It’s
a pleasure for me to present this message
for BPW Africa Regional Conference
in Cotonou, Benin with the theme
“Economic Leadership of Women in Africa”.
The
year 2007 is the year when BPW International
celebrates 60th Anniversary for holding
Consultative Status to the United Nations.
BPW International, as an organization, has
reached a turning point. To continue to
be influential in the 21st Century, we need
to reform our organization. The three goals
of Organization Review and Reform are for
BPW International to be recognized as
- An organization
whose members are identified with high
values.
- An organization
that continue to grow and make a difference
in the world of changes.
- A professionally
managed organization which can sustain
itself financially.
The
world is changing, so shall we. We need
to understand the present and future needs
of working women in order to expand the
network. We should do things together and
work in partnership to create global impact
and enhance BPW influence world-wide.
As
mentioned by Dr. Amany Asfour, the challenges
in the 21st Century are enormous. However,
I would like also to bring your attention
to another issue: “International Migration”.
This is one issue that must be dealt with
if we want to empower women in Africa to
become leaders economically.
There
are plenty of capable business and professional
women in Africa. However, many are attract
by employment opportunities abroad. Brain-drain
in Africa region is something that cannot
be ignored. BPW in Africa need to pay attention
to how female migrants from Africa face
discriminations; exploit working conditions;
inadequate legal protection; limited job
choices or restriction to change employments
in the destination countries. As BPW members
in Africa are successful business and professional
women, BPW members can cease this opportunity
to mentor and train local women so that
they can live up to their potentials in
their business and their professions so
that they will continue to stay and contribute
to the economic growth of their own countries.
BPW
affiliates in Africa can also partners with
BPW Affiliates in other countries to arm
the women who want to migrate with knowledge
and awareness of the rights (or the limitation
of the rights) in the destination countries.
So if they do migrate, they would so safely.
I believe that BPW Africa, together with
other BPW Affiliates world-wide and our
partners – like UNDP, Fedrick Ebert
Foundation and the governments of our member
countries, is strong enough to face any
challenges this century may bring and come
out on top!
Chonchanok
Viravan
BPW International President
9 August 2007 |
