BVMs in Beijing Deepen Global Commitment to Women
Kay Fennell (second from right), group coordinator, guided (I. to r.) BVMs Rose Mary Meyer, Carolyn Farrell and Carol Cook through the intricacies of Chinese travel.
Republished in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Fourth United Nations Conference in Beijing.
by Rita Benz, BVM
Originally published in Salt, Spring 1995
Joining 35,000 women from 180 participating national governments and United Nations agencies from Aug. 30–Sept. 8, three BVMs participated in the grass-roots Non-Governmental Organization (NGOs) gathering in Hairou, China—a “sleepy resort town” next to Beijing. It was the largest international gathering of women in history.
Attending were: Carol Cook, BVM representative at the 8th Day Center for Justice in Chicago; Carolyn Farrell, associate vice-president, Loyola University for Mundelein College and director of the Ann Ida Gannon BVM Center for Women and Leadership; and Rose Mary Meyer, coordinator of the BVM Women’s Office.
“The Forum was a women’s conference to the tenth power,” Carolyn explains. “Workshops covering topics pertaining to women included education, health, economics, political involvement, family life and spirituality.” The NGOs also lobbied the parallel Fourth United Nations Conference, and “The Forum’s energy affected the U.N. document,” she says.
“This was a global experience I will be unpacking for the rest of my life,” Rose Mary adds.
“For the first time spirituality and religion were conference themes. I felt privileged to present a workshop on ‘Women’s Experiences, Sacred Moments.”‘ Women from eight countries attended and the model is being taken to Northern Ireland to assist women there to recognize their sacred selves and to find common bonds despite other differences.”
For Carol, “The Forum was a work in progress. Notices continually announced unscheduled workshops, street theater productions, caucuses and interest group meetings. Demonstrations often began with a few and swelled as delegates added their own issues. Cultural performances were frequently open to spontaneous participation.
“Microenterprise, an empowering economic reality for women from every country, became more evident each day. No matter the approach, information was shared on issues, life situations and alternatives to unjust systems such as oppressive governments, inadequate educational and health options, accepted ethnic diversity.
“Discussions aimed at increasing understanding, not placing blame. Injustices were named so that solutions or alternatives could be developed. Whatever approach, each issue was seen as part of a continuum in which each woman could find herself, her organizations, her country.”
Carol, Rose Mary and Carolyn agree they each came home energized by the Beijing experience, committed to continue working to insure that the rights of all women are recognized and incorporated into law and practice.
Summarizing the overall effectiveness of the event, Carolyn concludes: “The U.N. accepted a Plan of Action dedicated to the improvement of conditions for women around the globe. Now the task is to take the Plan wherever we are and use it in our work for justice for women.”
Since their return, Carol, Carolyn and Rose Mary are sharing their experiences and advocating implementation of the U.N. Plan. They are urging women to focus on issues in their own communities and raising awareness of the bonding of women worldwide.
“I felt a profound sadness as I experienced once again the personal and economic hardships many women endure, but I am committed globally and challenged beyond my imagination,” Rose Mary explains. “Change will happen. Women’s rights will be recognized as human rights. The 21st century will be different for children, for everyone. I am filled with hope.”
Rose Mary, Carol and Carolyn continue to analyze their Beijing experience and look forward to its global effects. “But we’ve only begun,” they agree. “Ongoing action is essential.”
- Already 8th Day Center delegates have attracted women to their Brown Bag Luncheon “Beijing and Beyond,” and subsequent plans are on the drawing board, Carol reports.
- The Gannon Center for Women and Leadership and the BVM Women’s Office co-sponsored “Action after Beijing.” Speakers gave an overview, addressed selected issues and forecasted opportunities to build networks and partnerships for joining together on national and international common agendas.
- All three BVM participants have spoken to groups and been interviewed by the media.
The official document of the W arid Conference, slated for publication momentarily, is critical for groups and organizations planning their local approaches in the context of global realities. Information on potential action and interchange promises to be challenging and accessible.
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