World Young Women’s Christian Association
Aim
Develop the leadership and collective power of women and girls around the world to achieve justice, peace, health, human dignity, freedom, and a sustainable environment for all people.
History
1855, London (UK), during the industrial revolution in Great Britain, when young women, drawn by the prospect of jobs and opportunities, gave up rural living and moved to London city. By 1894 there were YWCAs in several countries worldwide, sharing a commitment to peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all people. At this time, the YWCAs of Great Britain, USA, Norway, and Sweden joined to form the World YWCA, one of the first independent international women's organisations in the world. The organisation made it possible for YWCAs to work more cohesively, and has been a pioneer in raising the status of women and international awareness of issues affecting women. Constitution revised in 1930 and 1941. New Constitution adopted in 1955; revised in: 1963; 1983; 1987; 1991; 1995; 1999; 2003; 2007; 2011.
IRD Activities
- Violence Against Women
Violence against women is a long standing priority for advocacy, programmes, and services in the World YWCA movement, with YWCAs in over 70 countries providing support for survivors of violence and those at risk of violence, including emergency accommodation, legal services, community education, and advocacy for legal and policy reform. The top priorities for YWCA programmes also include interfaith dialogue (38 countries). World YWCA fully supports intergenerational and interfaith dialogue, and intercultural understanding among all people
- National HIV Interfaith Consultations
The World YWCA, World Council of Churches (WCC) and the International Network of Religious Leaders Living with and Personally Affected by HIV and AIDS (INERELA +) have joined efforts to develop a three day consultation, with participating young people, faith leaders/actors, UNAIDS, National AIDS Council, among other stakeholders. Statistics have that shown that the majority of new infections are young women and girls from the age of 10 – 24 years old. This makes intervention to these particular vulnerable groups critical in order to accelerate the HIV/ AIDS response. National YWCAs of Kenya and Zambia showcased the Safe Space Model and opened intergenerational dialogues with different religious leaders, on the main issues that impact young people on SRHR and HIV, especially stigma and discrimination.
Main Focus Countries of Activities
Albania - Angola - American Samoa - Antigua - New Zealand - Argentina - Australia - Bahamas - Bangladesh - Barbados - Belarus - Belgium - Belize - Benin - Bolivia - Botswana - Brazil - Bulgaria - Burundi - Cameroon - Canada - Cayman Islands - Chile - China - Colombia - Congo - Democratic Republic of the Congo - Costa Rica - Czechia - Denmark - Egypt - El Salvador - UK - Estonia - Ethiopia - Fiji - Finland - France - Gambia - Georgia - Germany - Ghana - Greece - Grenada - Guyana - Haiti - Honduras - Iceland - India - Indonesia - Ireland - Italy - Jamaica - Japan - Jordan - Kenya - South Korea - Latvia - Lebanon - Lesotho - Liberia - Lithuania - Madagascar - Malawi - Malaysia - Mauritius - Mexico - Montserrat - Mozambique - Myanmar - Namibia - Nepal - Netherlands - Nigeria - Norway - Pakistan - State of Palestine - Papua New Guinea - Philippines - Peru - Poland - Puerto Rico - Romania - Russian Federation - Rwanda - Samoa - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Sierra Leone - Singapore - Solomon Islands - South Africa - South Sudan - Sri Lanka - Suriname - Sweden - Switzerland - Tanzania - Thailand - Togo - Trinidad and Tobago - Uganda - Ukraine - USA - United States Virgin Islands - Uruguay - Zambia - Zimbabwe - Zambia - Kenya