WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

 Prior to the 21^st Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 26-27 May, the Gender is My Agenda Campaign (GIMAC) network, held a Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union on 20-21 May. This meeting marked the 10^th GIMAC anniversary. Below Beline Kanimba Unogeye, from YWCA- Rwanda shares her thoughts and experience during the African Union (AU) Summit. 

What have I learnt this week? There are no words that would do justice to what I have taken from this experience. Two words: WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT, over the last few days these two words have been on the tip of all tongues and the topic of all discussions.

Lucrece Funmilayo Falolou, YWCA Rwanda and Huguette Rufine Yakpa from the YWCA of Benin

On Sunday the first question we were asked among us YWCA women was: What is the one thing that will change the lives of young women in Africa? A number of answers were given but I would like to highlight only a few of them because I believe they were fundamental in steering our thinking wheel. The first being women’s empowerment of course, if women in Africa are empowered their lives will change forever, if they have access to information they will able to share it and empower other women through mentorship. The third suggestion that struck me was that women need equal opportunity to show what they are capable of doing.

As you all may see these points build on each other, these young women’s lives will change because if we start accessing information, we will empower and mentor them, then they will be able to show what they are capable of doing. This ladies would be how we could achieve the goal given to us this week of Intergenerational Leadership between young women and their mentors.

Other lessons learnt on this first day include but are not limited to, the global strategic movement whose vision is a fully inclusive world where, Justice, Peace, health, human dignity and freedom care for the environment are promoted and sustained through leadership.

We were also given the opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the concept of safe spaces and how to apply the safe spaces model. We discussed the general characteristics of a safe space for example we all understood that a safe space is a co-operative and supportive place, that has a presence of moral and ethical values where one can express their thoughts and feelings freely.

The second part of my experience was being able to attend the GMAC conference that was held for two days May 20th and 21st. I was primarily captured by the simple but powerful quotes shared by the panelists. As well as the enriching discussions between the panelists and those of us who attended the meeting. When we first begun the conference Grace Kabayo, Executive Director, Pan African Gender Association for Development, suggested to everyone to leave the GMAC conference with a distinguished mindset. I felt that opening the meeting with such a powerful thought shared set way for open minded discussions and contributions.

One of the questions asked by a 13 year old girl that stayed in mind was, if tradition helped or limited young African women? It makes wonder if a child this young is questioning tradition have we really become orphans of tradition or victims of modernization? That question I leave to you. During our discussion we saw that young women have been limited by tradition but also as Hon.Phoebe Asiyo, Chair of Kenyan Eminent Persons and former parliamentarian stated “We can go nowhere if we do not know where we came from.” It limits us in the sense that some traditional practices set us back physically and emotionally, for example the woman who shared the story about how she was forced to sleep with her husband for 3 days after his death, all this in the name of tradition. To this degree we see how tradition limits us, which is why intergenerational dialogue is important because values are dynamic. If we as women can come together and try to fight against such practices then we can move forward. The way to fight for a voice is by uniting. This way tradition will hear our cries. As Dr Reggy Anyango said “Africa must unite or parish. Final independence will give us voice and power”.

Celebrating milestones and staying connected

The World YWCA held The International Leadership Institute for Young Women (ILI), themed “Her Future – The Future Young Women Want” in Bangkok, Thailand, and hosted 53 young woman representatives from over 45 countries around the world. 24 year old Rebecca Phwitiko, President of the YWCA of Malawi and World YWCA board member who was a participant at the event, shares her experience.

Rebecca Phwitiko

I have grown more confident over the last two years. I have learnt to trust myself when I stand in front of people and watch the way they seem to be hanging on to my every word. It’s amazing, this feeling, this knowledge that what I have to say actually matters. This is what the YWCA has done for me, in spaces much like this one, this International Leadership Institute in Bangkok, Thailand.

This session is about connecting the local to the regional, and the global. It is about equipping us with the skills that will culminate into strong advocacy action around the future young women want, ahead of the MDG review in 2015. It is also a critical reference point for a global young women’s strategy as we approach World Council that same year.
I come from Malawi, where a woman is president! We celebrate such milestones. But challenges remain. There are a lot of pregnancies, as is the case in most Sub Saharan African countries. And during the ILI I found out that the Asia Pacific region is facing the same problem. So for me, this was an important eye opening aspect of this session, learning and appreciating the trends in other regions. Because advocacy is not just about ‘our issues’ it’s also about ‘their issues’.

It’s the perfect setting for new friendships, new knowledge. 50 young women, from all over the world, small and big states, old and new YWCAs, conflict and developed regions, coming together to build a network of young women champions. Its all happening amid overwhelming Thai hospitality, courtesy of the YWCA of Thailand.
Important lessons about advocating with evidence, supporting each other and staying connected on a journey of advocacy, a journey of leadership. Its yet another illustration of the World YWCA’s commitment to young women and their leadership. The Young Women’s Champions Program will see us, this group for young women, supporting each other in national, regional and global advocacy spaces.

