Experiencing the recent Women and Global Security Summit

“As women leaders we commit ourselves to ensuring that the realities of women who do not have access to power inform our actions. Anything else would be a waste of resources and an act of unconscionable neglect.” - from Call to Action, International Women Leaders Global Security Initiative.

It was an incredible experience to report on the recent Women and Global Security Summit in New York. It was the largest ever gathering of women world leaders to address issues of global security. - over 70 women attended, from Prime Ministers to grassroots leaders.

A common drumbeat rose from the energetic whirl of colorful wraps, suits and pearls. Whether tacking issues of climate change or terrorism, the women leaders were united in a vision to elevate the voices and leadership of women as a key for solving these problems.

“We must hear the voices from the women on the ground,” said Mary Robinson, former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and first woman President of Ireland, echoing an often repeated phrase.

“We have find a way to bring resources closer to the communities!,” demanded Betty Bigombe, Chief Mediator between the government of Uganda and the Northern Uganda rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army.

After interviewing many of these leaders, including the dynamic Foreign Minister of Liberia, King-Akerele, I came away more passionate than ever before of the need and potential power of PulseWire to serve as a central conduit for channeling women’s voices from the ground to the halls of power and people who care. These powerful women leaders are ready to listen. Yet, there are reasons why it has been so difficult to bring frontline women’s voices forward: lack of access to communication channels, lack of media interest, lack of resources, and even lack of self-confidence from women ourselves.

We are diving head on into these challenges with PulseWire and it will be a long, collaborative road. We already know that there are many, many things we can do to improve PulseWire to begin to truly serve the needs of so many unheard women leaders – and we are committed to doing them. It’s scary but exciting. We are still listening and learning – so thank you for being on the journey with us.

Stay tuned for a deeper report on all the hot topics of the conference.

Check out the photos, below!

And, download the CALL TO ACTION that was the result of the conference.