February 22, 2012, New York

In 2012, WEDO is very proud to have joined the Boards of two distinguished institutions, the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) and the Women’s Empowerment Principles.

UNDEF
UNDEF was established by the UN Secretary-General in 2005 as a United Nations General Trust Fund to support democratization efforts around the world. UNDEF supports projects that strengthen the voice of civil society, promote human rights, and encourage the participation of all groups in democratic processes. The large majority of UNDEF funds go to local civil society organizations — both in the transition and consolidation phases of democratization. Click here to read their latest Newsletter.

Women’s Empowerment Principles
The Women’s Empowerment Principles are a set of Principles for business offering guidance on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. They are the result of a collaboration between the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM, part of UN Women) and the United Nations Global Compact. The development of the Principles included an international multi-stakeholder consultation process, which was launched in March 2009. From March 6th 2012, WEDO will participate in the 4th Annual Women’s Empowerment Principles Event, which brings together companies that have signed the CEO Statement of Support for the Women’s Empowerment Principles, as well as other businesses and stakeholders,  to discuss how corporate behavior and practices are being transformed to align with the WEPs.

WEDO welcomes the opportunity to give input to these important institutions, highlighting our experiences and the experiences of our colleagues, partners and global network of women leaders and activists.

For more information, please contact [email protected].