Past Events
March Is Women’s History Month
CSW59/Beijing+20 (2015)
The fifty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women will take place at United Nations Headquarters in New York from 9 to 20 March 2015. Representatives of Member States , UN entities, and ECOSOC-accredited non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from all regions of the world attend the session.
Themes
The main focus of the session will be on the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, including current challenges that affect its implementation and the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of women. The Commission will undertake a review of progress made in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, 20 years after its adoption at the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995. The review (Beijing+20) will also include the outcomes of the 23rd special session of the General Assembly, the first five-year assessment conducted after the adoption of the Platform for Action, which highlighted further actions and initiatives.
The session will also address opportunities for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of women in the post-2015 development agenda.
Theme: “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!”
Please join USNC-UN Women National Capital for International Women’s Day, celebrated globally on 8 March, will highlight the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a historic roadmap signed by 189 governments 20 years ago that sets the agenda for realizing women’s rights. While there have been many achievements since then, many serious gaps remain.
This is the time to uphold women’s achievements, recognize challenges, and focus greater attention on women’s rights and gender equality to mobilize all people to do their part. The Beijing Platform for Action focuses on 12 critical areas of concern, and envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in societies free from violence and discrimination.
To this end, the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is the clarion call of UN Women’s Beijing+20 campaign “Empowering Women, Empowering Humanity: Picture it!” Join governments and activists across the world in commemorating the ground-breaking Conference of 1995. We celebrate the many achievements that have come since then and galvanize action to address the gaps that still remain in making gender equality a reality.
Join our Facebook Live event with Emma Watson this Sunday 8 March
British actor and UN Women Global Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson will take part in a special Facebook Live event in London as part of International Women’s Day on Sunday, 8 March, at 5 p.m. GMT (1 p.m. EST).
Audience members were selected after taking part in a contest, in which youth in London were invited to submit a personal story of impact and actions they have taken to advance gender equality, in 500 words or less, with one to two photos or a short video. UN Women then selected the 120 individuals to become audience members for this special event.
The United States National Committee for UN Women National Capital primary goal is to eliminate discrimination and end violence against women and girls; we work to promote the Beijing+20 and the coming together of various sectors and stakeholders in support of the gender equality and women’s empowerment agenda.
A Movement is Building
All over the world, men are taking a stand for gender equality. See how many men in your country have committed. Join them and move your country into the lead.
HeForShe
UN Women Solidarity Movement for Gender Equality
Sign Up and Take Action Today!
Our goal is to mobilize “one billion men by July 2015” to help communities around the world develop sustainable and transformative programs to promote gender equality.
Now it’s time to unify our efforts. HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality that brings together one half of humanity in support of the other half of humanity, for the benefit of all.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
The National Capital Chapter of the USNC invites you to help make a
difference in the lives of women and girls around the world.
Annual Walk to Eliminate Violence Against Women and Girls
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Register Here!
From 9:00am-12:00pm
Gateway Park, Arlington,VA to Dupont Circle, Washington,DC
Our Sponsors
2012 Annual Conference and Member Meeting
Women Lead: Politics, Civil Society, and Peacebuilding Worldwide
Saturday, June 2, 2012, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
George Washington University
Washington, D.C.
Speakers include Elsie-Bernadette Onubogu, Policy Advisor, Peace and Security, UN Women; Farah Pandith, Special Representative to Muslim Communities, US Department of State; Maureen Greenwood-Basken, Executive Director, Universal Access Project and Director of Policy Initiatives, UN Foundation
For more details, please see our conference pages.
Congressional Education Day
“Human Rights are Women’s Rights – A Morning on the Hill”
Friday, June 1, 2012, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Be a voice for UN Women on Capitol Hill and join us for the “Human Rights are Women’s Rights – A Morning on the Hill,” USNC-UN Women’s 1st Congressional Education Day, on Friday, June 1, 2012, 9 a.m. – 12 noon. The Congressional Education Day will include a breakfast reception and training on how to talk to Elected Officials and their staff, followed by visits to your elected official’s office.
2012 Walk to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls
Join the National Capital Chapter of USNC-UN Women for our annual spring 5K Walk to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls on Saturday, April 28th. ON-SITE REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M.
We will be walking a 5K route starting at Gateway Park in Arlington, VA, and ending at Logan Circle, Washington, DC, to spread awareness of ongoing violence against women in our community and around the world.
Date: Saturday, April 28, 2012 – RAIN OR SHINE
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm (on-site registration starts at 8:30am)
Location: Gateway Park, Arlington, VA (near Rosslyn Metro) to Logan Circle, Washington, DC
The registration fee is $20 for non-members, $15 for USNC members, $10 for students. ONSITE REGISTRATION BEGINS AT 8:30 A.M. Each walker is encouraged to raise at least $100. It’s easy to create a fundraising page with our Firstgiving link. For questions about registration or setting up a fundraising page, please email .
Our Proud Sponsors
Happy Hour and Raffle Fundraiser
Theme: “Women, Peace and Security”
Date: Wednesday, December 7th
Time: 5:00 – 9:00* p.m.
Special thanks to our generous raffle sponsors:
2011 5K Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Join the National Capital Chapter for our annual spring Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls on Saturday, April 16th!
We will be walking a 5K route starting and ending at Dupont Circle helping to spread awareness of ongoing violence against women in our community and around the world. Proceeds from the walk will go to the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2011
Time: 9:30am-12:00pm
Location: Dupont Circle **note change in starting location**
to Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
We are very excited to announce that Towan Isom, author of Chasing Greatness, will be kicking off the walk with a keynote speech about women’s leadership and violence against women. And continuing the tradition of years past, Batala will be welcoming us in style with a feast for your eyes and ears!
Why are we walking? — Violence against women and girls is a worldwide pandemic; — up to 70% of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime; — among women aged 15 to 44, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined; — the cost of intimate partner violence in the U.S. exceeds $5.8 billion per year; — 102 countries have no specific legal provisions against domestic violence.
This Trust Fund is the only global multi-lateral grant-making mechanism exclusively devoted to supporting local, national and regional efforts of organizations to combat gender-based violence. Since it began operations in 1997, the Trust Fund has awarded more than US$19 million to 263 initiatives to address violence against women in 115 countries. UN Women administers the Trust Fund.
Each walker is encouraged to raise at least $100 (but you can raise much more!), in addition to the registration fee ($20 for non-members, $15 for members, $10 for students). Once you’re registered at the link above we will send information on how to set up your own individual fundraising webpage that you can send to friends and family.
Men, women, and families are welcome to join!
For inquiries about registration please email
.
Please find more information and become a member of National Capital Chapter of the U.S. National Committee for UN Women at this link.
Walk Sponsors:
April 9: 5:00 PM “Bhutto” a film by Mark Siegel
Busboys and Poets – 2021 14th Street, NW
About the film:
the epic tale of the life and tragic death of Benazir Bhutto, who broke the Islamic glass ceiling as the first woman leader of a Muslim country. Beloved by the people of her native Pakistan, she was reviled by the nation’s military establishment and male-dominated ruling class. More than two years after her death from a suicide bomber, Benazir remains a divisive figure, a symbolic metaphor for the fight between terrorism and moderation. That struggle continues today in Pakistan, the world’s most strategically important country and the Muslim world’s sole nuclear power. View the trailer here http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Q&A with special guest speakers including Mark Siegel, producer; Farahnaz Ispahani, member of the parliament and spokesperson for the president of Pakistan; Sarah Sayeed, president and co-founder of OneBlue.org (community partner for Bhutto); and Caroline Slobodzian
, President US National Committee for UN Women, National Capital Chapter (community partner).
Visit www.communitycinema-dc.org for speaker schedule.
RSVP: Email: bhutto@communitycinema-dc.org
March 27: 5:00 PM “Pushing the Elephant” a film by Beth Davenport and Elizabeth Mandel
Busboys and Poets – 2021 14th Street, NW
About the film:
When civil war came to Rose’s Congolese village, she was separated from her five-year-old daughter, Nangabire. Rose managed to escape with nine of her 10 children and was eventually resettled in Phoenix, Arizona. More than a decade later, mother and daughter are reunited in the U.S. where they must come to terms with the past and build a new future. View the trailer at this link: http://www.itvs.org/video/
Presented by ITVS Community Cinema in partnership with WHUT; Washington DC Jewish Community Center, Busboys and Poets; Social Action and Leadership School for Activists; Center for Social Media; Congo Global Action; Humanities Council of Washington, DC 2011 “Live to Read 2011”; US National Committee for UN Women, National Capital Chapter
Guest Speakers: Maurice Carney, Friends of the Congo; JaBen Early (cast of “Ruined”);
Caroline Slobodzian, President, US National Committee for UN Women, National Capital Chapter;
Emira Woods, co-director, Foreign Policy In Focus, Institute for Policy Studies.
Reservations/Information: pte@communitycinema-dc.org or call 202-939-0794
Visit communitycinema-dc.org
“La Hija del General” (The General’s Daughter) film screening and panel discussion to commemorate International Women’s Day
March 8, 2011: 5:30-7:30 PM
The National Democratic Institute
2030 M St., NW, 5th Floor
Washington, D.C.
Celebrate the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day with a film that follows Michelle Bachelet on her surprising journey along the campaign trail in 2006 to becoming the first woman president of Chile, one of South America’s most conservative nations. Dr. Bachelet is the first Under Secretary General of the brand new UN Women agency created to accelerate UN goals on gender equality and the empowerment of women. The film screening will be followed by a panel of experts to discuss the new UN agency and Dr. Bachelet’s impact on women’s political participation in development programming.
Happy Hour to Commemorate the
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women!
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence Campaign kicks off on the International Day against Violence Against Women (November 25th) and ends on International Human Rights Day (December 10th) to “to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights.” UNIFEM-USNC participates in commemorating the International Day against VAW with a number of activities around the country during the 16 Days Campaign. Join UNIFEM/USNC/NCC for a Happy Hour at Local 16 Thursday, December 9 6pm – 9pm 1602 U Street NW Washington, DC $10 requested donation includes extended happy hour specials until 9pm 10% of bar proceeds will go towards chapter efforts to eliminate violence against women worldwide November 25th marks the day when, in 1960, the three Mirabal sisters, Patria, Minerva, and Maria Teresa, were assassinated for their outspoken resistance to the dictatorship of the Dominican Republic. Remembered as the “Inolvidables Mariposas”, the “Unforgettable Butterflies,” the sisters serve as a symbol against victimization of women. They have been honored through poetry, song, and literature and their struggle for freedom was commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, recognized in 1999 by the United Nations. |
Did you know violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions?
- Based on country data available, up to 70% of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime – the majority from husbands, intimate partners or someone they know.
- Among women aged 15-44, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined.
- An estimated 150 million girls under 18 suffered some form of sexual violence in 2002 alone.
- As many as 1 in 4 women experience physical and/or sexual violence during pregnancy, which increases the likelihood of having a miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion.
- In South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 hours by an intimate partner.
- In India, 22 women were killed each day in dowry-related murders in 2007.
- Women and girls constitute 80 percent of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked annually, with the majority (79%) trafficked for sexual exploitation.
For more information:
16 Days of Activism Campaign
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
UNIFEM Commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
FACT SHEET Violence against Women Worldwide
As always, we invite you to join UNIFEM/USNC/NCC online.
2010 5K Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Join the National Capital Chapter for our annual spring Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls on Sunday, April 18, 2010!
100 supporters walked a 5K route from Rosslyn, VA through Washington, D.C. helping to spread awareness of ongoing violence against women in our community and around the world. The walk raised over $12,000 and proceeds from the walk went to the UN Trust Fund to Eliminate Violence Against Women.
Walk to End Violence Against Women and Girls
Date: Sunday, April 18, 2010
Time: 8:30am-12:00pm
Location: Gateway Park, Rosslyn, VA
to Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
This Trust Fund is the only global multi-lateral grant-making mechanism exclusively devoted to supporting local, national and regional efforts of organizations to combat gender-based violence. Since it began operations in 1997, the Trust Fund has awarded more than US$19 million to 263 initiatives to address violence against women in 115 countries. UNIFEM, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, administers the Trust Fund.
December 9, 2009 Happy Hour to Commemorate the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women!
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. UNIFEM-USNC participates in commemorating the day with a number of activities with 16 Days of Eliminating Violence Against Women, starting on November 25 and ending on December 10. November 25 marks the day when, in 1960, the three Mirabal sisters, Patria,  Minerva, and Maria Teresa, were assassinated for their outspoken resistance to the dictatorship of the Dominican Republic. Remembered as the “Inolvidables Mariposas”, the “Unforgettable Butterflies,” the sisters serve as a symbol against victimization of women. They have been honored through poetry, song, and literature and their struggle for freedom was commemorated as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, recognized in 1999 by the United Nations.For those of you who enjoy raising awareness by giving holiday gifts that hold true meaning, Wonderfully Made Jewelry will be available for purchase at the Happy Hour and online. WM jewelry supports the survivors of sex trafficking in Chiang Mai, Thailand by teaching them jewelry making skills and paying them fair wages for their work. We will also be holding a silent auction, including sports memorabilia and a private yoga session. Even if you can’t make it to the Happy Hour, please consider donating a tax deductible service or item to be included in the silent auction for a worthy cause! If you are interested, please email nationalcapital@unifem-usnc. |
Did you know violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions?
- Based on country data available, up to 70% of women experience physical or sexual violence from men in their lifetime – the majority from husbands, intimate partners or someone they know.
- Among women aged 15-44, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and war combined.
- An estimated 150 million girls under 18 suffered some form of sexual violence in 2002 alone.
- As many as 1 in 4 women experience physical and/or sexual violence during pregnancy, which increases the likelihood of having a miscarriage, stillbirth and abortion.
- In South Africa, a woman is killed every 6 hours by an intimate partner.
- In India, 22 women were killed each day in dowry-related murders in 2007.
- Women and girls constitute 80 percent of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked annually, with the majority (79%) trafficked for sexual exploitation.
For more information:
16 Days of Activism Campaign
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
UNIFEM Commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
FACT SHEET Violence against Women Worldwide
4th Annual Walk to Elminate Violence Against Women (April 26, 2009)
The National Capital Chapter held its Annual Walk to End Violence
Against Women and Girls on Sunday, April 26, 2009. The 5K walk began in Gateway Park in Arlington, Virginia, and walkers crossed the Key Bridge into DC, walked through Georgetown, and ended at Dupont Circle. The keynote speaker was L.Y. Marlow, the award-winning author of Color Me Butterfly, a true-story about four generations of mothers and daughters in her family who suffered and survived 60+ years of domestic violence. Walkers were encouraged to wear purp
le as well as the annual walk t-shirt to increase awareness of violence against women. Purple ribbons were also distributed to everyone to wear. There were 62 registered walkers, which included 30 exchange students from the Middle East. The top three fundraisers won donated prizes for their leadership. At the end of the walk, walkers were treated to a lively performance by Batala, an all-women percussion band with a samba-reggae beat which generated a large number of onlookers who wanted to know more about us. Approximately $5,000 was raised from the walk, an all-time record for the National Capital Chapter.
Safe Cities: Improving Women’s Safety in Latin America (Feb. 8, 2008)
Under the gracious patronage of
His Excellency the Ambassador of Iceland Albert Jónsson and
Mrs. Ása Baldvinsdóttir
Honorary Chair
s
The Honorable Loretta Sanchez and
The Honorable Linda Sanchez
The National Capital Chapter held a reception at the Ambassador’s residence recognizing UNIFEM’s work in Latin American Cities. There were tango performances by TangoRed and a Silent Auction. The evening raised $4000 for the Safe Cities Program.
NCC Second Annual Madam’s Organ Happy Hour (July 12, 2007)
The National Capital Chapter hosted its second annual fundraiser at Madam’s Organ on Thursday, July 12. The National Capital Chapter received 10% of food and drinks purchased this evening to benefit their local efforts.
Third Annual Walk to End Violence Against Women (May 19, 2007)
The National Capital Chapter hosted their third Annual Walk to Stop Violence Against Women at Rock Creek Park. Proceeds from the walk went to the UN Trust Fund (managed by UNIFEM) in support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. Sponsors included Trader Joe’s and Sticky Fingers Bakery
An Evening of Live Entertainment to Celebrate Women’s Empowerment (April 24, 2007)
On Tuesday, April 24, the National Capital Chapter and the Women’s Intiative of American University hosted an evening of live entertainment to bring individuals together to celebrate and promote women’s empowerment. The event featured performances by spoken word artists Zaynab Aden and Mariam
Lodin, singer/songwriter Rachel Jacobs, and an acoustic performance by Murals. The night will also included a series of first-person narratives read by UNIFEM/USA volunteers that highlighted UNIFEM success stories including 2006 Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai and newly-elected Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
V-Day Event: Until the Violence Stops (March 1, 2007)
In honor of V-Day, the global movement to stop violence against women and girls, the National Capital Chapter hosted a presentation/lecture on violence against women in post-conflict areas. Featured speaker, Eileen Meier, law professor at the University of Baltimore and Georgetown University spoke about the issue in Bosnia, Rwanda, DRC and South America.
Walk to Stop Violence Against Women (May 13, 2006)
The National Capital Chapter hosted their second Annual Walk to Stop Violence Against Women at the Alexandria Waterfront in honor of Mother’s Day and in support of the women of the world. The proceeds from the walk went to the UN Trust Fund (managed by UNIFEM) in support of Actions to Eliminate Violence Against Women. The primary goal of this Fund is to identify and support innovative projects aimed specifically at preventing and eliminating violence against women on a local, regional and national level. Sponsors for the 2006 walk included LUNA, Ms. Magazine, PeaceKeeper Cosmetics and Whole Foods Market – P Street.
30th Anniversary Celebration (April 21, 2006)
This event, held in honor of UNIFEM’s 30th Anniversary, was the National Capital Chapter’s most successful event to date. It was an evening featuring the art of Jody Mussoff, wine, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction at The Parker Gallery to benefit UNIFEM/USA. Going forward, the National Capital Chapter plans to host an event using this format as our Annual fundraiser.
16 Days of Activism: Darfur (December 7, 2005)
In recognition of the 16 Days Activism Against Gender Violence, an international campaign to increase awareness about violence against women and increase support for women’s human rights, the National Capital Chapter hosted a multimedia presentation and discussion on women’s health on Darfur, Sudan at the Friends Committee on National Legislation in Washington, DC. The panel addressed the following issues: the basic needs of women in Darfur, reproductive health and sexual based violence, and empowering women as agents of change.
Raising Up: Women of India (November 17, 2005)
The National Capital Chapter of UNIFEM/USA collaborated with Chemonics International to screen the film “Raising Up: Women of India.” The film emphasized the social and economic status of women and the global battle against poverty. Film producer, Susan Baumel, joined Amy Augustine, Social Research Analyst for Calvert and Nata Duvvry, economist with the InternationalCenter for Research on Women for a lively panel discussion following the viewing of the film.
UN at 60: The Gender Dimension (October 25, 2005)
As part of UN Week 2005, the National Capital Chapter partnered with AU Women and Politics Institute, UN Foundation’s “The People Speak” Series, UNA-NCA and PAHO Speakers Bureau to present “UN at 60: The Gender Dimension”. This event consisted of a panel of experts from organizations such as PAHO, Refugees International and the United Nations Population Fund. These panelists addressed how the UN’s major gender-related initiatives and overall efforts have impacted their work on gender issues in the areas of education, maternal health, reproductive rights, gender equity and women in conflict.
HERvoices: From Sindh (September 21, 2005)
The National Capital Chapter hosted the Washington DC premiere of an innovative multimedia project, HERvoices: From Sindh. This presentation involved women from the audience who read the testimonies of Sindhi women along with a slide show which delivers the visual realties of their lives in Pakistan. HERvoices: From Sindh is based on interviews with 12 Sindhi women and girls, ranging from 14 to 90 years old, who share their ideas about education, motherhood, global relations, war, and being a woman.