It is difficult to come away from Cambodia without being struck by a sense of the overwhelming need and opportunity within this nation. While recently in Phnom Penh, I had the opportunity to meet with various NGOs and service providing agencies which address violence against women in its many forms, including domestic violence, sexual abuse, and perhaps the most prevalent form of violence in Cambodia, human trafficking.

During visits to the Somaly Mam Foundation and Acting for Women in Distressing Situations (AFESIP), both of which are guided by internationally recognized trafficking activist and Vital Voices Global Leadership Award honoree Somaly Mam, I witnessed the great work being done to provide support, shelter and vocational training to women and girls who have escaped the brothels that once held them captive. In a sewing workshop, an initiative of AFESIP, the women are earning wages and long-term economic stability, producing clothing and accessories to be exported to European markets.

Innovative employment programs, unique to Cambodia, surrounded me in Phnom Penh. In one area, artisan marketplaces and stores were managed by disadvantaged Cambodian citizens. In another area, restaurants are run by street children who earn money and are provided an education that they would otherwise not receive.

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Mary Schnack has more than 30 years of experience in journalism, public relations and public affairs, crisis communications, writing, and marketing communications (www.MarySchnack.com). Mary also has been giving speeches and presentations worldwide for more than 25 years. Mary has established international business alliances in Kenya, China, Iceland, Bermuda and Italy, and has done speaking and training throughout Europe, Africa and in Mexico and Russia. She is a consultant and trainer for Vital Voices and past chair of the International Forum for the National Association of Women Business Owners. She was the recipient of the 2004 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Women in Business Advocate award for the Arizona District and Region IX and in 2008 she was awarded The International Alliance for Women Inaugural World of Difference 100 Awards, Advertising Working Mother of the Year Trailblazer Award and Member of the Year for Women Impacting Public Policy. She is also the founder of a business, www.UpFromTheDust.com, which supports the global growth of women microenterprises.

Communications planning is a vital part of doing business. We have marketing plans and business plans but few people actually create a strategic communications plan.

And even that can be broken down. A plan can be developed for many activities and projects within a business.

Vital Voices holds a considerable number of meetings and summits throughout the world. If you are attending, plan how to get the most of this meeting before you go! Of course, you can use these tools for any meetings, conferences or events where you will be networking, learning and meeting with others.

Before attending a conference or networking event:

1. Clarify your goals. Draft a mini-communications plan. What are your objectives for attending this conference? Who is your target market? Where do you need new connections? What result would you like to have after the event? Are you going for an educational refresher or to meet other women and do business? Is there a specific type of business partner you are looking for, or someone from a specific geographic region? How are you going to find out if women like this are attending, or how you will find them?
2. Look at the conference agenda. What receptions and seminars will be important to attend? Will your target audience attend these events? Or maybe the group with your important missing link? When will you have some time available to set up meetings in advance, or set up some individual time with people you meet? Have the schedule ready in written form or on your PDA/phone so it is easy to coordinate and you don’t miss opportunities.
3. Does the organization have a social networking forum set up so you can communicate in advance? Vital Voices has a terrific blog and community site where you can share in advance with others who will be attending. Be proactive in making this happen as you will greatly benefit!
4. What impression do you want to leave others with? Do you need more business cards, any other type of hand-outs or give-aways? Write down your comments on the business cards you receive for future reference. Be curious and ask questions to get a better picture of the person you are connecting with.
5. Mark time on your calendar NOW to follow-up on contacts made at the conference afterwards. It can be overwhelming when we return to an office and the demands of employees and clients that haven’t been met while we were gone. Don’t miss out on opportunities by not following up.

Zimbabwean Vongai Chikwanda participated in the April 2008 ‘Women’s Leadership in Public Life’ Vital Voices political training, where representatives from 13 African countries joined to engage in political campaign and public leadership training. Vongai is a researcher and program assistant with the Women in Politics Support Unit, an organization working for the equal participation and inclusion of women in political processes.

Vongai Chikwanda of Zimbabwe, after participating in a Vital Voices political training, has initiated a project to involve young women in the constitutional reform process currently underway in her nation. The disputed elections of June 2008 in Zimbabwe led to the formation of the Government of National Unity, a coalition government that includes President Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front), Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai (Movement for Democratic Change) and Deputy Prime Ministers Thokozani Khuphe and Arthur Mutambara (Movement for Democratic Change-Mutambara). The administration came together after the signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) in September 2008. In accordance with one of the stipulations of the GPA, parties must draft a new constitution for Zimbabwe through a democratic, inclusive and citizen-driven process.

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As the second woman elected President of the Malaysian Bar Council, Ambiga Sreenevasan has served with integrity in defense of human rights and the rule of law, and as a voice for gender equality and the preservation of women’s rights. Addressing corruption, ethnic and religious strife, gender discrimination and prejudice with equal conviction and determination, Sreenevasan approaches her work with courage and a commitment to justice.

With a willingness to challenge corruption and injustice in all its forms, Sreenevasan organized a “March for Justice” shortly after her election, calling for judicial reform and an investigation of ethics violations in the legal community. Her leadership in an intensive lobbying campaign resulted in the formation of a Royal Commission to address the corruption and pursue corrective action.

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Setting up a jewelry display at the Femmes en Démocratie Trade Fair

Vital Voices’ Global Network Affiliate chapter in Haiti, Voix Essentielles - Femmes en Démocratie, will hold its sixth annual trade fair, Femmes, Création & Production, November 13-15, 2009 at the Karibe Convention Center in Petion Ville, Haiti. Femmes, Création & Production 2009 will bring together unique artisan work which reflects local traditions, culture and the creativity of contemporary designers in producing collections that reveal how local and global efforts can meet markets trends, create economic growth and shared prosperity in Haiti.

