IWD-Women’s Day- March 8
March 6, 2010
Women: They are half of the world’s population, make up 42% of global internet users and control $14 trillion in assets. They also do two-thirds of the world’s work yet receive only 10% of the income. They are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. In many parts of the world, they lack basic economic, social, cultural, and political rights.
This Sunday, March 8th is International Womens Day (IWD). It is an international celebration marking the achievements of women and their importance to our future.
The IWD website posts:
“IWD is now an official holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. The tradition sees men honouring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. In some countries IWD has the equivalent status of Mother’s Day where children give small presents to their mothers and grandmothers.
The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation. Many from a younger generation feel that ‘all the battles have been won for women’ while many feminists from the 1970’s know only too well the longevity and ingrained complexity of patriarchy. With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life, one could think that women have gained true equality. The unfortunate fact is that women are still not paid equally to that of their male counterparts, women still are not present in equal numbers in business or politics, and globally women’s education, health and the violence against them is worse than that of men.
However, great improvements have been made. We do have female astronauts and prime ministers, school girls are welcomed into university, women can work and have a family, women have real choices. And so the tone and nature of IWD has, for the past few years, moved from being a reminder about the negatives to a celebration of the positives.
Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.”
Visit the International Womens Day (IWD) website to find an event in your community. Better yet, volunteer with an organization that supports women and girls. Keep up to date on issues affecting women around the globe and inform others. Post links to news stories on your Facebook or MySpace page, etc. Contact your government representatives to voice your opinions and learn more about legislation that affects women and girls. Finally, as authored on the IWD site, “Make every day International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.”
Statistics from IWD website: www.internationalwomensday.com.
WIN A SCHOLARSHIP: GYV Essay Contest!
February 17, 2010
Enter our Global Youth Essay Contest between February 20-April 10, 2010! Your essay must answer the question “How can I use technology to change the World.” The winners will receive full or partial scholarships to this summer’s program. Click here for offical rules and details.
Contest Overview
- You must be ages 15-18 and a US citizen
- Essays should not exceed 500 words
- You must read the official rules
- Essays should be e-mailed to gyv@legacyintl.org
- Essays should be submitted between February 20- April 10th
- Your essay will be judged on
- (a) overall creativity (20%),
- (b) content for your proposal on how using technology can change the world (70%)
- (c) overall grammatical and structural fluency (10%)
Make 2010 a Year of Service
January 15, 2010
Community service projects are the foundation of bridging social barriers. This year we each have the opportunity to serve our neighboring communities by becoming involved in a community project. It is amazing the difference one person can make! National holidays, such as the Martin Luther King Day of Service, provide the perfect venue to get started. Just a few ways you could help out:
• Collecting items for charity such as clothes, food, or furniture.
• Cleaning roadside verges.
• Helping the elderly in nursing homes.
• Helping the local fire or police service.
• Helping out at a local library.
• Tutoring children with learning disabilities.
• Participating in school activities that benefit the wider community.
Indonesians launch community projects
October 8, 2009
The 17 Indonesian students have returned home with plans to improve their communities. Learn more about their projects.
“Green Is Possible, Plant A Tree With Us”
Muhammad Nizar Sohyb, Hafidz Syaifullah, Yunitha P.D.
SMAN 2 Kota Bima
Jl. Garuda Raba Kota Bima
Bima is a dry town, surrounded by mountains that have no trees. It has a lot of water and air pollution problems. This project is intended to help Bima become more green by planting trees to generate cleaner air and more oxygen.
The group will request 100 trees from the Department of Forestry in September. They will invite volunteers from their school and other nearby schools to help plant the trees in Bima between September and November. After that, they will organize the regular watering of the trees.
“English Meeting Club: Date With English So You Can Climb To The Stars.”
