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NGO CSW has collected photos from the International Women’s Day March on March 8, 2012 near the UN. Women were invited to write a cause they are active in on yellow sashes that they wore while marching.
View photos of the march taken by Nancy Eagan here!
Bonnie Fatio of Switzerland, Goodwill Ambassador for the World YWCA, on what she learned about inter-generational work from portraying Naomi in the Biblical story of Ruth for Ecumenical Women morning worship.
Last Friday at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York, Bread for the World and the Presbyterian Office at the United Nations co-sponsored a side event called 1,000 Days: Improving Nutrition for Rural Women. Other co-sponsors included the Women’s Missionary Society of the AME Church, Franciscans International, the 1,000 Days Partnership, Save the Children, and Family Care International. The effort was coordinated by staff at The Hunger Project. A standing room only crowd of over 100 came out to hear about the importance of maternal and child nutrition in the 1,000 day period between pregnancy and a child’s second birthday.
The expert panel was moderated by Mary Ellen McNish, president of The Hunger Project. Lucy Sullivan of the Washington, DC-based 1,000 Days Partnership office shared basic information about how critical it is for women and children to have good nutrition in the 1,000 days period from pregnancy to a child’s second birthday. If malnourished, children can suffer permanent cognitive and physical delays, including shorter height, poor eye sight, diminished intellectual capacity, and weakened immune function.
Isatou Jallow, from the Gender Unit at the World Food Programme framed the issue. It is critical for women, particularly rural women, to have control of land and money because women are responsible for feeding children. And women are more likely than men to invest any profit back into their family.
Carolyn Miles, the first woman to be president and CEO of Save the Children shared about their 2012 Nutrition Report. She highlighted ways in which Save the Children includes nutrition in their programs to address poverty and hunger issues with women and children.
Catherine Bertini, Professor of Public Administration and International Affairs, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University addressed the role of the US government in improving nutrition for women and children. She talked about the Global Health Initiative and Feed the Future, the two flagship programs administered by USAID that address nutrition within the larger context of health and agriculture. She also highlighted the importance of the domestic WIC program, which helps thousand of mothers and young children improve their nutrition.
After the presentations I talked about “1,000 Conversations,” the vehicle that the Women of Faith for the 1,000 Days Movement is using to spread the word about proper nutrition in the 1,000 day window. Women of faith are pledging to have 1,000 conversations in 1,000 days about maternal and child nutrition. It is critical that we spread the word about nutrition and put pressure on our government officials to continue to fund and promote nutrition programs. To learn more about “1,000 Conversations,” visit www.bread.org/go/1000days and “like” www.facebook.com/womenoffaith1000days.
Nancy Neal is associate for denominational women’s organization relations at Bread for the World and a member of the Presbyterian Church delegation to the Commission on the Status of Women.
As we leave New York and the UN, heading for home, let’s be sure to take one another and the joy of worship together at CCUN home with us in our hearts, buoyed by the beat of Caitlin Reilley Beck’s drumming.
Bernice Cosey Pulley speaks about the important part the YWCA played in her life, and invites us to “google” Anne Hutchinson!
United Methodist Women supported delegate, Tomoko Arakawa from Japan’s Asian Rural Institute, says we need food and life. Commission on status of women, 2012.
If you’ve participated in worship with Ecumenical Women, one of these mornings at 8am, you will know Grace as the amazing woman who comes in early each day to make music with us. Today we made music for her–a kazoo, whistle, and tambourine rendition of “Happy Birthday!” We are so grateful for your gifts, Grace! Today and every day!
Today’s worship, led by the WFMUCW, featured the parable of the persistent
Mia Adjali dressed as "a woman at the well."
widow and a dramatized meeting of women at the well. This litany was a part of their service:
Leader: O God of infinite possibility, grant to us all the opportunity to act boldly on our faith in Jesus Christ.
All: I can do it! You can do it! We can do it!
Leader: O God of abundant life, grant to us all emotional, physical and spiritual wholeness so that we might better serve others in your name.
All: Hear our prayer, O God!
Leader: It is more important to perform God’s commandments from inward conviction and in humility.
All: I can do it! You can do it! We can do it!
Leader: God looks upon the heart, while humans often look upon outward appearances.
All: God, you are our covering.
Leader: We can always find healing for all the needs in our lives through the Word of God.
All: Lord, we thank you for your Word.
Leader: O God of strength, give us courage, hope and open hearts, that we might experience expanding possibilities and grow through change.
All: Hear our prayer, O God!
Leader: Nurturing God, you have inspired and empowered women throughout all ages.
All: Give us the courage and wisdom to act boldly on our faith in you, O Creating, Redeeming and Sustaining One.
Leader: We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
All: I can do it! You can do it! We can do it!
