News Archive (2008 - 2005)

Paola Salwan has joined the World YWCA as the new Programme Assistant for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Salwan is of Lebanese descent and with a Masters in International Humanitarian Law and passion for women’s issues; World YWCA seemed like a natural place to work.

As Israel and Hamas announce unilateral ceasefires, the World YWCA joins millions of people and organisations in condemning the force and impact of Israel's attack on Gaza. The World YWCA calls for peace and security in the region, which can only be achieved by resolving the root causes of the conflict.

Con el anuncio del cese de fuego unilateral pronunciado por Israel y por Hamas respectivamente, la YWCA Mundial se une a millones de personas y organizaciones en condenar la fuerza y el impacto del ataque de Israel a Gaza.

Alors que Israël et le Hamas ont annoncé un cessez-le-feu unilatéral, la YWCA Mondiale rejoint les millions de personnes et organisations pour condamner la violence et l’impact de l’attaque israélienne sur Gaza. La YWCA appelle à la paix durable et à la sécurité dans la région, laquelle ne résistera pas si les causes qui sont à l’origine du conflit ne sont pas résolues.

The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has called on Christians in Africa and in the worldwide ecumenical family to observe a day of prayer and fasting in solidarity with Zimbabwe on Sunday, January 25. In a letter to the AACC member churches and ecumenical partners dated January 15, the AACC General Secretary Rev. Dr André Karamaga wrote:

Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a beautiful country deep in the Pacific with rich resources, lush mountains and sweeping landscapes. In a country of five and a half million inhabitants, the YWCA of Papua New Guinea has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights since it was established in 1967. Juli Dugdale, World YWCA Programme Director for Asia and Pacific recently returned from a visit to PNG and describes the work of the YWCA as ‘mind-blowing’.

Rebecca Zorn, World YWCA volunteer, is in Geneva studying International Relations through the Kent State University Program. As part of her internship, she attended the Armenia CEDAW session on January 23 to learn about the human rights of women in Armenia and also gain more insight into the CEDAW process.“As a student studying International Relations, I have learned about CEDAW and various other international treaties at my home University,” reflects Zorn.

African women have committed themselves to continue to stand in solidarity with the women of Zimbabwe. World YWCA and the Foundation for Community Development (FDC) led a consultation at the 13th Pre-Summit Consultative Meeting on Gender Mainstreaming in the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from January 27-28 to develop strong actions on the current situation in Zimbabwe.

World YWCA has welcomed Kristin Roaldseth Moyer as the new Programme Director for Europe. Moyer has spent most of her professional life working with faith based humanitarian organisations and is excited about her new role at World YWCA.

The World YWCA reaches 25 million women and girls through its member associations across the world. Through the support of donors and individuals who give generously throughout the year, the World YWCA is able to sustain work in over 120 countries. Now the World YWCA has introduced a secure online donation system that allows you to easily make a contribution that will help the YWCA movement equip women and girls with skills, knowledge and resources to create positive change in their lives and communities.