by Therese Hartwell, Peace and Conflict Committee
Another encouraging development regarding women and conflict involves the formation of organizations to promote the development of women leaders. While war creates tremendous challenges for women and girls, the aftermath of war can create unique opportunities for females to take a greater role in their society. One shining example is Rwanda, a country that has made tremendous progress since the end of the genocide in 1994, in part due to the country's openness to and embracing of female leaders. Rwanda currently has the largest percentage of women in Parliament of any country in the world. Yet the female population as a whole still faces gender discrimination and violence.
Open a Door (OAD) Foundation views this dichotomy as a unique, but brief, opportunity for aspiring female leaders to move into leadership roles, but knows that women must be prepared in order to take advantage of the opportunity. OAD believes that "in order to create a peaceful and just world, women must be included at the table in all important conversations, and that access to advanced education is key to achieving this." To that end, OAD has developed a program to identify highly motivated potential female leaders in post-war countries, prepare them for college entrance exams and match them with mentors in the US who help the young women select universities, apply for admission and scholarships, acclimate to life in the US and launch their careers. The organization also provides the selected women with airfare, insurance, visa fees, dorm and school supplies, phone, computer, books, winter clothes, etc.
Would you like to help? Do you have airline miles you are not using? Why not donate them (United miles are the most useful) to bring the new scholars to the United States from Rwanda and send OAD teachers to Rwanda. In exchange for 40,000 miles on United, OAD offers free professional services. For more information, check out http://openadoorfoundation.
Are you upgrading your computer? OAD needs laptops for their incoming scholars. The laptops should be no older than 3-4 years (the newer the better) and in working order. If you are considering donating a laptop, please email Barbara Bylenga at bbylenga@openadoorfoundation for the criteria and the mailing address.
If you live in the US or will be returning soon, consider becoming a mentor to one of the OAD scholars. See the website at http://openadoorfoundation.
"Educate a woman; change a nation" with Open a Door Foundation.