World YWCA President Susan Brennan reflects on her first year leading the YWCA movement
Just 14 months ago, a new World Board was elected to lead the global YWCA movement. With the support and encouragement of many wonderful women throughout the YWCA, the new team has advanced our global priorities on HIV, violence against women, economic justice and peace. We are consistently calling for adequate resources to respond to the feminisation of the HIV pandemic; making the links between HIV, poverty and violence; demanding women’s equal participation in the resolution of conflict and the peace building process.
Working in partnership with national YWCAs, the World YWCA has responded to natural disasters and political crises in Zimbabwe, Myanmar, Kenya, Bangladesh and the Middle East. Inspired by our Christian basis and our commitment to the human rights of all women, we have built on the great YWCA traditions of advocacy at the highest levels and service to women in their local communities. Everywhere we work, I hope the YWCA demonstrates the passion, vision and ability of young women in leadership.
At the World level, we are working towards tools and guidelines to assist YWCAs to grow and strengthen. We are addressing the opportunities and challenges of working regionally. The Board has focused on improving our governance practices in accordance with the Standards of Good Management and Accountability. We are attending to the future of the Power to Change Fund, both building the resource for future generations and working towards distributing its proceeds for women’s leadership.
Through the inspiring talents of our new General Secretary Nyaradzayi and the magnificent staff in the World Office, the World YWCA has started to deliver on our ambitious World Strategic Framework 2008-2012, to live out the Nairobi 2007 Call to Action, to act on the resolutions passed at World Council and to support our YWCA members to work within the revised Constitution. I have never before worked with a group of women so dedicated and so gifted as our Geneva team.
Our movement is richly resourced with volunteers who willingly share their time, expertise, skills and commitment; without their contribution, we could not achieve such great things. Though I have not met many of you, you are deeply appreciated.
Recognising that it is with friends and fellow travelers that we will change the world, the World YWCA nurtures its relationships with partners: youth movements, women’s organisations, human rights and development NGOs, the ecumenical network, UN agencies, core donors and other funders and supporters. We continue to participate in important ecumenical and interfaith conversations, representing the voice of diverse grass roots women of faith.
It is only through sharing our stories of success and the wisdom learned from our mistakes that we will continue to flourish. The World YWCA website is a regular source of inspiration and information about YWCA activities and I strongly encourage its use as a resource.
I am honoured to serve as President. I am continually amazed by the YWCA’s extraordinary potential to change women’s lives through our local work and our global presence. For me personally, the past year has been a time of growth, learning, inspiration and opportunity. I am immensely grateful for your trust in me and your commitment to the YWCA.
