Press Statement
April 2013
Diplomatic Courier Reflects on International Women's Month
WASHINGTON, DC: With April showers on the horizon, the Diplomatic Courier reflects on International Women's Month and the many activities aimed at empowering females that occurred in March 2013. Since the founding of the Diplomatic Courier, the rights of women and young girls around the world have been closest to the heart of the publication. Each year, the Diplomatic Courier dedicates the March/April edition to the tremendous accomplishments and efforts of women who lead, help, and support each other.
Press Statement
April 2013
Diplomatic Courier Reflects on International Women's Month
WASHINGTON, DC: With April showers on the horizon, the Diplomatic Courier reflects on International Women's Month and the many activities aimed at empowering females that occurred in March 2013. Since the founding of the Diplomatic Courier, the rights of women and young girls around the world have been closest to the heart of the publication. Each year, the Diplomatic Courier dedicates the March/April edition to the tremendous accomplishments and efforts of women who lead, help, and support each other.
While gearing up for International Women's Month, the Diplomatic Courier moderated the release of "Accessing Justice: Models, Strategies, and Best Practices on Women's Empowerment," a report by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), in February. Accessing Justice challenges conventional wisdom of favouring formal justice and shows that informal justice systems can change. Far from being static, custom responds to sensitive intervention and women's empowerment. On the panel with Editor-in-Chief Ana C. Rold were Irene S. Khan, Director-General of IDLO, and Rangita de Silva de Alwis, Director, Global Women's Leadership Initiative (GWLI), Council of Women World Leaders. Read Arun S. Nair's analysis of the report in this Diplomatic Courier article.
The Diplomatic Courier was honored to participate in, host, and co-host a number of events related to International Women's Month. On March 20th, Ana C. Rold, Editor-in-Chief, sat on the head table at the National Press Club Luncheon for an address and discussion with Kathy Calvin, President and CEO of the United Nations Foundation. Read the Diplomatic Courier's profile of Calvin here and our live tweets from the event here.
Later that evening, the Diplomatic Courier and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy hosted the "Female Ambassador's Forum" at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The evening honored diplomatic ladies past and present who were pioneers in their fields. Her Excellency Paula Dobriansky, former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, gave Special Introductory Remarks. Ambassador Lisa Gable (ret.), 2005 World Exposition in Japan and Advisory Board Member, and Ambassador Carmen Moreno, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women at the Organization of American States where in the late 1990s she also served as Mexico's Permanent Representative, joined the roundtable discussion to examine the role of women and international diplomacy, and what global women leaders are doing to improve conditions for their gender worldwide.
On Thursday, March 21st, Kathryn H. Floyd, Diplomatic Courier's Spokesperson, advised adults and students alike at the College of William and Mary's Women's Mentoring Panel "Reframing Work/Life Balance: Integrating for a Flourishing Life." Floyd offered advice such as "put down the cell phone at the dinner table," but also encouraged young women not to compare themselves to their peers and instead focus on what makes each person feel fulfilled.
Lastly, the Diplomatic Courier was pleased to announce that it will be once again be involved in the Susan G. Komen Global Race for the Cure on May 11th. Stay tuned for information on our booth and how to cheer on our runners. Click to read our Profile of Nancy Brinker, CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure & UN Goodwill Ambassador.
Diplomatic Courier Expert Commentary:
Ana C. Rold, Editor-in-Chief: "The 21st Century has undeniably been the women's century-a century that saw women make remarkable leaps in breaking gender-based barriers. The question is not ‘if' but ‘when' will women break the next gender-based barrier. But, this is not just about helping women become prime ministers. Whether it is teaching my little girl to read or helping mothers like mine fight breast cancer, I believe each and everyone one of us can make a difference for the next generation of young ladies."
Margery Kraus, Founder & CEO of APCO Worldwide, in "Building a Global Business: A Woman's Perspective": "I think being a woman leader gave our firm a very different culture and created a sense of community internally that attracted excellent people-male and female-who liked being in a place where their work could speak for itself and they could grow as they contributed to the success of the firm. It is the combined effort of these people who came (and continue to come) to the firm from a variety of cultures, backgrounds, religions and geographies that caused the firm to grow."