Where do we go from here? My appeal to the Human Rights Council

World YWCA Programme Associate, Ramya Kudekallu shares her presentation from a panel discussion she was part of on ‘Sexual violence in the community’. The panel was hosted by the Permanent Mission of Canada at the Human Rights Council held in Geneva 27^th May- 14^th of June,2013. 

A 5 year old girl was gang raped on the 15th of April this year in Delhi. She was found with a 200ml bottle and candles inserted into her genitals. There were injuries on her lips, cheeks, arms and anus. Her neck had bite marks and bruise marks suggesting attempts to strangle her. She was left in a locked room for several days to die before she was rescued by authorities. Let me repeat her age. She was 5.

Ramya Kudekallu

After the pivotal incident of gang rape and consequent death in India’s capital of a young woman, late last year, a committee lead by former Chief Justice of India,  J. S. Verma, was appointed by the government to submit a report to recommend amendments in the current law on rape.Report is worth a mention because it reinforced the reason for sexual violence in the Indian community and touched on the various failing of the system. Its findings, in my opinion, are no different to many other countries whose statistics are high in terms of sexual violence against women.

India has over 24,206 reported rapes reported every year since 2010, of these only 26% resulted in convictions. The Verma report indicated that failures on the part of the Government and police were the root cause behind crimes against women. There was a comprehensive affirmation of the insufficiency in recognition of discrimination, exploitation and suppression of women by political leaders. Although legislation provides the umbrella, governments and social structures have left women and their causes eroding and drenched in a thunderstorm of inequality.

The Verma committee report stated the mind set of gender bias depended more on social norms, and not merely on legal sanction. This has to be overcome by political will and aided by the necessary systemic changes in education and socially accepted behaviour. There have been repeated calls for governments to support the law and allow themselves to be held accountable on its failure. The passing of a mere bill and re-defining a crime is not enough. We must dig deeper.

With the new amendment in India, there is an inclusion of the broader word ‘sexual assault’ to replace ‘rape’ with a punishment of 7 seven years to life. Sexual assault causing death is punished now with up to 20Image years of imprisonment. The age of consent is 18 years. The change is welcome, but to me insufficient. More laws do not change the reality that the existing ones remain unimplemented.

There is a historical imbalance in consciousness against women in most parts of the world. It will take a new generation of both men and women to alter the image and progress towards equality. It simply is not enough that women occupy a few symbolic political positions; harness awareness or are categorically prioritised in new laws. No, the evidence of true empowerment is the extension of equality into all aspects of life, be it in norms, social structures, education, and economics.

The bricks lie in the heart of the problem and the solution. They lie within the women themselves. I have experienced and observed often there can be no greater wave of change than when those that subjected to affliction finally rise to fight against the system.

I was recently at a Women’s international Leadership Institute organised by my organisation, the YWCA. With representation from of young women from over 45 countries, never have I believed more strongly as both a legal professional and community worker that young women must be facilitated with tools to change their communities. They must have education, opportunities, choices, access to their rights and the spaces to express themselves without fear. The World YWCA report on the Future Young Women Want is a document completing the voices of young women from across the movement. It is in my mind a crucial reference point. It calls for

Elimination of all forms of violence and zero tolerance of violence against women and girls
Education initiatives that promote respectful relationships and equality amongst girls and boys as a preventive measure. YWCA of Australia, Ukraine and even India have set up resources around this.
Redefining masculinities and engaging men and boys as advocates
Targeted education and awareness with law enforcement personal, health professionals and the general population to ensure survivors of violence are treated with dignity and respect.

We forget that continuous domestic violence is communities go unnoticed. That around the world, children, and women of all ages habitually…let me repeat that word…HABITUALLY… are forced to tolerate violence in all its forms.

The tragedy of Delhi’s gang rape struck as a subsequent force of tremendous influence through the uproar of citizens in India. It is important for us to recognise people decided emphatically that enough was enough! I call the United Nations and all its respective agencies to hold member states accountable. To make every effort and explore every possibility to bring mechanisms such as the CEDAW, Beijing declaration, Resolution 1820 relevant to the millions of women and girls in the world who are exposed to these atrocities.

The dead line for our Millennium Development Goals is fast approaching us and in 2015 I urge our leaders to include elimination of all forms of violence against women as a target for the next phase.

The agitation around the incident that took place in Delhi is painful for the nation because it symbolised the continuum of brutality in our society. The rage reached far beyond the incident and for me it was a frustration that was both retrospective and prospective in nature. I thought of the thousands of untold stories, the lives lost that were not mentioned in papers and the survivors who continue their painful fight long after their bodies were left mutilated and violated.

