A different world is possible, says World YWCA General Secretary in World YWCA Day message 2009
Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, World YWCA General Secretary has prepared a video message for World YWCA Day and calls on the movement to help create a safe world.“YWCA as a movement affirms that every day women are creating a safe world around them. Every day, women are finding creative and innovative programmes, projects and activities that ensure safety. But also, women around the world are asking for accountability,” says Gumbonzvanda to the movement. “ Women of the world want to live a life free of violence, free of HIV, free of disease and free of poverty.”
World YWCA Day on April 24 is designed to connect YWCAs to the collective power of a movement that changes the lives of women and girls worldwide. The theme for this year's World YWCA Day is ‘Women Creating a Safe World’. The theme builds on the upcoming World YWCA Council 2011 in Zurich, Switzerland that will focus on the importance of personal and community security for women and young women and will explore the links between violence and HIV and AIDS.
Gumbonzvanda urges the YWCA movement to use World YWCA Day to honour women leaders, share skills with local YWCAs, and donate to the Power to Change Fund. “ On World YWCA Day, we are saying it is possible to have a different world; where humanity is celebrated, where human dignity is a lived experience, everywhere, everyday.”
The video message is a ‘great communication tool’ for member associations to share on World YWCA Day says World YWCA Fundraising Co-ordinator Lynn Sorrentino. “YWCAs around the world can share the message of the General Secretary with their members and partners. They can use the video as an introduction for their Around the World Breakfasts, or as an introduction for other fundraising events,” reflects Sorrentino. “The video message reaffirms the purpose of the World YWCA. It is a great tool to share with new members and potential partners, and the video message reminds staff and volunteers of the importance of the global work of the YWCA movement."
- View the World YWCA Day Video message from World YWCA General Secretary on the World YWCA You Tube page
- Read the transcript of the video message in English, français or español
