Editor's note.FOR THIS ISSUE, WE WERE DELIGHTED TO COLLABORATE with the Global Fund for Women in planning and writing a series of articles on the current state of and future for the global women's movement women's movement: see feminism; woman suffrage. women's movement Diverse social movement, largely based in the U.S., seeking equal rights and opportunities for women in their economic activities, personal lives, and politics. . The recent elections of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (born October 29, 1938) is the current president of Liberia, Africa's first elected female head of state and Liberia's first elected female president.The Liberian elections commission announced her victory on November 23, 2005, following the 2005 election. as the first female head of state in Africa and of Michelle Bachelet Verónica Michelle Bachelet Jeria (born September 29 1951) is a center-left politician and the current President of Chile—the first woman to hold this position in the country's history. in Chile are two very visible signs that the world views women today very differently than it did a generation ago. Our lead article, by Kavita Ramdas Kavita Ramdas has been the President and CEO of the non-profit organization Global Fund for Women since 1996. Ramdas was born and raised in Mumbai, India. She received her B.A. in international relations from Mount Holyoke College in 1985 and her M.P.A. , and the other articles we commissioned from around the world highlight many more. We chose to partner with the Global Fund for many reasons. I noted from an early draft of Kavita's article that we shared a similar outlook on the world, one committed to a world of equality and social justice. While Conscience highlights advances and opportunities for women and social justice around the world, the Global Fund advocates for and defends women's human rights by making grants to support women's groups. As Conscience seeks to transform the dialogue around reproductive health Within the framework of WHO's definition of health[1] as a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, reproductive health, or sexual health/hygiene and rights, especially as related to the Catholic hierarchy, the Global Fund seeks to "transform the dominant ideology The dominant ideology, in Marxist or marxian theory, is the set of common values and beliefs shared by most people in a given society, framing how the majority think about a range of topics, The dominant ideology is understood by Marxism to reflect, or serve, the interests of the of philanthropy by inviting broad democratic participation among a wide range of donors and by blurting the lines between those who give and those who receive." Its founders, including our executive editor, Frances Kissling, "were inspired by the ideals of democracy, feminism and humanism and the Fund has sought to transform those ideals into a model of grantmaking and fundraising that is based on respect and trust." The women we write about and who approach the Global Fund face many different kinds of challenges, they are women "who are claiming their freedom, speaking in their own voices and demanding a say in the decisions that affect their lives, from the family to the workplace, from their places of worship to their governments." They share a common dream, as do Conscience and the Global Fund. So, as you read through the many stories in this issue, take out your checkbooks or credit cards for a double whammy: buy a subscription to Conscience for you and your friends and make a donation to the Global Fund as well. DAVID J. NOLAN NOLAN Nascom Operational LAN Editor |
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