We need the leaders of our nations to have the political will and resources to address this problem, we need appropriate legislation coupled with consistent conviction and sentencing of perpetrators and we need safe spaces for awareness of rights and services of women.

I was there, when the women of my country took to the streets. I was there when we flocked to our houses of faith praying for the life of the victim, her family and the thousands of others who fell into the margin of India’s rape statistics. I was there when we where beaten, gassed and water bombed because we felt our government and our laws were tremendously failing us.

For every such tragedy that follows whether in my home country or anywhere else in the world, it is only a confirmation for me that there is a long way to go. I hope we rise every single time such an atrocity occurs …and I hope we find the courage within ourselves to rise over …and over…and over again… till the day comes that we need not anymore.

Knowledge is Power!

By Cherelle Fruean from the YWCA of Samoa

Cherelle is a 21 year old from Samoa who has been involved with the YWCA for three weeks. In this short time, she has participated in the YWCA Aotearoa New Zealand/YWCA Samoa Young Women’s Leadership Training, the Asia Pacific Monitoring and Evaluation Meeting and the International Leadership Institute. Here she shares some of her learnings and her hopes for the future of YWCA Samoa revitalization.

Cherelle Fruean

Three weeks ago today, I met an amazing woman named Sina Wendt-Moore. She was in Samoa at the time with other women from the YWCA of Aotearoa New Zealand conducting a Young Women’s Leadership Training in hopes of revitalizing the YWCA of Samoa. Twelve short days later, I was on a plane to Bangkok, Thailand, representing Samoa in the Asia Pacific Monitoring & Evaluation Meeting and the International Leadership Institute.

The past 10 days have been such an amazing learning experience! The lessons I have learned from my peers have been invaluable. I have gained an extensive knowledge on the issues that young women are facing in various countries around the world and what programs have been implemented to find solutions. For example, I learnt that:

• In Fiji they take a Christian and scripture based approach that supports a young women’s rights to make informed decisions and be free from violence and discrimination.
• In Haiti they have an after-school programme for girls which provides them with leadership skills and gives them intangible assets such as financial literacy, self-esteem and key economic concepts.
• In Lebanon they hold interactive workshops for young men and women in high school. They focus on creating awareness of violence against women and gender discrimination.

These examples are only few of many. I have found that each delegate I talk to shares similar concerns for the young women in their country.

With 80 young women leaders from around the globe, we have built a strong and collaborative network of which we will we use to help each other, learn from one another and grow together as a team.

The mentors and guest speakers at both of the conferences have all been inspirational role models and women leaders. From each session I have expanded my knowledge set on a vast range of current issues and as a result, expanded my overall skill set. Knowledge truly is power! I now have more confidence to speak in public, to articulate myself and express my opinion.

In June 2013, a YWCA Samoa meeting will be held to discuss and plan a Leadership Programme for young women. I plan to take all the lessons I have learned and all the skills I have gained to fully contribute to this planning and further pass on these lessons to young women in my country.

To close, I would just like to send a big Fa’afetai Lava, Khob Khun Kaa and Thank You to the incredible women that made this experience possible for me. Juli Dugdale, Sina Wendt-Moore and the amazing YWCA mentors and facilitators, you have changed my life. I can only hope to inspire others as you have inspired me.

Young Women Leaders Envision Their Future

On the first day of the International Leadership Institute, delegates from all over the world were asked to reflect on their

From left to right: Silvina Gerbaldo , Viciane Wessitcheu and Audrey Tauro

leadership journey and envision what they would like to be doing in 2018. Viciane Wessitcheu (YWCA Italy), Audrey Tauro (YWCA Zimbabwe) and Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA Argentina) share their leadership dreams in French, English and Spanish.

Le premier jour de l’Institut International sur le Leadership, on a demandé aux déléguées du monde entier de réfléchir sur le parcours en matière de leadership et d’imaginer ce qu’elles voudraient être en train de faire en 2018. Viciane Wessitcheu (YWCA d’ Italie), Audrey Tauro (YWCAdu  Zimbabwe) et Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA d’Argentine) partage leurs rêves de leadership en français, anglais et espagnol.

En el primer dia del Instituto de Liderazgo Internacional, delegadas de todos los lugares del mundo pudieron reflexionar sobre su recorrido como liderez al mismo tiempo se les ha preguntado de como se ven a ellas mismas en el 2018. Vaciane Wessitcheu (YWCA Italia), Audrey Tauro (YWCA Zimbabwe) and y Silvina Gerbaldo (YWCA Argentina) compartieron sus sueños de liderazgo. Esto lo hicieron en Frances, Ingles y Español.

