One Hundred Women: The (Unseen) Powerful Women Who Change the World
Complimenting existing lists of rich and powerful women, we want to shed more light on the huge impact women can have at all levels of leadership.
The list is now published!
The list has come through nominations; through networks, word of mouth and social media. The nominations include women from over 30 countries and span an extraordinary range of activity. We’ve published profiles of nominations under the following four categories:
Public service
Arts and media
Business and entrepreneur
Human rights
To see the list please go to the following site: http://oneworldaction.wordpress.com/100-unseen-powerful-women/
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Making abstract legal rights a reality for women around the world
One World Action showcased some of its work to promote women's access to justice at an event hosted by Matrix Chambers in London on 5 April. The event brought also together women working in the legal profession in the UK to make links between their work and the challenges facing our partners providing legal support to women around the world. Read more in our blog
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April 12: "Untouchable" in Mayfair
Over the last few years, One World Action has been working with Dalit women to overcome discrimination, exclusion and violence.
On Tuesday 12 April One World Action co-hosted the launch of the book "Bhimayana" at the Nehru Centre in London
Bhimayana is a groundbreaking and stunning graphic biography of the revolutionary icon, Dr Ambedkar. At the launch there were presentations from the publisher Anand and the Pardhan-Gond artists, Durgabai Vyam and Subhash Vyam, who created the work. In additioin Patrick French, author of India: A Portrait, Paul Gravett, the influential curator of comic art and poet Meena Kandasamy, author of Ms Militancy also spoke.
Read more about the event at our blog
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To Mark International Women's Day, One World Action discussed the challenges, opportunities and priorities for UN Women
To mark the centenary of International Women's Day, lst night One World Action and Young Fabian Women hosted an event in Parliament to discuss the new UN agency for gender equality and women’s empowerment – UN Women. A number of experts were invited to discuss the topic and the event was attended by OWA’s Women’s Rights Champions, trustees, and lots of wonderful More Women More Power campaigners.
The speakers included MP Rushanara Ali, VSO’s Kathy Peach, Baroness Glenys Kinnock, OWA’s new Director Hannah Davies and Helen Kijo-Bisimba, a lawyer from Tanzania who has been working on women’s rights for over 20 years. All of the speakers were amazing and brought to the table very different insights into the subject.
The speakers discussed the potential that UN Women has to improve the lives of women around the world, as well as the need to take positive and decisive action now. The subject of violence against women featured heavily in the discussion, as speakers drew upon their own experiences and the need to support women who experience violence by having an international organisation with sufficient clout to defend and fight for their rights. The speakers also considered the role of the UK government in funding UN Women, and the need for the agency to have a seat at decision-making tables within the UN itself.
We hope that everyone who attended last night’s event had an enjoyable, insightful and thought-provoking evening. We look forward to campaigning on women’s rights with you again soon!
10 March 2011
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One World Action awarded the 2010 One World Action/Sternberg Award to Moni Rani Das, Coordinator and founder of the Dalit Women’s Forum, in recognition of her dedication and courage in fighting caste discrimination in Bangladesh.
Moni has tirelessly struggled with other Dalit women to demand the right to education, health services, housing and other freedoms for Dalits. She lobbies government officials and international donors for the equal treatment of Dalits and for their inclusion in development. She recalls that she has faced discrimination and violence over the years, but that these have not deterred her from pressing on.
" I was a housewife myself for many years, but I said to myself that I could no longer just stay at home and ignore the problems of other Dalit women like myself. Before we started our work, Dalit women had no sense of their rights, how it was to earn their own money or dream of going to school or getting jobs. That is changing now."
Moni received the award on December 14 from the Ambassador of Sweden, Her Excellency Ms Nicola Clase (in photo), at an event called 'Celebrating Action for Women' held at the Ambassador's Residence in London. In attendance were Sir Sigmund Sternberg (in photo), who has sponsored the award for many years, Bridget Phillipson MP and campaigner Claire Leigh, who have just returned from a visit to Dalit communities in Dhaka. To learn about our work with Dalit communities in Dhaka, please click here.
