Learn How Women Activists from Sudan, Canada & Guatemala Are Changing the World
(Ottawa—September 23, 2014). Five women activists will be speaking at a panel on Friday about how they work to empower women and strengthen women’s rights in countries experiencing high levels of conflict—Sudan, South Sudan and Guatemala—as well as in Canada.
When we invest in women and girls, we harness the power to change the world. But what does this change look like on the ground? Women activists take huge risks and employ creative strategies to help women beat the odds and overcome violence. Learn how they are making big changes for women’s equality at the third annual Voices for Change Conversation Series: Women Redefining Peace, presented by The MATCH International Women’s Fund and the Nobel Women’s Initiative.
The three global participants are part of the Sister-To-Sister Mentorship Program, a six-week residency at the Nobel Women’s Initiative in Ottawa in which young women’s rights activists from the Global South take part in global advocacy training. This year’s participants are Alice Vilmaro, a program coordinator promoting women’s involvement in South Sudan’s peace efforts, Maha Babeker, a women’s rights activist seeking to reform adultery laws in Sudan, and Andrea Ixchíu, a journalist advocating for the rights of indigenous women and communities in Guatemala.
The Canadian activists on the panel are Rebekah Elkerton, an Anishnaabe artist who uses creative expression for women’s empowerment, and Kristine St-Pierre, a gender consultant and workshop facilitator specializing in women, peace and security. The conversation will be moderated by Beth Woroniuk, an independent gender consultant.
Media and the public are invited to attend this free event.
What:
The MATCH International Women’s Fund and Nobel Women’s Initiative present Voices for Change Conversation Series: Women Redefining Peace
Interview/ Photo Opportunities
● Speak with Sister-To-Sister Mentorship Program participants, Alice Vilmaro, Maha Babeker, and Andrea Ixchíu about their work as young women’s rights defenders in Sudan, South Sudan and Guatemala – all countries experiencing high levels of insecurity and conflict.
● Speak with panelists Kristine St-Pierre and Rebekah Elkerton about local activism to advance women’s rights in Canada.
● Speak with panel moderator and The MATCH International Women’s Fund’s Advisory Council Member Beth Woroniuk about the ways Canadians can work to empower women all over the world.
Where:
Dunton Tower, Room 2017
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON
When:
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Panel discussion followed by casual reception
The MATCH International Women’s Fund is a Canadian international organization that has been working with women’s rights organizations in the global South for 37 years. Since it’s founding, they have partnered with more than 650 women’s organizations in 71 countries to help improve the lives of women and girls.
The Nobel Women’s Initiative was established in 2006, and brings together sister Nobel peace laureates Jody Williams, Shirin Ebadi, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Mairead Maguire, Leymah Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman. The organization uses the prestige of the Nobel Peace Prize and courageous women peace laureates to magnify the power and visibility of women working in countries around the world for peace, justice and equality.
For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Needham at [email protected], 613 761 3684