Viciane Wessitcheu, YWCA of Italy:

“On pense bien souvent qu’en Europe, tous les droits humains sont plus ou moins acquis et l’on oublie alors que beaucoup d’entre eux y sont souvent bafoués. Me rendant compte que dans mon pays d’adoption, l’Italie, les droits des femmes en général et des femmes de couleur en particulier n’étaient pas toujours respectés, j’ai décidé de devenir agent du changement et de m’engager pour les droits des femmes immigrées en Italie.

Je pense que les femmes immigrées doivent essayer de se positionner en première ligne dans leur pays d’émigration pour lutter contre les injustices et défendre leurs droits et ceux de celles qui ont moins d’opportunités, et ne pas toujours déléguer aux autres, parler en leur nom, car elles savent mieux que quiconque les problèmes et difficultés qu’elles rencontrent.

Etre présente, relever des fonds et participer activement à la vie économique, sociale, et culturelle, pour être moi même membre du changement dans mon pays d’adoption est la raison qui m’a poussée à entrer en politique où je suis actuellement la responsable régionale de l’immigration.

Je m’implique et me bats aujourd’hui pour me donner des opportunités en espérant que d’ici 2018, mes compétences et mes expériences seront valorisée et que je pourrais ainsi être à mon tour mentor pour les jeunes filles immigrées, car je me sens responsable pour celles qui n’ont pas de voix et je voudrais responsabiliser mon gouvernement à ce sujet.”

“We often think that in Europe, all human rights are more or less respected. We often forget that a lot of them are still violated there. I have realised that in my country of adoption, Italy, women rights in general, and in particular black women rights, are not all protected and and the laws protecting human rights are not implemented. I have decided to become an agent of change and have committed myself to develop the rights of immigrant women in Italy.

I think that immigrant women should try to stand on the front line in their countries of emigration to advocate against injustices and defend their rights and the rights of  those who have less opportunities. We should not always delegate this task, we should speak out because we better know the problems and difficulties they face. Be active, do some fundraising and participate to the economical, social and cultural life. To be an agent of change in my country of adoption is the reason why I have started to enter into the political sphere where I am now the regional delegate in charge of immigration.

I am committed and I am advocating today to give me opportunities, hoping that by 2018, my skills and experiences will be valued and that I can be a mentor for young immigrant women, because I feel responsible for those who have no voice and I want to held my government accountable on this subject.”

Nosotros constantemente pensamos que en Europa, todos los Derechos Humanos son respetados; muy constantemente olvidamos que alli tambien se violan los Derecho Humanos. Yo me he dado cuenta que en el pais que me ha adoptado, Italia , los Derechos de las mujeres en general no son respetados y aun mas los Derechos de la mujeres negras y de color son aun menos reconocidos, al igual que no existe una implementacion de las Leyes que reconocen los Derechos Humanos. Yo me he comprometido a ser un agente de cambio y luchar por los derechos de las mujeres inmigrantes en Italia.

Yo pienso que las mujeres inmigrantes debemos estar en las primeras lineas de trabajo para abogar por nuestros derechos en los paises en los que vivimos, necesitamos luchar por la igualdad y apoyar a aquellas con menos oportunidades. Nosotras no debemos delegar esta tarea a nadie. Nosotras debemos hablar por nosotras mismas; ya que somos conocedoras de los problemas que enfrentamos.  Necesitamos ser mas activas; involucrarnos en las actividades sociales, economicas y culturales. Para ser un agente de cambio yo he decidido entrar en la esfera politica de mi pais de adopcion, esta es la razon por la cual me he convertido en la delegada regional cuya labor es promover cambios en el area de inmigracion.

Yo estoy comprometida y abogo por oportunidades que me permitan  incrementar mis habilidades como lider, de esa manera adquiero mayor experiencia y por tanto me puedo convertir en una metora para las mujeres jovenes que son inmigrantes, ya que creo que es mi responsabilidad ser voz de aquellos que no la tienen y tambien es importante que el gobierno se haga responsable y tome cartas en el asunto

Audrey Tauro, YWCA of Zimbabwe:

“The word enjoins us to write our visions down and make it plain. I have a dream, I have a vision to transform lives by giving shelter to troubled children all over the world. I see myself in business with lots of money that I will use to be a blessing to others, to develop social entrepreneurs and continue to use the word of God as a tool for transformation.”

“Le mot nous entraîne à transcrire sur le papier nos visions et de le faire clairement.  J’ai un rêve, j’ai une vision pour changer des vies en donnant  accès à des foyers pour des enfants faisant face à des problèmes tout autour du monde. Je me vois à la tête d’une entreprise avec beaucoup de profits qui seront alors utilisés aux bénéfices des autres, pour développer l’entreprenariat social et pour continuer d’utiliser la parole de Dieu comme un outil de changement.”

