WDN Honors Women Leaders with Award for Distinguished Service

Honorees to receive Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award for Achievements on Behalf of Women Worldwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 5, 2008

Washington, D.C. - The International Republican Institute’s (IRI) Women’s Democracy Network (WDN) will hold its inaugural Jeane J. Kirkpatrick Award dinner on March 6, 2008, honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the advancement of women in politics and civil society. Receiving the award will be Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Paula Dobrianksy; Nang Charm Tong of the Shan Women’s Action Network; and Nang Yain of the Women’s League of Burma.

“Dr. Kirkpatrick was a leading voice for encouraging women to become involved in their community and the world around them. As the first woman to serve as the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations, she had first-hand knowledge of the challenges women face,” said IRI Chairman Senator John McCain. “Throughout her life she worked to transform those challenges into opportunities. The women we honor are continuing her legacy through their tireless efforts to provide women around the world the resources they need to build just and open societies.”

The award, which pays tribute to Dr. Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, recognizes honorees for their commitment to elevate women’s political and societal participation within their own communities and on behalf of women worldwide. A long-time IRI board member, Dr. Kirkpatrick was a strong advocate for women’s participation in politics. Her career in women’s political participation and foreign policy is an inspiration to women around the world today.

As Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Dobriansky is being honored for her long and distinguished career in foreign policy and her powerful advocacy for the rights of women, not only in Burma, but throughout the world. Nang Charm Tong, named among “Asia’s heroes of 2005,” by Time magazine, is an advocacy team member of the Shan Women’s Action Network, which works for social and political change in Burma through community based actions, research and advocacy. Nang Yain, Secretary General of the Women’s League of Burma, an umbrella organization of 12 women’s organizations of different ethnic backgrounds from Burma, works for the advancement of the status of women in Burma, and the increased participation of women in all spheres of the democracy movement.

The WDN is an initiative established by IRI to foster relationships among women leaders from around the world, providing them with opportunities to share experiences and develop the skills needed for professional advancement. The WDN encourages and supports women working to advance political, civic and economic participation in their countries, and create regional networks to strengthen their development.

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