As stated by International Immediat Past  President, Liz Benham, “It’s been eighty years and we are still here! Over the years, BPW International has been developing the professional, leadership and business potential of women on all levels through advocacy, mentoring, networking, skill building and economic empowerment programs and projects around the world. We are doing something right and will continue to do so! As we celebrate our 80th Anniversary this year I like to think that our Founder, Dr. Lena Madesin Phillips, would be very proud of this attainment! It is quite extraordinary that a woman in the 1930's could create an organization that would have such international strength and impact.” Be sure to purchase your 80th anniversary button at our convention in June.

As a founding member of BPW International, BPW Canada also celebrates its 80th Anniversary. We are privileged to be a member of this great organization in which members across Canada are connected to an extensive network of women in more than 100 countries working to improve economic, political, employment and social conditions for women around the world. It is exciting to be involved in international activities and exchange ideas with like-minded women as we realize that many of the issues for women are similar. Each year in February, we celebrate together through our Candlelighting Ceremony, symbolizing the spirit we share with our sister clubs around the world and exchange greetings with clubs in other countries. Since 1980, BPW International has supported projects worldwide to help women through our Project Five-0 program. As well, we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th and send a delegation of members to New York to participate in the annual meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. By joining BPW Canada, you can be part of this large network of women working to create a better future for women and girls around the world.

One of the advantages of becoming a member of a BPW Club is that, once every three years, you have the opportunity to participate in a BPW International Congress. The first such Congress that I ever attended was held in Montreux, Switzerland over their years ago. I was immediate “hooked” and have been a regular participant ever since. These addictive events have drawn me to Asia, Africa and New Zealand as well as to four North American cities and five locations in Europe. The most recent was held in Helsinki, Finland in June 2011 and the next Congress will be in Korea in 2014.

Click here to read Dormer's entire article.

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GEAR UP! Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR)

The Gender Equality Architecture Reform (GEAR) Campaign, a network of over 300 women’s, human rights and social justice groups around the world urges UN Member States and the UN Secretariat to move swiftly forward to create the new UN gender equality entity. GEAR also urges the UN to set up a transparent process now for recruiting the best qualified Under Secretary-General to head this agency. On the 15th anniversary of the historic Beijing World Conference on Women, the United Nations must move without further delay to implement changes that it has repeatedly recognized as critical to fulfilling its mandate of working for gender equality as a crucial component of development, human rights, peace, and security.

The resolution should give the new women’s agency responsibility for leadership and coordination of the UN system’s actions on gender equality and women’s empowerment both in the policy arena and at the operational level. This requires both holding the UN system accountable for gender mainstreaming and engaging in its own work on women’s rights and empowerment at all levels.

A clear programmatic mandate and substantial operational capacity are crucial for the entity to be effective in delivering for women at the national level. Member states must support the principle of a universal mandate to address women’s empowerment in all countries and strategic operational presence at the country level. The Under Secretary-General appointed to head this agency should be provided with delegated authority on financial matters and human resources in order to operate effectively at the country level.|

To enable the entity to be effective, member states should pledge core, predictable, and multi-year voluntary funds now. The US $500 million proposed in the UN Secretary-General’s comprehensive proposal of January 2010 (A/64/588) can only be understood as resources for the initial phase. A commitment to grow to $US1 billion and beyond over time is essential; One billion represents less than 0.5% of the expenses of all UN agencies in 2008. This is not a case of allocating small change. All governments need to step up now and put money where their mouths are. For the women and girls living below the poverty line, every dollar counts.

The new institution needs to streamline the UN's gender work in order to make real progress for women and girls. Governments have signed the deal last year, but it's not sealed yet. We are still waiting for key decisions. This new entity is a huge step forward for women. Keep checking the BPW International for updates on appointment of the Under Secretary for GEAR and the progress of GEAR of the campaign.

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BPWI Member News and Events

The BPW International Newsletter is available at http://www.bpw-international.org/about-bpw/library/e-news. 

• The United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979, and 185 countries, including Canada, have ratified the Treaty for the Rights of Women. The treaty, unfortunately, has no enforcement authority to the United Nations or any other body. That’s why it is important for BPW Canada, as a non-governmental organization representing women, to keep reminding our government of its obligations under CEDAW and pressuring them to fulfill those obligations. For more information and to keep up-to-date, visit the CEDAW site at http://www.bpw-international.org/united-nations/cedaw

International Federation of BPW Women
http://www.bpw-international.org/

CSW - Canadian Delegates

The 56th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York will be from February 29th to March 7th, 2012.  The theme for this session is The Empowerment of Rural Women and Their Role in Poverty and Hunger Eradiation, Development and Current Challenges.

The call-out from Status of Women Canada for NGO Canadian delegates (to be part of the official delegation) for the 56th Session  of CSW meetings in New York. Nominations deadline no later than Friday, December 9th, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

• Criteria for the Nomination
• Nomination Letter

Congress 2014 is in Jeju Island, South Korea May 23-27

Watch the BPW International website for updates and information about the Congress.

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