Meet the Voice of Women Initiative
Helping women worldwide share their stories and work for change
On the 19th of November 2012 Konda Delphine (Cameroon), Rose Wachuka (Kenya), and WLUML networker Aya Chebbi (Tunisia) started the Voice of Women Initiative (VOW). The main and core essence of VOW was to collect stories from women and about women all around the globe in a bid to inspire and change lives. They then expanded and invested in a website that carried more stories and hosted more contributors.
VOW aims to create an open space, which inspires girls and women to think and make choices that change their lives positively. To realize this mission, the team issued a call for VOW correspondents in June 2013 and received impressive and overwhelmingly moving testimonials out of which 35 exceptional correspondents from Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America were selected. Beside its main advocacy tool of blogging and campaigning, VOW is also developing a program to empower its correspondents with the skills needed in leadership and communication to voice their views, claim their rights, support their own projects and mentor other women in their communities. VOW is now working to expand its team of volunteers and correspondents.
In August 2013, VOW was nominated for the “Hero Goody Awards”, an award that recognizes the exceptional contribution of ordinary people making extra-ordinary changes. VOW is in constant transformation. The initiative has been featured by the North South Centre of the Council of Europe, the Africa-Europe Co-operation Youth Platform and the Moremi Initiative for Africa, as having developed and created an idea that continues to inspire many. At present, VOW is organizing events in Kenya and Tunisia and recently worked with the Regional Delegation of Women Empowerment and the Family to pioneer the 2nd edition of the International Day of the girl child in Limbe, South West Region of Cameroon.
After the founders’ inaugurate meeting in Kenya (September, 2013), VOW is planning its first Congress to gather its correspondents, supporters and partners to network and discuss pressing issues affecting girls and women.
To find out more about the VOW initiative, check out their website and facebook page. You can already read the story behind the birth of VOW here.
