IRI's Women's Democracy Network Recognizes
Achievements of Four Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2006

Washington, D.C. — The International Republican Institute's (IRI) Women's Democracy Network hosted a luncheon and forum on September 22, 2006, recognizing women leaders from Afghanistan, Guatemala, Jordan and Mongolia. The women spoke on the challenges and opportunities for women in politics in their countries.

The Honorable Rana Al-Hajaia, a former Mayor in Jordan; Banzragch Delgermaa, President of the Democratic Women's Union in Mongolia; the Honorable Saima Khugyani, a Member of the Wolesi Jirga in Afghanistan; and, the Honorable Maria Elena Cruz Urrutia, the Auxiliary Secretary of the Municipal Council of Guatemala City, Guatemala each spoke on the struggle to advance women's participation in politics and governance.

In opening the program, Judy Van Rest, IRI Executive Vice President, said, "Today, we will hear from four courageous women, who have overcome adversity, sometimes in the face of danger to their lives, certainly against the habits of culture, to become leaders in their own right. They serve as an inspiration to the work of the Women's Democracy Network."

Maria Elena gave the first presentation highlighting the contradictions in Guatemalan society. "In a recent history…women have held on two occasions, the presidency of Congress, had been appointed as cabinet members, and currently, a woman has been appointed president of this pre-court of justice…But it is--in the local governments or municipalities where inequality deepens. Out of 331 municipalities, only nine are led by women." Marie Elena went on to point out, "Without women's active participation and the inclusion of women's points of views, at all levels of decision-making process, the objectives of equality, development and peace will not be achieved. Therefore, we will not be able to talk about effective democracy and development without true equality of the genders."

In her presentation, Mayor Hajaia spoke of how she became Mayor of al-Hassa and the difficulties in overcoming gender bias and corruption. She recounted how she lost her job three times for trying to root out corruption and that upon her appointment as Mayor the Minister of Municipal Affairs told her, "Once, you told me that there are many wrong things and you want to fix them, so you have this opportunity now to do so." Rana did just that. Serving as the countries only woman mayor she worked to root out government corruption and established community committees to work with government officials on community projects. She also helped establish the Women Pioneers, a network of women leaders in Tafileh. She founded the Prince Hashem Charity and the Al-Hassa Women's Charity.

Delgermaa spoke of the inequality that exists in Mongolia despite the fact that woman make up a little more than 50 percent of the population. "Men own most of the wealth in our society. All levels of decision-making - state central and local administrative - power and senior positions are held by men." Delgermaa highlighted the passage of a quota in the Mongolian election law as one way to ensure women are included in the political process. She also spoke of the work of the Women's Partnership in Politics and Governance Forum has done to encourage woman's participation in the political process.

Saima Khugyani, a member of Afghanistan's Parliament, gave the final presentation. She spoke of the difficulties women faced in campaigning for office and in particular her own experiences on the campaign trail. Male family members were reluctant to escort her to speeches, local warlords spread rumors that she was dead so people should not vote for her, and religious leaders told followers it was against Islam to vote for women. Despite these difficulties, Saima and other women won election and are serving their constituents well. Saima was appointed Chairwoman of the Women's Committee and she is an active member in Mili Paigham, and group of independent, pro-democracy members of parliament. In the face of opposition, she has said, "We will struggle until we have become fully equal."

Attending the luncheon were IRI Board Members Janet Mullins Grissom and Richard S. Williamson, Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration Marion Blakey, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Ellen Sauerbrey, and Special Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Fran Townsend. In addition, Mrs. Puyatsetseg Jambal wife of Mongolian Prime Minister Tsakhiagiyn Elbegdorj, Mrs. Davaamaa Enkhbold wife of Mongolian Foreign Minster Enkhbold Nyamaa, and Mrs. Oyun Mijiddorj wife of Ambassador Bold, Mongolian Ambassador to the U.S. attended the forum.

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IRI's Women's Democracy Network Recognizes Achievements of Four Leaders

IRI's Women's Democracy Network Recognizes
Achievements of Four Leaders