International Women’s Initiative – the fruition of women’s rights begins when they can equally participate in decisions that affect their communities
by Milena Rampoldi, ProMosaik. In the following my interview with Aubrey Shayler, the Executive Director, CEO and Founder of the International Women’s Initiative. A very interesting interview to understand the objectives and areas of activity of the organisation and also to understand the core values supporting the struggle for women’s rights. Would like to thank Aubrey for her detailed answers.
Which are the main objectives for the International
Women’s Initiative?
IWI’s
main objective is to ensure that one day, women all over the world will be the
protagonists of their own lives. In order to achieve this, we work to raise
awareness of the threats to the human rights of women across the globe and to
promote and assist in the achievement of gender equality. International Women’s
Initiative is a young, thriving organisation consisting of a volunteer staff
from all over the world committed to the advancement of women and girls’ human
rights globally. We are a group of passionate and determined problem-solvers
who believe that human rights are an indivisible set of standards for all
people to enjoy, and the fruition of women’s rights begins when they can
equally participate in decisions that affect their communities.
main objective is to ensure that one day, women all over the world will be the
protagonists of their own lives. In order to achieve this, we work to raise
awareness of the threats to the human rights of women across the globe and to
promote and assist in the achievement of gender equality. International Women’s
Initiative is a young, thriving organisation consisting of a volunteer staff
from all over the world committed to the advancement of women and girls’ human
rights globally. We are a group of passionate and determined problem-solvers
who believe that human rights are an indivisible set of standards for all
people to enjoy, and the fruition of women’s rights begins when they can
equally participate in decisions that affect their communities.
Which are your main areas of activity?
Currently,
our two main areas of activity are our programmes and education. Our
programming is currently focused on helping women achieve their fundamental
rights through safe maternal healthcare, the right to liberty and security of
person. In terms of education, our Research Team produces original news
stories highlighting the struggles of women around the globe which is then
disseminated both on our website and through our social media.
our two main areas of activity are our programmes and education. Our
programming is currently focused on helping women achieve their fundamental
rights through safe maternal healthcare, the right to liberty and security of
person. In terms of education, our Research Team produces original news
stories highlighting the struggles of women around the globe which is then
disseminated both on our website and through our social media.
Additionally,
IWI has recently developed and will begin advocacy work aimed at improving the
lives of women living in the UK. Our advocacy will span a broader
spectrum of assistance by working through legal channels, and through
collaboration with lobbyists, to work at the government level in an effort
change or create policy aimed at protecting women’s human rights.
IWI has recently developed and will begin advocacy work aimed at improving the
lives of women living in the UK. Our advocacy will span a broader
spectrum of assistance by working through legal channels, and through
collaboration with lobbyists, to work at the government level in an effort
change or create policy aimed at protecting women’s human rights.
Tell us about your program Human Project.
International
Women’s Initiative’s The Human Project is looking at forms of human trafficking
that disproportionately affect women and girls and the methods of recruitment
that target these groups. We will help to create a world where women and girls
can live free from exploitation and full of dignity. In the initial phase of
the programme, The Human Project team will be producing regional and country
reports to raise awareness of the trends in trafficking of women around the
world. In its second phase, The Human Project will use the research on trends
and recruitment tactics to facilitate early intervention and preventative
awareness raising at a local level. We will ensure that women and girls are
more aware of recruitment tactics and lessen their potential to become victims of
trafficking themselves. Through its third phase, IWI through The Human
Project will collaborate with grassroots women’s rights NGOs to institute a
safe house based in Latin America in which females victimised by trafficking
will be able to rehabilitate their lives both physically and mentally.
Once recovery has been complete, participants will receive an education
scholarship to further improve their lives and futures.
Women’s Initiative’s The Human Project is looking at forms of human trafficking
that disproportionately affect women and girls and the methods of recruitment
that target these groups. We will help to create a world where women and girls
can live free from exploitation and full of dignity. In the initial phase of
the programme, The Human Project team will be producing regional and country
reports to raise awareness of the trends in trafficking of women around the
world. In its second phase, The Human Project will use the research on trends
and recruitment tactics to facilitate early intervention and preventative
awareness raising at a local level. We will ensure that women and girls are
more aware of recruitment tactics and lessen their potential to become victims of
trafficking themselves. Through its third phase, IWI through The Human
Project will collaborate with grassroots women’s rights NGOs to institute a
safe house based in Latin America in which females victimised by trafficking
will be able to rehabilitate their lives both physically and mentally.
Once recovery has been complete, participants will receive an education
scholarship to further improve their lives and futures.
What are the main objectives of your Safe Birthing
Programme?
Programme?
