56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women Dolapo Adeniji-Neill, Ph.D. 56th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women

Promoting Capacity Through Cooperation between Urban and Rural Women http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://developmentalidealism.org/img/africa/img175.jpg&imgrefurl=http://developmentalidealism.org/imagery/malawi.html&h=396&w=500&sz=44&tbnid=OBNqVNLaYzDirM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=114&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Brural%2Bafrican%2Bwomen%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=images+of+rural+african+women&docid=4x8YPQMA_KoFiM&sa=X&ei=9ztIT4m_D4rs0gGgsqCzDg&ved=0CE4Q9QEwBA&dur=425

Definition of Rural in, relating to, or characteristic of the countryside rather than the town: remote-rural areas. (http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/rural)

Rural "Rural" - just away from the city, or lacking in amenities, infrastructure, education, information, proper health care…

Urban/Urbanite Urban: in, relating to, or characteristic of a town or city: the urban population (Oxford dictionary). Urbanite: someone who live in the city or similar urban areas or a demographic class of young, socially conscious urban professionals. http://urbanite.askdefine.com/

Urbanites

Panorama of Dar es Salaam city a few minutes before dusk Panorama of Dar es Salaam city a few minutes before dusk. Photo by Benjamin William Mkapa

Research on the Urban Life “Ten Great Expectations” Expecting to live a meaningful and experience-rich urban life Expecting to succeed in multiple areas of life (not just career) Expecting to get substantial fulfilment from work (not just cash) Expecting to be at the hub of a large friendship network Expecting the traditional ideal of “true love” in the modern world Expecting to have to “make time” in order to have and enjoy time Expecting to avoid the use of debt to have what they need or would want Expecting to have a progressive government that delivers Expecting to live in a pleasant “urban village” area of their city Expecting to live a responsible life as a consumer (From the British commuter newspaper ”Metro”’s qualitative research, 2001; http://urbanite.askdefine.com/?) (From the British commuter newspaper ”Metro”’s qualitative research, 2001; http://urbanite.askdefine.com/?)

Enabling Rural Women’s Capacity” What objective does this assume/capacity to do what?: Self-sustaining? Independent-minded? Active participants in the making of policy and life choices?

What do rural African Women and Urban African Women have in Common? Village of birth or have grand parents and other family members who still live in the village Other suggestions?

What are the differences that are obstacles to their cooperation? Western education Distance Prejudice Class Others obstacles?

How to overcome obstacles to their cooperation Use the same 4 rules of networking: Level 1 – Acquaintance (go and visit-casual) Level 2 – Associate (Spend time, become working partners) Level 3 – Advocate (Become friends- share resources, give service, demonstrate integrity and competence) Level 4 – Ally (ultimate level of relationship-collaborators and teammates) Adapted from The Urban Professional: Investing in Social Capital By Michael Rice  Acquaintances - The first level of Urban Networking relationships are Acquaintances. These are individuals you know causally, you may or may not know their names. You acknowledge them at meetings or events but you do not have their email or phone numbers. Acquaintances are individuals on the same schedule with you. You see them at the bus stop, the coffee shop, in the elevator, at lunch or at the super market. Acquaintances know nothing about your personal life, job or business.   Associates - The second level is Associates. These are individuals who you may consider to be friends. They work with you, live next to you and spend time with you. They know your full name and a little about you. You might invite them to your birthday party and to have a drink after work. You may confide in them and share personal stories. Advocates – These are Associates who have moved into a higher role. They know you and promote you to others. They know your name and the initiatives, products, resources and services you represent. They believe in what you are doing and are willing to stand behind you because you have demonstrated integrity and competence. Advocates can be mentors, coaches and teachers. Allies – These individuals represent the ultimate level of relationship that urban professional/networkers are striving for. These individuals are working together with you in a mutually beneficial relationship. They are collaborators, partners and teammates. The Urban Professional: Investing in Social Capital By Michael Rice

Fostering Interaction Religious institutions Village/"tribal" associations Ask professional associations to start projects with rural women

Who can facilitate the co-operation between rural and urban Women? How? Government International agencies Embassies in the country Businesses Religious institution cultural associations

“Educate a woman, you educate a nation.”(Anne Mungai) Education is the key: Adult literacy (not only reading and writing) Without literacy it is impossible to move forward

How to promote the capacity of Rural Women Projects that will generate resources Access to funding Grants and loans for rural women projects such as irrigation Clean water primary health care literacy classes Etc.

How could urban professional women help? Cooperation Dialogue Listen Point the way to where the funds are and help get them Educate with respect

How could urban women help? Co-construct solutions to issues of: Self sufficiency Illiteracy Health problems such as HIV/Aids education Maternal and Child health and educational care Find access to solutions and implement with the help of all stakeholders

How could urban women help? Educate for democracy Pay Back!!!! Reach back Remember… http://developmentalidealism.org/imagery/malawi.html

http://www. google. com/imgres. imgurl=https://d1q3aux3aignky http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://d1q3aux3aignky.cloudfront.net/store/product/image/28159.gif&imgrefurl=https://www.thehungersite.com/store/ths/item/28159/business-grants-for-rural-african-women&h=630&w=680&sz=87&tbnid=9NBBOZTK9VTVdM:&tbnh=91&tbnw=98&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Brural%2Bafrican%2Bwomen%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=images+of+rural+african+women&docid=5uqckIJ7mz9iPM&sa=X&ei=9ztIT4m_D4rs0gGgsqCzDg&ved=0CFgQ9QEwBw&dur=347

How Could Urban Women Help? Become allies (An ally is not a bystander, she is there with her rural sisters) working together with rural women in a mutually beneficial relationship Become collaborators, partners and teammates Speak for/as ally-advocates of rural women where they could not be present (urban/local institutions) Explain how things work and how to be effective + recognize sisterhood Listen.

“To whom much is given, much is expected.” Luke 12:48 Wangari Maathai http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.celsias.com/media/uploads/admin/Wangari_Maathai.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.celsias.com/article/farewell-wangari-maathai-and-so-many-many-thanks-w/&h=427&w=320&sz=38&tbnid=rM3zyhYH5H6sfM:&tbnh=186&tbnw=139&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dimages%2Bof%2Brural%2Bafrican%2Bwomen%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=images+of+rural+african+women&docid=Vq8HzH35UGR9_M&sa=X&ei=9ztIT4m_D4rs0gGgsqCzDg&ved=0CEEQ9QEwAA&dur=485

“A mad woman.” Said: Kenyan President Arap Moi of Wangari Maathai! In 1997 she started the Green Belt Movement that engaged rural women in planting of 45 million trees. In 2004, she became the first African Woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace. 

We need more mad urban women! Questions and suggestions?

Thank you!