20 December 2010
In October 2010, heads of state and governments from across Asia and Europe will meet in Brussels for the eighth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM-8) to discuss their future priorities and plans. While countries that comprise ASEM make up around 60 per cent of the world’s population, the agenda of these bi-annual meetings is dominated by powerful economic and financial interests.
The Asia Europe People's Forum (AEPF) began in 1996 in Bangkok in response and in parallel to the first ASEM summit. AEPF provides a space for citizens to share information and experiences, strengthen struggles and develop recommendations, campaigns and alternatives for both regions. (To read the AEPF Declaration from 2008, please click here.)
AEPF8 will be held from 2-5 October 2010 in Brussels focusing on the relation of corporate power to trade/investment, food sovereignty, climate change, decent work (including social protection) and peace and security. Join One World Action in October 2010 to build a more just and equal Asia-Europe! You can download the invitation letter here. For further information please visit the AEPF website.
04 June 2010
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One World Action are delighted to have been nominated as the chosen charity to benefit from the fourth Leigh Day & Co Charity Dragon Boat Race. Dragon Boat Racing is unique, fun, and exciting. For both the team paddling hard to win the race and supporters cheering them on - it creates a great sense of competitive team spirit! We are looking to persuade 15 teams to participate in this amazing event through firm’s sponsoring a boat for 11 of their colleagues and staff to compete against other organisations. We are also looking for supporters from each team to be there on the day to provide them with plenty of encouragement and to enjoy a mouth-watering barbecue. All organisations are being asked to make a donation of £500 (£250 for half team) minimum, in addition to the entry fee. The team raising the most money for One World Action will be awarded the charity trophy.
Date: Thursday 15 July 2010
Venue: Close to Green Lanes, London, N4 2HA (Nearest Tube: Manor House)
Time: 5pm – 10pm
No. of team members: full boat 10 crew members plus a drummer!
Entry fee: ** EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - FOR PAYMENT BEFORE 21ST MAY **
For info or to reserve a place:
Nisha Patel, Leigh Day & Co
npatel@leighday.co.uk
020 7650 1272
www.leighday.co.uk
The Ugly Truth: Threats to Women in Political Spaces
Date: 09 November 2009, 1-5pm
Venue:The Institute for the Study of the Americas, Chancellor's Hall, First Floor, Senate House, Malet Street London WC1E 7HU
Women have gained access to political power in Latin America partly as a result of quota systems and partly as a result of the grass roots social mobilisation that accompanied democratic transition. Yet in some countries women who participate politically are often targets for violence and abuse by partners, community or fellow public office holders. They can be intimidated out of office or into less substantial participation. Until violence and intimidation against women in the public sphere is tackled, women will remain unable to participate freely in governance structures, shape policy and practice sensitive to their needs or to exercise their civil and political rights.
This event will bring together councillors from Bolivia with UK policy makers, political parties, local government representatives, interested scholars, civil society organisations and students to learn about the Bolivian experience, share experience and strategies for tackling the threats to women in political spaces and to identify how to transform political processes here in the UK, so that political space is less threatening and more accessible for women.
To speak about the Bolivian experience are One World Action partners Maria Eugenia Valverde and Ana Maria Encina from the Association of Bolivian Councilwomen share their experience of threats to women in Bolivian political spaces. Dr Corinne Caumartin gives her perspective on violence, gender and politics in Latin America.
There will be panel presentations fromFiona McTaggart MP, member of the Speaker’s Conference (tbc); Cllr Rohini Simbodyal, one of the UK’s youngest councillors and representative of Young Labour; Vicky Booth, Liberal Democrats Campaign for Gender Balance; Lee Chalmers, Director of the Downing Street Project and Liz St Clair, Conservative Party Women’s Officer.
Extended conversation bettween panellists and participants on the way forward in transforming political processes so that political space is less threatening and more accessible for women.
Please register early to avoid disappointment as we have limited spaces. To book a place on the event, please contact Olga Jimenez at .