International
Women’s Initiative’s Safe Birthing Programme’s (SBP) main objective is to
reduce maternal mortality in the Amolatar District in Northern Uganda, through
providing birthing kits to health centres to enhance sanitary conditions for
mothers while giving birth. Beyond their immediate effect, IWI believes this
programme will have a far reaching impact: changing attitudes surrounding
maternal health care and raising local awareness on the benefits of seeking
assistance at health centres, and the importance of safe birthing practices. As
a result, IWI is directly impacting Uganda’s gender equality, ensuring that
women’s right to health is protected and fulfilled. The Safe Birthing Programme
is currently in its pilot stage which will conclude in November 2017 at which
point we will expand to a further 13 health centres, enabling us to reach up to
12,800 women by the end of 2018.
Women’s Initiative’s Safe Birthing Programme’s (SBP) main objective is to
reduce maternal mortality in the Amolatar District in Northern Uganda, through
providing birthing kits to health centres to enhance sanitary conditions for
mothers while giving birth. Beyond their immediate effect, IWI believes this
programme will have a far reaching impact: changing attitudes surrounding
maternal health care and raising local awareness on the benefits of seeking
assistance at health centres, and the importance of safe birthing practices. As
a result, IWI is directly impacting Uganda’s gender equality, ensuring that
women’s right to health is protected and fulfilled. The Safe Birthing Programme
is currently in its pilot stage which will conclude in November 2017 at which
point we will expand to a further 13 health centres, enabling us to reach up to
12,800 women by the end of 2018.
Additionally,
the Safe Birthing Programme will provide education workshops for both women and
men within the villages of Amolatar on HIV/AIDS prevention, safe family
planning practices and literacy instruction in a manner which ardently educates
villagers, yet incorporates community influences and customs that honour their
culture.
the Safe Birthing Programme will provide education workshops for both women and
men within the villages of Amolatar on HIV/AIDS prevention, safe family
planning practices and literacy instruction in a manner which ardently educates
villagers, yet incorporates community influences and customs that honour their
culture.
Which are the basic values of your work?
All of
our work operates under the following five values:
our work operates under the following five values:
- Transparency: We
take personal responsibility for using our resources effectively, and we
want to be open and honest about our projects, activities, and spending
for the betterment of women across the globe. - Collaboration: We
work together, both internally and externally, in order to create a better
world for those who live in it. - Inclusiveness: We
realise that women’s equality is not only a women’s issue. We seek to
include all women, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, and
colour, as well as men. We believe that people of all identities are equal
partners in solving these issues. - Integrity: We do our
best to be honest and transparent in order to provide the best information
possible. We always act in the best interest of women everywhere. We hold
ourselves to a high standard as we realise this is the only way to
successfully implement change. - Tenacity: We fight
for what we believe in, and will continue to do so until human rights
violations against women have been eradicated all across the globe.
What have you achieved up to now and which are the
objectives you would like to achieve in the near future?
objectives you would like to achieve in the near future?
As a
result of our social media campaigns and our advocacy work, the International
Women’s Initiative has a strong online network, reaching thousands of people
worldwide each year. The International Women’s Initiative’s News page (http://www.internationalwomensinitiative.org/news-list/)
features a wide variety of original human rights focused news stories and
reaches an average of 500 people a week. Our social media accounts provide
information on women’s rights to over 3,000 followers every day. Though our
programming is in its infancy, we have already made great strides towards
improving women’s rights. In August 2016, our Safe Birthing Programme provided
its first set of birthing kits to three health centres in Uganda enabling them
to provide sanitary birthing conditions to 600 women. We will continue these
distributions on a quarterly basis before expanding to additional centres.
result of our social media campaigns and our advocacy work, the International
Women’s Initiative has a strong online network, reaching thousands of people
worldwide each year. The International Women’s Initiative’s News page (http://www.internationalwomensinitiative.org/news-list/)
features a wide variety of original human rights focused news stories and
reaches an average of 500 people a week. Our social media accounts provide
information on women’s rights to over 3,000 followers every day. Though our
programming is in its infancy, we have already made great strides towards
improving women’s rights. In August 2016, our Safe Birthing Programme provided
its first set of birthing kits to three health centres in Uganda enabling them
to provide sanitary birthing conditions to 600 women. We will continue these
distributions on a quarterly basis before expanding to additional centres.
How important are intercultural and
inter-religious understanding for the struggle for women’s rights?
inter-religious understanding for the struggle for women’s rights?
Understanding
intercultural and inter-religious perspectives is crucial to the struggle for
women’s rights and our work. Having a good sense and understanding of other
cultures and their beliefs allows women’s rights advocates to work within all
cultures to ensure women are afforded every right given to them but in a
culturally sensitive way. Throughout our work IWI strives to be inclusive in
the struggle for women’s rights ensuring that all women have a voice,
regardless of their cultural or religious backgrounds, in accordance to their
beliefs.
