(Washington, DC, 15 April 2008)—Leaders of different faiths in Religions for Peace, the world’s largest and most representative multi-religious coalition, joined together with members of the international women’s and development communities to launch a new initiative that places women and girls at the center of the fight against global poverty.
Jackie Ogega accepts torch for WFDA
An unprecedented US$1.5 billion in commitments to women’s and girls' issues was announced Sunday at the launch of the Woman, Faith, and Development Alliance (WFDA) at the Washington National Cathedral. At the “Breakthrough Summit,” visionaries and executives offered a historic look at the global needs of women and pledged support for the WFDA. Religions for Peace is a co-founder of the Alliance, along with the Cathedral’s Center for Global Justice and Reconciliation, Women Thrive Worldwide, and InterAction.

Sheikh Shaban Mubaje, Co-Chair of the Religions for Peace African Council of Religious Leaders and Grand Mufti of Uganda, served as Co-chair of the Summit along with Her Excellency Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, President, Republic of Liberia; Her Excellency Mary Robinson, Former President, Republic of Ireland; and The Right Honourable Kim Campbell, Former Prime Minister, Canada.

Dr. William F. Vendley, Secretary General of Religions for Peace and a member of the Summit’s Leadership Council, said, “Women of faith are already on the frontlines in combating poverty. They are there with enormous strength, creativity and commitment providing leadership and resources to end poverty. Multi-religious cooperation is key to harnessing the power of existing faith communities to place women and girls at the center of the fight against global poverty.”

H.E. Mary Robsinson said, “We tend to work in kind of silos. Also, there have been times when women and faith communities have not seen eye to eye on certain issues; we know that. But there’s far more that we have in common. One thing that really strikes me is that if this Breakthrough Summit is really going to carry on and build trust, particularly in the women’s movement, it’s going to need faith leaders who are strong and courageous and on the side of gender justice.”

WFDA is launching at a critical time. The UN Commission on the Status of Women (p.4, no. 20), the UN’s Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights, and the Campaign recently noted failures to support women, who are:

1. 70 percent of the world’s poorest and owners of just 1% of titled land (UNOHCHR);
2. Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate (UNMDG p. 11); and
3. 500,000 of the annual deaths from preventable complications of pregnancy (UNMDG p. 17)

On Monday, high-level representatives of Religions for Peace were elected at a strategy session to serve on the Alliance’s newly formed steering committee to help determine how the Alliance would build on the momentum of the Summit. Dr. Vendley and Dr. Vinu Aram, Director, Shanti Ashram, Vice Moderator, Religions for Peace World Council, will be among those representing the faith communities. In particular, Dr. Aram said, Religions for Peace is already well-placed to work within its Global Women of Faith Network to bring the voices and needs of women to the international stage.

The first meeting of the WFDA took place in June 2006 when 30 representatives from interfaith and development organizations gathered at Washington National Cathedral to begin an inquiry into the unique impact that combining the faith, development and women’s communities could make on global poverty and gender equality. Since then, nearly eighty organizations have actively participated and contributed to the shaping of WFDA’s strategy, developing its documents and outlining its advocacy and communications platform.

Religions for Peace is encouraged by the way development agencies are seeking to work with faith communities in partnership, committed to supporting women in the fight against global poverty.

Read more on the WFDA.