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National Conference on the role of informal women workers in Bangladesh
In October, Partnership of Women in Action (PaWA) in Bangladesh are holding a national conference on “The role of the informal sector in the Bangladesh economy, and the social and legal protection of informal sector workers”.
Over two days participants will be discussing the concerns of workers and developing recommendations to ensure that informal workers become visible, valued and protected.
Read the brochure of the event here.
For more information please visit www.nuhr.org
One World Action is delighted to be hosting a break-out session at the Robin Cook Memorial Conference, organised by Compass on June 13th. This year's conference is themed around building a new political and economic settlement for the 21st Century and includes over 40 sessions by leading think tanks and 90 speakers, including Harriet Harmon MP, Jon Cruddas MP, Baroness Helena Kennedy QC and Prof. Ruth Lister CBE.
So why don't you come along and join our debate, 'Business as Usual? Women's Voice in the New Political Economy'. With Natalie Bennett (Editor of the Guardian Weekly), Baroness Uddin (Chair of the BME Councillors Taskforce) and Carolina Gottardo (Head of Policy and Advocacy at OWA) confirmed to speak, this promises to be a day not to be missed.
Saturday 13th June, Institute of Education London.
To register, please click here.
Fore more information, please e-mail .
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Over 35,000 people marched through London as part of a global campaign on March 28 to challenge the G20, ahead of their 2nd April summit on the global financial crisis.
One World Action staff, volunteers and partners marched along to highlight the impact of the crisis on women and the bigger role that women must play to defeat poverty. Women are among the world's poorest and among the most vulnerable people affected by the crisis.
Delegations joined the march from around the world, including Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Korea, USA, Australia, South Africa, Zambia, Canada and the Philippines.
Jennifer Albano, director of the Institute for Politics and Governance (IPG) in the Philippines, was one of those who joined the march. IPG is a partner of One World Action.
The day's march is not the end of the campaign, but the start. The UK holds the chair of the G20 group for the rest of 2009 when the G8, the G20 and the United Nations all meet to chart a way through the recession. And 2009 ends with the vital Copenhagen climate conference. These are real opportunities to win substantial change for poor people and the environment that Put People First will use to advance the call for secure jobs, global justice and a safe climate.
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An amazing 676,743 people have crossed the London Marathon finish line since it started back in 1981, but of the many who apply, only a few runners are chosen to take part each year. Will you be one of the lucky ones running one of the world's largest, most prestigious marathons in 2009?
If you didn't manage to secure your own place through the ballot, look no further, One World Action still have a number of Gold Bond places left available... but only for a limited time!
In return for a Gold Bond place we ask that you raise a minimum of £1500 in sponsorship but of course, we provide plenty of support and materials to help each of our runners reach their target.
But the sky's the limit - the more money you raise, the more you'll be helping us to make a difference to the lives of some of the world's poorest people - so we'll support you at every step.
From a t-shirt and sponsor forms to get you started, to refreshments and a certificate at the end and much more in between!
Apply today by clicking here to download an application form or to find out more about running for One World Action, click here.
One World Action and Freshfields
A special thank you to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP who recently hosted a women’s networking event and drinks reception on behalf of One World Action.
The event - with working women for working women - brought together businesswomen and others from a variety of backgrounds to hear more about the work of One World Action partner, the Self Employed Women’s Association, who are helping to transform the lives of poor working women in India. On the night, guests enjoyed the opportunity to view the “Breaking Barriers, Building Change” photo exhibition which provides an eye-catching introduction to the work of SEWA and heard the story of Farida, one of the women featured.
Our thanks too, to all of the wonderful women (and a few gents too!) who joined us on the evening for a really positive and inspiring event.
You can see the photos here oneworldaction.org/photos_videos_audio/sewa_images_intro or read Farida’s story which was also featured as part of The Independent newspapers Christmas appeal here www.independent.co.uk/news/appeals/indy-appeal/independent-appeal-delhi-women-seek-their-fair-share-of-the-fashion-profits-1222869
For more info: contact Verity on 020 7278 2896 or
Dalits in Bangladesh are holding a national conference on Dalit human rights from January 16 and 17 in Dhaka. Dalits, formerly known as "untouchables", make up over 5 million of the population in Bangladesh. They live in extreme poverty, excluded from national life. They are coming together in this groundbreaking conference to connect with each other and address problems that confront Dalits all over Bangladesh: the need for shelter, education, jobs and basic services, the discrimination and exclusion they face, and possible ways of moving forward together.
