My Internship Experience at the World YWCA Office

By Anne McNamara – World YWCA Intern

To be completely honest, I knew very little about the World YWCA and its specific mission prior to beginning my internship here in Geneva this past February. While I was drawn to the position as a self-proclaimed feminist, I only understood at a basic level its mandate to promote women’s rights worldwide, and I did not fully realize the breadth of the YWCA’s efforts to advocate for marginalised women and girls across the globe. Moreover, I could not shake an overwhelming sense of self-imposed intimidation, as I questioned what could I, as a 20 year old woman, possibly contribute to the global movement for women’s equality?

However, in my very first day at the office, my fears immediately dissipated as I was warmly welcomed by some of the most passionate, genuine, and dedicated women I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Immediately, I was treated not as a lowly school girl intern, but as a woman with a unique voice and perspective whose ideas should be valued. This reality was made evident during my first week when I was invited to participate in a meeting to discuss the new Strategic Plan for the movement. While my friends interning with different organisations bemoaned the fact that their days consisted of coffee and cigarette runs for their superiors, I had the opportunity to come into the office every day excited and ready to actively contribute to the movement.

Throughout the duration of my internship, I became increasingly enlightened not only to the unfathomable injustices women face such as early forced marriages, gender based violence, and female genital mutilation, but also to the concrete efforts and campaigns led by the YWCA in order to combat these injustices, both at a grassroots and international level.  Before my time here in the world office, I saw only the obstacles women face— immense and seemingly insurmountable. Nevertheless, after my short time in this office, I now see the concrete efforts, large and small, that have been implemented by regional Y chapters to address these obstacles. Because of this exposure, I will leave Geneva with a renewed sense of hope and optimism of the future of women and girls worldwide, despite the numerous challenges we must overcome.

Furthermore, my experience here at the Y, and in Europe in general, has released me from the perpetual “bubble” I found myself trapped inside back in the United States. I grew up in a very secluded, homogenous town, surrounded only by people who possessed similar experiences to my own. However, my time abroad has exposed me to a multitude of people with different backgrounds, opinions, and cultures—a diversity of perspectives that had been lacking in my life prior to this experience. I am so grateful to the World YWCA office in particular for broadening my perspective.

The personal growth I have experienced due to the time I have spent as an intern at the YWCA is invaluable. I am so thankful for this experience and for the women in the office who have touched my life, for however a short time. I will return to the U.S. ready to spread the YWCA’s message, and confident in my abilities as a young woman leader.

FALOLOU – Funmilayo Lucrece YWCA Benin

Du mardi 19 au jeudi 21 mai 2015 s’est tenue la réunion mondiale des membres de Girls Not Brides (GNB) qui a rassemblé 295 participants représentant 61 pays différents. L’objectif de cette réunion est de :

• Renforcer le partenariat mondial par le biais de la collaboration, du développement de réseaux et l’apprentissage mutuel ;
• Autonomiser et permettre aux organisations membres de renforcer leur capacité à mettre fin au mariage des enfants ;
• Développer une concordance stratégique au niveau communautaire, national, régional et mondial.

En effet, le mariage forcé constitue non seulement une violence faite aux filles mais aussi une violation majeure des droits humains. Cependant, nombreuses filles (15 million) continuent d’être victimes de part le monde entier de ces pratiques traditionnelles (mariage précoce et forcé  et les mutilations génitales qui accroissent leur valeur sur le marché du mariage). Ce phénomène, prive les filles de leur enfance et les oblige à abandonner les études pour une vie sans avenir, avec un risque accru de violences, d’abus, la mauvaise santé ou la mort. Ces pratiques perdurent malgré l’existence de textes de loi spécifiques incriminant les actes de violences perpétrés sur les femmes et les filles et les efforts fournis par les Organisations de la Société Civile (OSC) et autres institutions de défense des droits de la personne.

C’est dans cette optique que, le partenariat mondial GNB a été créé afin de mettre fin au mariage des enfants, avec pour ambition ultime de donner aux filles la possibilité de s’épanouir et de devenir des membres à part entière de la société. Les objectifs stratégiques du partenariat se résument comme suit :

• Renforcer la sensibilisation aux conséquences néfastes du mariage des enfants à l’échelon local, national et international ;
• Renforcer le soutien politique et financier (entre autres) en faveur de la fin du mariage des enfants et du soutien aux filles-épouses ;
• Renforcer l’apprentissage et la coordination au sein des organisations qui œuvrent pour mettre fin au mariage des enfants ;

Cette réunion mondiale est donc la bienvenue, car elle a permis une réelle mobilisation à tous les niveaux (local, national, régional et international) pour la fin du mariage des enfants de manière efficace, efficiente et durable.