The Honorable Patricia de Stacy Harrison, President and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, in a Diplomatic Courier Interview: "Many women worldwide are trying to meet the challenges imposed by their cultures in terms of personal safety and the ability to be free to choose how they will lead their lives. When women are in danger because of how they dress, or if they choose to pursue higher education, or create a business, then all people should be concerned. We can follow the trajectory of women in business, politics, and in the community through PBS's "MAKERS: Women Who Make America." Millions of women have altered every aspect of American culture and MAKERS tells the story of these exceptional American women-famous and unknown-whose pioneering contributions continue to shape the world in which we live."
Alyse Nelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Vital Voices Global Partnership, in "Shared Progress: Mentoring Women Leaders": "If we want to see equitable growth and spark economic progress, we need to commit resources and effort to cultivate women's leadership. Ultimately, investing in women is about much more than women. The benefits of women's economic empowerment transcend economic indicators-they enhance societal and political moves for progress."
Cora Neumann and Anita McBride, Co-Founders, African First Ladies Initiative in "How Africa's First Ladies Give Back": "In the case of first ladies, influence and goodwill at the national level are not matched by authority and the requisite infrastructure at an operational level. Instead, the majority of the world's first ladies operate on little-to-no budget; volunteer staff; and part-time advisors - despite expectations that they should play notable, active roles in advancing key national causes."
Additional Articles, Profiles, and Interviews on Women's Rights:
"The First Woman To…," a report resulting from a Wikistrat crowdsourced speed simulation, which over the course of 48 hours involved 40 analysts from around the world. The simulation looks at what influential positions and/or deeds will be held/conducted by a woman in the future and the impact on tomorrow's geopolitical landscape. The simulation exercise ponders scenarios such as the first woman to: Become Madam President of the United States and the Republican Presidential Nominee; Be a Gunman that Kills a Large Number of People; Be allowed to Drive in Saudi Arabia; Become Archbishop of Canterbury; Walk on Mars; and Carry a Transgenic Human-Animal Hybrid to Term.
"Protesting Pervasive Misogyny," a vibrant depiction of gender discrimination by Akanksha Mehta accompanied by stunning portraits of Indian women and girls for this edition's Gallery of Moments.
Q&A with Shari Arison, American-Israeli Businesswoman and Owner, Arison Group
Q&A with Carmine Branagan, Director, National Academy Museum and School
Q&A with Charito Kruvant, President and CEO, Creative Associates International
Interview: "Dr. Agnes Bingawaho, Rwanda's Minister of Health," by Calie Hill, Diplomatic Courier
Profile of Mari Skåre, NATO's Women, Peace and Security Representative
"Feminism in the East: A Centuries-Old Tradition," by Noorjahan Akbar, Women's Rights Activist in Afghanistan
"Why We Care: Global Leaders Council for Reproductive Health," by Joyce Banda, President of Malawi
"The Business Network of Women's Economic Empowerment," by Taryn Bird, Senior Manager, Business Civic Leadership Center, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
"Supporting Future Young Women Leaders," by Jaime Horn, Director, The Andi Leadership Initiative
"Making an Impact: Women Scholars in IR," by Yogesh Joshi and Sharma Pathak, contributors
"A Future Fortified by Women," by Adrianna Logalbo, Manager, Constituency Mobilization, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition
"Women Enabled," by Stephanie Ortoleva, International Human Rights Lawyer
"Tajik Hope: Reflections on Engaging Women in Kapisa Province," by Naheed Vadsaria, contributor
For more information on the Diplomatic Courier or to request interviews with the authors, contact press@diplomaticourier.org.
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About Us: The Diplomatic Courier is the global affairs magazine that connects the diplomatic and policy establishment to the next generation of leaders in diplomacy and foreign policy. The Diplomatic Courier publishes six print issues per year, as well as weekly online content and a daily blog, On Point. Readers can preview the print editions and subscribe here. The Diplomatic Courier is an independent publication both in its voice and its organization. Publishing opinions from all political spectrums, the Courier adheres to the ideals of freedom of expression, individualism, and fair and balanced journalism.