Cuando escribimos  acerca de nuestras visiones esto lo hace mas real. Yo tengo un sueño, yo tengo la vision de transformar vidas al proveer techo para niños y niñas que esten en dificultades en todas los lugares del mundo. Yo me veo con un negocio y teniendo mucho dinero, el cual usare para bendecir a otros; desarrollaria programas y negocios con contenido social y seguiria usando la palabra de Dios como una herramienta de transformacion.

Silvina Gerbaldo, YWCA of Argentina:

“Es el 2018. Yo me encuentro en cierta posición de toma de decisiones, con muchas personas a mi alrededor. Quizás en un puesto en Naciones Unidas, quizás en desde una Organización no Gubernamental, quizás desde un trabajo comunitario  pero siempre defendiendo, promoviendo y difundiendo la situación de la mujer en mi país. Me imagino como un nexo, una conexión o red entre mujeres de diferentes situación es social es y edades. Me imagino haciendo y no solo diciendo.”

“It is 2018. I am in a position of decision making with lots of people around me.  It is probably a position at the United Nations, maybe it is a position at a non-government organization, or perhaps in a community job- but I am always advocating, promoting and communicating about the situation of women in my country. I see myself like a link, a connection or in a network between women of different social contexts and ages. I see myself in action not only speaking about it.”

“Nous sommes en 2018. Je suis en position de prendre des décisions entourée de beaucoup de gens. C‘est probablement un poste au sein des Nations Unies, peut-être au sein d’une organisation non gouvernementale, ou peut-être un travail au coeur des communautés – mais dans tous les cas, je suis toujours en train de plaider, promouvoir et communiquer au sujet de la situation des femmes dans mon pays. Je me vois comme un lien, une connexion ou même un réseau entre les femmes de différents milieux sociaux et âges. Je m’imagine en action, pas seulement en train de parler de cela.”

The Portrayal of Women in the Media

By  Amy Smith

Amy is from the UK.  She works for a project by Sheffield YWCA in the UK called “Peile Court and Tulips” and her role there  is to support teenage parents to learn the skills they need to live independently and be successful parents to their children

She is a participant at the European Study Session taking place in Strasbourg and shares her views on the objectification of ‘women’ in advertising and media today.

Amy Smith

 

I am lucky enough to be here in Strasbourg, representing YWCA GB at the European study session with a focus on young women’s leadership, gender equality and human rights.  Parts of ta session that I attended left me feeling extremely disconcerted. The session looked at the portrayal of women in advertising, and while I was aware women can be portrayed in a negative way, I was left shocked by the advertising campaigns that some very high profile brands have used. There were some common themes that we looked at which I will now explain here.

Sexism

Gender stereotyping is a key theme in many adverts, portraying women as typically young and physically attractive and filling the stereotypical ‘good housewife” role. Many adverts display women in these roles that are derogatory to women.

Subordination

Another common theme in advertising is the presentation of women as subordinate to men.  They are often presented as though their worth is determined by their appeal to men.  Women are also positioned in inferior ways or in sexually related positions.  Women are referred to in a sexually derogatory manner, suggesting they their role is to fulfil a man’s sexual desires.

Sexual Violence

Something about the session that particularly troubled me was the disturbing use of images showing sexual violence against women. I was appalled, for example,  to see the Dolce & Gabanna advert that depicts a woman being pinned down by a man while other men stand over her looking nonchalantly. Dolce & Gabanna is a brand many women buy yet they are using scenes alluding to gang rape to advertise their brand!

The Objectification of Women

I felt both saddened and shocked at how widespread this kind of imagery is in the advertising world, especially in such well known and high profile branded products! I will certainly be paying closer attention in the future to the portrayal of women in adverts to inform my product choices. I will certainly boycotting those brands that depict women in a derogatory manner. A stronger stand needs to be made against this type of advertising and we need to challenge the way women are viewed in our societies.  I hope this article encourages others to join me in boycotting brands that portray women in such degrading ways!

Human rights is something that starts close to home

By Pauline Mukanza, from the YWCA of Great Britain

Pauline Mukanza

Pauline Mukanza is from the YWCA of Great Britain, she’s a Board Member and a participant in the European Study Session taking place in Strasbourg, France from May 6 to 12, 2013.

This year’s European Study Session, in Strasbourg, has just started yet the 32 young people from 20 different countries have already noticeably stretched themselves as young leaders. This is by no means an easy task, but an intellectual and a feeling task which requires the emotional ability of intense soul searching and great socialisation. The reality is that it is the people around us that make us acknowledge our own abilities and help mirror someone else’s personal potential.

