 |
|
 |
Did you know?
Through the International Women of Courage Award, the United States honors extraordinary women worldwide who have played transformative roles in their societies by advocating for human rights. In honor of International Women’s Day, Secretary of State Clinton gave the 2009 award to seven recipients. For more information about these incredible women, please visit the Office of Global Women's Issues.
|
|
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8 and Mother’s Day on May 10, Coverdell World Wise Schools dedicates this issue of the World Wise Window to women around the world. In all cultures, the contributions of women are vital to sustainable development. In the domestic sphere, women are wives, mothers, and daughters who work as family health care providers, nutritionists, role models, and homemakers. As professionals, women continue to make strides in every career field. Sometimes their accomplishments include being the first of their sex to break into an industry; sometimes, women are taking leadership roles at the local, national, and international levels.
Despite women’s successes, gender inequalities still exist. Peace Corps Volunteers—60 percent of whom are women—work with girls and women in every country they serve. In fact, Peace Corps Volunteers work with more adult women than men. The Peace Corps Act was modified in 1974 to recognize that “women in developing countries play a significant role in the economic production, family support and the overall development process.” As a result, volunteers in all assignment areas are learning from women and teaching them, seeking women’s advice and participation on projects, and striving to improve the lives of women in their communities.
In this issue, enjoy a variety of Peace Corps resources addressing women, from a new slide show about a girls’ camp in Niger, to a video featuring successful Senegalese women produced by volunteers in that country. New poetry from South Africa observes the role of women with clarity and detail, while in-depth Peace Corps resources open the door to extension activities on this important issue.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Slide Show: “Healthy Girls, Healthy Villages”
Enjoy vivid scenes of Nigerienne girls and women as they work and live in their village, learn about health and nutrition, and play American games during Peace Corps Volunteer Vivian Nguyen’s Girls Leading Our World Camp.
|
 |
Video: Elle Travaille, Elle Vit! (“She Works, She Lives”) is a 38-minute video in French with English subtitles created by Peace Corps/Senegal Volunteers. It highlights the careers and viewpoints of successful women in the Senegalese workplace.
|
 |
Online Game: In the “Educating Village Girls” challenge, play the role of a Peace Corps Volunteer helping to address some of the obstacles to this important developmental goal. Peace Corps Challenge takes place in the fictional village of Wanzuzu and simulates the victories and difficulties of working toward sustainable solutions. Lesson: The Flow of Women's Work |
| Correspondence Match Tip of the Month |
|
What happens to your Correspondence Match now that the end of the school year is fast approaching? For most of you, nothing will change; the matches are designed to last the volunteer’s entire service, usually two years. We recommend that you stay in touch with your volunteer over the summer, just to keep your correspondence active and ready to start again in earnest when the new school year starts.
If you know that your volunteer is ending Peace Corps service over the summer and you would like a new volunteer, please let us know by sending an e-mail to wwsinfo@peacecorps.gov. This will allow us to place your name on the teacher waiting list as soon as possible.
|
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
Q: Is there an observance in your country of service that recognizes mothers? How is it celebrated?
A: We do celebrate Día de la Madre here in El Salvador. In my community, the school holds an event, and all of the mothers are invited to see their kids perform small skits and dances to celebrate. There is a small meal provided for everyone, and afterward there are games and prizes. Last year I helped out in the celebration and sung Madrecita Querida, a ranchero song to all the mothers. Unfortunately my own mom couldn’t be there, but I did dedicate the song to her.
—Chadd Garrett, Computer Science Peace Corps Volunteer, El Salvador
More Peace Corps Volunteer responses  |
 |
Inspiring Correspondence Match Materials from Belize Beautiful illustrations and an eye for detail help the culture and geography of Belize come alive in the phenomenal resources Peace Corps Volunteer Cheryl Frances created for her Correspondence Match partners.
Correspondence Match Improving Education in Costa Rica
Read about how Peace Corps Volunteer Josh Kagan and his Correspondence Match class in Pennsylvania partnered to support a school library in this central American country. |
|
 |
Peace Corps Resources
Interested in exploring the Peace Corps' approach to integrating women and girls into development work? Access these extensive training resources, made available through the agency's online library.
Beyond the Classroom: Empowering Girls
Model Sessions: Basic Knowledge About WID, GAD, and PACA
Field Insights
In the Classroom: Empowering Girls |
TeachUNICEF Resources on
Gender Equality
Explore marvelous resources differentiated for grades 6–8 and 9–12. “Fatna’s Story: Giving Girls the Chance to Learn” focuses on gender issues in education, while “Ena’s Story: Women and Economic Equality” investigates gender in the work place. |
|
