WRJ Updates:

Breakthrough: Women, Faith, and Development Summit to End Global Poverty

In August of 2007, WRJ joined the Women, Faith & Development Alliance to work with internationally focused organizations to seek a breakthrough for women’s rights and poverty reduction globally. Go to  www.wfd-alliance.org for information about the alliance and its essential work.  On April 13 – 14, 2008, the alliance held a major conference Breakthrough: Women, Faith, and Development Summit to End Global Poverty, at which former WRJ presidents, Judith M. Hertz and Constance Kreshtool represented us. 

Each participating organization was asked to prepare a commitment statement regarding poverty reduction efforts.  The Women, Faith and Development website includes a brief synthesis of this statement at http://www.wfd-alliance.org/assets/docs/commitments.pdf.

WRJ will focus its new programming and enhanced advocacy efforts on reducing women’s poverty and promoting their well being worldwide by developing and disseminating programming resources to its affiliates and women’s networks in North America and abroad. The issues that these programs tackle include, primary and secondary education, abuse, trafficking, and sexual exploitation, and health. Resources for on-the-ground programs will be coupled with advocacy efforts that engage local women.

Since the summit we have been participating in alliance conference calls and related advocacy.  We call on you to take action  to help us fulfill our commitment.

Take Action:  Sign a petition to urge your senators and representatives to support The Global Resources and Opportunities for Women to Thrive (Growth) Act at http://www.womenthrive.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=131.