Celebrate the YWCA as a safe space, says World YWCA President Susan Brennan on World YWCA Day 2009
Dear Friends,
From here in the Pacific where World YWCA Day comes first, I join with our World YWCA General Secretary in sending greetings for our special day. If you haven't had a chance to watch Nyaradzai's message on www.worldywca.org, I encourage you to do so.
From all over the world, in places at peace and in conflict, in prosperous settings and those in poverty, in small gatherings and large, we come together with members, friends and supporters to celebrate the World YWCA. From Taiwan to Thailand, from Fiji to Finland, from Malawi to Maryland, USA, YWCAs globally are honouring women leaders and celebrating women's leadership in creating a safe world.
Here in Melbourne Australia, we are hosted by our local YWCA with addresses by the Minister for Women, the first woman Police Commissioner of our State and myself. We are selling products from the YWCA Dhaka craft centre in Bangladesh to raise money for the Power to Change Fund. We are showing Nyaradzai's message. We are celebrating the YWCA as a safe space, safe because we provide shelter and places to gather, safe because we welcome all women, regardless of their circumstances.
Enjoy yourselves on World YWCA Day,
Susan Brennan, World YWCA President