You can download the conference leaflet here. For any questions on how you can get involved or support the conference, please e-mail .
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The 7th Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF) took place in Beijing from October 13 to 15. The theme for this year was "For Social and Ecological Justice".
One World Action was active at the AEPF, organising three workshops on women’s political participation, local governance and the MDGs. Representing One World Action in Beijing were Andy Rutherford (Head of International Partnerships), Bethan Cobley (Asia Regional Co-ordinator) and Tara Brace-John (Governance Policy Programme Co-ordinator). One World Action was one of the international organisers of the AEPF.
The AEPF brought together around 500 people from key grassroots and activist networks and NGOs from across Europe, Asia and China, including One World Action's Asian partners COMFREL, PRIA, IPG and IPD.
The main objective of this year's AEPF was to discuss alternatives in response to the current global financial, food, oil, and ecological crises , independently from the agenda of the formal governmental Asia Europe Summit Meeting - ASEM (held one week after the AEPF). AEPF hopes to challenge ASEM to change its neo-liberal economic policies. Among the key speakers were Walden Bello, Charles Santiago (member of the Malaysian Parliament) and Anuradha Chennoy.
Read the AEPF Final Declaration here (in MS Word format).
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One World Action and the Trade Justice Movement invite you to a Q&A with Walden Bello, an activist from the Philippines and fierce critic of corporate globalisation. He will speak on the collapse of the Doha trade negotiations and its implications on world trade and alter-globalisation movements. There will be time to ask questions following his talk.
Walden has taken an active role in opposing unfair trade agreements and has written extensively on the subject. In 2003, he won the Right Livelihood Award, also known as the "alternative Nobel". Walden is a professor of sociology at the University of the Philippines and senior analyst at Focus on the Global South, a research and advocacy institute based in Bangkok.
Date: 12th September 2008
Time: 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Venue: Room 2, Development House, 56-64 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4LT
RSVP: By 11th of September to Lisa Cecere -
To download the flyer for the event (with a map of the venue), please click here.
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LUPP (Luanda Urban Poverty Programme), One World Action's partner in Angola, has been nominated for UN Habitat's Scroll of Honour, the world's most prestigious human settlements award. LUPP began in 1999, bringing together various Angolan organisations with the overall goal of reducing poverty in Luanda. Among its pioneering achievements is promoting community-based approaches to secure basic services such as water and sanitation for poor communities.
The Scroll of Honour was launched in 1989 to recognise outstanding achievements in providing shelter, highlighting the plight of the homeless and improving urban life. For more information about the award, please visit the UN Habitat website.
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Running for Change
Foul weather did not stop 17 One World Action runners from completing the annual British 10K run last July 6. The team included One World Action Director Graham Bennett and Fundraiser Verity Owers. They were among the 25,000 runners who trained, pushed their limits and ran 10 kilometers in the rain to raise funds for various causes and charities. Thank you to all of you on behalf of One World Action partners!
If you would like to take on a challenge to raise funds for One World Action, please look at the many options available here. The funds you raise make a real difference in the lives of poor, excluded women, men and communities in Asia, Africa and Latin America. For more information on our partners and our work around the world, please click here.
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Troy Aitken
“I am from Australia and have been living in London for the last two years. The opportunity to run down this famous strip in London was too good to pass up so I've decided to run the British 10km. I have a particular interest in the developing world as I've worked in various parts of Africa over the last 6 years. Recently, I returned from volunteering in SW Rwanda in an isolated location managing the building of a new school. From the moment I stepped on the tarmac at Kigali airport (Rwanda) I was touched by the spirit and warmth of the Rwandan people. The people especially the children welcomed me with open arms from day one and gave me the strength to carry out the project with their full support. Their infectious smiles and laughter will live with me forever. Africa has always fascinated me and I like to support charities that do wonderful work in this continent. One such charity that has impressed me with their work is One World Action. Their work in Africa dealing with issues on a community level with local people has seen them deliver much needed results. With this motivation I've decided to run the British 10km in 2008.”
