Women in Charge: International Women Leaders Global Security Summit

From November 15-17, New York City saw the largest gathering of world women leaders ever held in the United States: the International Women Leaders Global Security Summit. Co-hosts Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland, and Kim Campbell, former prime minister of Canada, joined a diverse group of high level UN and government officials, former and current heads of state from over 40 countries, and leaders of nongovernmental organizations. Mahnaz Afkhami, WLP founder and president; Sima Samar of Afghanistan, special rapporteur of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the situation of human rights in the Sudan; and Wijdan Salim, Minister of Human Rights in Iraq were among the participants from the MENA region.

Issues of global security— climate change, terrorism, economic insecurity, and humanitarian intervention and peace building— topped the agenda. The Summit sought to amplify public awareness and support for women’s leadership on these issues. Participants also agreed on the need to strengthen women’s information-communication-media networks to improve women’s visibility and capacity to influence policy processes.

The Summit was held as part of the International Women Leaders Global Security Initiative launched in October 2006 through the collaborative efforts of the Women Leaders Intercultural Forum (co-founded by WLP), the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, the White House Project, and the Council of Women World Leaders. The initiative will continue through June 2008. Film footage was collected at the Summit and a documentary film highlighting women’s leadership on global security entitled, "Madame President", is forthcoming. Additional information, a list of participants and photos of the Gala Event can be viewed at: www.womenandglobalsecurity.org.