Gather the Women
Initiative
FACT SHEET
WHO: The Gather the
Women Initiative is a project of Women of Vision and Action (WOVA),
a 501c3 non-profit network of women leaders who take spirit-based action
to create positive change in the world.
WHAT:
A global initiative to harness the power and acknowledge the wisdom
of women worldwide to bring about the changes necessary to create a
balanced, peaceful and harmonious world that works for all.
WHEN: Begun in March, 2003,
WOVA now sponsors and promotes annual Gather the Women activities culminating
in a global gathering during the week surrounding International Women's
Day (March 8) as declared by the United Nations. In 2004 the Gather
the Women week will begin on Monday, March 8 and culminate in global
gatherings on Saturday, March 13.
WHERE:
Women around the world are encouraged to create local events in every
city, town and village worldwide—in parks and living rooms, churches
and stadiums--wherever 3 or more can gather.
WHY:
To demonstrate a new way of balanced world leadership based on partnership,
cooperation, harmony and balance.
HOW:
A. Through WOVA's Gather the Women website by providing:
- A fully searchable online directory where women
can find and connect with other women throughtout the world.
- A fully interactive website where women can post details of
their planned events, intentions and prayers.
- Global access to information about the events being created
around the world
- Multiple online forums where GTW participants can post resources,
inspirational materials, engage in discussions, suggest and collaborate
on actions, post events and participate in circles.
- Templates modeling how to create and promote local events,
how to do local fundraising and how to work with the media
- Materials that can be downloaded and printed for promotion
of local events
- A Learn and Grow section that provides informative and relevant
articles and links to educational material
- An archive of information about past events
B. Through outreach activities including:
- Identifying target populations for involvement
(peace groups, women's groups, youth and elderly populations, religious
organizations, etc.)
- E-mail and conventional mailing of outreach materials
- Grassroots networking through WOVA members and other cultural
creative organizations.
- Development of strategic alliances to maximize outreach and
collaboration
C. Through email lists, online forums and the development
of Gather the Women circles to provide a structure to help connect women
globally, to find their voices, to share resources and to broaden our
wisdom base.
D. By initiating an annual Gather the Women Congress for
the purpose of creating a way for organizations to form working coalitions
to further the goals of creating a balanced world of harmony, justice
and peace.
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GOALS
The Gather the Women initiative has been
organized around six underlying goals and objectives:
EDUCATION
To create a structure through which the women of the world can educate
one another about where they have been, where they are right now and
where they are going.
LISTENING
To create a structure through which the women of the world can listen
to one another, having both the experience of being heard and the opportunity
to exchange ideas.
GATHERING
To create a structure through which INDIVIDUAL women of the world can
gather annually on International Women's Day, March 8 in a context that
is shared, that promotes feminine leadership development and supports
on-going local action that can facilitate change.
COLLABORATION
To facilitate collaboration and networking among the many networks and
organizations already existing that support women's development.
SUPPORT AND RESOURCES
To create a structure of support and resources that can empower women
to step into leadership roles and undertake action.
TAKING ACTION
To create a structure that will encourage women to take actions to improve
the quality of human life on a local, regional, national and global
level. |