Women honoured for empowering others in developing countries
Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Eddie Rwema
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EMC News - Three local women have been honoured for their unique contribution in empowering women and making a difference in the lives of women and girls in their communities and around the globe.
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Carley Robb-Jackson taught life skills and health classes to people living with HIV
The Ontario Council for International Cooperation recognized Tenille Brown, Carley Robb-Jackson and Stephanie Needham as global change makers for their work to promote gender equality around the world.
The event was part of the International Development Week that run from Feb. 5-11.
The three women travelled to Africa where they got involved in helping in promoting social justice especially among women.
In 2010, Tenille Brown worked in Swaziland, with a local women's organization as a court monitoring researcher, where she established a program which would monitor how survivors of abuse were treated within the legal system.
"Since returning to Canada, I have been fortunate enough to have been involved in further research in the issues related to Swaziland - which has become a focus in my PhD studies at the University of Ottawa.
Because of the expertise she acquired from her overseas work, Brown was able to support a refugee claimant from Swaziland whose claim was on the basis of systematic gender-based violence.
"My experience in Swaziland was simultaneously interesting and challenging," said Brown.
"It was a great learning curve to see how small organizations work with their communities to provide care and support to vulnerable people. I saw that passion is the key ingredient for creating change, awareness and support."
She said her experience in Africa was a deeply empowering one.
"The Swazi people are warm and welcoming, despite challenges faced," said Brown.
Swaziland has extreme poverty, with a large portion of society surviving on less than a dollar a day, and with one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in Southern Africa.
"But I found that there is a thriving civil society and events such as the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence, are utilized to spread the human rights message," said Brown.
For Carley Robb-Jackson, the award has provided her with an opportunity to express thanks to the numerous individuals who have facilitated her work, and have inspired her through their dedication and perseverance.
Robb-Jackson spent some time in Tanzania in 2008, teaching life skills and health classes to people living with HIV/AIDS.
She now works with Canada's International Development Research Centre here in Ottawa but spends most of her time travelling to Sierra Leone to work on research projects on women's legal rights and the country's gender acts.
"During my time in Tanzania, I collaborated with a local non-government organization, and provided life skills, health, and governance classes to the community," said Robb-Jackson.
She has since continued to work in the areas of women's rights and gender equality.
"I have completed a Master's degree, with a focus on women's experiences of violent conflict and participation in reconciliation processes," said Robb-Jackson.
Eddie.rwema@metroland.com
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