I have already learnt that the European Youth Centre is a safe space, with support to help explore how and what it means to be a natural leader, as yourself, by utilising your personal intuition. Some more modest, quiet and eloquent while others are more assertive and out spoken, but all bringing value in their own unique way.

They reason for our fast progress, must be due to yesterday’s ice breakers and team building exercises. This fast forwarded us to reach a point where we feel comfortable and brave enough to share our diverse thoughts and opinions. It has also been very useful and indeed appropriate to have concrete factual session on what the Declaration of Human Rights and Gender is.

It is important to appreciate that human rights is something that starts close to home and in your daily conversations. By this I mean that working for an equal society starts with looking at what you do in and around your community and questioning your acquaintances, family and friends comments that may echo patriarchy. The same way it is essential to understand that gender is a performative and a doing (see J. Butler, 1990 for more on this) rather than the biological sex of a man and a woman.  Recognizing the depths of these two components both determines and changes the dynamics of future discussions. It has certainly led to participants being on the same starting points when talking about complex issues.

We may be here as individuals but the ultimate aim is to act as ‘multipliers’ and to share with other peoples in order to establish a chain reaction of young women and girls ready to set off on their own journey of leadership. There are still four whole days that are more likely to feel like months, of sharing, reflection, fun, laughter, disagreements and networking.

Youth and Migration Sri Lanka

Rajini Sureka Wijerupa, from the YWCA of Sri Lanka is one of the young women short-term interns that participated in the UN Commission on Population and Development in New York from April 22-26, 2013. Its theme was “New trends in migration: demographic aspects.”

Rajini Sureka

Migration is a significant issue which the youth in Sri Lanka face. Education opportunities, lack of employment, poverty and ethnic conflict has contributed to the increase of migration. While some have been successful in secure migration, many have suffered and have been caught while illegally attempting to leave the country and even deaths have been reported

Sri Lanka is challenged by different migration patterns and dynamics as it enters a post war era. With the island’s 25-year-old conflict coming to an end in mid 2009, thousands of families were displaced in the North and the East. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in coordination with other humanitarian agencies, assisted the Government of Sri Lanka to address significant humanitarian needs generated during the emergency through the provision of emergency shelters, water, sanitation and hygiene support, health support, camp care and maintenance, transport and logistic services, donation of de-mining equipment and a technical enhancement of registration capacity.

At present, IOM’s interventions focus on assisting the government to resettle displaced populations in their villages of origin and to reintegrate former combatants, thus supporting national efforts in building peace and stability.
Years of conflict and slow economic development have resulted in an increased outflow of Sri Lankans, with some choosing irregular means and falling prey to trafficking and smuggling rings. This has prompted the Government and INGOs, like IOM, to intervene to prevent such attempts. However, such attempts continue to be reported and those who try to leave the country by illegal means have their own reasons for the same.
The high cost of living and unemployment of youth compel them to leave the country. The mismatch between education and employment has been a burning issue in the country and there are nearly 25,000 unemployed graduates.
Although the war ended in mid 2009, the conflict continues and youth in the North face many difficulties, including harassment by the Government military forces. Some youth have said that they prefer to leave the country by illegal means taking the risk, (most of them take boats to travel to Australia) and they say it is better to die in the middle of the sea than to undergo torture and harassment by the military.
Sri Lanka has a long history of labour migration flows especially to the Middle East. Many young women leave to the Middle East to support their families. It is only a few who will find a safe place with an employer with a good heart. Most of them undergo torture and harassment and even work without pay. Most of the time their families at home don’t get to know their situation and their lives become more vulnerable. Many who went to the middle-east countries have come back with serious injuries and there have been instances where sexual abuse and deaths were reported. On this situation the Sri Lankan embassies in the relevant countries are also responsible as we hear most of the time that they are not assisting the migrant workers from home.

Most of these women who go to the Middle East as domestic helpers are without trained skills and do not know the language. This too leads to harassment and severe punishment by the employer.
A few months back it was reported that a young domestic worker who went to Saudi Arabia was executed for the murder of an infant. This young girl left the country when she was only 17 years old with a forged passport. When she was arrested and when the case was being heard there was not sufficient efforts from the Sri Lankan Government to rescue her as the most important concern in this case, that is the age of this young girl could not be addressed as the Government too had to be responsible as the Government officers were involved in assisting the agency in Sri Lanka to help this young girl to get a passport with a wrong age so that she could leave the country as a domestic helper. Saudi courts refused to treat her as a minor and she was executed…

During the past it has also been evident that many youth who can afford to find means for their education abroad leave the country for higher education and they do not come back once they complete their studies. The competition to enter universities in Sri Lanka make many youth drop from higher education and they tend to leave to western and European countries. When they do not return it affects the social and family lives of people as their parents too have to lead a life alone waiting for their children and grandchildren to return home.

