The conference is a collaborative initiative between two preeminent organizations working towards ending this global pandemic
NEW YORK, NY – March 11, 2010 – Today, the US National Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM USNC), and the National Council for Research on Women (NCRW) announced plans for a joint effort to raise awareness about violence against women and girls as well as the latest thinking and strategies on how to confront it. Together the two organizations will produce a national conference Strategic Imperatives for Ending Violence Against Women: Creating Linkages to Education, Economic Security, and Health, hosted by the Women and Gender Studies Program at Hunter College, CUNY (The City University of New York) in New York City, June 11-12, 2010.
The conference will gather experts and advocates connecting and strategizing to overcome violence against women. By convening leaders from business, academia, philanthropy, advocacy, nonprofit and policy communities, the partners will offer an environment where participants can create action plans while gaining a better understanding of both UNIFEM’s work and the NCRW network’s groundbreaking research. A variety of experts will explore strategies to reduce gender-based violence and their intersections with social investments.
“The most compelling means of demonstrating the immediacy of ending violence against women are the soaring recent statistics on this issue. When 70% of women worldwide are affected by gender-based violence, we must take action.” said Carol Poteat-Buchanan, President of the US National Committee for UNIFEM. “Our upcoming national conference will create a forum for ideas and action plans to enhance our work to end violence against women.”
“We need to look at the myriad circumstances that fuel violence and cultures of violence, including political and economic insecurity, inadequate education, and social inequality,” said Linda Basch, President of the National Council for Research on Women. “In this conference, we want to identify and develop solutions that address these challenges.”
The conference is open to the public. More information as well as online registration can be found later this month on the US National Committee for UNIFEM’s website (www.unifem-usnc.org/conference).
About the partners:
The US National Committee for UNIFEM (UNIFEM USNC) is one of 18 national committees that support the mission of UNIFEM. Chartered in 1983, the US National Committee expands support and raises funds within the United States for UNIFEM. Through the help of the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, local chapters and members, the UNIFEM USNC proudly supports UNIFEM projects in over 100 countries around the globe. Local chapters promote advocacy and education through planned events focused on gaining a broader understanding of issues facing women on a global scale, providing advocacy in the US for issues facing women, and raising funds to support UNIFEM and USNC.
The United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programs and strategies to foster women’s empowerment and gender equality. Placing the advancement of women’s human rights at the center of all of its efforts, UNIFEM focuses its activities in four strategic areas: (1) reducing feminized poverty, (2) ending violence against women, (3) reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, and (4) achieving gender equality in democratic governance in times of peace as well as war.
The National Council for Research on Women (NCRW) is a network of 120 leading research, policy, and advocacy centers committed to improving the lives of women and girls. Harnessing the power of more than 2,000 experts in the United States and among its international affiliates, NCRW provides the latest research and information to stimulate fully informed debates, effective policies and inclusive practices. With a Corporate Circle of major companies and a Presidents Circle of leaders in higher education, the Council works in partnership with business, academic, non-profit and philanthropic organizations, to generate transformative change, both nationally and globally.
