IRI Continues Commitment to Muslim Women

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2005

Washington, D.C. --The International Republic Institute's (IRI) Muslim Women's Advocacy program hosted the first regional training conference for Muslim women in African countries April 25-28, 2005 in Lagos Nigeria. Representatives from Nigeria, Liberia, Somaliland and Sudan attended this weeks training that is designed to include Muslim women in civic life. This conference was the first time women from all countries gathered to share experiences and learn from each other.

"I got to know more about IRI's work and IRI in Nigeria…I am impressed about the level of the structural and organizational capacity of the Muslim women present at the workshop. I learned so much at the workshop and believe that African women are set to lead Africa," said Dr. Amnna a conference participant from Sudan.

Long excluded from the political process, Muslim women are becoming increasingly active in public life. Through issue advocacy, IRI is encouraging rural Muslim women to get involved in the political process. IRI is providing Muslim women with the skills to advocate for basic needs, such as potable water, basic health services and primary education.

Participants in the workshop received training in issue advocacy from experts from Sierra Leone, Kenya and Nigeria. The experts instructed the participants on how to target a message, write proposals and develop a strategic plan. To capitalize on the active and well-organized Muslim women organizations in Nigeria and Somaliland, participant established peer-to-peer mentoring relationships between women's organizations in Nigeria and Somaliland and their counterparts in Liberia and Sudan, respectively.

"Previously I am scared of speaking in public but after the session on public speaking I overcame my stage fright and I have been speaking boldly and confidently at the workshop. This I will continue and it will further enhance my advocacy work in Liberia as I will be able to reach out more to audience," said Marietta from Liberia another conference participant.

Launched in January 2005, IRI's Muslim Women's Advocacy program has held four conferences in each of the represented countries. Conferences were held in Monrovia, Liberia; Hargeisa, Somaliland; and Abuja, Nigeria in January 2005 and in Khartoum, Sudan in April 2005. The program seeks to increase political participation of Muslim women in Africa and help countries transition to democracies.

###

A nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing democracy worldwide