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[shinirm]

Women in the World 2013 Summit

Ireh Shin

This summit was great. I feel so blessed to have been able to attend this conference. I am so grateful to be a part of the Institute for Women’s Leadership as an IWL scholar and student in this course. My affiliation with the IWL has provided me with access and opportunities that would not be afforded to me otherwise. As a result, I am eternally thankful.

This conference was inspirational, motivational, problematic, and frustrating. There were so many panels that were engaging and empowering, however, there were also many panels that perpetuated stereotypes of other countries that “other-ized” individuals. In addition, panels also portrayed the United States as more superior. I was most insulted how the panels focused mostly on the developing world and treated violations against women as a problem that does not effect women in the United States. In addition, I did not appreciate how the commentators were mostly famous white individuals sensationalizing other counties.

Besides the free drinks and snacks, I enjoyed hearing about females leaders around the world and how they are changing the status quo. I was most impressed and engaged by Thursdays Panel: The Next Generation of Malalas. There were three fantastic and inspirational female leaders that presented: Humaira Bachal, Khalida Brohi, and Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy. Humaira and Khalida are both in their early twenties and already changing the lives of young girls in Pakistan. Both Humaira and Khalida have advocated for and were able to get funding to construct schools in their villages so girls can pursue an education. Furthermore, even at their young age and as women living in an oppressed male dominated society, they are respected by the men elders in their communities. These women both openly spoke to the men in their community with conviction and strength, which resulted in establishment of schools for girls. These women have a burning passion to make a difference, to make sure all the girls in Pakistan have access to education, and they will not quit until they make this a widespread reality. Further, they do not fear death or danger, as their passion is too strong. A quote by Khalida stood out to me. While her parents feared her safety and begged her to stop her activism, she responded with, “Not doing this work would kill me. Doing this work is keeping me alive. Let me go.” Her words are so powerful and moving. Their stories were so memorable and moving because it gives me hope that I can also achieve greatness. I also posses this eagerness to devote my life so social justice. While I do not know if I will ever be as courageous as these women, I am sure that I also can change the world!

In addition to hearing phenomenal panels like The Next Generation of Malalas, I am thankful to have heard of wonderful female innovators. Too often women scientists and innovators are not publicized. For example, Kavita Shukla is a young female inventor who created Fresh Paper. Fresh Paper allows fruit and produce to stay fresh longer. Using Fresh Paper, she is attempting to change the nature of poverty. She wants to make fresh food more accessible for all and to reduce the food shortage in the world. This woman is truly a female leader!

Contrastingly, I was unimpressed by the sensationalization and exoticism of women from the global south. In addition, I was deeply offended that rarely any panels shed light on the atrocities and violence against women iin the United States. The audience really needed to hear how trafficking, rape, gang violence, etc are all happening in the United States as well.

Ultimately, attending this conference was an unforgettable experience. I am so thankful to have been able to attend. Thank you, Debbie W. and the IWL!

[shinirm]

Monday March 11, 2013 CSW Parallel Events

Ireh Shin

(Photo of Ambassador Cabactulan, Philippines)

Today, I attended a myriad of impressive parallel events. I will focus this entry on a workshop hosted by the Interfaith Center on "Corporate Responsibility NGO Committee to Stop Trafficking in Persons." The panelist included: Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Philippines, Libran N. Cabactulan, head of the UN Global Compact Office, Ursula Wynhoven, Director of Corporate Responsibility at Real Hospitality Group, Jami Day, and one other panelist that I do not recall. This event was moderated by Jackie Shapiro from ECPAT- USA. 

This panel was engaging, however, in comparison to the other events I attended, the panelists seemed like a third party, not personally enmeshed with trafficking. Furthermore, it was not emotive, but educational in a textbook sort of way. The speakers did not share stories of trafficking victims/survivors, that illuminated their voices, but shared more of how their organizations were tackling the issue of trafficking. 

Ambassador Cabactulan highlighted a few interesting things. He mentioned the 3 P's to combating trafficking: Promote, Protect, Persecution. And reiterated the important of culture and keeping in mind the cultural dimension intertwined in the 3 P's. (As a Cultural Anthropology double major, I was thrilled he acknowledged culture as a monumental component!) For example, he said that that the Philippines have been relatively successful in Promoting and Protecting trafficking, however, as a society, they need to work on Persecution. Filipino culture as a whole is non-confrontational; as a result, the nation needs to work on addressing confrontation. He compared this with the culture of United States, which is one of fervid confrontation and persecution. 

He also mentioned that there was a missing component in the 3 P's, Partnership. Himself and all the panelists stressed the importance of international collaboration on eradicating trafficking. Trafficking is not an issue impacting one country, but it is ubiquitous. It is not only about the supplier country, but also the countries with the demand that need to rally together to combat trafficking. He encouraged the audience to stress to their governments the importance of allocating more funds and resources to the trafficking movement. 

Lastly, he also highlighted the ominous issue of language in drafting trafficking provisions. Member states often argue over the use of the term victim vs. survivor when producing text. I thought this dilemma was quite interesting. I am unsure where I stand on this debate. 

One last comment, an appalling statistic was shared: the trafficking industry produces a global annual profit of 31.6 billion US dollars. Profits are so high because unlike PURCHASING weapons or drugs, individuals simply TAKE women and girls... 

Ultimately, there was so much more covered during this panel, but these were the points that resonated with me most.