Ainsi, en s’appuyant sur les expériences des membres du GNB, les participants à ces assises ont durant ces trois jours, collaborer pour mettre en œuvre  des outils et des stratégies de plaidoyer en vue d’inciter les organismes internationaux et régionaux à agir pour mettre fin au mariage des enfants et également influencé les actions du mouvement mondial.  Cependant, plusieurs canaux de communication pour la vulgarisation des informations ont été identifiés. Nous pouvons citer entre autres : les nombreuses communications dans les médias, les bulletins d’information et les réseaux sociaux.

De même, tout au long de cette réunion, les discussions se sont axées autour de plusieurs thématiques se rapportant, notamment, au partenariat mutuel pour la fin au mariage des enfants, à la nécessité de placer les enfants parmi les priorités sociales, aux approches pour stopper ce phénomène et aux engagements des communautés pour un changement.

Ce fut d’une part, un véritable moment d’échange et de partage d’informations, de bonnes pratiques, de renforcement de capacités et de mise à niveau, d’éveil de conscience et d’autres part une véritable plateforme de débat et de réflexion afin de sensibiliser les sociétés à la nécessité d’éradiquer ce phénomène pour le bien être de nos enfants et pour un monde plus sûr, plus sain et plus prospère pour tous.

Par ailleurs, selon certains intervenants, la volonté politique des dirigeants n’a jamais été aussi importante. Par exemple, nous avons :

• La campagne de l’Union Africaine ;
• Le nombre croissant de stratégies nationales mise en place par nos gouvernants ;
• Le plan d’action régional, etc.

Donc, les progrès réalisés démontrent qu’il est bien possible, avec la volonté, de faire baisser le taux des mariages d’enfants. 

Cependant en tant que membres de GNB, nous devons prendre nos responsabilités pour accompagner cette volonté politique et s’assurer qu’elle se traduise en action.

Alors, tous ensembles, travaillons la main dans la main pour mettre fin au mariage des enfants !!!

My time as an intern at the office of World YWCA

by Annika Jernigan – World YWCA Intern

When Katie and I headed to our first day of interning at the YWCA, we did not know what to expect. We had been in Switzerland for less than a week, and were still getting used to things. Particularly, the use of public transportation and how exactly to read a map were among skills we hadn’t yet mastered. So, I believe we were mortified to be slightly late on our first day. When we eventually made it to the office, all was forgiven and we were greeted warmly. The atmosphere in the office was instantly charming.

In the coming weeks, we got to know the amazing women that fill this office, and the mission they carry. What is more is that everyone went out of her way to make us feel welcomed and comfortable. Many of our friends were interns for people who did not even know their names, and were a little jealous when we told them about our experience. Those supervising us always made sure to ask what we thought of the projects we were working on, and what we would like to work on next. Never were we given mindless tasks or busywork.

The women of this office cared what we had to say and made sure to let us know. They don’t just believe in the mission of the YWCA – they live it. I have learned so much from this experience, and I feel humbled to have had this opportunity. Never before have I been surrounded by such positive, strong, inspiring women. This office houses leaders who are unflinching in their conviction. My understanding of what it is to be a woman-to be a leader- is forever changed.

From attending events at the United Nations, to reviewing reports from Pacific countries, every assignment has broadened our view of the world. We have spent our time here laughing, learning, and working. Now that our time is coming to a close, the thing I will miss most about Switzerland is coming in to the YWCA office.

If I can retain even a fraction of what I have learned here, and share that with the women of my own community, I will be extremely proud. The work being done at the World WYCA office is absolutely vital to the advancement of women, and I am immensely grateful to have played any part in that. This experience has changed me for the better, and I will carry it with me for the rest of my life.

My Experience at the World YWCA

By Katie Greenberg – World YWCA Intern

As I walked into the three story house which serves as the office building for the World YWCA in mid-January, I had no idea what to expect of the internship on which I was about to embark on. I honestly did not know much about the YWCA and was nervous, and a little apprehensive, but excited to face a new opportunity and learn as much as I could. Now, as I prepare to walk out the door of the house I have come to love for the last time, I feel nothing but fulfillment and bittersweet joy.

My experience at the World YWCA has been nothing short of spectacular and I think it has a lot to do with the women I have been so fortunate to work with. From day one I have been made to feel like a colleague and not a subordinate whose only job is to get coffee. I have been challenged by my assignments and like any good job should do, I was allowed to grow into a better version of myself. It was during an all-staff envisioning meeting when I realised this was not an ordinary internship. Having only been at the World office for two weeks at that point, I was still learning about office dynamics, the work of the YWCA, and the role of the World office in the greater YWCA movement. Irrespective of my lack of knowledge, my opinions were welcomed and everyone was genuinely interested in what I had to say.

