Paradigm Shift

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.

The International Women’s Health Coalition’s Young Visionaries contest
encourages youth to share their visions for young people and the future.
Until March 25, 2010 youth between the ages of 18 and 30 can share their
visions for a just and healthy life, and get a chance to win a $1000 grant
from the International Women’s Health Coalition to fund a project that works
toward this vision.

Do you share IWHC’s vision for promoting and protecting the health and
rights of women and young people worldwide? Are you actively engaged in
shaping a world where women and young people are free from discrimination,
sexual coercion, and violence; where they make free and informed choices
about sexuality and reproduction; or where health information and services
are available to help them lead safer and healthier lives? Do you have an
idea for a project that works toward your vision of change?

Nominate yourself today by answering four short questions about your vision.
Then, spread the word and encourage people to vote for you! Five nominees
will become finalists by popular vote and IWHC staff will select five more
nominees after nominations close on March 25, 2010. Our guest judges will
then select our Grand Prize winner, who will be announced in early
April. The contest is open to young people between the ages of 18 and 30
(inclusive) from all over the world. Read full contest rules here.

Are you writing important pieces and being frustrated at not being able to get them published? Do you have a wonderful idea for a nonfiction book, but don’t know how to write a winning proposal?
Are you feeling that you just can’t get ahead – can’t fulfill your dreams? Are you taking your place as a published author?

For the past 4 years the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership has been training women to write winning book proposals, feature articles and op-eds! We are inviting you to learn how our alumnae have broken through and are getting their voices out into the public!

“I had found my voice and belief in myself again. The supportive environment from Woodhull has literally changed my life.” -M. Wheeler, MA

“At Woodhull, I was given the confidence to reach for the moon! I was exposed to and taught by those who are living their dreams, making an impact on society through the expression of their truest voices; people on a mission, working cooperatively with the common goal of empowering ALL.” – Michelle Riu

Participants from past Non-Fiction Writers’ Retreats have become accomplished writers that truly know how to write an op-ed, a feature, a book proposal and how to pitch ideas. Hone your skills to become an effective and successful writer!

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Sometimes we feel disconnected from the experience of pleasure. Sometimes life gets in the way of us experiencing the deepest forms of pleasure. What is holding you back from experiencing pleasure and desire in your daily life? How can you rekindle flames of desire that might be smothered right now? What are the things that make you feel most alive? How can you work to bring those aspects of your life into greater alignment with how you live on a day-to-day basis? Water, and therefore, flow, lives in the second chakra, the home of our sexuality, our sensual selves, our desire. When we get stuck in our attachments, we dam the flow of pleasure in our lives. In this workshop we will use movement, meditation, reflection and group exercises to “unstuck” ourselves, create clarity about how to churn the butters of deliciousness in our lives, and open the second chakra to embrace pleasure and desire in a new way.

Amy Jo Goddard is a professional sexuality educator, artist, writer, activist, and sex and relationship coach. Her background includes a Master’s degree in Human Sexuality Education, training as a sex coach, 15 years of experience teaching sexuality to adults, youth and children, and her own deep work as a sexual being.

For more information about Amy Jo, check out http://www.amyjogoddard.com.