What's In Store for Women and Girls This Decade?

Some of the remarkable women who lead women's funds and partner with them as donor activists got together to share what they feel is possible for women and girls in the next 10 years.

Have a listen and share what you think is possible.

Happy International Women's Day!

Liberian Woman Takes on Colbert

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Leymah Gbowee
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor Jeff Goldblum

While Stephen Colbert’s killer-comic timing usually shocks and stupefies his guests, he met his match last night with the Liberian peace activist Leymah Gbowee. Ms. Gbowee organized the courageous women of Liberia to bring an end to their devastating civil war, citing that they were fed up and could not take the terror and violence any longer and decided to do something about it.

Her poise and ability to keep Colbert engaged in the issues demonstrates that when you’ve taken a stand to the likes of human rights offenders like former Liberian Dictator Charles Taylor (currently on trial in The Hague for crimes against Sierra Leone), the Colbert Report ain’t so scary.

Leymah Gbowee and the women of Liberia are the subjects of the award-winning documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell. Check out the interview (above) to get a taste.

Find out more about how African women are improving their communities.

(Post by Kristina)

Working to Stop Domestic Violence Before it Starts

In the past few weeks it seems like violence against women has been getting a lot of press attention. In our news round ups we have been seeing headlines like Domestic Violence can also Include Economic Abuse and Spousal Rape Laws Continue to Evolve. People have discussed the idea that domestic violence has been on the rise due to the economic crisis, and of course the press has been paying close attention to the Rihanna vs. Chris Brown case.

Even with the announcement of the new White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, the press continues to fail reporting on successful and innovative solutions to domestic violence. The Women's Fund of Central Indiana has been working to break the cycle of domestic violence by educating youth.

"I am really proud of a $150,000 grant Women's Fund gave to the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center (RLHEC)... RLHEC created a curriculum to help the students learn to recognize appropriate behaviors and what to do if they are currently in or someday are part of an unhealthy relationship."

Read more about this awesome program at the Women's Fund of Central Indiana's blog.

Keep up the great work!

A Woman Leader Under the Gun

Taking a break from sessions at the Women's Funding Network conference to post something that brings me down to earth with the realities women are facing in the world, but also inspires me to continue fighting for women's equality and for human rights.

Women are taking the lead in pushing for human rights all over the world and some of them are risking their lives to do it.

Mu Sochua, a parliamentarian and human rights activist in Cambodia who is also a Board member at Global Fund for Women, posted a letter on the GFW blog and Vital Voices that details the danger she is facing for voicing opposition to the Cambodian government.

Because she has urged for change and accountability and because she has called the government out for corruption, she is being threatened with an indefinite stay in an infamous prison.

Check out this profile of Mu Sochua at Independent Media Center, then read Mu Sochua's letter.

Mu Sochua is a role model for how women's leadership is bringing change. Please comment if you have any ideas for how we can urge fair treatment for her.