Take one radical step

Like everyone else I was captivated by images of Egyptians from all walks of life demonstrating in Tahrir Square. From Egypt to Yemen and now Libya young and old have marched in the streets, courageously demanding increased freedom and democracy. And you may not know that Nigeriens too celebrated a democratic milestone, having held what most observers say was a free and fair election just three weeks ago. The army has said that they will step down by April and return the country to civilian rule. Speaking at a forum on food security in Montreal March 30, Crossroads partner Boureima Garba, director of ONPHDB said while democracy was not yet feeding the Nigerien people, people can now make their voice heard and influence government’s investment in sustainable agriculture and other development programs. To create food security in their country, free and fair elections are a first step.

So here we are in Canada and not quite through the first week of the federal election and I’m doing my best to fight off my increasing cynicism about the state of democracy in this country. In our last federal election voter turnout was the lowest in history with just 59 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot. Given the current state of political discourse which seems to sway between political posturing and partisan mudslinging, it is hard to believe that anything will change. But, I refuse to believe that things can only get worse. Citizens around the world have put their lives on the line to fight for the right to free and fair elections. From Zimbabwe to Niger and across North Africa and the Middle East. We can’t afford to take our democracy for granted.

Some would say that this election is in fact about democracy: about respect for democratic institutions, and about what it means to hold our governments to a higher standard. Others say it is about the economy. There are in fact many issues on the table: unemployment, healthcare, an aging population and Canada’s role in the world. Regardless of where we stand on these issues if only 59 per cent of Canadians take the time to vote what message does that send to our politicians? So I’m thinking that if we really want to shake things up we should take a cue from our brethren in North Africa and the Middle East and take one radical step. Stand up and be counted. Vote. And insist that friends, colleagues and family vote too. Unlike citizens in Africa and Middle East we won’t be risking our lives to do so, but we risk everything if we do not.

Opening Doors

Celebrate the 100th International Women’s Day by sharing your story of an inspiring woman

This year, I celebrated my 50th birthday surrounded by family and friends. Among them were dozens of women who, over the years, have had a profound influence on my life and my career. Reflecting (as one is apt to do around these life milestones) I realized these remarkable women have not only influenced my life, but have shaped the lives of many. As mothers, sisters, partners, lawyers, accountants, social workers, volunteers and friends they touch thousands of people. These women are leading organizations, supporting charities, and taking leadership roles in their communities. I am so fortunate to have them as mentors, colleagues and friends. 

One woman of great distinction in my life was not there for the birthday celebrations, my mother. And it is my mother who I want to honour this International Women’s Day.

When I was nine, my mom made the decision to leave an abusive relationship and raise five children on her own.  In 1960s and 70s Quebec there were few resources available.  Leaving meant my mother would constantly struggle to make ends meet.  Despite the enormous obstacles she faced, the long hours she put into work as well as the care of her family, my mother always found time for others. She volunteered when she could, sharing what little we had. And she remains an active volunteer to this day.  From my mother I learned about the courage, strength, resilience and generosity of women.

And perhaps it was her example that brought me to Crossroads. Today, Crossroads is supporting thousands of ordinary women who are not really so different from my mom. These are women who face enormous obstacles, struggle to earn a living and to provide a better life for their children.  Ordinary women, yes. But they are doing extraordinary things – creating viable businesses, challenging and changing laws to ensure that others can live free from violence, and educating girls so that they can live to their full potential.

At Crossroads we are opening doors for thousands of women in Bolivia and Africa.  We do this by providing small loans that enable women to start and expand small businesses and by helping establish cooperatives that enable them to transform traditional work into viable  income-generating enterprises. We are also investing in girls and young women through empowerment and leadership programs. In communities where violence against women is endemic, and where women do not enjoy even basic human rights, these programs enable women and girls to become leaders in their communities. With that confidence and those skills, these women and girls are challenging the status quo and working for change.  

Please join our Open Doors Campaign. On this 100th Anniversary of International Women’s Day, take action in support of women in Africa and Bolivia to Open Doors of opportunity.

It couldn’t be easier:

1. Register and set a personal fundraising goal
2. Think of a woman who opened doors for you. Be sure to tell “her story” on your personal page 
3. Email your friends. Ask them to make a gift to the OPEN DOORS CAMPAIGN in honour of a woman who is an inspiration to them.  
4. Change lives forever.

Your gift will enable women in some of the world’s poorest countries to earn sustainable incomes and gain independence. Thank you for your support

Reason to hope

This year I resolved to start the year in a new way. Gone are the New Year’s resolutions. Don’t get me wrong, resolutions work for me. Over the years, I ran a half marathon, I quit smoking. I signed up for that painting class I had been talking about.

