Annual Report 2007-2008
'Changing Lives, Changing Communities' - the World YWCA Annual Report April 2007-March 2008 is a glimpse into a year where the World YWCA advanced its global priorities on HIV, violence against women, economic justice, peace with justice, human rights and women's leadership.
- Download: World YWCA Annual Report April 2007-March 2008 PDF (6.21MB)
Highlights
World YWCA Council: July 1- July 11
With the theme ' Changing Lives, Changing Communities', 2000 women gathered from around the world in Kenya, Nairobi and voted on a revised constitution and new leadership. Susan Brennan was elected as the new World YWCA President and Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda as the appointed General Secretary. Brennan succeeds Monica Zetzsche who served as the World YWCA as President from 2003-2007; Gumbonzvanda succeeds Dr Musimbi Kanyoro, General Secretary from 1998-2007.
The Council also elected a new Board. For the first time in YWCA history, 55% of the World YWCA Board consists of young women 30 years old or under.
International Women's Summit highlights Women's Leadership on HIV and AIDS
In partnership with the International Community of Women living with HIV (ICW, the World YWCA hosted the first-ever international conference to focus on women's leadership on HIV and AIDS; at least 2000 people attended. Held as part of the Summit, a Positive Women's Forum brought together 281 HIV-positive women from every region of the world - the largest gathering of positive women to date.
Changing Lives, Changing Communities in Human Rights
In February-March 2008, the World YWCA participated at the CSW in New York with a delegation led by World YWCA President Susan Brennan. The 2007 World YWCA Council passed a resolution calling on the movement to implement and promote the United Nations Security Council 1325 on women, peace and security.
Changing Lives, Changing Communities in Leadership
The World YWCA launched the 'Honouring Women Leaders' campaign on World YWCA Day, April 2004, 2007. The programme invites member associations and individuals to honour exceptional leaders in the YWCA who have made a difference in the lives of their community.
Changing Lives, Changing Communities in Sustainable Development
The World YWCA believes poverty and hunger cannot be eradicated while many women around the world are underprivileged. YWCAs in 67 countries run programmes addressing women's economic justice and world debt.
Changing Lives, Changing Communities in HIV and AIDS
In 2006 the World YWCA was elected to the Conference Coordinating Committee (CCC) of the XVII International AIDS Conference (IAC) to represent civil society.The World YWCA held a series of workshops that prepared young women and women to participate at the IAC to ensure women and girls remain on the global AIDS agenda.
