An impressive line up of women leaders from the Asia and Pacific region joined participants of the YWCAs RTI on August 2 to officially open the weeklong training “Women Creating Safe and Secure Communities”, being held in Bali Indonesia from August 2-7, 2009.
Hosted by the YWCA of Indonesia and World YWCA, guest speakers at the official opening included The Deputy Minister Dr Setiawati Arifin MSc, who spoke on behalf of the Prof Dr. Meutia Hatta Swasono, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment, Luh Putu Haryani, SE, MM, Deputy Governor of Women’s Empowerment in Bali Province, Dr Sharon Bong, Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Malaysia, former Vice President of the YWCA of Malaysia Rev Rosmalia Barus ,Theresia Rooroh, President of YWCA of Indonesia and World YWCA President Susan Brennan.
“The Asia and Pacific YWCAs RTI is a very important event, bearing in mind that the fulfilment of women’s reproductive rights and HIV and AIDS are major issues that need to be addressed by various parties, namely from the smallest unit of family, community, the nation and state up to the regional level”, said Deputy Minister Dr Setiawati Arifin MSc in her address. “The current health conditions of women and girls still causes a great deal of concern, calling for breakthrough efforts both in preventing setbacks as well as in accelerating the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015.”
Dr Sharon Bong stressed the need for society to understand that human rights are universal. “In the 21st century, so much more work needs to be done to fully realise women’s human rights in our local and global communities” said Dr Bong. Reflecting on the theme of the RTI she declared “YWCAs, in creating safe and secure communities for women and for all become unsafe spaces for exclusivity, fundamentalism and intolerance of differences—sex, ethnicity, class, age, political persuasion, religious affiliation and sexual orientation from within and without the YWCA. As YWCAs become platforms for social change and member associations, agents of social change, we are called upon to embrace inclusiveness, a radical openness and respect for differences that matter.”
Susan Brennan, World YWCA President also spoke during the official opening and noted the contribution of the YWCA in bringing the voice of women and girls to local, national and international levels. “YWCAs advocate for investment in women and girls, safety, accountability and the elimination of stigma as we bring members associations to the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific,” said Brennan. “The advocacy YWCAs are doing create safe and secure spaces for women and girls.”
Brennan also urged participants to think deeply about what safety and security truly means to the YWCA movement. “ We are coming together to create safe and secure spaces for women and girls. Spaces which are free from violence and war, free from want and discrimination, spaces in which women and girls realise their full potential. We believe that all women are entitled to live in safety and security – whatever our status, circumstance or background, whatever their race, religion, culture, age, ability or sexuality. Whatever our differences.”
In closing, Brennan reminded participants of the importance of young women’s leadership in the YWCA movement. “ Young women should not be the leaders of tomorrow, they should be the decision makers of today. Celebrating and promoting their equal status is one of my priorities and I will make sure that the voice of the young women will be put on the agenda.”
The Asia Pacific YWCAs RTI programme will continue during the week with training for programme delivery in the area of sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV and AIDS, violence against women and disaster preparedness.
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