Wariadi H.F., Raodhatul Jannah, and Fitri Kurniaty
SMAN 1 Bima Town
Soekarno Hatta 2b, Raba- Kota Bima
The students in this school have too few English classes, and are not motivated to practice English language. This club will create a unique and comfortable situation in a beautifully decorated room to motivate students to study English.
The group will seek the donation of Rp. 500 by September 30, and recruit 20 interested students. They will invite one of the English teachers to help teach the students, and get permission for the use of a room at the school. The meetings will include introductions, stories, games, correction, and guidance.
“Orphanage Needs Help”
Melissa Sevlina, Frisilya Simanjuntak, and Wilson Luganto Sitompul
Methodist 1 Senior High School
Jendral Sudirman St. KM. 3.9
Palembang, South Sumatra
The project will collect and provide books, school supplies, and teaching services to a local orphanage.
The group will invite 3 teachers and a student organization to join this project. They hope to collect donations of at least $50.00 US, books on science, social studies, and nature, and various school supplies. Then they will visit the orphanage and interact direction with the children there.
“1000 Trees 4 Green Future”
Julio Cesar and Ahmad Hidayat
SMKN 1 Karawang
Jl. Pangkal Perguangan, Karawang
The project will increase the amount of trees planted in the city with a goal of reducing flooding, pollution, and producing more oxygen.
The group will publicize their project and find volunteers. Then they will collect funds and order supplies (500 seeds and 50 kg of manure). They will organize groups of volunteers to plant the seeds during October and November on weekends.
“Green P-Plas (Paper – Plastic Recycling)”
Hafiza Dhyantry Ramadhini and Ismiana Putri
SMAN 2 Sekayu
Jl. Kol. Wahid Uddin LK. 1 Kayu Ara
Sekayu, Sumatra Selatan
The project will contribute to a better environment by encouraging the recycling of paper and plastic.
The group will invite volunteers from existing student organizations to join the project. They will raise additional materials and funds. Then they will create a training program for the volunteers and do a recycling project.
“Planet Skills For Children”
Duwi Diyadi Putra and Syahrial Saputra
SMA Negeri 2 Sekayu
Jalan Kolonel Wahid Udin, Lingkungan 1
Kayuara, Sekayu, Musi Banyuasin, Sumatra Selatan
The project will create a short course for 5th and 6th graders to improve their English speech and writing skills.
The group will collect 50 students for the class. They will raise $150 in additional funds from a sponsor. An evaluation test will be given at the end of the course to the students, as well as prizes for the best students.
“To Develop Creativity Through A Wall Magazine”
Ipah Hanipah and Kiki Baehaky
Ma Miftahul Huda Tegalwaru – Karawang
Jln. Logi pangkalan ds. Cintalaksana
Kcc. Tegalwaru. Karawang, West Java
The project will create a wall magazine to help students improve their writing skills. The existing wall magazine area will be repaired. A competition will be launched with prizes for the winners.
The group will interest at least 30 students in the project and collect poetry, quatrains, and other writings. The writings will be posted on the wall magazine.
“Google (Go Green By Recycling With Teenagers)”
Duhita Anindyajati, Firdiliawan Zulvi, and Winny Sesyarea
SMAN 3 Depok,
Jalan Roden Saleh No. 45 Depok, West Java
The project will motivate students to clean up the school and recycle various kinds of trash: cans, paper, bottles, and plastic.
The group will create a Recycling Club, and recruit volunteers. They will raise additional funds, conduct a recycling class, and create and implement a recycling project.
Helping at a Habitat House
October 21, 2008
One day during the three week session, we split into teams and worked at different local Service projects. Some of us helped at Habitat for Humanity. We learned about how people qualify for homes, how they give back -all while doing the landscaping. Service projects are a great way to get involved. Some of my international friends gained ideas from the US non-profit models. Many hands make light work.
Adopt a Highway
October 10, 2008
It takes just a couple hours with lots of helpers to keep a stretch of country road clean of litter. Its fun in the sun, and you learn how you can initiate the same action in your home town.