I think one of the strengths of the World YWCA is that it brings together women from all different countries, cultures, heritages, experiences, and ages and allows them to have an equal voice and participate in the conversation. Never once in my experience was I made to feel less important because I am still in college and have not had as much life or work experiences as my colleagues. I will forever be grateful I was not just asked to copy papers and take notes, but was instead challenged to draft policies, contribute to policy papers, and analyze trends in the YWCA movement. I leave the office feeling like I contributed to an organisation I have come to care so deeply about.

The YWCA has allowed me to spend the last three months surrounded by other women who are as passionate about women’s rights as I am. I have found a place where conversations about sexism in the workforce, contraception, and the rights of children are not only acceptable but encouraged. The experience has only reinforced my desire to do advocacy work when I graduate college. Before this internship I only had an idea of what advocacy as a career looks like. I have been given the invaluable experience of seeing the everyday work which goes into an organisation championing the rights of people around the world. I leave feeling more empowered and knowing I want to spend my life fighting for equality for all people.

I arrived in Switzerland and at the World YWCA filled with passion. I leave with the same passion with which I arrived, but also with the knowledge that I can make a difference. The YWCA has opened my eyes and allowed me to become a better leader, woman, and advocate, and for that I will forever be grateful. Now it is time to say goodbye to an office which has become a home. I leave keeping with me the lessons I have learned from the remarkable women I have been fortunate enough to be surrounded by and carrying the message of empowerment embodied by the YWCA.

This is how we do it – The movement celebrating World YWCA Day 2015

By Pauline Mukanza – Programme Associate, Communications

The World YWCA Day is an annual day of celebration of celebrated every year on April 24. The theme of this year’s World YWCA Day 2015 was “Celebrating our Work and Envisioning 2035”. The office of World YWCA took the opportunity to host a Twitter Chat in order to engage in discussion about the work of the movement and  Envisioning 2035. YWCA’s General Secretary, Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda delivered a video message in addition to hosting a World YWCA Day Tray Lunch, bringing together panellists to engage in conversation about placing young women and girls at the centre of all our work.

Panellists from the World YWCA Day Tray Lunch included Malayah Harper, Chief Gender Equality and Diversity Division, UNAIDS; Susan Schorr, Chief Media and Public Information at ITU; Titta Maja, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and Elaine Neuenfeldt, Executive Secretary Women in Church and Society of the Department for Mission and Development at the Lutheran World Federation. In addition to Veronica Birga, Chief Women’s Human Rights and Gender Section, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The event was co-moderated by World YWCA General Secretary Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda and myself.

Around the world family and friends celebrated World YWCA Day. Let’s take a closer look at how some of the associations celebrated a day that has been celebrated since 1947!

The YWCA of Secunderabad in India celebrated at their local centre with Dr. Rebecca Stanley, the South East Regional Vice President as the special guest, who “encouraged the members that celebrations are also time to reflect and raise the bar. Simply dwelling on the past can only cause us to stagnate and calcify. Just focusing on the present and the immediate is too narrow of a mission. We are called to be a people of the future with an eye on the present and the experiences of the past”, she said and called for all to envision.

The YWCA of Secunderabad also held a meaningful Praise and Worship session led by the President, Seema Victor.

The YWCA of Papua New Guinea sent their greetings to the wider movement. This picture features members of Port Morseby YWCA who gathered to celebrate the World YWCA Day.

The YWCA/YMCA of Sweden celebrated the World YWCA day in Stockholm, Sweden. They held their traditional breakfast followed by workshops in fundraising and partnership within the European Union.

The YWCA of Haiti had an open-door cocktail reception where they celebrated young women and girls. This allowed the public to meet the local support team and discover their current and future opportunities.

The Taipei YWCA a part of the YWCA of Taiwan came together to learn together, grow together, and to look at how to best be responsive to community needs. This definitely deserves a big thumb’s up!

 

 

The YWCA Argentina (A.C.F.) also came together to for a celebratory breakfast.

The YWCA of USA joined us for the Twitter Chat.

The YWCA of Ghana took the opportunity to fundraise by serving petrol to citizens at the Total filling station in Accra, Ghana.

The YWCA Adelaide in Australia celebrated World YWCA Day with a picnic in Tarntanyangga. Shadow Minister for the Status of Women Michelle Lensink made the call on Instagram: “Great turn out for YWCA Adelaide on a cool & breezy morning” Three female MPs and three female Councillors and members, friends and supporters joined the celebrations too!

Thank you for celebrating with us this year, it is a real pleasure to be a part of such a bold movement that reflects on its past achievements yet dares to collectively envision the future ahead.