This year’s trade fair will coincide with the 10th anniversary of the founding of Femmes en Démocratie. Over the last decade, Femmes has worked across Haiti to promote women’s political participation, women’s entrepreneurship, and the protection of legal and human rights through training, networking, education, advocacy and events such as the annual trade fair.

Recognized as Haiti’s most distinguished annual trade fair, Femmes, Création & Production showcases high quality fashion accessories, home décor and arts and crafts, as well as aromatherapy and agricultural products. Each year, the fair provides an opportunity for Haitian women exhibitors to raise product awareness, develop new contacts, meet retailers, build new business relationships and enter export markets.

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Below is an account of the current condition and commitments of Malaysia to women’s advancement, as part of a country profiling series we will be featuring on our blog.

In 1995, Malaysia accepted the commitments of the Beijing Platform for Action at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women, which includes the following pledges:

1. Enhance the national machinery for women’s advancement

2. Increase women’s participation in decision-making

3. Safeguard women’s rights to health, education and social well-being

4. Remove legal obstacles and gender discriminatory practices

The same year, Malaysia ratified The Convention to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

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Throughout her life’s journey, Vivian Labib has faced many obstacles as a woman who dares to dream in a male-dominated environment. Today, she’s a leading innovative social entrepreneur in Egypt.

Vivian Labib graduated from the Fine Arts College, part of Helwan University, in 1997 as a decoration engineer (interior designer) with big plans to build her knowledge and gain work experience in the competitive business world.

She began work as a graphic and interior designer, discovering her passion for both art and marketing. She then started to work as a marketing manager for various companies, including international clients in Egypt.

Vivian observed that other designer colleagues produced very unique items, but noticed that they always faced problems with marketing. In light of this, she decided to combine both marketing and the arts in a new venture, and began marketing handmade crafts from Egyptian artisans, locally at exhibitions and internationally on the internet, with the slogan, “100% unique…100% Egyptian…100% handmade.”

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‘We are not asking for too much but for the right thing’: Zimbabwean Women at the ‘Have Your Say’ Women’s Summit to the Constitutional Making Process

Zimbabwean Vongai Chikwanda participated in the April 2008 ‘Women’s Leadership in Public Life’ Vital Voices political training, where representatives from 13 African countries joined to engage in political campaign and public leadership training. Vongai is a researcher and program assistant with the Women in Politics Support Unit, an organization working for the equal participation and inclusion of women in political processes.

More than 1000 women thronged the Harare International Conference Centre on the 18^th, 19^th and 20^th of June to attend the ‘Have your Say’ Women’s Summit to the Constitutional Making Process in Zimbabwe. Women were strongly advised to take part in the drafting, join select committees and subcommittees so as to ensure a balanced representation of women. Zimbabwean women were demanding equality in all clauses to be drafted in the Constitution.

The ‘Have Your Say’ Women’s Summit was held to ensure that women also own and are part of this big process in Zimbabwe. The Summit informed women of the constitution-making processes, women’s rights, and the issues that women want to see in the new constitution. Zimbabwean women were challenged to take ownership of the process and also drive it to women’s favor as the current Constitution, with its 19 Amendments, does not adequately address women’s issues.

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Orsinia Polanco is the first indigenous woman to be elected to Congress in the history of Colombia. In a recent interview with iKNOW Politics, she traces her interest in politics to a need to preserve and represent her indigenous community. Orsinia explains that “politics is in my blood,” recalling memories of her father as a political man and orator who solved conflicts within the indigenous community, and describing her entry into the political sphere as a candidate for councilor in her municipality at the young age of 18. Ever since, Orsinia has pursued politics and academics with a focus on indigenous culture and language. On the recent occasion of her election, she commented:

“I am filled with pride and satisfaction because I am young and I am a woman and I have had to fight hard.”

Within an environment where machismo remains dominant, Orsinia has managed to position herself as a female politician and activist who rivals her male counterparts. In Orsinia’s indigenous Wayuu culture, women are considerably empowered, representing men and “the entire community in different political, social and economic scenarios.” This matriarchal system has prepared Orsinia and nurtured her political aspirations, leading her to take office on the national level within the Chamber of Representatives of Congress.

Orsinia describes the challenges that she has met as one of only 13 women out of a total 166 representatives; she explains that there is a need to form allies and collaborate in order to achieve progress. The Colombian Congress Women’s Commission additionally serves as a forum of women lawmakers to connect and unite in common purpose for the advancement of women’s rights.

Responding to a question on her advice to young girls interested in participating in politics, Orsinia comments:

“In the first place, be strong. And in the second place, prepare yourselves very well in order to prove that we are very capable and that nothing is impossible in this life.”

Read the full interview: Interview with Orsinia Polanco, Member of the Chamber of Representatives, First Indigenous Woman Elected to Colombian Congress- iKNOW Politics

In mid-July 35 members of a Select Committee started a constitutional reform process in Zimbabwe to extend greater rights to its citizens.

Women’s rights activists are advocating for added protections including the rights for women to have equal access to healthcare, food, security, education, and employment.

The committee includes only nine women and many fear that women’s rights will not be prioritized.

Zimbabwe: Women’s Rights Activists Lobby to ‘Engender’ Constitution- IPS Gender Wire