To sponsor Troy, click here www.justgiving.com\troyaitken1
Katharina Loehr 
“I’m a volunteer at the OWA office. I studied African Studies at University in Berlin and a Masters in Conflict and Development Studies here in London. I really wanted to volunteer for OWA to see how the theory I learned applies in practice. The 10k Run was the perfect opportunity to get back into a running habit and living close to the Canal as well as the Thames River enables me to train alongside one of the most fantastic skylines in the world. Here’s me at the Thames Barrier in Greenwich! I haven’t done much fundraising before and needed some support to get started with it. But the fundraising team provided everything: a fundraising pack, sponsor forms, excellent advice and materials like leaflets and posters. I also met other runners at a Reception to learn more about OWA’s work which was very useful. My target of £250 is now well in sight and I’m aiming to raise even more! Having seen where the money I’m raising goes, I’m really happy to know my contribution will make a difference. “
To sponsor Katharina, click here - http://www.justgiving.com/katharina
Verity and the Hairy Monsters Team
"I'm the Fundraiser here at OWA and before taking part in the British 10k, would never have described myself as a runner! I was asking some other friends if they wanted to take part and when they said, okay, we will if you will, I thought why not? So that's how I've found myself running as part of the Hairy Monsters Team! The team is made up of myself and two of my best friends, Trina and Joanna. The main thing about taking part isn't about the running, it's about doing something real to help make a difference to the lives of people in living in extreme poverty. It was something I saw first hand while I was travelling and something I was determined to do something about when I returned to the UK so I feel privileged to have that opportunity. I just never realised that would involve running 10km (6.2 miles no less) through the streets of London dressed in a red tutu, streamers and running vest!!"
To sponsor the Hairy Monsters made up of Verity, Trina and Jo click here - www.justgiving.com/3foroneworldaction
If you’ve been inspired to get active for One World Action, click here for details of other events you could take part in!
Breaking Barriers, Building Change is an exhibition of ground breaking photographs of working women in India. In spite of India's economic growth, majority of its 1.1 billion population live on less than £1a day. Women workers bear the brunt of this poverty and are amongst the most exploited of India's poor. These photographs show them as they go about their work as vendors, construction workers and other jobs in India's informal economy.
The photographs were conceived and shot by Sanjay Kumar, Co-ordinator of SEWA Bharat. SEWA is the Self Employed Women's Association, a trade union movement of women workers in India and a partner of One World Action.
Co-ordinated by One World Action and funded the Department for International Development (DFID), the exhibition runs until June 6 at the House of Commons. Upon launching, it was viewed by Jeremy Corbyn MP (top photo, shown with One World Action chair Maureen Donnelly). On the right, One World Action volunteers Anne Mosley and Aad Wielaard explain the situation of women workers in India to Emily Thornberry MP.
To view these powerful photographs online, please click here.
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One World Action partner COWLHA wins UNDP Red Ribbon Award
The Coalition of Women Living with HIV/AIDS-Malawi (COWLHA) is among the 25 organisations to receive the Red Ribbon award for 2008 given out by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The award is in recognition of COWLHA's exceptional work to empower and address the needs of People Living with HIV/AIDS. 
COWLHA has a membership of 20,000 women and girls in Malawi. One World Action supports them in their struggle to address the widespread stigma and discrimination they face within their families, communities and workplaces and in accessing healthcare and other government services. "They operate out of a one-room office with no telephones and a mouldy roof that is caving in, but this acknowledgement bears witness to their strength as a collective," says Wendy Ngoma, One World Action's Regional Co-ordinator for Africa. Please click here for more information on COWLHA.
The Red Ribbon award will be given out at the AIDS Conference to be held in Mexico in August 2008. The representatives from all winning organisations will host a Community Dialogue Space at the Global Village during the Conference.
