Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 10 October 2008

In Recent News

Women's Peace Delegation to the UN: Act Now on Darfur, Burma

Nobel Laureates Wangari Maathai and Jody Williams—along with actress-activist Mia Farrow—were at the United Nations on September 29 to call for immediate action to end the crises in Darfur and Burma. They also launched a report, detailing recommendations developed by the Nobel Women’s Initiative during its 3-week delegation this past summer to the Thai-Burma border, Ethiopia, Sudan and Eastern Chad. The women called on world leaders and the Security Council not to bow to pressure and delay justice to the people of Darfur. They also called for the international community—especially China—to stop supporting the campaign of violence against Burma’s ethnic nationalities, including the use of rape as a weapon of war.

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 5 March 2008

Celebrating International Women's Week Investing in women and girls

The Nobel Women's Initiative joins the global community in celebrating International Women's Week, today through 11 March.  The United Nations has celebrated International Women's Day on 8 March since 1975, but the roots of the now global celebration began 99 years ago. In this Update you will read about the work the Nobel Women's Initiative is doing to strengthen and expand the global movement to advance nonviolence, peace, justice and equality. This week, and throughout the year, we encourage you to join us by investing in women and girls and supporting the advancement of women's rights around the world.

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 12 December 2007

The Nobel Women's Initiative continues to appreciate your interest in our work. Here is a brief update on activities since our last update to you in October 2007:

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 25 October 2007

The Nobel Women's Initiative continues to appreciate your interest in our work. Here is a brief update on activities since our last update to you in July 2007:

NWI on the Issues

  Courageous Burmese lead Saffron Revolution

Since August, the citizens of Burma have taken to the streets in courageous protests, led by Buddhist monks and pro-democracy activists. Women leaders and nuns have also played a significant role in the demonstrations, as they have throughout Burma's long struggle for democracy. Recent protests - dubbed the Saffron Revolution for the color of the monk's robes - have been met with brutality and intimidation, with thousands of arrests and unknown numbers of killings. For a summary of recent events in Burma click here.

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 25 July 2007

Since early 2006, sister Nobel Laureates Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire have worked together in the Nobel Women's Initiative, using the prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize to promote the efforts of women's rights activists, researchers, and organizations working to advance peace, justice and equality.

We continue to appreciate your interest in our work.

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 1 March 2007

The Nobel Women's Initiative was established just over a year ago- in January 2006 - by sister Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Betty Williams and Mairead Corrigan Maguire.

Our first year working together was an exciting one! 2006 brought opportunities for us to work together to strengthen US-Iran relations and address the impact other political and military conflicts are having everyday on the lives of the world's citizens- in Darfur, Burma, the Middle East- issues we believe are critical to building a more peaceful, just world, particularly for women.

We continue to appreciate your interest in our work.

Here is a brief update on activities since October 2006:

Nobel Women's Initiative Update - 17 October 2006

The Nobel Women's Initiative was established in 2006 by sister Nobel Peace Laureates Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Wangari Maathai, Rigoberta Menchu Tum, Betty Williams, along with Mairead Corrigan Maguire who joined the Initiative in September. We six women - representing North and South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa - have decided to bring together our extraordinary experiences in a united effort for peace with justice and equality.
 
Only 12 women in its more than 100 year history have been recognized with the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is a great honor, but it is also a great responsibility. It is this sense of responsibility that has compelled us to create the Nobel Women's Initiative to help strengthen work being done in support of women's rights around the world - work often carried out in the shadows with little recognition.
 
Since our inception in January 2006 we've been able to take action on a number of important issues and find our work together extremely meaningful.  We continue to appreciate your interest in our work. Thank you!