Women & Poverty In Cultural Diversity

Under the patronage of UNESCO, and with the support of the Coopération belge au Développement – DGCD (www.dgcd.be), de Renovabis, Misereor, Frauen Missionswerk, Adveniat, 350 AIC volunteers from 50 countries throughout the world met in Rome for the International Assembly
from 9 to 14 March 2007 with the theme:

“Women and Poverty – Diversity of Cultures”

An international non-governmental organization (INGO), which follows the work of Saint Vincent de Paul, the International Association of Charities – AIC – now has 250,000 volunteers throughout the world who work with the poorest women in projects based on local needs and resources.

On a national and international level, AIC strives to act against any structures that lead to social injustice, especially those which affect women.

Thanks to the enlightening talks by Thierry Verhelst, a consultant in intercultural relations, Bogaletch Gebre, a specialist in women’s rights, Sr. Maria Pilar Lopez, a Daughter of Charity, Anna Casella Paltrinieri, a Professor of anthropology and Oscar Monteza, an International expert in cooperatives, evidence from active volunteers and the results of forums and workshops stressed the interaction between culture and the poverty of women.

Convinced that every woman has the capacity to change her own culture and find within herself the resources to rebuilt her future, the AIC Assembly drew up its priorities for the next 4 years:

- to encourage the opportunity for people, especially women, to express themselves
- to educate towards a better balance of roles between men and women
- to provide training in human rights especially the defence of women’s rights
- to collaborate with others regarding the promotion of women

AIC reaffirmed the values which support its action:

§ Respect for the dignity of women
§ Solidarity between women
§ Strengthening the sense of family
§ Vincentian spirituality