Zia Labidi-Maiza, Coordinator, Global Women of Faith Network, and Mary Robinson, Former President of IrelandThe Religions for Peace Global Women of Faith Network is a founding partner in a new partnership, the Women, Faith, and Development Alliance (WFDA). The Alliance combines the power of faith and secular communities to increase the political will and action to end global poverty through the advancement of women and girls. With the help of supporting faith communities, women’s groups, and development organizations, WFDA aims to affect policy change and increase financial investments for women’s and girl’s empowerment. The mission of WFDA rests on the conviction that empowered women are agents for development, and that promoting the equality of women and girls helps to reduce poverty and to benefit entire societies. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) established in 2000 call for gender equality and a 50 percent reduction in global poverty by 2015. The WFDA advocates that by tackling the MDGs from a gender perspective, these objectives can be more quickly and effectively achieved. Religions for Peace will play a leadership role in realizing WFDA’s goals by supporting the Alliance in multi-religious action on several core activities. By mobilizing women of faith, Religions for Peace and WFDA may better influence policy at the local, regional, and national levels. Religions for Peace will also support the implementation of Millennium Development Goal #3 on gender equality and women’s empowerment, and will assess the impact of government policies on women. By monitoring the real-life experiences of women, Religions for Peace will help bridge the gap between political policy and practice.
Stella Mulaeh, Coordinator, Global Youth NetworkIn April 2008 the WFDA convened leaders from faith communities, governments, donors, and NGOs for “Breakthrough: The Women, Faith and Development Summit to End Global Poverty.” Breakthrough will launch the WFDA’s five-year advocacy and action campaign for gender equality and women’s empowerment. The Summit will also be a forum for leaders to announce new commitments to engender global poverty alleviation efforts. In addition to Religions for Peace, cofounders of the WFDA include Washington National Cathedral’s Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, InterAction’s Commission on the Advancement of Women, and the Women’s Edge Coalition.
For more information on joining the alliance, please visit WFDA website at www.wfd-alliance.org.
Read the WFDA press release from Religions for Peace.
Watch the WFDA video about the Breakthrough Summit.
Watch the sermon by Dr. Agnes R. Abuom, member of the Religions for Peace World Council.
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