afghani women and girls in the wake of years of civil war and ongoing discrimination against women. VGIF Executive Secretary Fay Kittelson followed with a presentation on the work of the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, highlighting 16 recent projects with the help of a PowerPoint presentation developed and shown by VGIF Board member Louise McLeod. As was the case last year, the day provided March-like inclement weather, but 50 plus women braved the elements and initiated an interesting and lengthy question and answer session following the presentations. Excellent contacts were made at both events and VGIF continues to become more visible in the circle of NGOs at the UN through its active representatives and participation in conferences that include the NGO community and civil society at the United Nations. |
| Leslie Wright VGIF UN Delegation Chair |
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International Women's Day - March 8 |
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This year's theme for International Women's Day is the role of women in decision-making. When women are part of the decision-making process, the concerns of women and families receive more consideration and action. Women's empowerment and equal participation in all spheres of society are fundamental for the achievement of equality. To sample some of the events that are taking place around the world this week, go to www.internationalwomensday.com. On March 8th, the International Museum of Women (IMOW) launched "Imagining Ourselves: A Global Generation of Women". The project reaches out to a new generation of women - one billion women between the ages of 20 and 35 - to answer the question, "What defines your generation?" It draws upon the thoughts of young women worldwide to reveal a generation of women posed to take the reigns of global leadership like no other generation in history - a generation of women who believe that anything is possible for young women today. Imagining Ourselves is a platform for young women to create change in their lives, their communities, and their world. Imagining Ourselves is available on five continents, in 14 countries, and in four languages, featuring the voices, stories and artistic expressions of young women in their 20s and 30s from around the world. It seeks to unite and mobilize young women to make a difference, increase the visibility of young women's leadership, and connect advocacy organizations with a wider public. The project includes global gatherings, an online interactive exhibit, and books. This four-month project features different themes and discussions each month. March focuses on Love and Relationships in a Changing World, April is Money and Economic Empowerment for Young Women, May is Culture and Conflict and focuses on uniting women across boundaries, and June is the Future and Taking Action. To view this exciting project, go to www.imow.org. |
| Betty Bayless VGIF Public Relations Convener |
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The Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund