CONFERENCE: Giving Displaced Women a Strong Voice

The Non-Aligned Movement Institute for the Empowerment of Women (NIEW) International Conference 2010, launched this morning, aims to focus on the impact of displaced women and evaluate existing safeguards while discussing effective measures to ensure protection of women's rights.

The two-day conference, themed "The Health and Well-being of Displaced Women In Crisis: An Action Agenda", saw the participation of 300 local and international regional organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel here.

Addressing participants, Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil said it was necessary to engage women from displaced communities and get them involved in decision-making concerning their lives.

"Giving a voice to women in crisis has never been more urgent as the number of displaced women are at an all-time high where many live in unimaginable conditions," Shahrizat said.

"We need to advocate for change in mindset and behaviour. We need to engage women from affected communities and let them be involved in lives decision-making."

Although there is considerable and urgent work to be done, the minister hoped the conference would bring resolution for challenges faced by displaced women, especially on isues concerning poverty, ill-health and other sufferings.

Meanwhile, NIEW director Datuk Dr Rafiah Salim, in her speech, said it was critical to ensure the rights and wellbeing of displaced women were not compromised in crisis situations.

"Displaced women must also be allowed a voice in decision making for peace and their rehabilitation into societies."

Also present this morning were Zambia Minister for Gender and Women' s Development, Sarah Sayifwanda, UN Under-Secretary General and Executive Secretary of United Nations (UN) Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) Dr Noeleen Heyzer as well as United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) chief of Humanitarian Response Branch, Tan Sri Dr Jemilah Mahmood.

The keynote speaker of this year's conference is Norwegian Refugee Council secretary general, Elisabeth Ramusson, whose NGO provides assistance, protection and solutions to refugees and displaced persons worldwide.

Other speakers today were Suraiya Kamaruzzaman from Flower Aceh, Leymah Gwobee from Africa's Women's and Security Network, who shared their experiences as refugees and later also aired their thoughts on how to improve the rights of displaced women.