ICA Asia and Pacific office had announced an open call for members to share how they celebrated IWD21 with the theme ‘Women in leadership: Achieving an equal future in a COVID-19 world’.
Some of our members shared the activities undertaken by them to celebrate IWD21.
Country: Australia:
Member organisation: Business Council of Cooperatives and Mutuals (BCCM)
Actitvities Undertaken: BCCM participated in the global IWD21 social media campaign #ChooseToChallenge and called upon their members to challenge inequality, call out gender bias, question stereotypes, and foster inclusivity. They asked their members to share their #ChooseToChallenge images on social media as well. Watch the video here.
Country- India
Member organisation: National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI)
Activities Undertaken: Participating in the #coops4women campaign, Mr. Dileep Sanghani, NCUI President issued a message on IWD21 urging women-led coops to pursue with the government, a ‘Cooperative policy’ with an exclusive chapter on Gender equality and Women Participation in Decision Making. His complete message can be read here.
NCUI also organised a conference with 100 women representatives of various cooperatives organisations on 8th March in New Delhi, India. Addressing the women leaders, Mr. Sanghani underlined the importance assured his full support for their economic activities.
Country- India
Member organisation: Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd. (IFFCO)
Activties Undetaken: IFFCO release a short video on “DaughtersOfSoil” appreciating the work done by women farmers. It also organised a training program for women farmers and cooperators at the Krishi Vigyan Bhawan in Bhilwara, Rajasthan.
Member organisation: ICA-AP Committee on Women
Activties Undertaken: Lok Sabha TV released a documentary on the inspiring journey of Dr. Nandini Azad, Chairperson of the ICA-AP Committee on Women and President of WWF-ICNW. Watch the video here
Country- Palestine
Member organisation: Economic & Social Development Center of Palestine (ESDC)
Activities Undertaken: ESDC released a short film on a woman-led cooperative – Bezzaria Coop. Winner of the "World Cooperative of the year 2020 Global Development Award", these women in Palestine formed are empowering fellow women. Watch the film here.
Country- Phillippines
Member organisation: MASS-SPECC Coop Development Center (MASS-SPECC)
Activties Undertaken: Participating in the #coops4women social media campaign, MASS-SPEC tweeted “Despite the challenging times, women rise to be the image of hope and strength — not only in their families — but also in their communities. With the challenge, comes an opportunity to make things way better”.
Country- Philippines
Member organisation: Philippine Cooperative Center (PCC)
Activities Undertaken: PCC organised an online discussion forum on “Women in Cooperative During Pandemic” and invited women leaders from various cooperatives to share their insights on the situation and crucial contributions of women within the coop sector. The recording of the webinar can be accessed here.