The Government in Sri Lanka has a responsibility to look into this issue and at the same time we need the support from organisations such as the UN, IOM and other organisations who can assist us in this issue.

Reference:    Migration of Sri Lankan Women- Report on Analysis of Causes & Post – Arrival Assistance
Launch of Sri Lanka’s Migeration Profile

Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Palmer

On April 17, 2013, Elizabeth Palmer turned 100 years old!

The World Office celebrates this incredible woman and we are proud to be such an important part of her legacy. The heritage of her vision and actions which saw the World YWCA become one of the most respected women’s organisations and highly influential in setting global standards on the status of women, remain an example for generations of women and girls to come.

To mark this special birthday and in honour of her incredible leadership of the movement the World YWCA Board is establishing the Elizabeth Palmer Fund. As a named fund it will provide lifelong recognition of Ms Palmer within the World YWCA Endowment Fund, the interest of which is used to advance the purpose of the World YWCA to develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom and a sustainable environment for all people.

The World YWCA received a flood of messages for Ms. Palmer on the occasion of her birthday. The messages all express the impact that Elizabeth Palmer has had on their lives and the inspiration that she generated. We thought we would share a few of them with you:

YWCA Sisters and Friends,
Just to thank each one of you for joining me, Dr Deborah Thomas-Austin, World YWCA President, Board, staff and all our volunteers on this very SPECIAL Day. We are celebrating Elizabeth Palmer’s 100th Birthday.

She is my mentor, my source of inspiration and my guide. When I face the critical moment for making a decision as General Secretary today, I often ask myself – “how did Elizabeth Palmer respond to a similar challenge in the 50s, the 60s, and 70s when we did not have sophisticated communication tools like internet, which enables us to reach of for support at a click?”.

In the last few years, Elizabeth Palmer hosted me in her house, prepared breakfast for the two of us, and chaired a seminar about leadership and the history of the YWCA. She has been on her feet pushing women’s issues during the founding of the United Nations; she was there lobbying for adoption of CEDAW and UNIFEM. Today we celebrate the establishment of UN Women.

Elizabeth remains and continues to be a global leader with a vision, and yet grounded in the power, voice and service of individual women.

This is the inspiration through which the World YWCA has established the Elizabeth Palmer Fund. A simple way of bringing such depth of wisdom and experiences to millions of women and girls around the world for generations to come. I invite you to be part of this incredible journey with us, support the effort as we celebrate a great woman leader of our time.

Elizabeth Palmer, Happy Birthday.
With blessings,

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda General Secretary World YWCA

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“Elizabeth Palmer was an extraordinary mentor and support to the YWCA of Fiji in its fledgling years. She was always there for Ruth Lechte and me and later Amelia Rokotuivuna as we worked hard to develop an organisation that truly suited the young people of Fiji as the country worked towards independence. When we hit problem areas she was on the end of the phone talking us through it all. When there was opposition she stood solidly with us. She opened her home in the old town of Geneva to us, and later her lovely apartment overlooking Lake Geneva. Elizabeth was a superb cook and we would sit in the kitchen discussing world affairs as she cooked up a storm…..quiches, pancakes, stews, scones – always delicious, always beautifully presented. We loved our visits to Geneva and I know that Ruth would want to be adding more stories of those times if she were still with us. Which of course she is in spirit.

Congratulations Elizabeth and much love on this most auspicious day. You have surely left your mark on this world and we are all the better for everything you have achieved. “

Anne S Walker

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“Dear Elizabeth,
Happy Birthday Elizabeth, I am inspired by your life story Best wishes, Belinda Bennett
It is with great pleasure and the best of wishes that I send my greatest birthday greetings to one of the long-time leaders in my life.  I will always remember Elizabeth Palmer as a great and magnificent person, whom I had the honour to know and to receive her marvellous touch.  May she have a wonderful time celebrating her birthday today.
With my deepest love,“

Thelma Santamaria

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“Dear Elizabeth, many good wishes come from Honolulu, Hawaii, on your birthday. I fondly remember the first time I met you in Geneva when you oriented the participants of the YWCA USA Asian Study Program. In the USA we had been “filled” with information…country history, current issues, culture, YWCA programs in our host countries, and more. I was so worried about being an ugly American. This was my first international experience. You wisely told us to listen, open ourselves to learning, enjoy and be ourselves, and that we were all members of this incredible global movement. I was relieved, inspired, proud, and excited to be a part of the YWCA sisterhood. I thank you for your leadership and commitment to the YWCA movement, and for being an inspiration to those of us who have had the privilege to have you in our lives. Enjoy your special day. We are celebrating, honouring and appreciating you virtually.”

