By Tina Musoke, Head of GirlUp Campaign and DAWNer
Three women. Three continents. Three strong examples of the potential of women and girls.
Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to be a part of history. As the Head of Communications for the UN Foundation's Girl Up Campaign, I traveled with Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women and former President of Chile; and Kathy Calvin, the CEO of the UN Foundation, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, with the first female president of an African nation: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.
Still recovering from its civil war, Liberia is full of opportunity and the determination to build back its country. But like in so many African countries, one thing was clear to me - and it is a belief we hold dear to in DAWN - change starts with women.
While in Liberia, we met women from all walks of life who are redefining their role in the rebuilding of their country. We met government ministers, senators and security officers. We met the first-ever full contingent of UN female peacekeepers. Each serve as incredible examples that Africa is practicing what it preaches and placing women in critical leadership positions to move the country forward.
For example, we met with women in their communities, in rural villages and small towns. They introduced us to a "peace hut" program-- a community court, staffed by an all-woman team of volunteers who resolve conflicts in their neighborhood ranging from child support and domestic violence to land disputes and corruption.
And on March 8th, at a stadium filled with thousands of women and girls, President Sirleaf, Dr. Bachelet and Ms. Calvin, three powerful leaders on the world scene, came together to send the message that women matter, that girls count, and that our world can only progress if we work together to keep these issues at the top of the world agenda. They brought together people from all over the country not to celebrate the day, but to celebrate the value of women.
The trip was more than an experience to me. It served as a reminder of what I already knew: that there is an entire generation of young women just like us who are ready to become future presidents, world leaders, ministers, community leaders and changemakers everywhere.
So as we celebrate International Women's Day this month, let's think of all the women who have made an impact in our communities, our countries and our world, and let's learn from their journeys and their conviction-- that change starts with women.
Three women. Three continents. Three strong examples of the potential of women and girls.
Earlier this month I was fortunate enough to be a part of history. As the Head of Communications for the UN Foundation's Girl Up Campaign, I traveled with Michelle Bachelet, Executive Director of UN Women and former President of Chile; and Kathy Calvin, the CEO of the UN Foundation, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day, with the first female president of an African nation: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia.
Still recovering from its civil war, Liberia is full of opportunity and the determination to build back its country. But like in so many African countries, one thing was clear to me - and it is a belief we hold dear to in DAWN - change starts with women.
While in Liberia, we met women from all walks of life who are redefining their role in the rebuilding of their country. We met government ministers, senators and security officers. We met the first-ever full contingent of UN female peacekeepers. Each serve as incredible examples that Africa is practicing what it preaches and placing women in critical leadership positions to move the country forward.
For example, we met with women in their communities, in rural villages and small towns. They introduced us to a "peace hut" program-- a community court, staffed by an all-woman team of volunteers who resolve conflicts in their neighborhood ranging from child support and domestic violence to land disputes and corruption.
And on March 8th, at a stadium filled with thousands of women and girls, President Sirleaf, Dr. Bachelet and Ms. Calvin, three powerful leaders on the world scene, came together to send the message that women matter, that girls count, and that our world can only progress if we work together to keep these issues at the top of the world agenda. They brought together people from all over the country not to celebrate the day, but to celebrate the value of women.
The trip was more than an experience to me. It served as a reminder of what I already knew: that there is an entire generation of young women just like us who are ready to become future presidents, world leaders, ministers, community leaders and changemakers everywhere.
So as we celebrate International Women's Day this month, let's think of all the women who have made an impact in our communities, our countries and our world, and let's learn from their journeys and their conviction-- that change starts with women.
RSS Feed