But in 2010 it got a lot worse, for a lot of people. First the Haitian earthquake, then prolonged drought in Niger and devastating floods in Pakistan and many other countries. And even these horrific disasters pale in comparison to the grinding poverty that preceded them and that continues to limit the potential of 1.75 billion people, year in and year out. This year I need more than my own resolve, I need a reason to hope.

So here are my Top 10 Reasons to Hope — my review of Crossroads and the world — where, in spite of the obstacles, people came together to assert their rights to live in dignity, to earn a decent living and shape their futures.

Women are taking leadership in Togo
Togo — By January 2010 Crossroads partner GF2D had provided leadership training to more than 130 women in 36 villages. Women, like sixty-three-year-old Abla, who were emboldened by the leadership training, are finding ways to increase women’s participation in decision-making. For Abla it meant making the road to her village accessible year-round, and ensuring authorities reinstated funds that had been raised by the villagers to build a school. Another reason for optimism? GF2D founder and board member Madam Kafui Brigitte Adjamagbo Johnson became the first woman presidential candidate to stand for election in Togo.

Senegalese parliament passed the Parity Law
Senegal — In May, the Senegalese parliament voted overwhelmingly in favour of a bill that introduced absolute gender parity. At all levels of government, political parties must now present slates of candidates with equal numbers of men and women. Activists herald the new law saying it will increase the number of women members in Senegal's parliament.

Are women back on the agenda?
Canada — Sure, you might be excused if you took it the wrong way when a prominent Senator told you and your supporters to “shut the f?@# up.” But, last May when long time women’s rights activist and Senator Nancy Ruth offered that gem of political advice to an audience of women’s rights activists, it set the stage for a critical national debate and discussion on Canada’s commitment to women’s rights at home and around the globe. Central to the debate was Canada’s pledge to lead the world with a G8/G20 child and maternal health initiative.

Women in Zimbabwe finally get recognition
Zimbabwe – Whenever I feel sorry about the status of women in this country, I think of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe. In the face of brutal oppression and an economic crisis, the likes of which we in Canada have never seen, they continue to work — and to raise their voices. In May, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe was recognized in Canada for its steadfast promotion of women’s rights, including the passage of the groundbreaking Domestic Violence Act in 2007. The Canadian Council for International Cooperation honoured the coalition with the Betty Plewes Fund, an annual award that recognizes outstanding leadership in an African non-profit whose research and policy work advances women's rights.

UN Women launched
Global — In July, The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women — or UN Women — was established by the Member States to accelerate progress towards gender equality and the empowerment of women. In September former Chilean president Michelle Bachelet, a formidable force, was appointed executive director of the new agency.

Fair Trade grows
Bolivia – In September with support of Crossroads, Foncresol piloted a Fair Trade loan fund. Research by Crossroaders and FONCRESOL identified three critical stages where farmers need an infusion of capital – production, post harvest, and commercialization. Yet for Fair Trade farmers, the loans required are often too large for micro finance funds and too small and too risky for traditional banks. The pilot was a decided success. Within three months, coffee was being exported to Belgium and the loan was repaid. The $50,000 Crédito Justo fund will now ensure that Fair Trade producers continue to thrive.

Seeds of hope
Niger – News from Niger has not been good. Add to political instability, a long running drought followed by extreme flooding that swept away crops and homes in many parts of the country and you have a desperate situation for people already recognized as the poorest in the world. And yet, partners continue to support people to increase their resilience – with grain banks that ensure there are seeds for future crops, by establishing cooperatives for local goods such as Shea butter and through market gardening that provides an income to members. In October, Crossroads supported Niger partners ONPHDB and ADD to participate in a regional social economy conference in Morocco. This meeting proved a vital opportunity for Nigerien partners to meet with other practitioners, enabling them to improve and expand their programs and influence future investment in the social economy in Africa.

More Girls are asserting their rights
Swaziland – In November, after a successful pilot project based on a model championed in Zimbabwe, three more girls empowerment clubs were launched in Swaziland, for a total of eight. Today more than 280 girls participate in the clubs. This year, Crossroads also provided intensive training to teachers who are leading the clubs. And the best of it? A recent hire to fill the role of assistant coordinator for the girls clubs is a former club member!

Bikes for Ballots
Ghana – In December, Ghana held district elections. Of the more than 17,000 candidates, less than eight per cent were women. But thanks in part to the support of ABANTU, three women candidates in the Upper West region are celebrating victory as District Assembly Representatives. With support from Canadian Crossroads International and YWCA Canada, ABANTU provided training and assistance to ten women candidates in the region including providing bicycles to help campaign teams get the word out.

Youth are building their futures
Mali – Last year Crossroads secured funding for a youth entrepreneurship program in Mali. That means that this year 100 youth — 50 young women and 50 young men — will work with CCI partner AJA to establish their own businesses. As participants in this program, they will build skills in business planning, receive ongoing coaching and gain access to special microcredit funds.