Forum Focuses on Role of Women in Advancing Human Rights
Event reflects on the positive impact that empowering women has had in the field of human rights.
Mrs. Mary Rusimbi (left) and Mrs. Mary Robinson will both be in attendance at the human rights forum. Images courtesy of www.materdeiafrica.org and www.wikipedia.org.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) hosts the 16th Annual Civil Society Forum on Friday 31st March, 2017 at Dublin Castle. The theme for this year's event is: "Making a Difference: The positive role of women in advancing human rights." Former President of Ireland, Mary Robinson, will deliver the keynote address at the forum.
Mrs Robinson became the first women President of Ireland in 1990 before taking-up the post of United Nations (UN) Commissioner for Human Rights in 1997. Later she served as the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy on Climate Change and also to the Great Lakes Region of Africa. The Great Lakes act as important regulators for the climate in the entire East Africa Region. Some of the lakes form the border for Tanzania to the north (Lake Victoria), west (Lake Tanganika) and south (Lake Malawi) of Tanzania. The OLA Sisters have had a presence in northern Tanzania since 1991 and currently have mission areas in Mwanza, Bugisi and Mwamapalala.
The Great Lakes of Africa. Image courtesy of www.wikipedia.org.
The day long event in Dublin Castle includes three panels of speakers for three different topics. Mary Rusimbi, Executive Director and co-founder of Women Fund Tanzania will participate in the panel which will reflect on the theme of 'Women as Global Activists'. Women Fund Tanzania is a women’s rights fund focused on empowering local women.
Empowerment of women is a central part of the OLA Sisters' identity. The Sisters often work in areas where girls do not have ready access to schools while also providing health care and offering support to women suffering from Gender Based Violence (GBV). Sr. Majella McCarron, OLA will represent the OLA Sisters at the human rights forum in Dublin Castle.
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