Jo Uehara

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“Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!
What an amazing, inspirational lady you are… 
I remember being totally overawed when I first started with the World YWCA to find myself in a discussion group with you, but – as ever – you gave everyone the space and the confidence to speak out and to contribute our ideas and helped us move beyond our differences to find common goals and values.  And this magic was to be repeated every time I had the honour of working with you over the years.
Your wisdom and leadership has been a model to us all and we wish you all the best for this special birthday and for many happy returns.
With warmest wishes “

Jane Bennett

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“Dear Elizabeth,
A very happy 100th!  We have so many happy memories of you that it would be difficult to isolate just one.  Thank you for all you have done for the World YWCA and for your kindness.”

Ellen and Arne Sovik

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I grew up knowing her as Lib, so I’ll sit at my computer and say “HAPPTY BIRTHDAY LIB!!!!!!!” I hope it is a hopping hundredth!

Jane Wolfe

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“Happy Birthday to you, Elizabeth.  And thank you for continuing to help us strengthen the YWCA movement by maintaining a strong membership movement.  Each time you and I have a discussion, it is about membership as the key core of why the YWCA has been effective in so many locations.  Without members, the YWCA becomes another social agency but without the deep impact that involving our members to tackle deep social problems can have.
 Thanks for your continued coaching of all of us in the YWCA, and helping to keep this important worldwide organization strong!!  Have a great day.“

Hyvää  syntymäpäivää

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“Happy Birthday, Elizabeth
From YWCA of Finland National  Office we join to the greetings drafted by Jane:  “Your wisdom and leadership has been a model to us all and we wish you all the best for this special birthday.”

YWCA of Finland

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“A photo from World YWCA ITI 2000 /Bossey is on our coffee table, you told then so many good stories about leadership and Finland, not forgetting the role of sauna. Aila and Bishop Irja have signed and mailed you a printed greeting and we know that you have had so many more friends in this corner of the world“

Elaine Carlson

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“We just admire the way you have walked and paths you have gone through and celebrate the bold and brave women of YWCA!
One of our grand old YWCA ladies,Dr Eira Paunu will be 105 in May, may you both be richly blessed! 
With best and warmest greetings,“

Pirjo-Liisa Penttinen

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“HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELIZABETH
Elizabeth Palmer was the great international leader in Geneva when I came into the Swedish national leadership in the 1970s. How really great you are I did not realise until I participated in the UN Women’s Conference and NGO forum in Copenhagen 1980. Your leadership, Elizabeth, among the NGOs made me so proud to be a YWCA-leader and from that meeting you became my role model. To walk into Westminster Abbey in 1994 next to Elizabeth Palmer was so great, and to realise how much of the YWCA development into a real global world movement we all owe to Elizabeth was really thrilling.
It still is and we all celebrate you!“

Anita Andersson

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We once again wish Ms. Palmer a Happy Birthday and encourage you to donate to the Elizabeth Palmer Fund so that we may continue to be a bold, unified and strong movement, never resting until women all over the world can live a life free of violence and filled with choice and equal opportunity.

My Safe Space, My YWCA

Manisha is a Board Member, programme volunteer and a student  of social work at the YWCA of Bangalore City, India. She has been involved in the community development initiatives of her local association for many years and feels that the YWCA  movement has given her a family and support system that she always needed.

There has been an immense intergenerational bond within the YWCA of Bangalore City. To me, the organisation has provided a platform to understand, associate, lobby for various social issues that are affecting the very fabric of society. Our national movement, as the YWCA of India and our global movement around the world has contributed to the remarkable collective change and evolution with the emergence of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation. The YWCA of Bangalore City has not only been a source of strength and support but also has been a beacon in enhancing my potential, skills and appreciating my abilities.

As an individual who identifies herself as a lesbian, I feel I am part of the sexual minority, and the hardest part for me was acceptance. As a person who was brought up in a stigmatised society “being out of the box” only meant you must be what society chooses to accept as ‘out of the box’.

Finding my own alternative identity left me judged, homeless, without a family, rejected from peers, survivor to a lot of ridicules, abuse and sarcasm. It has really not been easy to make it this far and the journey will continue to be tougher still. However, I still feel completely liberated that I have come to terms with myself and will do my best to break stigmas and mind barriers. There is a long way to go for the deliverance for LGBTQ community here in India. All the fights for rights and freedom come with a price.

Being given the opportunity to be a board member in my association was indeed a surprise and out of the blue for someone like me. I have always needed to feel that I matter in some way. I recognised it as not only a huge opportunity of leadership but also a great proactive experience with other leaders on the Board. The difference of opinions and diverse perspectives can be a challenging factor but there has been immense encouragement and support from the older members of the organisation. I am both grateful and proud that my Association is a safe space I can truly call my own