Neema Namadamu and United Nations

United Nations: The Canadian Voice of Women for Peace VOW co-organized the event, Girls Act for Change, Girls Act for Peace: Empowering Girl Ambassadors for Peace, with the Global Network of Women for Peace the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations and Synergie des Associations F minines du Congo The event was held at the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations and the speakers were: Mavic Cabrera Balleza, international coordinator; Neema Namadamu, Coordinator of the Girl Ambassador for Peace in South Kivu, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo DRC ; Jazmin Papadopoulos, from VOW; and me, a board member of VOW. There were opening remarks by Susan Truppe, Canada Parliamentary Secretary for the Status of Women and Ambassador Guillermo Rishchynski, Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, and Prof. Marilou McPhedren, who is Director of the Institute for International Women Rights at the University of Winnipeg and member of VOW board of directors, according to Rabble. I love being in a circle and that what I told the audience during my talk at the panel. In VOW peace camps and events, we are usually in circles, abandoning hierarchy and patriarchy. In a circle we discuss issues that matter to us as female peace builders. It a safe space where we communicate with each other, ask questions, find answers and share our experiences, skills and thoughts. I hope to see a global women and girls peace circle formed. During the event, we were not in a circle. It was an official setting in which chairs are placed in rows facing the speakers. However, I felt that a circle was formed when Namadamu shared with us the challenges that women and girls face in Congo during their peace work. But most importantly, she shared with us the achievements. Being able to hear from her was a great opportunity and While women share their struggles everywhere, each struggle is unique. Whether in Canada or Congo, women peace builders are striving for a change that will make world a better place to be. It was inspiring to hear from a woman from another country, struggling to have peace and educate her people. That Namadamu. In a country where the female literacy rate is very low, she is the second in her tribe to have a college degree. Her smile and enthusiasm filled the room with positive energy. Sadly, a young ambassador for peace from Congo was scheduled to be speaking at the event, but denied visa to the United States. But Namadamu was her voice and sent the message of the young women in her country by asking governments, including the Canadian, to invest in peace. Investing in peace doesn t happen by militarization and arms deals, but by helping girls and women overcome challenges, educate themselves and their communities. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.