International Women's Day 2008

It is our pleasure to celebrate International Women's Day by highlighting the volunteerism of a few special women. Take this opportunity to meet eight women from North and South who are helping Uniterra spread a message of female empowerment.
 
Each of these women has made a mark in their own unique way. Their collective effort to reduce poverty in different corners of the world is a valuable in the fight to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.
 
Let their stories show you how simple actions can actually change the world!
 
On behalf of the entire Uniterra team – A sincere thank you to all the men and women who help improve women's lives worldwide.

Objective 1:  Reduce extreme poverty and hunger

Stiveria Ndala
"Stiveria Ndala is an Agriculture Technician who works alongside farmers in Malawi. She is also a small scale farmer, managing to grow maize, sweet potatoes, soybeans and pigeon peas on 0.8 hectares.  In 2007, Ndala spent two months in Nova Scotia…" read more >>


Objective 2:  Ensure primary education for all

Patricia Smedley
"Patricia Smedley volunteered with Uniterra in 2005. She now helps Corner School initiatives in Dakar to raise awareness of the need for equal access to education for girls…"
read more >>



Objective 3:  Promote gender equality and the empowerment of women

Durga Sob
Durga Sob is a Dalit activist and gender advocate, as well as President of the Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) in Nepal. She continues to seek respect for Dalit and women's rights…"  read more >>


Objective 4:  Reduce infant mortality

Miriam Rouleau-Perez
"In July 2006, Miriam Rouleau Perez travelled to Bolivia with her spouse and two young children to support infant and maternal mortality prevention actions…"    
read more >>



Objective 5:  Improve maternal health

Néné Sylvia Dogo
"Nene Sylvia Dogo travelled to Mali in 2006 to enlighten mothers on the value of local food for the nutrition of children under five. It was a response to the severe nutritional deficits suffered by many women and children…"
read more >>


Objective 6:  Fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

Crystal Almeida
"In Summer 2007, Almeida embarked on a journey that changed her life forever. She was selected to take part in a research assignment on HIV/AIDS in Burkina Faso…."
read more >>


Objective 7:  Ensuring environnemental sustainability

Linda Lusby
« In July 2007, Acadia University Professor Linda Lusby spent three weeks in Malawi. She worked in sustainable community planning, organic farming and genetically modified crops…" read more >>



Objective 8: Create international partnerships for development

Nanfadima Magassouba
« Nanfadima Magassouba leads the national Coalition of Guinea for the rights and citizenship of women…" 
read more >>