Women’s Political Participation and Leadership: Challenging Fundamentalisms

BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights

invites you to a panel on

Women’s Political Participation and Leadership:

Challenging Fundamentalisms

February 24, 2011, 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Drew Room, Ground Floor, The Church Centre, Opposite the UN, New York, NY

Background

During the 12^th Ordinary Assembly of the African Union, African Heads of States declared 2010-2020 the African Women’s Decade. However, the review of the 15 year of the 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, noted 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% in elective positions). This is despite the fact that women, who constitute half of the population, have made significant contributions, in spite of their insignificant number, 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 for both women and men. We envision a society devoid of fundamentalisms of any kind where women’s human rights becomes an integral part of everyday life. We know that this can only happen with the active participation and inclusion of women in all spheres of development, for their own good and the good of society.

On February 24, 2011 BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights will be deliberating on the challenges of fundamentalisms, how it has hindered women and invite you as a friend to join in the devising of strategies and the way forward.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Speakers

Welcome and Introductory Remark:  Sindi Medar-Gould, Executive Director BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights (Nigeria)

Moderator:  Lina Abou-Habib Executive Director, Collective for Research & Training on Development Action (Lebanon)

Women’s Rights, Participation and Leadership – The Nigerian Situation

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

Fundamentalisms and Women’s Participation: The Challenges in Africa

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

Fundamentalisms at the Global Level and the Work of WLP

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

Session for Participants facilitated by:  Lina Abou-Habib Executive Director, Collective for Research & Training on Development Action (Lebanon)

Closing Remarks:  Sindi Medar-Gould, Executive Director BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights (Nigeria)