Women's Political Participation and Leadership: Challenging Fundamentalisms

A CSW55 parallel event

Event Details

  • Time

    12:00pm

  • Date

    24 Feb, 2011

  • Location

    • Church Center for the United Nations
    • 777 United Nations Plaza New York, NY

  • Contact

    WLP

Lina Abou-Habib

Executive Director, Collective for Research & Training on Development Action (Lebanon)

Mahnaz Afkhami

Founder and President, Women’s Learning Partnership (Iran, USA)

A panel discussion, given by WLP partner organization, BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights, is a parallel event of the 55th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This event will consider women's political participation and the challenges of fundamentalism to progress in women's rights arenas. We invite you to join us in devising strategies and in creating a path forward.

Background

During the 12th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union, African Heads of States declared 2010-2020 the African Women’s Decade. However, the 15-year review of Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, and the 10-year review of the Millennium Development Goals, while confirming some progress in advancement of African women, more notably reflected the slow pace and challenges militating against the advancement of women in all areas.

Nigeria is currently weighed down by lack of good governance and low percentages of women in active leadership (approximately 6% of elected positions). Low representation exists, despite the fact that women constitute half of the population, and have made significant contributions in elective and decision-making positions.

BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights views women’s public and political participation as critical towards reshaping the economic, political, and social landscape to allow for equality in opportunities. We envision a society devoid of fundamentalism, where women’s human rights become an integral part of everyday life. We know that this can only happen with active participation and inclusion of women in all spheres of development, for their own good, and the good of society.

We look forward to welcoming you.

In addition to WLP representatives, the following speakers contribute:

Ene Ede, Executive Director/Publisher Equity Advocates/The Woman Today Newspapers (Nigeria)

Omowumi Asubiaro, Technical Assistant, Gender and Affirmative Action (GAA) (Nigeria)

 

BAOBAB at CSW55

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