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  Blind women of the world have their say at Forum

Blind women from across the globe convened at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) for the 3 rd World Blind Union (WBU) Women's Forum in Cape Town , which was brought to a close on Saturday, 4 December 2004 . The Forum, with the theme Leading The Way , preceded the World Blind Union General Assembly, which started Monday, 6 December, at the CTICC.

The WBU Women's Forum's main aim was to give guidance to blind women on an international level and to find ways to make progress as a movement. The Forum discussed topics such as violence against blind and partially sighted women, human rights, leadership and self-advocacy. Reports were received from women from the WBU's different regions and 12 new resolutions were passed.

Kicki Nordström, the WBU's female President, says that it is encouraging to see the number of activities which blind women are involved in, in the different regions.

“There is an intense level of commitment from members from especially the developing world, but the response from organisations from across the world was just fantastic. It was heartening to see the solidarity that exists between delegates and we hope that the Women's Forum will serve as a platform from where more women will be launched as fully-fledged delegates at the WBU General Assembly,” she says.

“I like to say that women hold up half the sky and by doing so should also have half the share of responsibility and the power to influence decisions. If men and women can work together and combine their different experiences, we will all be stronger and will be able to change the present situation for the better – in all countries.”

Nordström says that the Forum was an eye-opener in terms of realising the level of discrimination that blind women are still faced with.

“Women are always the last to be asked, the last to gain the public trust, to get the high paying jobs and to be able to contribute to society. But power cannot be given. It must be taken and it should come with humility, respect and concern for what is best for others,” she says.

Nordström says that blind women's liberation is a continuous fight, but that much has been achieved already. She called on sighted women's organisations and movements to include blind and partially sighted women in their activities.

“We are more powerful than we have been in the past, but we are still being left out of the process,” she says.

ENDS

Prepared by: Anina Immelman

On behalf of: The SA National Council for the Blind

Telephone number: (012) 346-1171

Fax number: (012) 346-4699

E-mail address: anina@sancb.org.za